Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha !
Srimathe Vedhantha Desikaya Namaha !!
Srimate Sri Lakshminrisimha Divyapadukasevaka Srivan Satakopa Sri Narayana
Yatindra Mahadesikaya namaha !!!
Dear Bhagavathas !
The writer , recently had query from some of the youths , asking for
clarifications on the Hyagreeva Avataram of Sriman Narayanan. Same doubts could
be there with some more of you , but due to various factors they are not being
spelt out. Keeping those in mind , adiyen
humbly , submits this article to the group , for the benefit of all
concerned. The article was written based on the details collected during the
various lectures and upanyasams attended and also reading some of the books on
this subject. It is expected that the addressed audience would find this
presentation quite interesting and useful .
May Sriyapathi bless us all.
Regards
yours- Ramanuja Dasan G.Sampath.
Quote
Hyagreeva Avataram.
The query raised had three parts. They were :
1. The significance of Hyagreevar Avatharam ,
2. Why srivaisnavaite relate this avathar for education and
3. The reason for the Lord to take this avathar with Horse face .
The adiyen submits the answer as under:
First we should understand the difference between ? Brahma ? and
? Brahmam ? . Brahma was first created by the Lord Sriman Narayanan . Then
He used him for the creation of this universe . Brahmam is the Lord Himself .
The avataram of Hayagriva Bhagavan took place , to restore the Vedas to
Brahma . This is the objective.
This avtaaram was made by the Lord , in the month of Avani , in , sravana
nakshathram paurnami thithi . So reading about this in this month of Avani ,
becomes more significant.
Different puranams describe this avatar of Sriman Narayanan , in various
versions . But the basic objective remains the same. To save and restore the
Vedas to Brahma .
Hyagreeva Avataram is narrated in detail in Mahabharath , ? Saanthi Parvam
?, 357th Sargam. After the Pralayakaalam , Lord Sriman Narayanan wanted to
create the universe again. With this thought in mind He was having His Yoga
Nithra. He then created Brahma , from His naval ( Naabhikamalam) . He taught
Brahma the Vedas by His breadth. Brahma used that knowledge to create the
entire Universe .
Since Brahma was chosen by the Lord to understand the vedas first , Brahma
got a bit proud and this pride entered his head and he lost his balance. To
teach Brahma a lesson, Lord Sriman Narayanan created two asuras , Madhu and
Kaitapa . One ( kaitapan) was of thamo guna and the other ( madhu) was of Rajo
guna .They stole the vedas from Brahma and ran to Paathala Lokam , as their
hiding place.
Brahma was unable to carry on his further work of creation without these
Vedas. So he rushed to the Lord Sriman Narayanan and pleaded the Lord for
mercy and requested Him to save and restore the Vedas to him . Brahma
prostrated to the Lord and said :
" veda me paramam saakshi , veda me paramam param !
veda me paramam dharma, veda me Brahma sookshumam !! ?
Meaning, "Vedas alone are the truth ! They are my Lord. They are the great
Dharmas ! They are everything !? He then added , ? Oh! Lord ! The whole world
is surrounded by darkness , now, due to the absence of Vedas. How am I to
proceed on my creation work without the Vedas ?
Please arise from your Yoga Nithra and help me Lord ! Please restore me back
my eyes which have been blinded by my own pride ."
Lord Sriman Narayanan took the Hayagreeva Avatar , appearing with the
face of a white Horse . Since Lord is the Suddha Sathvam , His face was
faultless , beaming like a spatikam and having Divya tejas. He destroyed the
asuras and restored the Vedas to Brahma .
Puranas describe this ( horse faced ) avatar as under.
The Lord had a lovely long nose, like the heaven surrounded by white
bright stars . The asva siras (head of horse) illumined the whole world . The
upper world and the lower world became His ears. Sun's brightest rays are His
hairs at the back of His neck (pidari) . Bhoomi became His forehead . Ganga
and Saraswathi became His two lovely eyebrows. Chandra Sooryar (The Moon and
the Sun) became His two eyes . Aakaasam and Paathaalam became His ears.
