(There are variations to this story, but the flow of events is similar. This is the most commonly known version. Other versions will be presented in other stories.)
Long before the beginning of the earliest events that led to the Mahabharata, actually thousands of years earlier, and just after the events of the Ramayana, there was an asura king, Dambhodbhava. He was Sugreeva, in his earlier birth. Sugreeva had been cursed for being the cause of the death of his brother, Vali, by betrayal and the subversive help of Rama.
Dambhodbhava had his own destiny worked out for him from his previous life as Sugreeva and had to answer for his wrongful and not-so-wrongful actions. In time, his actions as Dambhodbhava also led him to his next life as Karna. He does seem to be the most blessed asura king with continuity as a central figure as Sugreeva in the Ramayana and later, in his battles with Nara and Narayana and subsequently, as Karna in the Mahabharata.
Dambodbhava was a powerful asura king, and was extremely devotional in his prayers to his chosen god, Surya. He immersed himself in meditation and practiced austerities in the region to the north of the high Himalayas near Gangotri. As he continued in his meditation, he became more determined and his efforts became more intensive. In his persistence, Dambhodbhava became totally focused on Surya, the Sun God, and eliminated all other thoughts.
Pleased with his prayers, the Sun God appeared before Dambhodbhava and blessed him and said, "Arise, my son, I am pleased with your determination. You have been totally dedicated in your prayers and austerities. I am happy to grant you a boon as a sign of my blessing. Do ask for what you may want to."
While not entirely grateful, Dambhodbhava was keen to seize the opportunity. He replied to Surya, the Sun God, and said, "My Lord, I am grateful for your blessing. I am completely immersed in my austerities and rituals, in devotion to you, and I would like to continue to do so. You are forever, and the devas, asuras and mortals are going to see you rise in the east, for millions of years in the future. Pray grant me the boon to worship you, every day, for millions of years, as Dambhodbhava, your devotee, as long as you would continue to exist, and as long as the three worlds continue to exist."
Surya replied, "Dambhodbhava, my son, what you are asking for, is immortality. It is against the rules of creation and nature. Even I cannot break that, and similarly, Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva cannot grant immortality. Ask for something else, for I have granted you a boon, and I cannot take it back. Ask me something, other than immortality."
Dambhodbhava smiled, for he was ready with his request and said, "My Lord, I did want to continue to be dedicated to you and worship you forever. So, if I cannot be immortal, grant me this, grant me the protection of Sahasra Kavacha, a thousand armors, that will protect me, one at a time, specially strong armors that can only be broken by someone in combat against me, only if he has performed penance for a thousand years. Even if he succeeds, he should be able to destroy only one armor at a time."
"After destroying one armor, the opponent can continue to battle me for removing the next armor only after meditation for a thousand years. I can only be killed by a mortal, and it can be so, only if a single mortal comes into combat against me, and the same mortal destroys all the thousand armors, one after the other, and commits to meditation of thousand years during the time span between destroying each armor."
"And finally, if he breaks any of the armors, he must die. And I would start again, in living the years of my life in dedication to you, and I would once again have a thousand armors to protect me."
Surya, the Sun God, blessed Dambhodbhava, and said, "So be it. I bless you with agreement to your prayer, my son! With the power of a thousand armors, you will now be known as Sahasra Kavacha."
And thus, did Dambhodbhava come to be recognised as Sahasra Kavacha. And Surya, the Sun God, come to appreciate his devotion to him and accepted him as one of his own sons. This is why in the Ramayana too, is Sugreeva recognised as a son of Surya.
As a result of the boon from the Sun God, Sahasra Kavacha became a powerful asura king. His atrocities kept growing and there was no one to defeat him. He crushed all the kings on earth and began to wage war on the gods. All the asuras united under him, and it was soon obvious that he would defeat Indra and take over the lands of the gods. But there was no answer to defeating Sahasra Kavacha. Indra and Brahma and the gods went up to Vishnu as he was resting on Adi Sesha, the thousand headed snake and his divine companion, along with his consort, Mahalakshmi.
Indra said to Vishnu, thus, "I come to thee, but you know very well why we have come. You are the cause of all actions. You must be aware of the boon granted by Surya to Dambhodbhava, the asura king, now known as Sahasra Kavacha, because of the power given to him by the protection of a thousand armors. The boon given to him says that he can only be defeated by a human combatant, and the time duration between each armor has to be devoted by the warrior in meditation for a thousand years. The armor must not be broken and if there is damage, the warrior combatant would die, and Sahasra Kavacha would once again have a thousand armors."
Brahma, the source of all creation, smiled and said to Vishnu, "It is time for you to fight Sahasra Kavacha, and defeat him as only you can. Since it has to be a mortal combatant, you would need to go into the lands of the asuras and humans and destroy him. It is time, and I can suggest the best couple to be blessed by your birth and presence. Daksha's daughter, Murti, has just been wed to one of my sons, born of my mind and thought, Dharma. It is my son's responsibility to spread righteousness in the three worlds and he will need your support, guidance and strength. You will be born unto Dharma and Murti, and you will be born as a mortal to them."
Vishnu nodded in agreement, and said, "It is time, and it would be correct to be born unto Dharma and Murti. There is one another matter to plan for, in the battle to be fought with Sahasra Kavacha, as a mortal. If the armor were to be broken, the mortal combatant would be dead, and I would be back here, as Vishnu. Sahasra Kavacha would once again begin with a thousand armors. If we need to be able to defeat death as a mortal, we would need to know how to do so. Whom can we ask for help and guidance, if not Rudra himself? Who else would be able to guide a mortal on defeating death?"
Saying thus, Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, Mahalakshmi, Adi Sesha and all the gods assembled, meditated and focused on Shiva and requested him to grant them his blessings with his presence. Recognising their needand their prayers, Mahadeva appeared in front of them and blessed all the assembled gods. Brahma spoke, thus, "O Eswara, O Conqueror of death! We need your help and guidance. You are aware that due to Surya's boon, blessings and love for Dambhodbhava, the asura king, his atrocities in the three worlds are growing with the protection of a thousand armors. As Sahasra Kavacha, he is intent on taking control over the lands of devas and perhaps later, he would wage war against Indra also. He would be strong enough to destroy righteousness in the three worlds."
Shiva smiled and nodded in agreement, and said, "Yes. I am aware of Sahasra Kavacha. The boon does require that he can only be defeated by a mortal, who would die, if even a single armor is broken. You cannot remove an armor without breaking it. So, the boon is quite clever. The mortal should also meditate for a period of thousand years between the battle against each armor. It is not possible for any mortal to stay alive for such a long period, and yet be powerful in a war against one so capable as Sahasra Kavacha. Nothing can prevent the asura king from killing the mortal while in meditation. If Sahasra Kavacha does not abide by Dharma, he would not be bound by ethical rules about battle."
Indra, listening to the discussion, spoke disturbedly, "O Tridevaa! The three of you are supreme! I am sure that you would come to a proper understanding and that you will be able to destroy Sahasra Kavacha. I am however worried about how would you be able to defeat time? It requires a thousand years of meditation between the removal of each armor and that means he is going to be active with his atrocities during the time between each armor, for a thousand armors."
