Prahalada Charitram As
narrated In Vishnu Puranam 5
– By Swetha
Sundaram
Continued From : https://thoughtsonsanathanadharma.blogspot.com/2019/11/prahalada-charitram-as-narrated-in_11.html
The day of the peace negotiations dawned and Lord
Krishna arrived. As soon as Lord Krishna entered the court, Duryodhana stood up
and as a result, all the other elders stood up to receive Lord Krishna with due
respect. Duryodhana never realised that he was standing up. He only noticed the
others standing up to receive Perumal. After retiring to their private quarters
he expressed his annoyance that the others had stood up to receive Lord
Krishna. Bhishmacharya reminded Duryodhana that they had agreed to follow the
actions of Duryodhana and since Duryodhana stood up with respect, the others
followed him. Duryodhana was bewildered that he had been the first one to stand
up and receive Lord Krishna with respect. As Perumal is also present in the
heart of Duryodhana, He had caused Duryodana to stand-up. Thus the Perumal’s
will is the driving force for our activities.
Bhishmacharyar turned to Vidura. ‘Didn’t I tell you
number 3 will solve the problem?’
‘Please explain what is meant by number 3?’ Asked
Vidura.
‘The first three names in Vishnu Sahasranama sloka
are “Visvam, Vishnu, and Vashatkara’. Number 3 is the third name ‘Vashatkara’
in the list. This name reveals the Lord as the antaryami and the inner
controller of all. From within He controls people to do or not do certain acts.
It was Lord Narayana who from within Duryodhana had made Duryodhana stand up
and welcome Him with respect.’
Adi Sankaracharyar had provided the explanation of
‘Vashatkara’ by explaining that when ghee is poured into the sacred fire during
Yagams, the word ‘Vashat’ is pronounced. Adi Sankaracharyar hence explained the
name ‘Vashatkara’ by explaining that the word ‘Vashat’ pronounced while
performing Yagams refers to Perumal.
Swami Parasarar Bhattar, on the other hand, explained
that ‘Vashatkara’ means the ‘inner controller’ in his commentaries on Sri
Vishnu Sahasranama Slokams. Swami Parasara Bhattar used Sanskrit Grammer to
explain the meaning of the name ‘Vashatkara’.
hiraṇyakaśipur uvāca
koyaṃ viṣṇuḥ sudurbuddhe yaṃ bravīṣi punaḥ punaḥ /
jagatāmīśvarasyeha purataḥ prasabha mama // ViP_1,17.21
//
‘Who is this Vishnu you keep speaking about?’ Asked
Hiranyakashipu.
prahlāda uvāca
na śabdagocare yasya yogidhyeyaṃ paraṃ padam /
yato yaś ca svayaṃ viśvaṃ sa viṣṇuḥ parameśvaraḥ //
ViP_1,17.22 //
‘He is Parameshwara the Supreme Being!’
The Sri
Vaishnavas while performing Sandhyavandhanam utter that they are performing the
rite to please Lord Narayana. The smarthas utter that they are performing the
rite to perform ‘Parameshwara’. Many people mistakenly believe that
‘Parameshwara’ is the name for Lord Siva. The name ‘Parameshwara’ means Supreme
Being and is the name of Lord Vishnu.
