namate Dr.TNJ sir and others.
Here is some information about the divine hermits Nara-NArAyaNa from the 'PurANic Encyclopaedia' by Vettam MaNi.
This book can be downloaded at:
http://www.archive.org/download/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft.pdf
1) Birth.
Brahma created Dharmadeva from his breast. Truthful and righteous Dharma married ten daughters of Daksa. Several sons were born to Dharma of his ten wives. But foremost among them were Hari, Krsna, Nara and Narayana. Hari and Krsna became great yogins and Nara and Narayana became great hermits of penance. The Nara-Narayanas lived in the holy Asylum of Badarikasrama in the vicinity of the Himalayas for a thousand years performing penance to Brahma. (Devi Bhagavata, Skandha 4).
3) Keeper of Amrta (Ambrosia}.
The Devas (gods) and the asuras (demons) together churned the sea of milk and obtained Ambrosia (the celestial nectar of immortal- ity). Mahavisnu took the guise of a fascinating woman and obtained the Amrta by stealth from the asuras and gave it to the devas. The asuras waged a terrible war with the devas. At that time, at the request of the devas, Nara and Narayana took sides with the devas, and fought against the asuras as a consequence of which the asuras were defeated. In Mahabharata, Adi Parva, Chapter 19, Stanza 31, it is stated that from that day ownwards Indra entrusted the keeping of the celestial Nectar with the hermit named Nara.
5) Conflict with Siva.
Because he was not invited to the sacrifice by Daksa, Siva got angry and sent his trident against Daksa's sacrifice. The trident completely des- troyed the sacrifice and flew through the air here and there. Then it reached Badaryagrama and hit the breast of Narayana who was sitting engaged in penance. By the force of the utterance of the sound 'Hum', made by Narayana, the trident was ejected from his breast. Finding no accommodation there it flew back to Siva, who getting angry at this rebut approached Nara- Narayanas with the intention of exterminating them. Nara took a grass from the ground and discharged it at Siva. Instantly the grass became an axe. It flew round Siva to attack him. Siva broke the axe. From that day onwards Siva got the name 'Khandaparasu' (one who broke the axe). In this story it is .said that the trident which had returned from the breast of Narayana heated the hair of Siva to such an extent that they were dried as dry grass. So Siva came to be called 'Munja- kesV (with hair having the colour of dry grass). (M.B. Santi Parva. Chapter 343).
6) Fight with Prahldda.
Please check the Ency. for details.
7) Other information.
(i) On the occasion of the stripping of Pancall of her clothes at the palace of the Kauravas, Pancall cried, calling Nara and Narayana. (M.B. Sabha Parva, Chapter 68, Stanza 46).
(ii) Arjuna and Sri Krsna were the rebirths of Nara and Narayana. (See under Arjuna).
(iii) It is stated in Mahabharata, Santi Parva, Chapter 334, Stanza 9, that the hermit Nara was one of the four incarnations taken by Mahavisnu in the Manusya yuga (age of man) of the Svayambhuva Manvantara.
(iv) It is mentioned in Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 2, that, of the two viz. Nara and Narayana, Nara was of fair complexion and Narayana of dark complexion.
(v) It was because of the curse of the hermit Bhrgu that Nara-Narayanas took birth as Arjuna and Krsna in the Dvaparayuga. (Devi Bhagavata, Skandha 4).
(vi) The meaning of the word 'Nara' is he who is not damaged. The universal soul named Nara has created water and so water got the name 'Naram'. Because he lives in that water which has the name Naram, the universal soul got the name Narayana. (Manusmrti, Chapter 1, Stanza 10).
(vii) For the other incarnations of Nara see under Raktaja.
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