Vishnu smiled at Indra in agreement, and said, "Indra is entirely correct. It is necessary to conquer time in this battle. Maheshwara has the ability to show us the path ahead. He has the power to journey through time without disturbing the events of the universe. Defeating or conquering time is to challenge the aspect of creation. Let us listen to Maheshwara. He will show us the correct solution."
Shiva bowed to Vishnu, and replied, "It is true, that one should not disturb the aspects of creation and time in the universe. If we journey through time back and forth in the past and in the future, correcting wrongs or preventing unrighteousness, then there would be no purpose to creation, and there would be no value to Karma. But, there is a way. Let me recollect, that it is enough to recite the name of Rama, the son of Dasaratha, even once with devotion to equal a thousand recitations of the Sahasranamam.
What was done by Rama as a mortal equals a thousand achievements of Vishnu as a deity. This is true only if Rama's name is taken with devotion and in those places where Rama himself had gone to and moved about."
"You have gone to the world of the mortals earlier too, O Vishnu, but this time, your actions have to be a lot more clever. There can be no obvious war, and yet you need to fight. While you meditate for a thousand years, you need to make sure that you can defend yourself and be able to fight. Each time that you remove the armor, it is bound to break, and you are bound to die. So, you need to be ready to die, while you make sure that you do not die. This would indeed be a worthy puzzle, even for you. None other is worthy enough to unravel this."
Brahma, Vishnu and Indra and the other gods assembled were pleased at the puzzle being painted by Shiva to outline the strategy to defeat Sahasra Kavacha. Vishnu queries, "O Maheshwara, it was you who said to Devi Parvati, that it is at Kedara that one must meditate. It was you who said that meditation at Kedara is the most fulfilling, for one day of dhyana in the upper hills of the region is equal to one thousand years of meditation elsewhere. This has been known and accepted for many thousands of years before Surya blessed Dambhodbhava. Thus, we are not cheating Dambhodbhava from the specific time span in his boon. After being born to Dharma and Murti, the meditation would need to be conducted on the upper mountains of the Kedar region."
Brahma nodded in agreement and said, "It is true about the sanctity of the mountains of Kedara. We also need to determine how would you not die even if you would have to. We cannot avoid death, for that would mean that Sahasra Kavacha was fighting an immortal. O Hari! We cannot lose this battle. O Maheshwara! Only you can defeat death. Only you can guide us in the battle against Sahasra Kavacha!"
Shiva replied, "If it is to conquer death, I will bless Vishnu with the secret. But how can Hari use the secret blessing to conquer death if he would be dead as a mortal? He will have to be able to use the secret even if he is dead, and before he would return to the heavens as a god after being killed by Sahasra Kavacha. So, in fact, the person who would fight Sahasra Kavacha, and the person who would be dead, and the person to use the secret to bring him back to life, all these persons, would need to be the same person. How would that be possible?"
Vishnu nodded in agreement, and said, thus, "This would be the best battle yet to be fought in the three worlds. I would need to be born as a mortal, but I would need to also manifest as one another, at the same moment, who would be myself, and yet would not be the same. My other self would need to be as powerful and a tremendous warrior. There can be only one solution. My eternal companion, Adi Sesha, is manifest from me, and is my own self, while existing separately with me. We are one and the same. We will be born together, to Dharma and Murti. We will grow up as sages, together, and as I would be Narayana, so, Adi Sesha would be born as Nara."
All the gods assembled, bowed in respect, and Brahma blessed Vishnu and Adi Sesha and said, "So be it. My son, born of my mind, Dharma, would be twice blessed. Even I, his own father, could not have blessed him in a better manner. Righteousness in the world, in this yuga would benefit and spread all over. Nara and Narayana, Vishnu himself, manifest as two mortals together, would be the best blessing to this world of humans. Let us all leave, and allow Hara to be alone with Hari and Adi Sesha, for them to learn the secret of how to escape death. For Shiva is not ready to allow the secret to be known by all, for now!"
The gods bowed to Hari and Hara, and left Vaikunta. Brahma and Mahalakshmi went into a meditative trance to prevent themselves from listening to Shiva impart the secret of escaping a mortal's death. Adi Sesha also bowed in respect to Shiva. The three of them, Vishnu, Shiva and Adi Sesha sat in meditation, silently, on the celestial ocean waters of Vaikunta. It was the most wonderous sight, and we are blessed, thought Brahma, as he closed his own eyes and went into his trance. Shiva invoked his splendid ability and created an aura that covered the three of them. Within that aura, Shiva conveyed through the power of his thought to Vishnu and Adi Sesha, the power, words and manner of use of the most sacred Maha Mryutyunjaya Mantra. He explained to them on its paraphrasing, the manner of recitation and the manner of meditation on the mantra to develop its strength and to give enormous power to the words.
The three gods came out of their trance, and Shiva removed the shield of aura around them. Brahma and Shiva blessed Vishnu and Adi Sesha and left Vaikunta. With permission of Mahalakshmi, Vishnu and Adi Sesha departed from Vaikunta and manifested themselves in the womb of Murti, Realising that something unique had occurred, Dharma and Murti looked forward to the birth of their child. They declared themselves indeed blessed by the grace of Brahma, when Murti gave birth to twin boys. The gods arrived at their house to witness the celestial birth, and Brahma, Shiva, Indra and the goddesses Saraswati, Parvati and Mahalakshmi accompanied them. Brahma and Shiva blessed the infants with long life while the three goddesses blessed Murti with good health. Indra blessed Dharma with wisdom.
As the years passed, the young Nara and Narayana were taught by Dharma and other celestial sages including Narada, Kashyapa, Bharadwaja and Brahma himself. Gifted as they were, and jnani from birth, while still in their youth, Nara and Narayana were ready to leave the house of Dharma and Murti. They received their permission and blessings and proceeded to Kedara and chose a good location to conduct their meditation and austerities. At first, the young aspirant sages walked in to the upper areas of Kedara and focused on Shiva who appeared before them. They offered their prayers to Shiva and requested him to accept them as his disciples. In agreement, Shiva bade them to sit in front of him while he conveyed the instructions of a teacher to his students.
On completion of the teaching, Shiva proceeded to teach the aspect, power and manner of recitation of the Maha Mryutyunjaya Mantra once again, as he done so, while at Vaikunta. Nara and Narayana were instructed to focus on the mantra, and recite the words constantly while immersing themselves in meditation. Shiva instructed the young disciples to immerse themselves in dhyana by offering the power of the mantra to each other, and make themselves strong enough for the battle that would be coming up with Sahasra Kavacha. Shiva instructed them to be ready to be tested for war before they could challenge Sahasra Kavacha. Blessing them, and declaring that the two young students were now accomplished sages, Shiva walked back into the upper peaks of Kedara.
Thus, HE is known as the Lord of Kedara, for he is Kedara himself, an the hills are thought to be the most favoured meditation places in the Himalayas, and are dear to Shiva and Parvati. It is said so, in the Sri Kedara Mahatmyam, that Shiva declared to Parvati that Kedara is his most favourite of places for dhyana. He said that it is not necessary that all pilgrims reach Kedara, and even if they merely begin with the thought of wanting to come to Kedara, they would be blessed by the grace of Eshwara.
