Baal Kaanda
29 - Causes of Sri Rama's Descent
Chaupais
Description
Singing this glory the devotees cross the ocean of mundane existence; it is for the sake of His devotees that the compassionate Lord bodies Himself forth. The motives of Sri Rama's birth are many, each more wonderful than the other. I will refer to one or two such births at some length; please listen attentively, O wise Bhavani. Sri Hari has two favourite gate-keepers Jaya and Vijaya, who are known to everybody. Due to the curse of certain Brahmanas (Sanaka and his three brothers) both these brothers were born in the accursed species of demons. One of them was known as Hiranyakasipu and the other as Hiranyaksa. They became known throughout the universe as the tamers of the pride of Indra (the chief of gods). Both of them were celebrated heroes who came out victorious in battle. The Lord assumed the form of a Boar in order to kill one of the two brothers (viz., Hiranyaksa); while bodying Himself forth as a ManLion, He killed the other (Hiranyakasipu) and spread the fair renown of His devotee, Prahlada (Hiranyakasipu's son)."