Argumentum Ad Baculum

“When the two seminal brahmanas Shanda and Amarka failed to extract from Prahlada Maharaja the cause for his having opinions different from those of his father, they called for a stick with which to chastise him to satisfy their master, Hiranyakashipu. Because Prahlada had become a devotee, they considered him to be contaminated by bad intelligence and to be the worst descendant in the family of demons. As it is said, where ignorance is bliss, it is folly to be wise. In a society or family in which everyone is a demon, for someone to become a Vaishnava is certainly folly.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.5.16 Purport)

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It is the way of a civilized person. The world is a complicated place. What is applicable to one situation may not be so for another. One person has their life experiences, which include outside instruction and also self-contemplation. Philosophies, theories and moral standards may result.

It should be considered that others have their own experiences. Perhaps they have been taught differently. Maybe their point of view, despite being different from mine, is the correct one. Maybe I have had it wrong the entire time.

When engaged in conflict of opinion, where there are differing views, the rational person remains calm. They try to persuade using logic and reasoning. They do not simply go off the handle immediately, especially if they are having a difficult time remembering exactly what to say.

The worst of the worst choose violence as the first option. Forget reasoning. Never mind sitting down and having an open debate. No challenge to this point or that. Invective, volleys of abuse, sustained shouting, and in the end some sort of violence.

With Prahlada Maharaja, force was called rather soon. The supposed teachers, Shanda and Amarka, were upset that critical information was not forthcoming from the boy. They wanted to know who brought the dreaded knowledge of devotion to God into the kingdom. The place had something like an invisible wall, erected by the leader, Hiranyakashipu.

This was a family of Daityas, who had hatred of God and godly principles in their blood. Prahlada appeared in that line, a son to the king, but somehow he had an inclination towards bhakti from birth. Someone must have taught him, but who? There was a traitor within the ranks and Prahlada was ordered to hand over the culprit.

When he refused, the teachers were ready for the fourth method of diplomacy. This is called danda in Sanskrit. When pacification, subtle bribery, and division fail to produce the desired outcome, release the awesome power of the state on the foe. It is surprising that a small child would be designated as such, especially since he belonged to the royal family.

The other methods could not succeed on Prahlada because he had the most valuable possession any person can find in this world. Imagine you are in an occupation where you don’t care what other people think. You are so happy connecting with this other person that no bribe can turn your direction.

Imagine this took place in a child. Without some art of persuasion parents and caretakers would have a much more difficult time. You give candy in order for the child to take medicine, which has an unpalatable taste. Video games and television are allowed only after the child completes their homework assignments. Pizza and candy are a reward for good behavior, and so on.

क्षिप्रं भवति धर्मात्मा
शश्वच्-छान्तिं निगच्छति
कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि
न मे भक्तः प्रणश्यति

kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā
śaśvac-chāntiṁ nigacchati
kaunteya pratijānīhi
na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati

“He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.31)

The so-called brahmanas of the community, who only held that title due to heredity, would soon learn that not even danda could change Prahlada. Massive armies can overwhelm hostile nations to the point that they surrender. Prahlada was only one person, and at five years old there was no ability to fight back. The person he supported, the Supreme Lord, was there the entire time to ensure that the devotion of the devotee did not perish.

In Closing:

Not into consideration taking,

Don’t like that argument you’re making.

My way right now believe,

Otherwise force of state receive.

With Prahlada this method applied,

But failed despite so much tried.

Since to Shri Krishna connected,

Ways of demons rejected.

Rama Navami 2019

“Of all the aquatics the shark is one of the biggest and is certainly the most dangerous to man. Thus the shark represents Krishna. And of rivers, the greatest in India is the Mother Ganges. Lord Ramachandra, of the Ramayana, an incarnation of Krishna, is the mightiest of warriors.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, 10.31 Purport)

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It is a date marked in bold on the Vedic calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle. This means that the observance does not necessarily fall on the same date every year in the modern calendar, but the season and month are more or less predictable. The occasion of Rama Navami is for celebrating the appearance in this world of the Supreme Lord Rama. He is considered an avatara, or one who descends. As stated in the Bhagavad-gita, there is a specific purpose along with accompanying conditions to trigger the travel from another world.

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य
ग्लानिर् भवति भारत
अभ्युत्थानम् अधर्मस्य
तदात्मानं सृजाम्य् अहम्

yadā yadā hi dharmasya
glānir bhavati bhārata
abhyutthānam adharmasya
tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham

“Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion - at that time I descend Myself.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.7)

Displaying a human-like form, Shri Rama is relatable. Though He walked this earth during an ancient time period, where the primary method of travel was horse and chariot and governments were monarchies, the lessons from the events described in the Ramayana are timeless.

There is significance to everything Bhagavan does. The image of Vishnu lying down in rest, for instance, has extensive symbolism. Vishnu creates the universes, and the work gets accomplished effortlessly. He lies down and breathes. That is it. Upon exhaling everything manifests and upon the subsequent inhaled breath everything returns to the origin.

With Shri Ramachandra, the hero of the Raghu dynasty, the interactions with friends and foes provide lessons applicable to every person in this world, at whichever stage of progress they may find themselves.

Gave service to others

As shown with Vishnu, God can accomplish the most difficult work without much exertion. I struggle to wake up on time in the morning to get ready for work. I am bogged down by requests coming from every direction. I am tired of having to carry supplies into the house every day. When will I find peace?

As visible in the Varaha incarnation, the Supreme Lord can put the entire burden of the world on His shoulders. He does not shrug or show signs of fatigue. This means that Rama could have done whatever was necessary, whenever the time was right.

Instead, He allowed others to serve Him. They were eager to do so. The wife Sita Devi would not leave His side, if she had the choice. The younger brother Lakshmana would sacrifice sleep in order to ensure the safety of Sita and Rama.

Hanuman, who was not a direct relative, put everything at risk in his service to Rama. He travelled to foreign territories, inhabited by hostile combatants, only for the purpose of search and locate. Hanuman’s friends, numbering in the many thousands, also contributed efforts on Rama’s behalf.

Showed His allegiance to devotees

This service spirit is inherent within all of us. The new father makes sacrifices he never before thought possible. He gets up in the middle of the night to drive the baby to the hospital, when needed. He may change diapers, prepare formula, or even walk around with the child to help them fall asleep.

The ideal match for the drive for service is the Supreme Lord. This is the dharma of the individual. They cannot live without this property. Shri Rama allows others to serve Him because He knows that will make them happiest.

Though they seek nothing in return, Rama is forever loyal to them. He accepts the monkey-like person named Sugriva as an equal. He gives liberation to the departing vulture known as Jatayu. Rama risks spoiling His own reputation in order to preserve the good name of His wife.

Fought alone against the greatest materialist

The material world is conducive to challenging God. That is the fuel of the engine of reincarnation. For as long as a person wants to try to become the supreme being themselves, they get to remain in a shadow copy of the spiritual realm. Life after life, birth after birth, until they finally tire and wave the white flag of surrender.

Rama matched up against the greatest materialist. The ten-headed king of Lanka thought he had everything necessary to dominate in perpetuity. Ravana was living comfortably, but he was uneasy in consciousness. His senses drove him instead of the other way around.

Because of the many despicable acts committed, Ravana had amassed a large debt of punishment ready to mature. Rama could have taken care of Ravana in so many ways, but in the end He decided to fight in seemingly neutral circumstances. On the battlefield, in Ravana’s home territory, using weapons of the time.

Ravana had the advantage of ten heads and twenty arms; Rama was just standing on His chariot. The materialist was allowed to challenge however they wanted, but they still lost. Rama and the dharma He supported prevailed, as they always do. On the occasion of Rama Navami we remember that most merciful one, who is the life and soul of heroes like Shri Hanuman and saints like Goswami Tulsidas.

In Closing:

By just releasing arrow or two,

Shri Rama easily can do.

Not having on others reliance,

But still with Sugriva an alliance.

And Hanuman’s bravery accepting,

The turncoat brother not rejecting.

Since the service spirit facilitating,

Honored on Rama Navami celebrating.