Having been blessed for battle by Shiva and with his guidance, the two young sages began to meditate steadfastly on the aspect of life, death and protecting oneself against all the vagaries that accompany the truth of human life. They practised their austerities rigidly and soon came to be recognised by their brethren in the Badri-Kedara region. The sages belonging to the foremost asramas nearby began to journey into Kedara and seek the blessings of such rigid meditation. Badri and Kedara began to be recognised for the vibrations and energy emanating from Nara and Narayana.
As the years went by, the meditatin and austerities began to unfailingly become more rigid and difficult. The two sages would not come out of their trance for more than a year. With progress in their abilities, Nara and Narayana began to be recognised for not coming out of their ever continuing trance for a number of years. The energy of the mantras that they meditated upon, seemed to resound in its tenor throughout the mountains of the high Badri and Kedara regions. It seemed as though that their dhyana aura was directly in touch with Maheshwara himself.
The vibrations and the tremendous energy began to take over the Badri Kedara region, and as they grew in their intensity, mortals and junior sages began to find it difficult to enter Kedara or seek the blessings of Nara and Narayana. They consoled themselves by settling in at the lower slopes at Gaurikund when they found that they were unable to walk up the slopes of Kedara.
The word spread fast and the foremost sages from all over the lands south of the Ganges began to assemble at Badri and Kedara. Initially, the most senior and most accomplished sages were able to walk up into the higher slopes of Kedara, but as the years went by, the entire regin of Kedara began to get inaccessible. The wiser and most prominent sages determined that they would continue in the lower slopes with their disciples and seek to take blessings and the advantage of the meditation and the austerities of Nara and Narayana.
News about the powerful energy emanating from the meditation of the two unknown sages spread through the devas and the asuras. Indra came along with the devas to witness and experience the energy for themselves. Not knowing their identity, for it had been long since the discussion about Sahasra Kavacha, Indra was curious about the reason for the meditation being undertaken by these very unknown sages. Nobody seemed to know anything about them, including their origins, nativity, their guru, or their affiliation to any asrama. They did not have any disciples and they did not meet anyone. It had been years since they had gone into a trance and none of the sages had the courage to disturb their fearsome austerities.
None of the asuras knew about them. This was the most sanctified grounds of Shiva himself, and for someone unknown to be undisturbed in their meditation would only imply a threat to others. Perhaps they were Daanava sages or Naga sages who were seeking powerful weapons from Shiva. If they would be successful, they could threaten the devas and the asuras. Fearful, Indra decided that this would not do. They should stop the two sages in their meditation. They tried to disturb them with rain, snow, blazing sunlight, fire, wind, lightning and thunderstorms, and attacks by wild animals. None of the attempts were successful. The wild animals charged at the two sages and became docile as they came nearby.
These two unknown sages must have already acquired powerful boons from Shiva, thought Indra. In an united understanding, Indra decided to send a combined army of devas and asuras against the two sages. It would be best to attack them, and if it be so, to kill them before they would gain more power. Deciding thus, he gave the orders to attack. The combined armies of the devas and the asuras rushed to attack the two sages. They had however failed to understand the power and energy of the meditation of these two unknown sages and the protective aura that was around them due to their focus on the mantras endowed to them by Shiva.
The protective aura caused the grass all around the two sages to burn fiercely for great distances. The sages remained undisturbed in their meditation. The severe heat generated by the flames prevented the armies of the devas and the asuras from advancing towards the sages. The armies had to withdraw to the dismay of Indra. This was something very strange indeed, he thought. There was an obviously higher force present and he would not be able to oppose it. But, curious, Indra went to meet Brahma to ask about the identity of the two sages. Brahma smiled at the foolishness of Indra and informed him that he had challenged none other than Nara and Narayana who were intent on gaining the adequate strength and ability through meditation to be ready for battle with Sahasra Kavacha. It was Shiva himself who had given them their blessings for battle.
The news about the failed battle by the devas and the asuras against the two sages began to be known in the three worlds. All the asramas at Badri and Kedara started rejoicing in the power of meditation. The sages of some asramas met various asura and daanava kings and informed them of the inability of an army of devas and asuras to attack the meditating sages. In time, some ascetics and sages informed Sahasra Kavacha of the power and ability of the meditating sages.
Being triumphant in all his battles and unable to accept that there could be an unknown form of battle, Sahasra Kavacha was angry. How could anyone prevent a battle through the energy developed and spread by intensive meditation? He would have to check this out for himself and announce his intention to fight the two sages. Deciding thus, the asura king, resplendent in the glow of his kavacha, armor, arrived at the asramas of the foremost sages at the lower slopes at Kedara, below the Sundamadana mountains.
The sages informed Sahasra Kavacha that it was known from the words of Indra that these two sages were Nara and Narayana. Nobody knew anything else about them and there was no information about their asrama or links to any king or kingdom of the three worlds. On hearing of the manner of defeat of the armies of the devas and the asuras, Sahasra Kavacha was puzzled. How could two unknown sages be able to develop such abilities? Someone would have known, for sure. Yet, the upper mountains of Sundamadana, above the Badri-Kedar regions, were known to be the celestial grounds of Shiva. This would mean that these two sages had the blessings of Shiva and his permission to meditate for so many years in these sacred mountains.
Sahasra Kavacha was keen to know more about the two sages. If they were in Shiva's moutains and were engrossed in their meditation and austerities, it could only mean that they were seeking powerful weapons. Perhaps, at last, he would have worthy opponents. He asked the foremost of the sages at the foothills of Kedara, thus, "O worthy sages! Pray help me with answers. There has been none to defeat me in the three worlds for many hundreds of years. You are aware of my prowess and the blessings of Surya himself. Do you think that these two sages would be opponents who would give me a good battle? It has been long since I have had a strong warrior to fight against me."
The foremost of the sages at the foothills of Kedara replied, "O mighty king! We are aware of your strength and your victories. And yet, here are two sages who have defeated the combined armies of the devas and the asuras without any battle. They were undisturbed in their meditation. The energy of their austerities have created such a powerful aura that they could thwart the mighty armies of the devas and the asuras. How will you fight someone who does not fight? How will you defeat someone who cannot be defeated?"
"We have heard that they are known as Nara and Narayana. Even Indra has acknowledged them as extremely accomplished sages. We are all content to rest here, below the great mountains of Badri and Kedara. Our austerities, prayers and meditations get the benefit of the energy generated by them," said the foremost of their sages, and continued, "We have journeyed from several lands, from the south of the Ganges to arrive here and get strength in our prayers. They seem to be very noble souls without any evil in them, for otherwise, so many of us would not benefit. We do not know who they are! Whether they are Kshatriya or Brahmana, their meditation has taken them beyond every aspect. Go and meet them, O powerful king, but, go with humility, and without any intent on war. For otherwise, you will not be able to go within the force of energy that protects them and surrounds them."
