chapter 12 of Sri Narasimha : Lord Narasimhadevas affection for Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

[Paramananda das]

  

 

   Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura had darshan of Lord Narasimha it is described in his Navadvipa Bhava Taranga: Lord Narasimha adressed him as "vatsa" as a child or like a calf that is being taken care of by his/her mother the cow . He Vatsa svacchande baiso he vatsa sri-gauranga-dhame jugala-bhajana hau rati hau name mama bhakta-krpa-bale vighna jabe dura suddha cite bhajo radha-krsna-rasa-pura He will say, "Dear child! Sit sown freely and live happily here in Sri Gauranga-dhama. May you nicely worship the Divine Couple, and may you develop loving attachment for Their Holy Names. By the mercy of My devotees, all obstacles are cast far away. With a purified heart, just perform the worship of Radha and Krsna, for such worship overflows with sweet nectar." The cow has so much affection for its calf, it licks it all over due to motherly affection. Lord Narasimha licked the body of Prahlada. This is explained in Brhad Bhagavatamrta by Sanatana Goswami after the killing of Hiranyakasipu. A pure form of love is seen in the mother giving milk to the child.Or the cow to its calf. So Lord Narasimha sees Bhaktivinoda Thakura as His son, child or Vatsa -- calf. This it the hidden meaning or direct meaning if you like of Lord Narasimha addressing Srila Bhativinoda Thakura as "He Vatsa". Lord Narasimha, Lord Caitanya and Krsna are all Bhakta Vatsalya...they are like the supreme parents of all Their Bhaktas. Lord Caitanya showed this once at the house of Chandrasekhara (as described in Caitanya Bhagavat). All glories to the Lords fatherly (and motherly) affection for all bhaktas and jivas. In the months of Kartika we appreciate the exalted bhakti of Mother Yasoda to Damodara, in his kumara lilas, this parental affection is prominent as explained in Bhaktirasamrta sindhu. And all glories to all devotees with Vatsalya rasa for Krsna. In  the Govardhana lila, Krsna punished Indra also for accepting offerings from such devotees as Nanda and Upananda, that sees Krsna as their "Vatsa" calf like child. Krsna also has the vatsa mark on his lotusfeet because by taking shelter of His lotusfeet the material world becomes insignificant at the hoof print of a Vatsa, calf. On Gopastami we also celebrate Krsna first being given charge of the calves and later of the cows. All glories to Lord Gopala that counts all these cows and calves. All glories to Lord Narasimha that addresses Srila BhaktivinodaThakura and those following in his lotus footsteps as Vatsa: Fiveprayers  to Lord Narasimha by Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has written five in "Sri Navadvipa Bhava Taranga" for receiving the mercy of Lord Narasimha. These prayers are certainly assurance to all sincere devotees that the worship of Lord Narasimha is purely in the line of aspiring love and devotion to Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. Those prayers are as follows: e dusta hrdaye kama adi ripu chaya kutinati pratisthasa sathya sada raya hrdaya-sodhana ara krsnera vasana nrsimha-carane mora ei to' kamana. Within my sinful heart the six enemies headed by lust perpetually reside, as well as duplicity, the desire for fame, plus sheer cunning. At the lotus feet of Lord Narasimha, I hope that He will mercifully purify my heart and give me the desire to serve Lord Krsna. kandiya nrsimha-pade magibo kakhana nirapade navadvipe jugala-bhajana bhaya bhaya paya yan'ra darsane se hari prasanna hoibo kabe more daya kari Weeping, I will beg at the lotus-feet of Lord Narasimha for the benediction of worshipping Radha and Krsna in Navadvipa, perfectly safe and free from all difficulties. When will this Lord Hari, whose terrible form strikes fear into fear itself, ever become pleased and show me His mercy? yadyapi bhisana murti dusta-jiva-prati prahladadi krsna-bhakta-jane bhadra ati kabe va prasanna ho'ye sa krpa-vacane nirbhaya karibe ei mudha akincane Even though Lord Narasimha is terrifying toward the sinful souls, He offers great auspiciousness unto the devotees of Lord Krsna headed by Prahlada Maharaja. When will He be pleased to speak words of compassion unto me, a worthless fool, and thereby make me fearless? svacchande baiso he vatsa sri-gauranga-dhame jugala-bhajana hau rati hau name mama bhakta-krpa-bale vighna jabe dura suddha cite bhajo radha-krsna-rasa-pura. He will say, "Dear child! Sit sown freely and live happily here in Sri Gauranga-dhama. May you nicely worship the Divine Couple, and may you develop loving attachment for Their Holy Names. By the mercy of My devotees, all obstacles are cast far away. With a purified heart, just perform the worship of Radha and Krsna, for such worship overflows with sweet nectar." ei boli' kabe mora mastaka-upara sviya sri-carana harse dharibe isvara amani jugala-preme sattvika vikare dharaya lutibo ami sri-nrsimha-dvare. Saying this, will that Lord delightedly place His own divine lotus-feet upon my head? I will experience sublime love for the Divine Couple Radha-Krsna and undergo the ecstatic transformations called sattvika. Falling on the ground, I will roll about at the door of Sri Narasimha's temple. (Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, - "Sri Navadvipa Bhava Taranga", 36-40) Thus ends chapter 12 of Sri Narasimha : Lord Narasimhadevas affection for Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura