Prahalada Charitram As narrated In Vishnu Puranam 5

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. 

Continued On: http://thoughtsonsanathanadharma.blogspot.com/2020/05/prahalada-charitram-as-narrated-in.html