Lord Vishnu with Sudarshana Chakra
Narayana is another name of Lord Vishnu, and this name is mentioned several times in the Puranas. He is also known as Lakshmi Narayana, when he appears along with his consort Ma Lakshmi, and he is worshipped as the supreme god, by the Vaishnavites.
As per legend, once there lived a Brahmin whose name was Ajamila. Though he had committed lot of sins in his life, but during the time of his death, after he had seen the attendants of Lord Yama, he was very much afraid, and immediately called his son, as “NARAYANA”. Though he recited the word, “NARAYANA”, without bhakti, but anyhow, his act was very much pleased by Lord NARAYANA, and hence, the divine attendants of Lord Narayana were appeared before him, drove away the attendants of Yama from that place, and took Ajamila to the abode of Lord Narayana, the beautiful Vaikunta.
As per the holy texts such as, the Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana and Garuda Purana, Lord Vishnu is mentioned as Narayana, and the significance of chanting the word, NARAYANA, is also mentioned.
According to the Bhagavad Gita, and the Bhagavata Purana,those who sincerely recite the word, Narayana, and consider him as the Supreme God, they would be relieved from the chain of re-births, and would attain salvation after their death. In the Bhagavatham, it is mentioned that Lord Narayana is the one who creates, protects and destroys the entire universe through his super natural powers.
According to the great Madhwa Saint, Sri Madhvacharya, Lord Narayana is the only supreme god, and all other gods and goddesses are his divine attendants. Lord Narayana holds Chanku, Chakra and Mace in his three hands, and in one hand, he gives his blessing posture.
The great Prahalada, chanted the Narayana Mantra, “OM NAMO NARAYANA”, and become one of the best Bhagavatas. Similarly Rishi Narada, used to always utter the word, “NARAYANA”, during his divine journeys.The great Vaishnavite saint, Sri Ramanuja, had asked the people of Srirangam, to chant the Narayana Mantra, in order to attain salvation.
In the Holy Texts, Lord Narayana tells, “I am the Narayana, and I am the Source of all the things, I am the Creator of all the things, and also the Destroyer also. I am acting as Lord Vishnu during my protection work, I am acting as Lord Brahma during the time of creation and I am acting as Lord Shiva Shankar, during the time of destruction. I am the Indra, the Lord of Heaven, I am the Kubera, the Lord of wealth, and I am the Yama, the Lord of death, and I am the one, who is present in all the souls”.
Let us worship Lord Narayana and be blessed.
“OM NAMO NARAYANAYA NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR