Trivikrama Bharati was a learned sannyasi and an ardent devotee of Lord Nrisimha (the manlion
avatar). On that day, when he sat for his daily meditation, the Lord did not grant him his mystic
vision, as he usually did. Trivikrama was deeply disappointed and, with a yearning heart, prayed, 'Oh
Thou ocean of Mercy, the Lord of Thy devotees, Lord Nrisimha! Why am I not able to enjoy Thy
blessed presence today? Lord, bless me with it!' After he meditated for a long while, he heard a
voice from within, telling him that the Lord is on the-banks of the holy river. He immediately
proceeded there. Through the yogic power of Sree Guru who had already arrived and encamped
at the place, he saw a large gathering of sannyasis. At first he fainted. When he came to his senses,
he again saw the same large congregation of sannyasis. Then Sree Guru addressed the dazed
ascetic: 'Trivikrama, I am the sannyasi whom you have been vilifying, in the pride of your spiritual
accomplishments and learning, as a hypocrite and a fallen one. Just now I have tested you. It is
evident that you are a devotee, of Lord Nrisimha and you are well-versed in the Dharma Sastra (the
code of holy life). Yet, if you are indeed a true renunciate, tell me what you have renounced. How
can one whose soul is perturbed by attachment to fame and pride of learning and hatred, ever be
a sannyasi? I have, indeed, come here to learn of the attributes of a hypocrite of a sannyasi by
seeing you. Oh learned one, reflect deeply upon this and you will know the truth, by the grace of
Lord Nrisimha!' Trivikrama Bharati was humbled. He said ,'Oh Lord, overwhelmed by your yogic
power, I am unable to find words for my profound experience. Oh Ocean of Mercy, Thou selfcontrolled
one, may you protect me! I have realised that the religious merit of my life-long
meditation has earned for me this meeting with your holiness. You are indeed the Lord on whom I
meditate! I seek your refuge. May you pardon my misdeeds.'
Pleased with the candour, new-found humility and repentance of Trivikrama Bharati, Sree Guru
granted him the sight of his real, divine form. Trivikrama was able to see the king and his retinue that
accompanied him but could not stand the glory of the Lord's presence. He saw the king fanning Him
like a humble servant. It was indeed the cosmic form of the Guru that he saw. Sree Nrisimha
Saraswathi then said, "Trivikrama, I have granted you the blessed vision of my divine form which
cannot be attained even through prolonged cultivation of mystic vision. For I am pleased with your
devout practice of dhyana." The next moment, the humbled sannyasi once again saw the mortal
form of Sree Guru in front of him. Emerging from the mystic vision, Trivikrama sang in praise of the
Lord, `Oh Thou Spirit of the Universe! Indeed, I haven't meditated on you with a heart, body or mind
that are pure enough. I even vilified you. Yet you have graced me and I am blessed indeed. You
have granted me the vision of your cosmic form (Viswarupu) which was vouched to Arjuna of yore.
Oh Hari,* I am drifting away in the ocean of nescience. Pray, carry me in the bark of wisdom to the
shore of True Being'. The Lord assured him, 'Stay here and you shall transend nescience through
wisdom and attain the ultimate goal'.
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