Four Ways Prahlada Exhibited Life In Liberation

“Prahlada Maharaja sometimes felt that the Lord was far away from him and therefore called Him loudly. When he saw that the Lord was before him, he was fully jubilant. Sometimes, thinking himself one with the Supreme, he imitated the Lord's pastimes, and in separation from the Lord he would sometimes show symptoms of madness.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.4.40 Purport)

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Attempt to conduct basic research on a contentious issue and you are bound to run into websites tagged with the modern-day term, astroturf. They look innocuous on the surface. They may present themselves to be an unbiased authority, to provide checks to facts presented by different sides. In truth, they are a propaganda machine intended to push forward a specific point of view.

One of the common methods of persuasion displayed is piling on. The telltale sign is phrases such as the following:

“The overwhelming evidence says.” “This has been thoroughly debunked.” “The highly discredited author.” “The deniers of science.”

There isn’t any real evidence presented. The sites don’t actually give the methodology to how a particular theory was debunked. The specific author or proponent targeted as lacking credit is labeled as such by opponents, who themselves rely on dubious tactics to get their point across.

Peer pressure is the foundation. Why would you, as a neutral observer, want to go against the crowd? Why stick to a point of view that supposedly is in the minority? Why risk being called a fool by everyone on the majority side?

On the reverse end, wouldn’t it be great to not care what other people thought? If you knew something was right, supported through both sound philosophy and physical evidence, why should what others say make a difference?

To move forward in this path is easier said than done. With Prahlada Maharaja’s situation described in the Shrimad Bhagavatam, practically everyone was against him. A supporter could not be found in the kingdom run by his father, Hiranyakashipu, but that did not dissuade Prahlada.

He beautifully exhibited the traits of life in liberation, which is known as mukti in Sanskrit. What is typically understood to arrive only in the afterlife was there from the time of birth for the great devotee, who was instructed by Narada Muni prior to emerging from the womb of his mother.

1. Sing as if no one is listening

Don’t necessarily have the best singing voice? Can’t accompany an established singer to create a beautiful melody? Not really confident of your abilities?

In the end, who cares? Just sing for the sake of enjoyment. Imagine there is no one around. Take your favorite song and reproduce it from memory.

Prahlada behaved this way when remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Indeed, there were people listening. They could not stand to hear the glories of Vishnu, the person they considered to be the greatest enemy. Now one of the sons to the king was showing allegiance. Something had to be done, although Prahlada could not be dissuaded.

2. Dance as if no one is watching

Attend a wedding reception in modern times and someone is sure to cajole you into stepping onto the dance floor. You would rather not, as dancing is not your thing. You are extremely self-conscious, as so many people are in attendance.

Yet dancing is as natural as singing. A way to express emotion, the ideal situation is when no one else is watching. Why risk volleys of abuse for mistakes here and there? If you don’t have the moves of a professional, as shown in film and theater, maybe it is better to remain seated.

Devotees of the Supreme Lord are known to dance in jubilation. They particularly get excited when completing a task for Vishnu. Sometimes there is the false alarm, where it seems like success has been found, but in truth there is more work to do. This happened one time to Shri Hanuman, who thought he had found Shri Rama’s missing wife, Sita Devi.

Hanuman was so excited that he kissed his tail. Being in the monkey form, he was already out of place in the city of Lanka. The moment was while searching through the royal palaces undetected. Yet he couldn’t help himself. He thought that the dangerous and lengthy mission had reached a successful end. He would have more work to do to please Vishnu’s avatara of Rama, but the sentiment was there all the same.

Prahlada was in a similar mindset when remembering Bhagavan. There was the risk of others finding out and referring to him as a madman. He could risk punishment by getting reported to the father, but there was no fear. The boy loved God without concern for outside opinion.

3. Love as if no one will ever hurt you

There is always the chance that the object of affection will not reciprocate. This potential for failure may inhibit the exercise of love in the first place. Who wants to get hurt? Who wants to have their ego smashed to pieces?

True love, prema, is extended without concern for the reception. Based on this definition, there can only be one recipient. Prahlada connected with Bhagavan in yoga, and the prema was there from the beginning. Visual confirmation was lacking at first, but Prahlada did not mind. Embodying the attitude of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, whatever Vishnu would choose to do in return would be accepted. In other words, the prema was without motivation and without interruption.

