Questioner:
Pranam, Gurudev. Pranam to all the viewers. My respects to Gurudev, to Mother, and Om Namah Shivaya to Mahadev. Today, I would like to ask Gurudev three questions on behalf of our audience.
Questioner:
One of our viewers wrote: "Narayan (the Supreme Soul) says he resides in everyone. If the Divine is present in every human being, then why is there so much conflict, division, violence, and jealousy between people? Why do we see so much greed and the desire to belittle others if the Lord is truly within everyone?"
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I don't know if you are aware, but when Lord Brahma created humanity, two lineages emerged: one from Diti and one from Aditi.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Those born of Diti's lineage became the Devas (godly beings)—those who are righteous and perform good deeds. Those born of Aditi's lineage became the Rakshasa-kula (the demonic lineage). Throughout history, there has always been a conflict between these two forces. You see this in the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean), where gods were on one side and demons on the other.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is also the matter of the Ripu (the six inner enemies or vices). Those of the godly lineage strive to control their Ripu. However, for those of the demonic lineage, these vices—Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (attachment), Mada (pride), and Matsarya (jealousy)—run wild.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When these vices are active and unrestrained, the demonic nature takes over. While the Divine is present in all, the godly beings live with restraint, whereas the others do not. There are even those we call "Apadevatas" (lesser or malevolent spirits) who may be worshipped but do not practice the suppression of these vices.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In this current age, the Kaliyuga, nearly 70% of those being born belong to the demonic lineage. You can see it in the behavior of parents and children alike. The "Asuric" (demonic) influence is much stronger now, while the "Devic" (godly) presence is diminishing. This is a scientific and spiritual reality.
Questioner:
Gurudev, if I may follow up—you mentioned these lineages, but can children of the same mother differ? For instance, one brother might be godly while the other is demonic.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Precisely. Parents provide the physical body, but they do not provide the Pran (the life force or soul). Where does the soul come from? Even from the same womb, one soul may come from the godly realm and another from the demonic realm. This is a spiritual science.
Questioner:
The next question is about Narayan's fourth avatar, Lord Narasimha. Is it permissible to keep an idol of Narasimha at home and worship Him? He is known to be very fearsome.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, it is permissible, but there is a specific rule: the worship and offerings must be completed before noon (12:00 PM). This is the tradition.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Narayan has ten primary avatars. Let's look at the sequence:
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Matsya (The Fish): Life began in water.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Kurma (The Tortoise): An amphibian that lives in both water and on land.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Varaha (The Boar): A land animal.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Narasimha (The Half-Man, Half-Lion): The transition from animal to human. He is neither fully beast nor fully man. His worship is rare because it is very demanding.
Questioner:
There is a story that after Narasimha killed the demon Hiranyakashipu, he was so enraged that he wouldn't calm down. The gods approached Lord Mahadev to intervene. It is said Mahadev took a fierce form to pacify Him.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, these stories are found in the Puranas. Narasimha is indeed a terrifying deity. There is a description of Him: "Lola-jihva balam-matta..." describing His lolling tongue, His immense power, and how He is adorned in various forms. He manifested from a pillar when Hiranyakashipu challenged his son Prahlada, asking if God resided in the stone. When the King struck the pillar, Narasimha emerged and tore him apart. It is an incredibly powerful and fierce manifestation.
Questioner:
Gurudev, could you tell us about Veerabhadra? He is said to be a part of Mahadev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Veerabhadra is the guardian of the Supreme Mother, Mahamaya. He is so powerful that he can defeat anyone at any time.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He was created when Mahadev, in his grief and anger over Sati's death, tore a lock of his matted hair and dashed it against the ground. This happened during the Daksha Yajna (King Daksha's sacrifice). Daksha had insulted Mahadev by not inviting him. When Sati died of humiliation, Mahadev sent Veerabhadra to destroy the sacrifice. Veerabhadra beheaded Daksha. Later, out of compassion, Mahadev replaced Daksha's head with that of a goat so he could be brought back to life.
Questioner:
So, Daksha's goat head symbolizes that he lacked the intelligence to know who he was dealing with.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Exactly. He was a devotee of Narayan, yet he failed to recognize the divinity in Mahadev.
Questioner:
Thank you, Gurudev. To our viewers, if you have more questions, please send them in. We wish you all the best. Pranam to Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings to all. Pranam.