Pontification: Paramapoojya Shri Vidyadheesha Teertha Shripadaru
Compilation: Krishna Sakha, Mudarangadi
Translation: Sudheendhra Putty, Secunderabad
In order to ameliorate the sufferings of Bhumidevi, on behalf of Shiva and all other devatas, the four faced Brahma offered prayers to the supreme Lord Narayana who reigns from the ocean of milk. Thereafter, Brahma expatiated on the homilies of Lord Narayana to the devatas. ’Puraiva pumsaavadrutho dharajvarah’- the summary of the above is that the supreme Lord Narayana was aware of the sufferings of Mother Earth caused by the misdeeds of the wicked even prior to the beseeching by the devatas.
Would not the omniscient Narayana be aware of the chaos prevailing on earth if Brahma and other devatas were not to inform Him? Is He not the one who is extolled in the Upanishads as the ‘knower of all’ (Ya sarvajnah sarvavith yasya jnanamayam tapah)? The response of Brahma, Puraiva pumsaavadrutho dharajvarah is precisely a response to this and other analogous questions.
The all-pervasive Narayana is cognizant of everything that happens. It is not necessary that He be informed of anything by anyone. Sri Krishna who descended on the earth in response to the supplications of Brahma and other devatas, is cognizant of all – the past, the present and the future. Conversely, there is none who can even comprehend Him totally. Sri Krishna Himself says in the Bhagawad Gita:
Vedaham samatetaani vartamaanani cha arjuna
Bhavishyaani cha bhutani maam tu vedana kaschana
These words of Sri Krishna establish with clarity that He is sarvajna – who knows everything. It is pertinent to note the following edicts from the Bhagawad Gita which further corroborate the omniscience of Sri Krishna:
- The quintessence of the Vedas is that they praise Him (Vedaischa sarvaih ahameva vedyah)
- He is the author of the Vedanta Sutras, viz., Brahamasutras (Vedanta krut)
- He alone can completely comprehend the soul and substance of the entire Vedas, including the esoteric (Vedavideva Chaaham)
Therefore, can it ever be possible that such an all pervasive and omniscient Lord is not aware of what is happening on the earth? Doubtless, He knows all. It is He who decides and determines to descend on the earth. The prayers of the devatas is an excuse; a mere ruse.
Brahma has described the tribulations of the earth as Dharajwara. Jwara here refers to santaapa – travails, woes or grief. Woes are three fold – aadhyatmika, aadibhoutika and aadidaivika (caused by internal factors, caused by physical forces and caused by divine forces respectively). Acharya Madhwa has said that this entire universe is in the throes of this taapatraya or three woes. Tapatrayena santaptam yadetadakhilam jagat – any person who is born on this earth is necessarily harnessed to these woes. Either there is a cause of concern to the physical body; else mental or emotional distress or issues beyond control – ranging from problems of deficit to surplus. Our supreme Lord is well aware as to who is facing what woe and at what period of time. Brahma then consoles the devatas saying there is nothing to fear or despair. Brahma says that Sri Narayana already knows all these problems being accosted and in order to elevate us, the appearance of Lord Narayana on the earth was nigh. Brahma says that it is absolutely imperative that we understand and believe that Lord Narayana is supreme and omniscient and that He is cognizant of our distresses and anguishes in all its entirety. When this gets imprinted in our conscience with unshakeable faith and we discharge our obligations in a conscientious manner, Lord Narayana is certain to come to our succour and advancement.
The contemplation of completeness or omniscience in Lord Narayana accentuates our knowledge.
Ever engaged in the sadhana of Srimadvaishnava Siddhanta of our Guru, Acharya Madhwa and all the Yatis and Dasas who have blazed this noble path. May HVG bless us all