4. Live as if it were heaven on earth

How to develop this attitude when everyone around is against your desired way of life? Prahlada appeared in a family of Daityas, who had a history of antagonism towards Vishnu. Essentially, atheism was in their blood.

Yet Prahlada lived in Vaikuntha. He created the atmosphere for himself through practicing bhakti-yoga. That he was in a place otherwise inauspicious made no difference to him. He did not need to wait for ascension to another realm after death. The heaven he created was so welcoming that Vishnu Himself would soon appear, in the amazing manifestation known as Narasimha.

In Closing:

Dancing like no one around,

Loudly with singing sound.

Loving with nothing expecting,

These signs of liberation detecting.

In Prahlada who by Vishnu blessed,

Situation of Hiranyakashipu addressed.

Not to be pressured by peers,

Inspiration for anyone who hears.

Three Things You Might Have To Trick Your Children Into Doing

“I am the Self, O Gudakesha, seated in the hearts of all creatures. I am the beginning, the middle and the end of all beings.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 10.20)

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अहम् आत्मा गुडाकेश
सर्व-भूताशय-स्थितः
अहम् आदिश् च मध्यं च
भूतानाम् अन्त एव च

aham ātmā guḍākeśa
sarva-bhūtāśaya-sthitaḥ
aham ādiś ca madhyaṁ ca
bhūtānām anta eva ca

So, you thought this was going to be easy? Nothing would change in life, eh? The wife and extended family would take care of everything. Sleeping would continue on the normal schedule. Watch as much television as you desire on a given night. Drive around here and there, but no extra responsibilities falling upon you.

Of course, things turned out a little differently. You can’t even remember what life was like before becoming a father. Raising a child is a full-time responsibility. One of the aspects that catches your interest is the use of trickery. It is almost a requirement, as the child otherwise remains stubborn.

1. Eating

They want to run from here to there. If you tell them to come closer, they think it’s the beginning of a game. Noticing the tone in your voice, they immediately run the other way. The challenge is made: come catch me, if you can.

You put food out into a bowl for them to take. There are suction cups underneath, so everything won’t spill at once. Yet the child doesn’t just take the items in their hands and eat normally. They first feel the need to drop each item, one by one, on the floor. From there they may or may not eat.

The last resort is to trick them. Pretend that a toy is nearby, get their attention, and then quickly shove some food into their mouth. You have to repeat this process, and sometimes it becomes easier if they notice that the food meets their ever-changing taste requirements.

Milk is the all-important item, and even in this area there is difficulty. They would rather take milk from the mother, who gets tired from feeding day and night. The bottle is a good alternative, but what effort goes into successfully feeding in this way! Lay the baby down, hold their mouth, shove the nipple in and hope that they realize the need to continue drinking.

2. Sleeping

This particular child loves to move around. They are not so much interested in toys. Climbing is more to their liking. They have just learned to get onto the sofa by themselves. They go from side to side, teasing you with the prospect of jumping off. No concern yet, as they have even figured out the proper way to descend without getting hurt.

At night, they simply will not fall asleep on their own. Your friends happily share secrets with you:

“Oh, you have to keep the baby in a separate room. Pick a specific time each day and just leave them in the crib. They will cry for a little bit, but eventually they get used to it. It’s a gradual process, but after a few days they will be sleeping on their own.”

In your situation, this option is not available. Only a single bedroom and no space for a crib. The baby sleeps on the bed with the parents. Laying them down and telling them to sleep doesn’t work. They would rather jump up and down.

The foolproof method thus far is the stroller. Move them back and forth for a while when they are tired and sweet success arrives soon after. Yet getting them into the stroller is not easy. As if tipped off to the process, they maintain stiffness in the legs so that they won’t be able to be seated. The only way to succeed is to distract them first with a bottle that rattles. This takes their attention away from the struggle just long enough to get them seated.

3. Going to school

This could apply to going anywhere undesirable. Seat the child in the car and tell them you are going someplace fun. Then drop them off at school. Listen to the dreaded screaming, the desperate call for a familiar face in what seems like abandonment.

As they grow older, they become wiser in this area. Faking an illness. Pretending that it’s a national holiday. Promising to go the next day if they can simply stay home for one more.

