More number of shrines
of the Bhagavathas needed to be installed in Shiva and Vishnu Temples, like
shrines of Prahalada, Dhruva, Markandeya, Narada, Tumburu, Nakeerar,
Nambiyandar Nambi etc. Bhagavathas act as the main pillar for the establishment
of religious faith, devotion and religious sentiments. Only through the life
history of the Bhagavathas, we are able to thoroughly understand the significance
of the deities. If there is no Prahalada, then Narasimha Avatar itself would
not occur. Likewise, if there is no Narada, then we could not know about the
significance of the “Narayana Mantra”, “OM
NAMO NARAYANA”.
Only due the
incarnation of the Prahalad avatar, the evil demoness Holika was destroyed, and
due to that, we are able to celebrate the Holi Festival in a colourful manner.
The main work of Narada and Tumburu is to visit the Vaikunta, and to praise
Lord Vishnu, by the way of singing wonderful divine songs on them. Narada has
also incarnated as Purandara Dasa, the famous Saint who lived during the time
of the great King ‘Sri Krishnadeva Raya’, and still Purandara Dasa Keeranas are
very famous, especially among the Carnatic Musicians.
Likewise, we can keep
on telling about the importance of the Bhagavathas throughout our lifetime. At
present in some of the temples of Shiva and Vishnu, we could find only the
shrines of the Nayanmars and the Alwars. Prahalada and Dhruva have been
incarnated long ago even before the birth of the Alwars and Nayanmars, and in
fact these two devotees must be given first preference than that of the
Nayanmars and the Alwars. But there is not even a single idol installed for Tumburu,
Dhruva and Narada, in the Vishnu temples, though few idols of Prahalada are
found in some temples of Narasimha.
Rich Shiva and Vishnu
devotees must take this matter into consideration, and whenever possible, they
must find the ways to install some new shrines for the popular Bhagavathas, in
order to please both Lord Shiva and Vishnu. We must also keep one thing in our
mind, that is, “BHAGAVATHAS ARE ALWAYS GREATER
THAN THAT OF BHAGAVAN WITH REGARD TO THEIR DEVOTION”, they cannot be
separated from Bhagavan, and we must never forget to sanctify them in our day
to day life.
“OM
NAMO NARAYANA”
WRITTEN
BY
R.HARISHANKAR