Accepting their advice, Sahasra Kavacha assembled his army and journeyed up the mountains of Kedara and arrived at Sundamadana. He instructed his army to stay on guard while he went about the forested mountains and the grassy valleys to search for the two sages. He did not want to lose his army. For, while he was protected by the boon given by Surya, his warriors could be killed in battle. After a long search, Sahasra Kavacha was able to locate the two sages.
They looked totally unlike any warrior. They were extremely thin, and one could see all the bones of their bodies. They looked totally starved, and their blood vessels could be seen clearly. The chill and snow had covered them and they looked very puny and seemed entirely defenseless. However, remembering the advice of the foremost of the sages in the asrama below Kedara, Sahasra Kavacha drew upon all his humility and approached the meditating sages with respect and reverence. He came up to the two sages, sat below their meditation mound, touched their feet and effected a very humble stance.
Nara and Narayana opened their eyes and looked at Sahasra Kavacha without any anger or malice. Sahasra Kavacha enquired if the sages were comfortable and offered them some fruits, water and juices. The two sages politely declined the food and water but invited Sahasra Kavacha to sit comfortably and requested him, very politely, to state the reason for his visit and for disturbing them in their determined meditation and austerities.
Sahasra Kavacha bowed before the two sages and spoke about himself, introducing them to his victories and the manner of battles that he had fought. He told them that there was none in the three worlds to challenge him or fight a victorious battle against him. He had heard of how the armies of the devas and the asuras had been defeated. That was the reason for disturbing them. He said, very humbly, that he would like to take their permission to challenge them to a battle.
The two sages smiled, and Narayana said to Sahasra Kavacha, thus, "O mighty king! We are pleased with your humility, and we are pleased to bless you with good sense and well being. But, we do not wish to fight you, for we have no intention on waging war on anybody. We are only content with our meditation and austerities in order to strengthen our focus on the mantras taught to us by Maheshwara himself. We are determined in our objective because we want to spread righteousness in the three worlds. If you would go back to your kingdom, and be a righteous king, and ensure a just and proper rule, based on dharma, we would be happy for you. We do not wish to fight you."
This declaration by Narayana angered Sahasra Kavacha further. He was furious. But, retaining control over himself, he said, "O great sage! You may please not indulge in advising me about my kingdom and righteousness. I have come here to battle you. I have heard about the powers and abilities of the both of you. If I do battle you, I will vanquish you in an instant. But, it is unwise and wrong to battle a meditating sage and attack one when the ascetic is not intent on battle. It is for this reason that I request you to leave aside your meditation and enjoin battle with me. Let it not be said by one and all that Sahasra Kavacha, the mightiest warrior of all, killed two defenceless sages while they were deep in meditation."
Narayana smiled at the boast and said, "We are certain that we would not want to fight you. But, if you want to attack us, so be it. You would have to fight us, for we would continue in our meditation. You can only battle one of us at any time, for we would not wish to stop our meditation. Only one of us would battle with you. That would be our condition to indulge you in your whims. Is that OK with you?"
Sahasra Kavacha stepped back, bowed in agreement, brought up his mighty weapon and prepared to attack. Narayana sat calmly, while Nara continued to meditate. Picking up his arrow, reciting the best mantra to arm it, Sahasra Kavacha strung it to his bow. Narayana smiled and said, "O mighty king! You are indeed powerful, and you do have tremendously dangerous weapons. The two of us, we are merely two men intent on our own dhyana, in seeking truth and to spread righteousness in the world! What would you achieve in fighting us? We do not have weapons. We do not have an army. Have you brought your army with you?"
Sahasra Kavacha stood, tall, imposing, fearsome, with his mighty bow pulled back, tensed, and waiting with his arrow strung on the weapon. He replied, "O sage! You are truly gifted and intelligent. I have heard of the earlier battles lost by the devas and the asuras. You did not have any weapons in those battles with them. And yet, you did manage to defeat the devas and the asuras. You have the powers of battle and the powers of weaponry with you. I do not see any weapons with you. But, that is not going to stop me from fight you and attacking you. I know that you can battle me, with your powers, with your knowledge and with your skill and ability."
Nara lost patience at the boasts of Sahasra Kavacha. He reached out and plucked the grass growing nearby, and pointed them at the king, and said, "O king! You are so keen to have a battle, and you are intent on using your weapons. Let it be. We have only these grass shoots to defend us and use as weapons. Come ahead and fight. Have your battle. Why do you lift only one bow and one arrow? To frighten two impoverished sages? Bring all your weapons, all your powerful weapons. Call out for your army! Call out for your supreme warriors! Let us complete this battle as soon as we can, so that we are rid of your nuisance and presence that is disturbing us and keeping us away from our dhyana".
Sahasra Kavacha laughed out loud at Nara's proclamation. He called out to his army, and soon enough, the large horde of warriors came up and arrayed themselves in front of Nara and Narayana. Sahasra Kavacha roared in challenge, "There, my army is also here. The most fearsome of all warriors are in my army. They have been with me in many battles against the devas, asuras, daanavas, rakshasas and all other types of warriors. Without me, any one of my warriors are capable of defeating you. But, I am curious. How did you defeat the asuras and the devas? Oh, yes! I heard the stories of the battle from the sages at Kedara and at the villages below these tall mountains. They were defeated by the very grass that burnt fiercely. You are now threatening us with the same grass. O Sages! The grass are the weapons that you use. I am ready to fight the powers that you have to use the grass as weapons. Let us fight, for I am happy that I am not waging war against two defenceless sages."
Narayana smiled patiently, and said, "Forgive my companion, O great king and warrior, for he is impatient. I would like to stay focused. We are here, intent on our dhyana. So you can fight only one of us, at any time. You defeat one of us, and later, you can fight with the other. Do I have your word on this manner of battle, O great warrior?"
Sahasra Kavacha was puzzled. Why did these two sages not begin their battle? They had vanquished the devas and asuras in a matter of a very brief amount of time. But now, they kept insisting that only one of them would do battle. How could they be so confident? They were only two impoverished sages, but they seemed to think that one of them could battle the mighty army and the most powerful and most successful warrior of all the three worlds. How did they think that they would be victorious?
All these thoughts, as Maharishi Veda Vyasa said thus to Suta Maharishi, his accomplished son, and as Suta Maharishi said thus to the kings and sages at their ashrama, "O Bharata! O Mahamuni! Learn and understand from these doubts that Sahasra Kavacha had, at this moment. He knew that there was something wrong. He knew that it was not logical that two starving sages could defeat the mightiest army of the devas and the asuras. He was cautious and he planned properly. He did not rush into battle. He was curious and puzzled. He was polite, humble and respectful, because he knew that he was facing a very clever and very capable enemy, much unlike all the others that he had vanquished. But, at the moment when battle was to be fought, with his bow strung and the arrow taut, he was denied the fight. The war was being delayed. It was that moment that we should be careful about. He denied himself the consciousness that he could be defeated. He denied himself the opportunity of going away and remaining a successful king forever. But ego, arrogance and anger defeated him. Listen thus, now, to the story of his defeat at the hands of Nara and Narayana."