…

This review is helpful in resolving some contradictory teachings found in the Vedas. In one place the recommendation is to do a certain thing. In another place the exact opposite is taught. How to decipher the proper course of action?

One area of confusion is demigod worship. Known as devas in Sanskrit, they are like administrators in charge of the material creation. They work at the pleasure of the original person, the one who remains forever in His transcendental form. He is the beginning, middle and end of everything, and yet He has no beginning or end.

That original person explains in the Bhagavad-gita that the devas should be respected. A miser takes what others give and offers little respect in return. Like a spoiled child, the person forgetful of the efforts of the people residing in the heavenly realm simply exploits nature for their own sense gratification.

The proper way is yajna. This is sacrifice. Behind the scenes, under the hood, so to speak, the devas get fed. There are the literal oblations poured into the sacrificial fire, and from there the authorities receive their respective share. When the devas are pleased, there is sufficient rainfall, which leads to grain production, which solves the basic economic problem.

In another area, Shri Krishna says that only a person who has lost their intelligence takes to demigod worship. This is because the fruits are temporary. Why worry so much about enjoying the senses when death eventually takes everything away? If the devas have a benefactor, why not approach that person directly?

It seems like the latter advice supplants the former. That is to say listening to Krishna about direct worship of Bhagavan seems like it would take care of any issues resulting from neglect of worship of the devas. The question, then, is why demigod worship is mentioned in the first place.

The trickery involved with raising children helps to explain. The individual, having forgotten devotional service for so long, may not be inclined to worship God directly. They need some encouragement. As money, fame, power and prestige are desirable, show the way towards success while creating some type of connection to spiritual life.

The animals don’t engage in yajna and yet they eat just fine. They are not taught about the process because they lack the capacity to understand. The human being can reason, and through following Vedic teachings, even with an ulterior motive, there is some progress made. Fortunately, in this age the recommended yajna satisfies all conditions. The chanting of the holy names brings the highest benefit to a person: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Child not listening to me,

Running away when to see.

That some food ready to eat,

Resisting when in stroller to seat.

Trickery the last resort,

For success truth to distort.

Similar with demigod worship so,

Real aim towards Vishnu to go.

Three Ways Maya Can Fool An Otherwise Intelligent Person

“Being beyond the range of limited sense perception [adhokshaja], You are the eternally irreproachable factor covered by the curtain of deluding energy. You are invisible to the foolish observer, exactly as an actor dressed as a player is not recognized.” (Queen Kunti speaking to Lord Krishna, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.8.19)

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माया-जवनिकाच्छन्नम्
अज्ञाधोक्षजम् अव्ययम्
न लक्ष्यसे मूढ-दृशा
नटो नाट्यधरो यथा

māyā-javanikācchannam
ajñādhokṣajam avyayam
na lakṣyase mūḍha-dṛśā
naṭo nāṭyadharo yathā

Hiranyakashipu is the ideal case. There were many prior and countless after, but Vedic literature provides the historical account for a reason. Much to learn from someone who tried to conquer the world. He almost succeeded, but as he would soon learn, just one percent vulnerability is enough to bring everything down.

There was some intelligence at the surface. Deep down inside every person makes this acknowledgment, though outwardly they put forth a denial. More importantly, the behavior signals a different kind of attitude.

The cause is maya, who is the illusory energy pervading the material world. Something like the ability of an expert actor to indulge the audience members for a set period of time. They are otherwise knowledgeable; they understand that a scripted performance is before them. Nevertheless, there is the potential to be captivated to the point of shedding tears, laughing uproariously, or reassessing life’s meaning.

1. There is no intelligent controller

The universe was around prior to my birth. I have no way to validate through personal experience, but sound logic and reasoning dictate that just as I continue to live after someone else passes on, civilization itself is not dependent on the viability of any single individual.

Despite knowing that I am not everything, somehow I reach the conclusion that there is no intelligent controller:

“God is just a myth. In the most innocent case, He is a concept meant to serve as a coping mechanism. Man has a difficult time dealing with inevitable death, so they invented God as a way to get assurance that something good will happen after the forced exit from the body.

