Shri Nara-Narayana Rishi

Lord Vishnu incarnates in various divine forms from time to time for the welfare and protection of creation. The Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana describes the 24 major incarnations of Lord Vishnu. According to descriptions in sacred texts, the fourth among these 24 avatars is the Nara-Narayana incarnation. Nara and Narayana are two brothers, and both are forms of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu manifested as Nara and Narayana to propagate righteousness (Dharma).

According to the legend described in the Shiva Purana, pleased with the thousands of years of rigorous penance performed by Nara-Narayana, Lord Shiva appeared before them and asked them to seek a boon. With the wish for the welfare of all living beings, Nara-Narayana requested Lord Shiva to reside forever in the clay Shiva-linga they had crafted at that very spot. At their request, Lord Shiva accepted their plea and established Himself there eternally as the Kedareshwara Jyotirlinga.

Origin of Lord Nara-Narayana

According to Puranic legends, in ancient times, there was a demon named Dambhodbhava. Dambhodbhava decided to perform severe penance to please Lord Surya. Eventually, Lord Surya was pleased with his penance and, appearing before the demon, asked him to seek a boon. Dambhodbhava asked Lord Surya for immortality. Surya Deva told him that death is certain for anyone who has taken birth in this world; therefore, He could not grant him immortality. He advised him to ask for some other boon. Hearing Surya Deva’s words, the wicked demon was disappointed for a moment, but suddenly a cunning idea struck him, and he said to Surya Deva: "O Lord! Grant me a thousand armors (Kavachas). Let these armors be so powerful that each one can only be pierced by someone who has performed penance for a thousand years, and upon piercing one armor, the piercer must die."

Dambhodbhava reasoned that his enemy would have to perform a thousand years of penance just to pierce one of his armors, and even if he succeeded, it would result in the enemy's death. Thus, he would effectively be immortal. Although Lord Surya was slightly concerned upon hearing this request, He had given His word. Therefore, saying "Tathastu" (So be it), He granted this boon to Dambhodbhava. Upon receiving the boon, Dambhodbhava began to wreak havoc in all directions like a maddened elephant. He started tormenting all living beings. The three worlds filled with cries of distress due to his terror. Dambhodbhava became infamous throughout the world as 'Sahasrakavacha' (The one with a thousand armors).

Lord Brahma had a mind-born son named Dharma. Dharma’s wife was named Ruchi. Seeing Dambhodbhava’s atrocities, Ruchi prayed to Lord Vishnu, saying: "O Lord! Please take birth as my son and end this tyrant named Dambhodbhava." Accepting her prayer, Lord Vishnu promised: "I will certainly incarnate as your son to end this wicked one."

After some time, Lord Vishnu manifested from Ruchi's womb as twin sons named Nara and Narayana. From birth, Nara and Narayana were inclined toward spiritual practices like Japa and Tapas. Since their purpose was to establish Dharma on Earth, the two brothers took their mother's permission and went to Badarivana and Kedaravana in the Uttarakhand region to immerse themselves in penance. Today, Sri Badrika Ashram is situated in that very Badarivana. Badrinath Dham is located on the banks of the Alaknanda River. Two mountains are located at this spot, known as Nara and Narayana.

It is said, "Vinashkale Viprit Buddhi" (When destruction is near, one's wisdom fails). Similarly, Dambhodbhava’s fate led him toward Badrinath, where Nara-Narayana had been immersed in penance for thousands of years. Arrogant in his strength, the unrighteous demon was traversing the forest. Suddenly, he saw Nara-Narayana in the guise of sages, deep in meditation. The sinful demon tried to disturb their penance and challenged them to battle. Lord Nara opened His eyes due to the demon's audacity, but Lord Narayana remained in deep meditation. Nara saw Dambhodbhava and tried to teach him the path of righteousness, but the demon was intent on war. Finally, Lord Nara took a blade of grass (Kusha), consecrated it with mantras to turn it into a weapon, and began to battle the demon.

Due to Nara's spiritual power, one of Dambhodbhava’s thousand armors was shattered, but as per Lord Surya's boon, Nara died immediately upon breaking the armor. At that same moment, Narayana completed His thousand years of penance, through which He had acquired the Mritya-Sanjivani Vidya (the knowledge of reviving the dead), with which He brought Nara back to life. As soon as He was revived, Nara immediately began penance, and Narayana started the battle with Dambhodbhava. Narayana had performed a thousand years of penance, so He broke another armor, after which He died due to the boon. But by then, Nara had completed another thousand years of penance and revived Narayana using the Mritya-Sanjivani Vidya, who then immediately returned to meditation.

In this manner, the battle continued for many thousands of years. One by one, 999 of Dambhodbhava’s armors were shattered, and only one armor remained. When the sinful demon realized his end was near, he fled the battlefield and hid in Suryaloka out of fear. Narayana followed him to Suryaloka and requested Surya Deva to hand over Dambhodbhava. Lord Surya refused to hand over His devotee who had sought refuge. Enraged, Lord Narayana took water from His Kamandalu and cursed Lord Surya: "You have protected this demon from facing the consequences of his actions; therefore, you too shall be born with him and suffer the consequences of his deeds."

Later, both Dambhodbhava and a part of Lord Surya were born as Karna, the son of Kunti. Being a part of Surya Deva, he was radiant and exceptionally charitable, but due to the influence of the demonic part, he was also arrogant and wicked. Subsequently, the incarnations of Nara and Narayana occurred as Arjuna and Lord Krishna respectively, who eventually caused Karna's death. Thus, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Nara-Narayana to end the demon Dambhodbhava and establish Dharma.

Family of Lord Nara-Narayana

The father of Lord Nara and Narayana is Dharma, and their mother is Ruchi. Their grandfather is Lord Brahma. Both Nara and Narayana practiced lifelong celibacy (Brahmacharya); therefore, they have no wives.

Appearance of Lord Nara-Narayana

Lord Nara-Narayana is depicted with matted hair (Jata) on the head, holding a swan in the hands, a chakra on the feet, and the Shrivatsa mark on the chest. Nara-Narayana always wear the attire of ascetics.

Lord Nara-Narayana Mantra

Root Mantra:

• Om Namo Narayanaya

Festivals Related to Lord Nara-Narayana

• Nara-Narayana Jayanti
• Nara-Narayana Mela or Pakhanjur Mela

Famous Temples of Lord Nara-Narayana

• Sri Badrikashram, Badrinath Dham, Uttarakhand
• Nara-Narayana Mountains, Uttarakhand
• Nara-Narayana, Badri Narayana Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
• Nara-Narayana Temple, Mumbai, Maharashtra