The twin form of Nara-Narayana at the Swaminarayan Temple, Ahmedabad
[From - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/NarNarayan-Kalupur.jpg]
Long before the beginning of the earliest events that led to the Mahabharata, actually thousands of years earlier, and just after the events of the Ramayana, there was an asura king, Dambhodbhava. He was Sugreeva, in his earlier birth. Sugreeva had been cursed for being the cause of the death of his brother, Vali, by betrayal and the subversive help of Rama.
Dambhodbhava had his own destiny worked out for him from his previous life as Sugreeva and had to answer for his wrongful and not-so-wrongful actions. In time, his actions as Dambhodbhava also led him to his next life as Karna. He does seem to be the most blessed asura king with continuity as a central figure as Sugreeva in the Ramayana and later, in his battles with Nara and Narayana and subsequently, as Karna in the Mahabharata.
Dambodbhava was a powerful asura king, and was extremely devotional in his prayers to his chosen god, Surya. He immersed himself in meditation and practiced austerities in the region to the north of the high Himalayas near Gangotri. As he continued in his meditation, he became more determined and his efforts became more intensive. In his persistence, Dambhodbhava became totally focused on Surya, the Sun God, and eliminated all other thoughts.
Pleased with his prayers, the Sun God appeared before Dambhodbhava and blessed him and said, "Arise, my son, I am pleased with your determination. You have been totally dedicated in your prayers and austerities. I am happy to grant you a boon as a sign of my blessing. Do ask for what you may want to."
While not entirely grateful, Dambhodbhava was keen to seize the opportunity. He replied to Surya, the Sun God, and said, "My Lord, I am grateful for your blessing. I am completely immersed in my austerities and rituals, in devotion to you, and I would like to continue to do so. You are forever, and the devas, asuras and mortals are going to see you rise in the east, for millions of years in the future. Pray grant me the boon to worship you, every day, for millions of years, as Dambhodbhava, your devotee, as long as you would continue to exist, and as long as the three worlds continue to exist."
Surya replied, "Dambhodbhava, my son, what you are asking for, is immortality. It is against the rules of creation and nature. Even I cannot break that, and similarly, Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva cannot grant immortality. Ask for something else, for I have granted you a boon, and I cannot take it back. Ask me something, other than immortality."
Dambhodbhava smiled, for he was ready with his request and said, "My Lord, I did want to continue to be dedicated to you and worship you forever. So, if I cannot be immortal, grant me this, grant me the protection of Sahasra Kavacha, a thousand armors, that will protect me, one at a time, specially strong armors that can only be broken by someone in combat against me, only if he has performed penance for a thousand years. Even if he succeeds, he should be able to destroy only one armor at a time."
"After destroying one armor, the opponent can continue to battle me for removing the next armor only after meditation for a thousand years. I can only be killed by a mortal, and it can be so, only if a single mortal comes into combat against me, and the same mortal destroys all the thousand armors, one after the other, and commits to meditation of thousand years during the time span between destroying each armor."
"And finally, if he breaks any of the armors, he must die. And I would start again, in living the years of my life in dedication to you, and I would once again have a thousand armors to protect me."
Surya, the Sun God, blessed Dambhodbhava, and said, "So be it. I bless you with agreement to your prayer, my son! With the power of a thousand armors, you will now be known as Sahasra Kavacha."
And thus, did Dambhodbhava come to be recognised as Sahasra Kavacha. And Surya, the Sun God, come to appreciate his devotion to him and accepted him as one of his own sons. This is why in the Ramayana too, is Sugreeva recognised as a son of Surya.
As a result of the boon from the Sun God, Sahasra Kavacha became a powerful asura king. His atrocities kept growing and there was no one to defeat him. He crushed all the kings on earth and began to wage war on the gods. All the asuras united under him, and it was soon obvious that he would defeat Indra and take over the lands of the gods. But there was no answer to defeating Sahasra Kavacha. Indra and Brahma and the gods went up to Vishnu as he was resting on Adi Sesha, the thousand headed snake and his divine companion, along with his consort, Mahalakshmi.
Indra said to Vishnu, thus, "I come to thee, but you know very well why we have come. You are the cause of all actions. You must be aware of the boon granted by Surya to Dambhodbhava, the asura king, now known as Sahasra Kavacha, because of the power given to him by the protection of a thousand armors. The boon given to him says that he can only be defeated by a human combatant, and the time duration between each armor has to be devoted by the warrior in meditation for a thousand years. The armor must not be broken and if there is damage, the warrior combatant would die, and Sahasra Kavacha would once again have a thousand armors."
Brahma, the source of all creation, smiled and said to Vishnu, "It is time for you to fight Sahasra Kavacha, and defeat him as only you can. Since it has to be a mortal combatant, you would need to go into the lands of the asuras and humans and destroy him. It is time, and I can suggest the best couple to be blessed by your birth and presence. Daksha's daughter, Murti, has just been wed to one of my sons, born of my mind and thought, Dharma. It is my son's responsibility to spread righteousness in the three worlds and he will need your support, guidance and strength. You will be born unto Dharma and Murti, and you will be born as a mortal to them."
Vishnu nodded in agreement, and said, "It is time, and it would be correct to be born unto Dharma and Murti. There is one another matter to plan for, in the battle to be fought with Sahasra Kavacha, as a mortal. If the armor were to be broken, the mortal combatant would be dead, and I would be back here, as Vishnu. Sahasra Kavacha would once again begin with a thousand armors. If we need to be able to defeat death as a mortal, we would need to know how to do so. Whom can we ask for help and guidance, if not Rudra himself? Who else would be able to guide a mortal on defeating death?"
Saying thus, Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, Mahalakshmi, Adi Sesha and all the gods assembled, meditated and focused on Shiva and requested him to grant them his blessings with his presence. Recognising their needand their prayers, Mahadeva appeared in front of them and blessed all the assembled gods. Brahma spoke, thus, "O Eswara, O Conqueror of death! We need your help and guidance. You are aware that due to Surya's boon, blessings and love for Dambhodbhava, the asura king, his atrocities in the three worlds are growing with the protection of a thousand armors. As Sahasra Kavacha, he is intent on taking control over the lands of devas and perhaps later, he would wage war against Indra also. He would be strong enough to destroy righteousness in the three worlds."
Shiva smiled and nodded in agreement, and said, "Yes. I am aware of Sahasra Kavacha. The boon does require that he can only be defeated by a mortal, who would die, if even a single armor is broken. You cannot remove an armor without breaking it. So, the boon is quite clever. The mortal should also meditate for a period of thousand years between the battle against each armor. It is not possible for any mortal to stay alive for such a long period, and yet be powerful in a war against one so capable as Sahasra Kavacha. Nothing can prevent the asura king from killing the mortal while in meditation. If Sahasra Kavacha does not abide by Dharma, he would not be bound by ethical rules about battle."
Indra, listening to the discussion, spoke disturbedly, "O Tridevaa! The three of you are supreme! I am sure that you would come to a proper understanding and that you will be able to destroy Sahasra Kavacha. I am however worried about how would you be able to defeat time? It requires a thousand years of meditation between the removal of each armor and that means he is going to be active with his atrocities during the time between each armor, for a thousand armors."
Vishnu smiled at Indra in agreement, and said, "Indra is entirely correct. It is necessary to conquer time in this battle. Maheshwara has the ability to show us the path ahead. He has the power to journey through time without disturbing the events of the universe. Defeating or conquering time is to challenge the aspect of creation. Let us listen to Maheshwara. He will show us the correct solution."
Shiva bowed to Vishnu, and replied, "It is true, that one should not disturb the aspects of creation and time in the universe. If we journey through time back and forth in the past and in the future, correcting wrongs or preventing unrighteousness, then there would be no purpose to creation, and there would be no value to Karma. But, there is a way. Let me recollect, that it is enough to recite the name of Rama, the son of Dasaratha, even once with devotion to equal a thousand recitations of the Sahasranamam.
Raama Raama Rameti, Rame Raame Manorame,
Sahasranaama Tatulyam, Rama Naama Varaanane!
What was done by Rama as a mortal equals a thousand achievements of Vishnu as a deity. This is true only if Rama's name is taken with devotion and in those places where Rama himself had gone to and moved about."
"You have gone to the world of the mortals earlier too, O Vishnu, but this time, your actions have to be a lot more clever. There can be no obvious war, and yet you need to fight. While you meditate for a thousand years, you need to make sure that you can defend yourself and be able to fight. Each time that you remove the armor, it is bound to break, and you are bound to die. So, you need to be ready to die, while you make sure that you do not die. This would indeed be a worthy puzzle, even for you. None other is worthy enough to unravel this."
Brahma, Vishnu and Indra and the other gods assembled were pleased at the puzzle being painted by Shiva to outline the strategy to defeat Sahasra Kavacha. Vishnu queries, "O Maheshwara, it was you who said to Devi Parvati, that it is at Kedara that one must meditate. It was you who said that meditation at Kedara is the most fulfilling, for one day of dhyana in the upper hills of the region is equal to one thousand years of meditation elsewhere. This has been known and accepted for many thousands of years before Surya blessed Dambhodbhava. Thus, we are not cheating Dambhodbhava from the specific time span in his boon. After being born to Dharma and Murti, the meditation would need to be conducted on the upper mountains of the Kedar region."
Brahma nodded in agreement and said, "It is true about the sanctity of the mountains of Kedara. We also need to determine how would you not die even if you would have to. We cannot avoid death, for that would mean that Sahasra Kavacha was fighting an immortal. O Hari! We cannot lose this battle. O Maheshwara! Only you can defeat death. Only you can guide us in the battle against Sahasra Kavacha!"
Shiva replied, "If it is to conquer death, I will bless Vishnu with the secret. But how can Hari use the secret blessing to conquer death if he would be dead as a mortal? He will have to be able to use the secret even if he is dead, and before he would return to the heavens as a god after being killed by Sahasra Kavacha. So, in fact, the person who would fight Sahasra Kavacha, and the person who would be dead, and the person to use the secret to bring him back to life, all these persons, would need to be the same person. How would that be possible?"
Vishnu nodded in agreement, and said, thus, "This would be the best battle yet to be fought in the three worlds. I would need to be born as a mortal, but I would need to also manifest as one another, at the same moment, who would be myself, and yet would not be the same. My other self would need to be as powerful and a tremendous warrior. There can be only one solution. My eternal companion, Adi Sesha, is manifest from me, and is my own self, while existing separately with me. We are one and the same. We will be born together, to Dharma and Murti. We will grow up as sages, together, and as I would be Narayana, so, Adi Sesha would be born as Nara."
All the gods assembled, bowed in respect, and Brahma blessed Vishnu and Adi Sesha and said, "So be it. My son, born of my mind, Dharma, would be twice blessed. Even I, his own father, could not have blessed him in a better manner. Righteousness in the world, in this yuga would benefit and spread all over. Nara and Narayana, Vishnu himself, manifest as two mortals together, would be the best blessing to this world of humans. Let us all leave, and allow Hara to be alone with Hari and Adi Sesha, for them to learn the secret of how to escape death. For Shiva is not ready to allow the secret to be known by all, for now!"
The gods bowed to Hari and Hara, and left Vaikunta. Brahma and Mahalakshmi went into a meditative trance to prevent themselves from listening to Shiva impart the secret of escaping a mortal's death. Adi Sesha also bowed in respect to Shiva. The three of them, Vishnu, Shiva and Adi Sesha sat in meditation, silently, on the celestial ocean waters of Vaikunta. It was the most wonderous sight, and we are blessed, thought Brahma, as he closed his own eyes and went into his trance. Shiva invoked his splendid ability and created an aura that covered the three of them. Within that aura, Shiva conveyed through the power of his thought to Vishnu and Adi Sesha, the power, words and manner of use of the most sacred Maha Mryutyunjaya Mantra. He explained to them on its paraphrasing, the manner of recitation and the manner of meditation on the mantra to develop its strength and to give enormous power to the words.
The three gods came out of their trance, and Shiva removed the shield of aura around them. Brahma and Shiva blessed Vishnu and Adi Sesha and left Vaikunta. With permission of Mahalakshmi, Vishnu and Adi Sesha departed from Vaikunta and manifested themselves in the womb of Murti, Realising that something unique had occurred, Dharma and Murti looked forward to the birth of their child. They declared themselves indeed blessed by the grace of Brahma, when Murti gave birth to twin boys. The gods arrived at their house to witness the celestial birth, and Brahma, Shiva, Indra and the goddesses Saraswati, Parvati and Mahalakshmi accompanied them. Brahma and Shiva blessed the infants with long life while the three goddesses blessed Murti with good health. Indra blessed Dharma with wisdom.
As the years passed, the young Nara and Narayana were taught by Dharma and other celestial sages including Narada, Kashyapa, Bharadwaja and Brahma himself. Gifted as they were, and jnani from birth, while still in their youth, Nara and Narayana were ready to leave the house of Dharma and Murti. They received their permission and blessings and proceeded to Kedara and chose a good location to conduct their meditation and austerities. At first, the young aspirant sages walked in to the upper areas of Kedara and focused on Shiva who appeared before them. They offered their prayers to Shiva and requested him to accept them as his disciples. In agreement, Shiva bade them to sit in front of him while he conveyed the instructions of a teacher to his students.
On completion of the teaching, Shiva proceeded to teach the aspect, power and manner of recitation of the Maha Mryutyunjaya Mantra once again, as he done so, while at Vaikunta. Nara and Narayana were instructed to focus on the mantra, and recite the words constantly while immersing themselves in meditation. Shiva instructed the young disciples to immerse themselves in dhyana by offering the power of the mantra to each other, and make themselves strong enough for the battle that would be coming up with Sahasra Kavacha. Shiva instructed them to be ready to be tested for war before they could challenge Sahasra Kavacha. Blessing them, and declaring that the two young students were now accomplished sages, Shiva walked back into the upper peaks of Kedara.
