Naama 182-187: Description of unique acts of various avatarams

182. mahādridhṛt · महाद्रिधृत्

The one who supported the Manthara Parvatham during the Samudra Mathanam. (Kurma Avataram)

(oṃ) mahādridhṛtē namaḥ

There are two famous instances of the Lord bearing a mountain. As the great tortoise, He bore the Mandara mountain on His back during the churning of the Milk Ocean. As Krishna, He lifted the Govardhana mountain to protect the cows and the cowherds from Indra's storm.

महेष्वासो महीभर्ता श्रीनिवासस्सतां गतिः ।

अनिरुद्धः सुरानन्दो गोविन्दो गोविदां पतिः ॥ २० ॥

mahēṣvāsō mahībhartā śrīnivāsassatāṃ gatiḥ |

aniruddhaḥ surānandō gōvindō gōvidāṃ patiḥ || 20 ||

183. mahēṣvāsaḥ · महेष्वासः

As Sri Rama, he built a bridge to save His wife and vanquish Ravana.

(oṃ) mahēṣvāsāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar gives the examples of Lord Rama's arrows: the arrow He aimed at the ocean, which made the ocean god come and help build the bridge, and the arrows with which He destroyed the ten-headed Ravana. The word iṣvāsa can also mean a bow, so the name also means "the wielder of the mighty bow".

184. mahībhartā · महीभर्ता

He who lifted Bhoomi Devi from the oceanic waters of deluge as Varaha.

(oṃ) mahībhartrē namaḥ

Sri Bhattar interprets the name as the Lord bearing the earth constantly as Adi Kurma. The daily mantra "akhila jagadādhārāya kūrmarūpiṇē nārāyaṇāya namaḥ" refers to this. The name also recalls the Varaha incarnation, in which the Lord lifted the earth out of the waters of the deluge.

185. śrīnivāsaḥ · श्रीनिवासः

The one who caused the churning of the ksheerasaagram to regain Mahalakshmi.

(oṃ) śrīnivāsāya namaḥ

When the Milk Ocean was churned, Sri Mahalakshmi rose from it. While all the devas waited and watched, She chose the Lord, and He welcomed Her to reside on His chest. Nammazhwar describes Her declaring that She will not leave Him even for a moment (agalagillēn iṟaiyum enṟu alarmēl maṅgai uṟai mārbā).

186. satāṃ gatiḥ · सतां गतिः

The one who, as Krishna, playfully saved the Yamuna from Kaliya, playfully lifted the Govardhana to lower Indra's ego and arrogance. His playful actions have a substantial and encompassing effect on the people who lay witness.

(oṃ) satāṃ gatayē namaḥ

Sat refers to the good, the spiritual seekers. The Lord is not only their final goal, but also their direction, their path, and their progress on that path. Once they become His devotees, they want nothing but Him. This naama occurs again as the 451st naama.

187. aniruddhaḥ · अनिरुद्धः

The one who is the protector of all the jeevaathmas. In Narasimha Avataram, the Lord protected Prahalada from Hiranyakashipu. The Lord had presented Hiranyakashipu with multiple opportunities to change and turn over a new leaf. But when the Lord sensed that the demon king's presence in the world was more harm than good, He incarnated Himself as Narasimha. He ended the evil demon protecting Prahalada and all the other jeevaathmas present on Bhulokam.

(oṃ) aniruddhāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes the Maula Samhita: "Unlimited are the deeds of the Lord Aniruddha" (aparimita cēṣṭō bhagavān aniruddhaḥ). Nothing can stop the rising and setting of the sun or the working of the laws of nature, which are His will. He has been victorious and unobstructed in all His incarnations.