TEXT 9
turye dharma-kala-sarge
nara-narayanav rsi
bhutvatmopasamopetam
akarod duscaram tapah
SYNONYMS
turyein the fourth of the line; dharma-kalawife of Dharmaraja; sargebeing born of; nara-narayanaunamed Nara and Narayana; rsisages; bhutvabecoming; atma-upasamacontrolling the senses; upetamfor achievement of; akarotundertook; duscaramvery strenuous; tapahpenance.
TRANSLATION
In the fourth incarnation, the Lord became Nara and Narayana, the twin sons of the wife of King Dharma. Thus He undertook severe and exemplary penances to control the senses.
PURPORT
As King Rsabha advised His sons, tapasya, or voluntary acceptance of penance for realization of the transcendence, is the only duty of the human being; it was so done by the Lord Himself in an exemplary manner to teach us. The Lord is very kind to the forgetful souls. He therefore comes Himself and leaves behind necessary instructions and also sends His good sons as representatives to call all the conditioned souls back to Godhead. Recently, within the memory of everyone, Lord Caitanya also appeared for the same purpose: to show special favor to fallen souls of this age of iron industry. The incarnation of Narayana is worshiped still at Badari-narayana, on the range of the Himalayas.

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