Three Things Rama Can Break In Addition To The Contest Bow

“Hearing the words of the vipra, my father brought the bow forward. Bending the bow in the twinkling of an eye and applying string to it, the mighty prince Rama, who was full of valor, quickly drew the bow at full length.” (Sita Devi speaking to Anasuya, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 118.47-48)

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Concern was mounting. First, there was worry that the handsome youth accompanied by Vishvamitra Muni and an almost twin-like younger brother would fail. From one glance the people of the town decided they wanted Him to win.

The contest was drawn up by the king, Janaka of Mithila. Whichever prince from the gathered assembly could first lift the bow and string it would win the hand of the princess Sita. There was double interest in attending. The victor’s fame and strength would be broadcast throughout the world. They would also win the hand of the most beautiful and chaste woman.

For so many the task turned out to be something like a monkey holding a coconut. There was no idea how to even move the bow. Others lost nerve upon approaching it. The prospects of declaring a winner looked bleak. The end was drawing near, and so perhaps Sita would have to remain unmarried for life.

Then came Rama. He not only lifted the bow, but broke it while applying string to it. The feat was celebrated throughout the three worlds. He was the destiny that everyone was waiting for. For the sages this is not surprising, for they understand that He is time itself.

“The Blessed Lord said: Time I am, destroyer of the worlds, and I have come to engage all people. With the exception of you [the Pandavas], all the soldiers here on both sides will be slain.” (Bhagavad-gita, 11.32)

That special bow was passed down through the generations in the royal family. It originally belonged to Lord Shiva, the greatest Vaishnava, or devotee of the personal God. Supposed devotees of Shiva were at the contest, but they received no help. They failed embarrassingly. The object of Shiva’s worship won. There was no offense taken from the breaking of the bow. We know that the same victor can break other things, as well.

1. Protection provided through a grand kingdom, ten heads, and amazing fighting prowess

Ravana got his name from Lord Shiva. He was known as a devotee of Mahadeva, and not surprisingly he sought material benedictions only. Ravana was seemingly unbeatable. He had a majestic kingdom protected on all sides by water. He had gold everywhere, including in the construction of the palaces.

He had ten heads, twenty arms, and an amazing fighting prowess. That protection was formidable, more than the average person can imagine. It looked like everyone was under Ravana’s control.

Just as Shiva did not help Ravana in the bow contest, there was no extra protection when taking on Rama directly. Rama indeed won Sita’s hand in marriage, but Ravana tried to reverse destiny by stealing her later on. This triggered an unwelcome visit by Rama, who was accompanied by an army of monkeys and bears.

Just as with the bow broken previously, Ravana’s coat of armor was no match. The king of Lanka didn’t stand a chance and eventually came crashing to the ground. The same happens for any material benediction accepted in a life destined for death, but this was a special case involving a most ruthless character.

2. Attachment to material things

How to stay happy and peaceful? How to tolerate the ups and downs of life? How to deal with separation and loss? The struggles of life are enough to keep a person awake at night. Don’t get enough sleep and other health problems emerge, causing a chain-like effect.

There are different remedies for the many problems, but attachment is at the root. Know that simply being devoted to Shri Rama can remove that attachment. God in the personal form is all-attractive; hence one of His names is Krishna. He is Achyuta, or infallible. Not only does He never fall down, but He never fails to deliver for the souls surrendered to Him.

“For one who worships Me, giving up all his activities unto Me and being devoted to Me without deviation, engaged in devotional service and always meditating upon Me, who has fixed his mind upon Me, O son of Pritha, for him I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 12.6-7)

He came to the rescue of Sita, Janaka, and the wonderful people of the town by winning the contest. He came through for the sages in the forest of Dandaka, who had been harassed by Ravana’s men for so long. He came through for the monkey-king Sugriva. He delivered for the entire army, who wanted to defeat the Rakshasas of Lanka.

Attachment to Rama automatically brings detachment from material life. That detachment is otherwise not easily gained. It can take many lifetimes, even, for a person to realize the futility of the pursuit for gratification of the senses.

3. The cycle of birth and death

Freedom from attachments is part of the purification of consciousness. If that purification lasts through to the time of death, then no more rebirth. The wheel of suffering, the samsara-chakra, stops spinning. It continues for others, who have yet to taste the sweetest nectar that is bhakti-yoga, but at the individual level there is no more concern over having to accept another material body. The devotion continues into the next life, supported by the mighty arm of the lifter of Shiva’s bow.

In Closing:

For witnesses a precious gift,

Sight of Rama heavy bow to lift.

Winning contest as if a toy,

But other things too can destroy.

Like for Ravana protections strong,

And attachments to objects long.

Birth and death in cycle no more,

Consciousness to new heights to soar.

What We Can Learn From The Parrot

“In Sanskrit the parrot is also known as shuka. When a ripened fruit is cut by the red beaks of such birds, its sweet flavor is enhanced. The Vedic fruit which is mature and ripe in knowledge is spoken through the lips of Shrila Shukadeva Gosvami, who is compared to the parrot not for his ability to recite the Bhagavatam exactly as he heard it from his learned father, but for his ability to present the work in a manner that would appeal to all classes of men.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.1.3 Purport)

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Friend1: You ever meet people who have verses from the Bhagavad-gita memorized?

Friend2: Just a few or many?

Friend1: It doesn’t matter. Say they know four or five verses. They can recite them when called upon.

Friend2: Who is calling? Is it in the context of a larger discussion, say on the science of self-realization? Is it a way to show off some higher knowledge?

Friend1: As in, “See what Sanskrit I know.”

Friend2: Right.

Friend1: For this discussion let’s say that they can recite the verses when called upon. They don’t necessarily know the context. This is not a lecture, where they drop a verse here and there. They are good at completion, such as when a public speaker quotes a verse.

Friend2: They are in the audience, and they essentially mouth along.

Friend1: There you go.

Friend2: Okay, so what is wrong with that?

Friend1: I didn’t say there was.

Friend2: Then why are you bringing this up?

Friend1: I guess I’m asking if there is some good to just memorizing the verses. Say that you can repeat words from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Is that considered bhakti?

Friend2: I’m glad you mentioned the source. The words of Bhagavan are non-different from Him. This is amazing potency not found anywhere else. In that respect the person repeating, like a parrot, is gaining some benefit, for sure. They have association with God the person.

Friend1: Okay, but doesn’t everyone have that association already? There is the expansion of Supersoul residing within the heart.

Friend2: Each person has God within, but it doesn’t mean they get any benefit from the close proximity. Think of it like being hungry and standing next to the refrigerator. Food is nearby, in as short a distance as you can imagine. But this doesn’t mean the hunger will automatically subside.

Friend1: You have to open the fridge and get food.

Friend2: Precisely. The sound representation of God, either through His holy name or the words He speaks in works like the Bhagavad-gita, brings the personal association. I know that you will say that sound has no perceivable form, but this is another amazing aspect to Bhagavan. Even something subtle like air can carry His presence.

Friend1: Should everyone memorize verses, then? What if the person is of bad character?

Friend2: As in, you have a person who knows many verses but the words haven’t really influenced their behavior in a positive way?

Friend1: Right. They eat meat. They get intoxicated. They lie. They are absorbed in material life. What is the benefit to learning the verses, then?

Friend2: Of course there should be practical application, vijnana, to accompany jnana, theoretical knowledge.

Friend1: In this case there might not even be jnana. They just memorize sounds.

Friend2: Okay, but I still say there is a benefit. Someone else may hear those words and become inspired to take up devotional service, bhakti-yoga. At least there is no deviation. The person in your example is not changing the verses around. They are not twisting the words.

Friend1: True.

Friend2: There is much to be learned from the parrot. Take the Shrimad Bhagavatam, for example. It is spoken by the parrot-like Shukadeva Gosvami, who is a mahajana, or realized soul. He presents the ripened fruit of Vedic literature as it is, as it was passed on to him by the father, Vyasadeva.

Friend1: There is question and answer, though. That part isn’t like a direct transcript.

Friend2: Exactly. There is the parrot-like behavior of repeating, and there is also consideration taken for time and circumstance. As long as there is deference to the original spirit of the work, there is no harm. Countless people benefit. The speaker associates directly with God through sound. The same for the recipient. Then there is further appreciation, acknowledgment and expanded realization through explaining the concepts as you have learned them. That is the secret to the guru parampara. Hear from the tattva-darshi, the person who has seen the truth. Repeat what you have heard. In addition, share your own realizations, as they are appropriate. Then everyone involved in the process benefits.

Friend1: What about the opposite behavior? Say there is a flaw in the chain; someone in the succession deviates from precedent.

Friend2: Then everything can get spoiled. The person is a cheater themselves and they cheat others. Even though there is close proximity to God, the true benefit of His association is missed. It is something like licking the outside of the bottle containing honey. Taste the real nectar through following the trail blazed by the acharyas, those who lead by example.

In Closing:

From memory verses to recite,

Verbatim, with timing precise.

From Bhagavad-gita benefit is there,

Since emanating from Bhagavan where.

Better when understanding in addition,

Explaining while respecting tradition.

Like Shukadeva the parrot in bhakti repeat,

Otherwise both yourself and others cheat.

Govardhana Puja 2017

"When the cowherd men of Vrindavana, under instruction of Krishna, stopped offering sacrifice to the heavenly King, Indra, the whole tract of land known as Vraja was threatened with being washed away by constant heavy rains for seven days. Lord Krishna, out of His causeless mercy upon the inhabitants of Vraja, held up the hill known as Govardhana with one hand only, although He was only seven years old. He did this to protect the animals from the onslaught of water." (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 2.7.32)

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As He is the origin of everything that lives, the shelter created through service to the Divine distributes its influence across a host of beings. After all, if two people, living in two different cities, pray to God for something, their calls get directed to the same place. There is not one God for one person and another God for a different person; though such a misunderstanding has been the cause of tension and argument since time immemorial.

The Supreme Shelter does not discriminate. It does not first check the skin color or the occupation by birth of the person seeking help. It does not even make distinctions between the different species. Anyone is eligible to accept the protection, provided they are earnest in seeking it. The occasion of Govardhana Puja is a reminder.

Cows

Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was residing in the farm community of Vrindavana, displaying His amazingly attractive childhood rupa. The people who lived there were simple; they were not known to be advanced scholars, celebrated warriors, or successful industrialists.

One tradition was to worship the demigod Indra, who is in charge of rain. To people of today the practice may seem silly, as the rain falls on its own at the appropriate times, but the traditions are there to help man break free from the “personal doer” mentality. It is the three modes of nature which must cooperate for any result to manifest, and the controller of an important aspect of nature is Indra.

“The bewildered spirit soul, under the influence of the three modes of material nature, thinks himself to be the doer of activities, which are in actuality carried out by nature.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.27)

Bhagavan at that time was known as Krishna, and He was the son of the leader of the community, Nanda Maharaja. The father was prepared for the annual Indra-yajna, but young Krishna convinced him to instead worship the nearby Govardhana Hill. This piece of land was dear to the cows, which were protected and loved in the town.

It is difficult to decline the requests of such a sweet child, so Nanda and everyone else followed the direction. The same cows that loved to move on Govardhana Hill would soon be protected by it. Indra was so upset at being neglected that he sent a devastating rainstorm to the area. That rain threatened to wash the cows away, but Krishna lifted the just worshiped hill. He held it aloft for seven straight days.

Calves

The cows are one of the seven mothers designated in Vedic culture. The mother is to be protected. She is a nurturer and a protector. The amazing shelter that was the Govardhana umbrella extended to both mother and child. The calves were also protected, as they were dear to Krishna and His friends of the same age. The boys would go out to the fields daily. It was their responsibility, something like chores given to children today.

Gopis

There were the mothers and also the young girls. Both known as the gopis, they were so dear to Krishna, since they always thought of Him. They, too, were protected from the flooding caused by Indra. The gopis had a slightly different mentality, though. They were concerned that Krishna’s arm might get tired. They didn’t consider Him to be God. The love was so strong that they were ready to offer help at every moment.

Sakhas

These were Krishna’s male friends. They loved Krishna just as much, but in a different mood. They also worried about their friend, who had saved them from danger many times before. The Supreme Shelter was there, but nobody took it for granted; neither did they insist that someone else do everything for them.

Indra

Though he was responsible for the entire calamity, the Govardhana umbrella gave him shelter, too. This is because the incident helped to curb his pride. It taught the king of the demigods the lesson he should have known all along - that to follow God is true dharma. When Krishna is satisfied, the entire world is. It is something like watering the root of the tree instead of going to each branch individually.

The fruit of the horribly sinful act was wiped away through prayers in contrition. Krishna did not hold a grudge. That same shelter is available to everyone, and the Govardhana Puja still celebrated to this day is a wonderful opportunity for every kind of living entity to get a taste of the bhakti-rasa, devotional service.

In Closing:

Resting on pinky finger not to budge,

Shri Krishna not to hold a grudge.

Mercy for Indra-deva the cause,

Who a conditioned soul with flaws.

By Govardhana into air projected,

Cows, friends and ladies protected.

That Supreme Shelter to everyone extending,

From just a little service in bhakti spending.

Diwali 2017

“The kingdom was decorated with golden lamps of crystal, looking beautiful as if the king of serpents had arrived to meet the Lord, with a jewel on each of the thousand hoods.” (Gitavali, 309.2)

phaṭika-bhīta-sikharana-para rājati kan̄cana-dīpa-anī |
janu ahinātha milana āyō mani-sōbhita sahasaphanī ||

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It is the impossible task. How to match someone who has unlimited potency? How to come close to pleasing the Supreme Lord in the same way that this person does? How to honor the saints of the Vedic tradition, who through parampara have passed on the secrets to living life to the fullest? How to live up to their standard of adequately giving praise to the person most deserving of it, Shri Rama? On the occasion of Diwali, the devotees make an attempt. A long time back in Ayodhya that attempt was so successful that it looked as if the greatest glorifier himself had arrived.

The literal meaning to Diwali is a row of lighted lamps. Not just some random collection. Not merely something cool for others to see. Each lamp has significance. They are placed together to increase the radiance, the light to welcome the person who is the sun of the solar dynasty.

Diwali is in honor of Shri Ramachandra. At least that is the origin of the tradition. He is the special son to King Dasharatha, the ruler in Ayodhya a long time ago, during the second age of creation. Rama is not an ordinary prince. He is the Supreme Lord Himself, kindly descending to this world to give an idea of what the spiritual attributes [saguna] mean for the one person who is always above the dualities of matter and spirit, birth and death, and every pair of conditions in between.

The gunas of God are endless. It is said that Ananta Shesha Naga, who has thousands of hoods, has been glorifying God the person since time immemorial. That is how time operates - it is infinite in both directions, backwards and forwards. Keep going back in time and know that something came before. Travel as far into the future as the mind can conceive and know that there is something beyond that as well.

Since Anantadeva has so many mouths, He can glorify in a great quantity. Aware of this a person might get discouraged, but the Supreme Lord is known to be extremely merciful. The fact that the name itself can bring His complete presence is evidence. The devotees can stay in constant contact through chanting the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

The first Diwali took place in Ayodhya, when Shri Rama returned home after a long absence. He came back triumphantly, having rid the world of the evil man-eating ogre named Ravana. Rama then became king, which was what the father Dasharatha had wanted and what tradition called for.

As Goswami Tulsidas explains in his Gitavali, when Diwali was subsequently celebrated during Rama’s reign, the city was magnificently decorated. Many golden lamps made of crystal were laid about. It looked as if Ananta Shesha Naga had himself arrived to greet Shri Rama.

In this way the people glorified sufficiently, but in bhakti there is no limit. The simplest offering is satisfactory, provided there is genuineness in the sentiment. On the other side, the greatest offering can be outdone the next time around, bringing reason to be excited for the present and future Diwali celebrations to come.

In Closing:

Today so excited am I,

To glorify Rama to try.

Perhaps in Ayodhya like so,

When brilliant lamps in a row.

As if Anantadeva himself had come,

With shining jewel in each hood one.

By Diwali mercy of Supreme Lord shown,

Treating every devotee like family His own.

Five Durations Of Time Where Bhakti-Yoga Is Purifying

“Krishna consciousness can be attained in one second, or it cannot be had even after a thousand births and deaths. If we choose, we can immediately become great souls by surrendering to Krishna, but because we have doubts whether or not Krishna is actually the Supreme we have to take time to dissipate these doubts through study of the scriptures.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Raja-Vidya, Ch 7)

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Material life is one attachment after another. With attachment comes separation, which is unwanted. The inevitability of the separation is so well-known that there is fear even before the loss occurs. What goes up must come down, and so death is the certain outcome following birth.

Spiritual life is for breaking free of the attachments. Success is not easily achieved. Even if a person removes objects around them and the need to possess them, there is the chance of a rise in false ego. It is something like saying, “I am so proud of how humble I am.”

Genuine spiritual life is known as dharma in Sanskrit. Though there are slight variations to the definition based on context changes, dharma can only be one. That original and eternal dharma is also known as bhakti-yoga, and there is a purifying effect throughout various durations of time.

1. An entire lifetime

Shri Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita that a person finally understands Him after many births and deaths. The time spent doesn’t necessarily have to be in the human form. Each body type corresponds to what we call “species,” and there are varying levels of enjoyment, intelligence, and tendencies.

“After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.19)

Human life is meant for spiritual fulfillment, for meeting the needs of the individual at the core. In this regard an entire lifetime can be spent in bhakti-yoga, which is also known as devotional service. Serve in one or many ways, including chanting the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

This duration of time is ideal for bringing the best end, that of the pure consciousness at the time of death. Practiced from beginning to end, there is an excellent chance at eliminating sinful activities, sinful desires, and attachment to temporary objects.

2. During adulthood

Children enjoy playing. They seek short-term enjoyment, known as preyas. Adults tend to put their focus on shreyas, or the long-term benefit. After spending many years playing with toys and video games, a light bulb goes off.

“What am I doing with my life? What is the meaning to everything? What is the purpose to living?”

Though it’s difficult to teach an old dog new tricks, so to speak, adulthood is the perfect time for starting bhakti-yoga. Even though so much time has already been lost, the purifying effect remains. The same chanting is just as effective. The effort made to avoid the four pillars of sinful life brings just as much benefit.

3. For one hour

Usually there is more work to do during adulthood compared to childhood. There are so many responsibilities to meet on a daily basis. There may not even be time to inquire into spiritual matters, which is the one question the human being should be asking. Athato brahma-jijnasa means that in the human form of body the time is ideal for making an inquiry into Brahman, which is the spiritual nature.

Perhaps through a chance meeting with a person on the street the opportunity arises to attend a sadhu-sanga, or meeting of saintly people. The meeting is for just one hour, and during that time there is sankirtana, which is congregational chanting, and Krishna-katha, or discourses about the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Afterwards the person returns to daily life, to struggling with the six senses, which include the mind. Still, that one hour is purifying. It brings sukriti, or meritorious credits, that will pay dividends at some point in the future.

4. Five minutes

Take the same situation of a sadhu-sanga meeting, but this time a person shows up late. They only catch the closing kirtana, where there is raucous participation in the singing of the holy names of the Lord. The experience is blissful. Though it ends too soon, there is a purifying effect.

5. One second

Just say the name of Krishna one time. That’s all it can take. The entire consciousness can change for the better and remain so going forward. Bearing this in mind there is no excuse not to take up bhakti-yoga. So many lifetimes have been spoiled already. Each life contains a significant amount of time. In spite of the many mistakes we have made, everything can be corrected today, right now, with attachment to the holy name.

In Closing:

Many lifetimes already spoiled,

In attachment and aversion toiled.

From this species to that,

Never bliss for soul to match.

Bhakti worthy for entire life when,

Or adulthood, hour, or second then.

Since with Krishna benefit coming,

Chance for purified becoming.

Three Characterizations Of The Bhagavad-gita

"This Gitopanishad, Bhagavad-gita, the essence of all the Upanishads, is just like a cow, and Lord Krishna, who is famous as a cowherd boy, is milking this cow. Arjuna is just like a calf, and learned scholars and pure devotees are to drink the nectarean milk of Bhagavad-gita." (Gita-mahatmya, 6)

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The greatest Vaishnava has his own tribute of the great work. Many sections of Vedic literature pass along a conversation between Lord Shiva and his beautiful, fair-complexioned, and chaste wife Parvati, daughter of the mountain king.

Their discussions are ideal in so many ways. The role of the husband is to protect. The greatest danger subsequent to taking birth is death. Upon reaching the end of life, another birth is imminent. A guardian who can prevent this near-guaranteed fate for their dependents has met their responsibilities.

As a most elevated being devoted to the personal God, Lord Shiva takes great pleasure in discussing Vishnu and His many avataras. Parvati takes delight in hearing these topics from her husband. One such discussion was about the Bhagavad-gita, a work dear to so many.

1. The Song of God

This is one literal translation. Gita means “song” and Bhagavad refers to Bhagavan, which is a more descriptive term for the Almighty than “God.” Bhagavan refers to the person who possesses all fortunes. They are present simultaneously and to the fullest degree.

The Bhagavad-gita is sung by Bhagavan to the dear friend named Arjuna. Bhagavan in this instance is in the transcendental form of Krishna. Not everyone properly recognized. Not everyone acknowledges even after being told.

“Fools deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do not know My transcendental nature and My supreme dominion over all that be.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.11)

The song doesn’t take long to sing, but the words are so powerful. A person who can remember a few shlokas, or verses, can hold on to them as a sort of lifeboat that takes them safely across the ocean of suffering.

2. Gitopanishad

The Bhagavad-gita is sung by Bhagavan, but it is not merely an exercise in vocal vibrations. Though Krishna is the most artistic person, there is real substance to the words found in the beautiful song. There are questions and answers, making the song like a conversation.

Vedic literature includes the Puranas, the original Veda, the Ramayana, and other such works. It includes the Upanishads as well, so the Gitopanishad name characterizes the Bhagavad-gita as containing the essence of all Vedic literature.

Though generally considered the introductory work when learning the science of self-realization, the Bhagavad-gita has complete knowledge. Nothing more is required. The topics of the supreme controller, the living entities, time, fruitive activity, and the material nature are covered. Because God is speaking directly there are no deficiencies.

3. A cow

The Gita-mahatmya compares Bhagavad-gita to a cow, and Krishna is the person milking it. Arjuna, the worthy disciple, drinks the resultant milk like a calf. This is because he is closely associated with Krishna.

As with a normal cow, there is plenty of milk left over. Others can enjoy, too. In this case scholars and pure devotees enjoy the milk, which is nectar-like. This comparison is very nice since one of the properties of Bhagavan is that He is inexhaustible. The nectar never runs out. The Bhagavad-gita is this way because while a single reading does so much good, there is nothing lost the second or third time around. In fact, a person can spend an entire lifetime reading the work repeatedly and experience increasing pleasure. This is the meaning to transcendental; that which is beyond the limiting factors of a material existence.

In Closing:

As song of God is known,

Wisdom to disciple shown.

Gitopanishad since coming in line,

All relevant truths within to find.

Also like Krishna a cow milking,

Calf-like Arjuna then drinking.

Nectar still plenty to go around,

This way on Gita to expound.

Two People Whose Character Did Not Change Through Major Life Events

"Atheists like Ravana and Hiranyakashipu had to undergo severe penances before they could flout the authority of the Lord, but ultimately they were so helpless that they could not save themselves when the Lord appeared before them as cruel death." (Shrila Prabhupada, Teachings Of Lord Chaitanya, Ch 23)

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A new life. An addition to the family. Increased responsibility for the members. In the immediate term there is the need for providing food, clothing and shelter. The infant can barely do anything on its own. It requires attention even during times of sleep.

In the bigger picture there is maturity to keep an eye on. What will they do when they grow up? Will they be able to support themselves? Will they avoid pain and heartache? Can they steer clear of the most damaging activities in life?

It is understandable to wish for wealth and fortune acquired through honest means, but in the traditional Vedic culture there is more to be concerned over. Wealth can indeed be a great hindrance on achieving the more important goals, paramartha. These are the interests met in the future life. The future is a reality, since the present is merely the afterlife from a previous time.

Two people, of very different natures and circumstances, show that character can remain the same in spite of major life events. Just because someone is poor doesn’t mean they are of bad character, and just because someone has come into money doesn’t mean they have fully matured.

1. Ravana

He had a mixed lineage. His father was a brahmana, which is the highest class in the varnashrama system. His mother was a Rakshasa, which is a kind of man-eater. Ravana took on the qualities of the mother, so much so that he viewed the brahmana class as his enemy. They worshiped God, after all, and Ravana was trying to become God-like himself.

He had a bad character in the beginning, though he was engaged in austerities. It was something like a business transaction. This is religion in the mode of passion. You’re following to meet some benefit. Consider the case where a business gives a large donation to a charity, with the intent of winning the favor of other businesses. The donation is recognized through a plaque, which then hangs on the office wall, for visitors to see.

Ravana started off without much. A parent thinking solely of material wellbeing would likely want Ravana to have sufficient wealth in adulthood. What if he could become the king of a city filled with gold? Would that please the parents? Would that mean they did a good job?

That was indeed the future for Ravana. Yet he remained of bad character. He ordered his assistants to go and harass the innocent sages living in the forest. The idea was to disrupt any worship of God. Ravana was regularly intoxicated, kept many wives, and had little morals. He was a bad person on both sides, before and after wealth.

2. Prahlada Maharaja

This child was born in a Daitya family. Daityas are similar to Rakshasas; they generally go against God. In English they are referred to as demons. Prahlada appeared in that family, but was saintly in nature. He had the best character right from the start. The father wanted Prahlada to one day become ruler. Hiranyakashipu was feared throughout the world. He hoped the son would follow in his footsteps.

Prahlada would one day become king, but not after great persecution. The child stayed in the best character despite living with the worst enemy. The father tried to kill the boy for his devotion to Vishnu, who is one manifestation of God the person. Eventually, the Supreme descended to earth in the special form of Narasimha to do away with the king. Prahlada took over after, and he was the same in character. Newfound opulence did not change him.

Human life is meant for purification. Through clearing the consciousness of desires rooted in forgetfulness of God, there is the chance for liberation, which is the end of the cycle of birth and death. Whoever can deliver such liberation for their dependents has done their job satisfactorily.

In Closing:

New child to the family coming,

What hopes for future becoming?

Rich with great power should be,

Or with equal vision in character to see?

Ravana the worst on sides both,

When child and when of wealth the most.

Prahlada as innocent prince the same,

As when rise through Narasimha came.