COMPILED BY LONDON SWAMINATHAN

Date: 7 January 2016

Post No. 2468

Time uploaded in London :–  18-20

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Give up pride to attain God

Picture: Hiranyakasipu was killed by Vishnu in his lion-man form.

Hiranyakasipu was the King of the Asuras or demons. At one time he was the most powerful monarch of all the worlds. Being an Asura he was the enemy of the Gods. He used to wage war with the gods from time to time. By the great powers he had attained by penance, he used to defeat gods who would flee from him because of his severe onslaught on them.

Once Hiranyakasipu thought of taking possession completely of Devaloka, the abode of Devas, and also of Vaikuntha where Vishnu lived. He started the campaign with a sword in his hand fought with the Devas and drove them away from Devaloka. Then he proceeded to Vaikuntha. The news having reached Vishnu and his Dutas, they in a body took to heels and disappeared. Hiranyakasipu entered Vaikuntha and finding the place vacant, searched for Vishnu everywhere in all secret hiding places in the three worlds. But Vishnu could not be found anywhere. He returned to his kingdom utterly disappointed. Soon after, Vishnu came out of his hiding place and returned to Vaikuntha.

The news about Vishnu s flight from Vaikuntha out of fear on the invasion of Hiranyakasipu spread like wildfire. It reached the ears of Narada. Narada was astonished to hear of it. He directly went to Vaikuntha for making enquiries. After paying due obeisance to Vishnu, Narada with a curious smile on his face, asked the Lord, How is it You ran away when Hiranyakasipu invaded your heaven?  Vishnu confessed that since Hiranyakasipu was gifted with invincible powers acquired by his long continued penance, He couldn’t face him. Then Narada queried, it appears that you hid yourself in such a place that Hiranyakasipu, in spite of his combing every possible place of hiding all over the three worlds, could not discover You. May I know where you were when the search was going on?

Vishnu with a wink replied, Don you know? I was hiding in the heart of Hiranyakasipu himself. Is it so! Exclaimed Narada. How was it Hiranyakasipu failed to find you out while You were so near him, hiding in his own heart? Vishnu replied, How could he see me unless he bends down his head? He would not bow down as he was sitting and walking always with a puffed chest and upright head with a feeling of colossal pride that he was the suzerainty of all the worlds. So I felt safe in his heart while search for me was going on.

The lesson we have to learn from this story is unless we bow down in all humility to God, we cannot find Him.

Story told by swami Ramdas.

–Subham–