Thus, HE is known as the Lord of Kedara, for he is Kedara himself, an the hills are thought to be the most favoured meditation places in the Himalayas, and are dear to Shiva and Parvati. It is said so, in the Sri Kedara Mahatmyam, that Shiva declared to Parvati that Kedara is his most favourite of places for dhyana. He said that it is not necessary that all pilgrims reach Kedara, and even if they merely begin with the thought of wanting to come to Kedara, they would be blessed by the grace of Eshwara.
Having been blessed for battle by Shiva and with his guidance, the two young sages began to meditate steadfastly on the aspect of life, death and protecting oneself against all the vagaries that accompany the truth of human life. They practised their austerities rigidly and soon came to be recognised by their brethren in the Badri-Kedara region. The sages belonging to the foremost asramas nearby began to journey into Kedara and seek the blessings of such rigid meditation. Badri and Kedara began to be recognised for the vibrations and energy emanating from Nara and Narayana.
As the years went by, the meditatin and austerities began to unfailingly become more rigid and difficult. The two sages would not come out of their trance for more than a year. With progress in their abilities, Nara and Narayana began to be recognised for not coming out of their ever continuing trance for a number of years. The energy of the mantras that they meditated upon, seemed to resound in its tenor throughout the mountains of the high Badri and Kedara regions. It seemed as though that their dhyana aura was directly in touch with Maheshwara himself.
The vibrations and the tremendous energy began to take over the Badri Kedara region, and as they grew in their intensity, mortals and junior sages began to find it difficult to enter Kedara or seek the blessings of Nara and Narayana. They consoled themselves by settling in at the lower slopes at Gaurikund when they found that they were unable to walk up the slopes of Kedara.
News about the powerful energy emanating from the meditation of the two unknown sages spread through the devas and the asuras. Indra came along with the devas to witness and experience the energy for themselves. Not knowing their identity, for it had been long since the discussion about Sahasra Kavacha, Indra was curious about the reason for the meditation being undertaken by these very unknown sages. Nobody seemed to know anything about them, including their origins, nativity, their guru, or their affiliation to any asrama. They did not have any disciples and they did not meet anyone. It had been years since they had gone into a trance and none of the sages had the courage to disturb their fearsome austerities.
None of the asuras knew about them. This was the most sanctified grounds of Shiva himself, and for someone unknown to be undisturbed in their meditation would only imply a threat to others. Perhaps they were Daanava sages or Naga sages who were seeking powerful weapons from Shiva. If they would be successful, they could threaten the devas and the asuras. Fearful, Indra decided that this would not do. They should stop the two sages in their meditation. They tried to disturb them with rain, snow, blazing sunlight, fire, wind, lightning and thunderstorms, and attacks by wild animals. None of the attempts were successful. The wild animals charged at the two sages and became docile as they came nearby.
These two unknown sages must have already acquired powerful boons from Shiva, thought Indra. In an united understanding, Indra decided to send a combined army of devas and asuras against the two sages. It would be best to attack them, and if it be so, to kill them before they would gain more power. Deciding thus, he gave the orders to attack. The combined armies of the devas and the asuras rushed to attack the two sages. They had however failed to understand the power and energy of the meditation of these two unknown sages and the protective aura that was around them due to their focus on the mantras endowed to them by Shiva.
The protective aura caused the grass all around the two sages to burn fiercely for great distances. The sages remained undisturbed in their meditation. The severe heat generated by the flames prevented the armies of the devas and the asuras from advancing towards the sages. The armies had to withdraw to the dismay of Indra. This was something very strange indeed, he thought. There was an obviously higher force present and he would not be able to oppose it. But, curious, Indra went to meet Brahma to ask about the identity of the two sages. Brahma smiled at the foolishness of Indra and informed him that he had challenged none other than Nara and Narayana who were intent on gaining the adequate strength and ability through meditation to be ready for battle with Sahasra Kavacha. It was Shiva himself who had given them their blessings for battle.
The news about the failed battle by the devas and the asuras against the two sages began to be known in the three worlds. All the asramas at Badri and Kedara started rejoicing in the power of meditation. The sages of some asramas met various asura and daanava kings and informed them of the inability of an army of devas and asuras to attack the meditating sages. In time, some ascetics and sages informed Sahasra Kavacha of the power and ability of the meditating sages.
Being triumphant in all his battles and unable to accept that there could be an unknown form of battle, Sahasra Kavacha was angry. How could anyone prevent a battle through the energy developed and spread by intensive meditation? He would have to check this out for himself and announce his intention to fight the two sages. Deciding thus, the asura king, resplendent in the glow of his kavacha, armor, arrived at the asramas of the foremost sages at the lower slopes at Kedara, below the Sundamadana mountains.
The sages informed Sahasra Kavacha that it was known from the words of Indra that these two sages were Nara and Narayana. Nobody knew anything else about them and there was no information about their asrama or links to any king or kingdom of the three worlds. On hearing of the manner of defeat of the armies of the devas and the asuras, Sahasra Kavacha was puzzled. How could two unknown sages be able to develop such abilities? Someone would have known, for sure. Yet, the upper mountains of Sundamadana, above the Badri-Kedar regions, were known to be the celestial grounds of Shiva. This would mean that these two sages had the blessings of Shiva and his permission to meditate for so many years in these sacred mountains.
Sahasra Kavacha was keen to know more about the two sages. If they were in Shiva's moutains and were engrossed in their meditation and austerities, it could only mean that they were seeking powerful weapons. Perhaps, at last, he would have worthy opponents. He asked the foremost of the sages at the foothills of Kedara, thus, "O worthy sages! Pray help me with answers. There has been none to defeat me in the three worlds for many hundreds of years. You are aware of my prowess and the blessings of Surya himself. Do you think that these two sages would be opponents who would give me a good battle? It has been long since I have had a strong warrior to fight against me."
The foremost of the sages at the foothills of Kedara replied, "O mighty king! We are aware of your strength and your victories. And yet, here are two sages who have defeated the combined armies of the devas and the asuras without any battle. They were undisturbed in their meditation. The energy of their austerities have created such a powerful aura that they could thwart the mighty armies of the devas and the asuras. How will you fight someone who does not fight? How will you defeat someone who cannot be defeated?"
"We have heard that they are known as Nara and Narayana. Even Indra has acknowledged them as extremely accomplished sages. We are all content to rest here, below the great mountains of Badri and Kedara. Our austerities, prayers and meditations get the benefit of the energy generated by them," said the foremost of their sages, and continued, "We have journeyed from several lands, from the south of the Ganges to arrive here and get strength in our prayers. They seem to be very noble souls without any evil in them, for otherwise, so many of us would not benefit. We do not know who they are! Whether they are Kshatriya or Brahmana, their meditation has taken them beyond every aspect. Go and meet them, O powerful king, but, go with humility, and without any intent on war. For otherwise, you will not be able to go within the force of energy that protects them and surrounds them."
Accepting their advice, Sahasra Kavacha assembled his army and journeyed up the mountains of Kedara and arrived at Sundamadana. He instructed his army to stay on guard while he went about the forested mountains and the grassy valleys to search for the two sages. He did not want to lose his army. For, while he was protected by the boon given by Surya, his warriors could be killed in battle. After a long search, Sahasra Kavacha was able to locate the two sages.
