turye dharma-kalā-sarge nara-nārāyaṇāv ṛṣī bhūtvātmopaśamopetam akarod duścaraṁ tapaḥ
Synonyms
turye—in the fourth of the line; dharma-kalā—wife of Dharmraj; sarge—being born of; nara-nārāyaṇau—of the name of Nara and Narayan; ṛṣī—sages; bhūtvā—becoming; ātma-upaśama—controlling the senses; upetam—for achievement of; akarot—undertook; duścaram—very strenuous; tapaḥ—penance.
Translation
In the fourth incarnation, He (the Lord) became the twin sons of the wife of King Dharma of the Names Nara and Narayan. And so becoming He undertook examplary severe type of penances for controlling the senses.
Purport
As it was advised by King Rishava to His sons, Tapasya or voluntary acceptane of penances for realisation of the Transcendence is the only duty of the human being; it was so done by the Lord Himself in an examplary manner to teach us. The Lord is very kind upon the forgetful souls. He, therefore, comes Himself leaves behind Him necessary instructions for them and also sends His good sons as representative to call all the conditioned souls Back to Godhead. Recently within the memory of everyone Lord Chaitanya also appeared for the same purpose to show special favour to fallen souls of this age of iron industry. The incarnation of Narayana is worshipped—still at Badrinarayana on the range of Himalyas.