Five Reflections On Vrikasura Praying For A Boon

“But if you have faith still in the words of Lord Shiva, my dear king of the demons, then why don’t you make an experiment by putting your hand on your head? If the benediction proves false, then you can immediately kill this liar, Lord Shiva, so that in the future he will not dare to give out false benedictions.” (Lord Narayana in the guise of a mendicant speaking to Vrikasura, Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Volume 2, Chapter 33)

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1. The asuras tend to want things quickly

Perhaps you have encountered someone whose behavior followed this pattern. They begin by asking for advice on a particular matter. After a short back-and-forth, you get an idea of what they are looking for. In your desire to help, lacking duplicity, in being completely forthright, you present a host of options. You explain the positive and negative sides to each choice. It is like the game of “choose your own adventure”, except this time you offer foresight. The individual being helped does not have to proceed blindly.

Except it feels as if they are blinded by their desire. They have no patience to hear about the long-term impacts. They want to know which route will lead to the objective in the shortest amount of time. With the least amount of effort expended, with the highest probability of success, in as close to a guarantee as possible, just which option would you, as the counselor, suggest?

You know that this person will regret the decision later on. You realize that they do not understand the full gravity of what you are saying. Nevertheless, you give them what they want. They are adamant, after all. They will not accept “no” for an answer. Something similar occurred one time with the esteemed Narada Muni, who is like a space-traveler covering the three worlds, singing the glories of Shri Hari, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

The person asking was an asura by body-type and by nature. His name was Vrikasura. His desire was to acquire a boon that would allow his hand to turn into a deadly weapon. Simply through a touch, he wanted to be able to kill someone. Vrikasura wanted to know which deity to approach for receiving a boon, in the general case. We give him credit for understanding that a benefactor is required. He wanted to exploit the process of yajna, which is like a sacrificial fire intended for feeding a higher power. The fire is the conduit for delivery of the offering.

“According to the Vedic principle, when something is offered to the deities to eat, it is offered in a fire. Therefore a fire sacrifice is necessary in all sorts of ceremonies. It is specifically stated in the shastras that gods are to be offered something to eat through the fire. The demon Vrikasura therefore went to Kedaranatha and ignited a sacrificial fire to please Lord Shiva.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Volume 2, Chapter 33)

2. Mahadeva is true to his role

Narada Muni advised Vrikasura to approach Lord Shiva. The understanding was that the asura would not have the patience to follow through on proper worship of Lord Brahma or Lord Vishnu. With the doubt now settled, Vrikasura proceeded with the worship. It is said that he was so dedicated that it reached a point where he was prepared to sacrifice his own head into the fire. That is when Lord Shiva finally appeared. He is also known as Mahadeva, or the great god.

Although Mahadeva fulfills the material desires of his worshipers, he is himself completely renounced. Though his worshipers intentionally move towards the safety of opulence, Mahadeva lives in a place without a roof, in the traditional sense. It is extremely cold in his home. He has nothing for himself. His most cherished activity is meditation. He focuses on the lotus feet of Vishnu in the manifestation of Shri Rama.

Mahadeva is also known as Ashutosha, which means “easily pleased.” That name came to light in the literal sense when Vrikasura received the boon he was asking for. The boon is real. The boon is in truth. Feeling that was the case, Vrikasura then proceeded to chase after Mahadeva. He went to attack the benefactor with the newly acquired power. The purpose was to touch Lord Shiva on the head. With Mahadeva out of the picture, Vrikasura could then take the beautiful Parvati Devi for himself.

3. Good people tend to have fun with Mahadeva’s appearance

Vrikasura chased after Mahadeva until they reached Vaikuntha. That is the home of Vishnu. The Supreme Lord learned about what was happening. He then devised a plan to end the threat. Vishnu assumed the form of a celibate student called a brahmachari. This presents a vision of peace. Vishnu was nonthreatening in this way. Vrikasura would not suspect foul play.

Upon hearing the cause for the concern, the brahmachari proceeded to make fun of Mahadeva. Vishnu in disguise highlighted the strange appearance on that great god. Lord Shiva is known to spend time around crematoriums. Ghouls and ghosts are his attendants. Who would ever trust such a strange person? How in the world could the boon possibly work? No, Mahadeva must be crazy. Poor Vrikasura was fooled.

4. Intelligence can defeat power

The asura ended up losing, but not with a show of might. Vishnu is the most powerful, so He could have hurled a weapon. He could have asked someone to attack. Instead, it was basic intelligence that reversed the situation. The brahmachari asked Vrikasura to test the boon on his own head. As quickly as Ashutosha delivered the boon, the asura would learn without delay that the boon was false. If touching the hand to his head did not work, then Vrikasura was free to punish Lord Shiva.

5. Mahadeva tells the truth

Alas, the reality is that Mahadeva speaks the truth. He is faithfully engaged in the worship of the Absolute Truth. The boon was indeed truthful. It worked. Vrikasura died by touching his own head. The foolish asura never bothered to think of the long-term implications. The same truthful Mahadeva is always worshiping Rama, leading the way for the entire universe.

In Closing:

The entire universe leading,
In worship of Rama proceeding.

But asuras with different view,
Not like easily pleased who.

When Vrikasura the boon sought,
Danger up to Vaikuntha brought.

But Narayana the tables reversing,
Touch to head the power dispersing.