They looked totally unlike any warrior. They were extremely thin, and one could see all the bones of their bodies. They looked totally starved, and their blood vessels could be seen clearly. The chill and snow had covered them and they looked very puny and seemed entirely defenseless. However, remembering the advice of the foremost of the sages in the asrama below Kedara, Sahasra Kavacha drew upon all his humility and approached the meditating sages with respect and reverence. He came up to the two sages, sat below their meditation mound, touched their feet and effected a very humble stance.
Nara and Narayana opened their eyes and looked at Sahasra Kavacha without any anger or malice. Sahasra Kavacha enquired if the sages were comfortable and offered them some fruits, water and juices. The two sages politely declined the food and water but invited Sahasra Kavacha to sit comfortably and requested him, very politely, to state the reason for his visit and for disturbing them in their determined meditation and austerities.
Sahasra Kavacha bowed before the two sages and spoke about himself, introducing them to his victories and the manner of battles that he had fought. He told them that there was none in the three worlds to challenge him or fight a victorious battle against him. He had heard of how the armies of the devas and the asuras had been defeated. That was the reason for disturbing them. He said, very humbly, that he would like to take their permission to challenge them to a battle.
The two sages smiled, and Narayana said to Sahasra Kavacha, thus, "O mighty king! We are pleased with your humility, and we are pleased to bless you with good sense and well being. But, we do not wish to fight you, for we have no intention on waging war on anybody. We are only content with our meditation and austerities in order to strengthen our focus on the mantras taught to us by Maheshwara himself. We are determined in our objective because we want to spread righteousness in the three worlds. If you would go back to your kingdom, and be a righteous king, and ensure a just and proper rule, based on dharma, we would be happy for you. We do not wish to fight you."
This declaration by Narayana angered Sahasra Kavacha further. He was furious. But, retaining control over himself, he said, "O great sage! You may please not indulge in advising me about my kingdom and righteousness. I have come here to battle you. I have heard about the powers and abilities of the both of you. If I do battle you, I will vanquish you in an instant. But, it is unwise and wrong to battle a meditating sage and attack one when the ascetic is not intent on battle. It is for this reason that I request you to leave aside your meditation and enjoin battle with me. Let it not be said by one and all that Sahasra Kavacha, the mightiest warrior of all, killed two defenceless sages while they were deep in meditation."
Narayana smiled at the boast and said, "We are certain that we would not want to fight you. But, if you want to attack us, so be it. You would have to fight us, for we would continue in our meditation. You can only battle one of us at any time, for we would not wish to stop our meditation. Only one of us would battle with you. That would be our condition to indulge you in your whims. Is that OK with you?"
Sahasra Kavacha stepped back, bowed in agreement, brought up his mighty weapon and prepared to attack. Narayana sat calmly, while Nara continued to meditate. Picking up his arrow, reciting the best mantra to arm it, Sahasra Kavacha strung it to his bow. Narayana smiled and said, "O mighty king! You are indeed powerful, and you do have tremendously dangerous weapons. The two of us, we are merely two men intent on our own dhyana, in seeking truth and to spread righteousness in the world! What would you achieve in fighting us? We do not have weapons. We do not have an army. Have you brought your army with you?"
Sahasra Kavacha stood, tall, imposing, fearsome, with his mighty bow pulled back, tensed, and waiting with his arrow strung on the weapon. He replied, "O sage! You are truly gifted and intelligent. I have heard of the earlier battles lost by the devas and the asuras. You did not have any weapons in those battles with them. And yet, you did manage to defeat the devas and the asuras. You have the powers of battle and the powers of weaponry with you. I do not see any weapons with you. But, that is not going to stop me from fight you and attacking you. I know that you can battle me, with your powers, with your knowledge and with your skill and ability."
Nara lost patience at the boasts of Sahasra Kavacha. He reached out and plucked the grass growing nearby, and pointed them at the king, and said, "O king! You are so keen to have a battle, and you are intent on using your weapons. Let it be. We have only these grass shoots to defend us and use as weapons. Come ahead and fight. Have your battle. Why do you lift only one bow and one arrow? To frighten two impoverished sages? Bring all your weapons, all your powerful weapons. Call out for your army! Call out for your supreme warriors! Let us complete this battle as soon as we can, so that we are rid of your nuisance and presence that is disturbing us and keeping us away from our dhyana".
Sahasra Kavacha laughed out loud at Nara's proclamation. He called out to his army, and soon enough, the large horde of warriors came up and arrayed themselves in front of Nara and Narayana. Sahasra Kavacha roared in challenge, "There, my army is also here. The most fearsome of all warriors are in my army. They have been with me in many battles against the devas, asuras, daanavas, rakshasas and all other types of warriors. Without me, any one of my warriors are capable of defeating you. But, I am curious. How did you defeat the asuras and the devas? Oh, yes! I heard the stories of the battle from the sages at Kedara and at the villages below these tall mountains. They were defeated by the very grass that burnt fiercely. You are now threatening us with the same grass. O Sages! The grass are the weapons that you use. I am ready to fight the powers that you have to use the grass as weapons. Let us fight, for I am happy that I am not waging war against two defenceless sages."
Narayana smiled patiently, and said, "Forgive my companion, O great king and warrior, for he is impatient. I would like to stay focused. We are here, intent on our dhyana. So you can fight only one of us, at any time. You defeat one of us, and later, you can fight with the other. Do I have your word on this manner of battle, O great warrior?"
Sahasra Kavacha was puzzled. Why did these two sages not begin their battle? They had vanquished the devas and asuras in a matter of a very brief amount of time. But now, they kept insisting that only one of them would do battle. How could they be so confident? They were only two impoverished sages, but they seemed to think that one of them could battle the mighty army and the most powerful and most successful warrior of all the three worlds. How did they think that they would be victorious?
All these thoughts, as Maharishi Veda Vyasa said thus to Suta Maharishi, his accomplished son, and as Suta Maharishi said thus to the kings and sages at their ashrama, "O Bharata! O Mahamuni! Learn and understand from these doubts that Sahasra Kavacha had, at this moment. He knew that there was something wrong. He knew that it was not logical that two starving sages could defeat the mightiest army of the devas and the asuras. He was cautious and he planned properly. He did not rush into battle. He was curious and puzzled. He was polite, humble and respectful, because he knew that he was facing a very clever and very capable enemy, much unlike all the others that he had vanquished. But, at the moment when battle was to be fought, with his bow strung and the arrow taut, he was denied the fight. The war was being delayed. It was that moment that we should be careful about. He denied himself the consciousness that he could be defeated. He denied himself the opportunity of going away and remaining a successful king forever. But ego, arrogance and anger defeated him. Listen thus, now, to the story of his defeat at the hands of Nara and Narayana."
Hari Om, Thank you for posting this story! In which text/Purana did you find it?
ReplyDeleteReally wonderful and a very nice story!! Where can I get the continuation of this story. Thanks for posting this story.
ReplyDelete