Sandhya devathai became His nostrils . Pithru devathais became His teeth .
Golokam and Brahma lokam became His two lips. kaalaraathri became His neck.
The Divya tejas , Sathva moorthy Sri Hayagreevan thus appeared , with
grandeur . He rushed to Paathaala lokam and raised His "uthgeetham " in
samavedha swaram and terrified the two Madhukaitapa asuras . Sri Hayagreevar ,
after conquering them , took away the Vedas and handed over the same to Brahma
. Brahma then continued his work of creation.
Bhagavatha Puranam describes this avatar briefly in Skandam 2, chapter 7 ,
slokam 11 and in Skandam 11, Chapter 4 , slokam 17 .
In Brahmananda PuraaNam , in Sri Devi Bhagawatham , it is mentioned that
Parvathi devi , got impressed with the penance of the asuras to her ( asuras
did penance to her also ) and offered them the boon , as per their request ,
that they could be killed only by a horse faced person . They asked this boon ,
thinking that it can never happen . That is the effect of their Thamo and rajo
Gunas. Hence , the Lord Sriman Narayanan appeared as Hayagreevar ( Horse
faced person ) and killed the two asuras , to save the world and bring back
the Vedas to Brahma. Hence the horse face Avatar.
Swami Desikan , in his Hyagreeva stotram , in the very first verse describes
as under.
? Gnananandha Mayam Devam Nirmala Spatika Krithim !
Aadhaaram Sarva Vidhyaanaam Hyagreevam Upasmahe !! ?
Meaning , ? The lord Hyagreeva ( Horse faced Lord) is an Aaanandha Mayan .
He is also the Gnana Mayan. His body shines like a Spatikam , without any
blemish and is white in color . He is the abode of all knowledge and
skills ( Vidhdhyas ) . Let us do prayers to Him. ?
And in the nineth slokam , Swami describes Hyagreeva as the Lord , who
removes the doubts and obstacles of Brahma , who , incidentally , is supposed
to be the Guru of all Devas. In the 33rd slokam , he categorically states
that to attain brilliance in writing and to acquire the true knowledge about
all things in this universe , one should do pooja to Lakshmi Hyagreevar.
Swami desikan was blessed by Garuda Bhagwan , on this Hyagreeva Mantram , in
Thiruvaheendrapuram ( near cuddalore ) in Tamilnadu. By reciting this mantra
Swami desikan had the Kataksham of Lord Lakshmi Hyagreevan and was blessed by
Him. Swami always kept Lord Lakshmi Hyagreeva?s idol in his Pooja room and
Lord was his Aaradhana deivam.
Hence , Srivaishnavites pray , specifically to Lakshmi Hyagreeva for getting
better knowledge through education and high skills in profession. While
Goddess Saraswathi and Vinayaga ( other demigods , within whom the Lord Sriman
Narayanan is present as Antharyamai), could be worshipped by many others , for
a Srivaishnavan , worshipping Lord Hyagreeva is alone enough for getting
education , wisdom knowledge and removal of all obstacles in life .
Since Lord Sriman Narayanan killed the Madhikaitapa Asuras , He got the
Thirunamam " Madhusoodhanan ". In Krishkinthaa Kaandam of Vaalmiki Ramayan,
Vaali tells Sri Rama ' even if that Ravana hides Sita in Paathaala lokam , no
problem . You could have just told me . I would have brought back Sita from any
where, any place whatsoever, like Sri Hyagreevar brought the Vedas killing
Madhukaitapaas. ( 17th Sargam- 49th slokam ) .
So let all Srivaishnavites convey their sincere pranams to swami Desikan ,
for having lit the light of wisdom in them on this Avatar's significance .
Lakshmi Hyagreeva Thiruvadigale Saranam !
Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu ! Samastha Mangalani Santhu !
Om Shanthi , Shanthi , Shanthihi !
Adiyen ,
Ramanuja Dasan , G.Sampath.
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