“At the most sinister level, religion is a way to control people. Something like a tyrannical government, the evil rise to the top. They virtue-signal as a way of life. Though they are likely the greatest sinners in the way it is defined, they spend day and night targeting others.

“I don’t buy any of it. There is no wizard living in the sky controlling everything. There is no old man looking down on us and judging. I gave up believing in fairytales a long time ago.”

2. I can remain in the temporary situation forever

Modern scientists are clever in this area. They understand that forwarding the idea of immortality won’t work; it is a tough sell. The next best option is to say that they are working on it:

“Give us some time. Just see how much progress we have made so far. Science can do things never thought possible before. We have indeed made the impossible possible, so why not immortality as well? Pretty soon man will be able to live forever.”

Not limited to the realm of science, a person makes a subtle acknowledgment of the same based on the way they live. Hiranyakashipu embodied this attitude. He considered that no one was watching. He could simply take and take without consequences. He used his intelligence to supplicate the creator, Lord Brahma. Brahma gave important boons, which Hiranyakashipu used for world domination.

The king then thought he could stay in that post forever. If there is no intelligent controller, then there is also no witness to activities. This means that whatever can be done outside the eye of a higher authority will go unpunished. As Hiranyakashipu was essentially the highest authority, at least so far as he could imagine, there would be no interference in the enjoyment commensurate with assuming the top post.

3. The presence of God can be removed by the application of force

Maya gives subtle hints that she is actually an illusory force. The meaning is that a person does not necessarily have to be instructed openly about the science of self-realization in order to doubt the way of life in ignorance.

As an example, despite being king of the world Hiranyakashipu was completely miserable. This is because his senses were not under control. Mental speculation tied to lack of a belief in God leads to the idea that a person should indulge their senses as much as possible. What is the need for restriction if there is no afterlife?

The issue is that the control of the senses is directly tied to happiness and peace of mind. Hiranyakashipu was in such a degraded condition that he felt compelled to stamp out the presence of God wherever it was found. It happened to exist within his very home, through the devotion of his saintly son named Prahlada.

Hiranyakashipu used the most violent means to eliminate Prahlada, who was stubborn in his decision to continue in bhakti. The king lost and the son won. The boy was not interested in a rivalry or seeing the demise of his father. The father certainly considered the son to be an enemy.

The king had the special fortune of finally seeing God face to face. The antagonism was so strong that Hiranyakashipu couldn’t go a moment without thinking of the intelligent controller, whose many names include Vishnu. The final interaction was a little different than expected, though. Whilst Prahlada worshiped in peace and affection, the father saw Vishnu as gruesome death. Narasimhadeva was a force that could not be overpowered. Using just the nails on his hands He tore away at the byproducts of illusion.

In Closing:

Just give us some more time,

Then immortality to find.

Is watching a higher controller, please,

Creation for life’s tensions to ease.

Hiranyakashipu in this way thinking,

Further into sense demands sinking.

Finally at death’s hour observing,

Supreme as gruesome punishment deserving.

Three Ways To Get Fooled By A Fake Incarnation

“Another day, when Krishna and Balarama were playing with Their friends, all the boys joined Balarama and told mother Yashoda that Krishna had eaten clay.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 8)

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This incarnation and that. A full, personal expansion versus a partial. A plenary incarnation compared to a divinely empowered being. Identifiable and definable attributes belonging to the Personality of Godhead. His gunas are different. He is the great enjoyer, purusha, to the many who are enjoyed, prakriti.

With a wealth of information preserved through the timeless Vedic literature, it is seen that the one Supreme Being is not limited in travel. He can appear and disappear at will, and the manifestations in the material world are referred to as descents; hence the term avatara.

As there have been good guys [suras] since the beginning of time, so the opposite end persists as a rival. The asuras exhibit poor behavior due to their bad qualities, and they can be found even within religious circles. It is easy to be fooled by the pretenders, who take advantage of the avatara concept.

1. They deliver compelling lectures

“My goodness, have you heard this person speak? They are spellbinding. Something like the George Whitefield from the colonial period in America, their voice can reach many thousands of audience members simultaneously. People who were not previously inclined towards religion in the slightest now cannot wait to attend his lectures. This preacher must be an incarnation of God.”

Despite the popularity of the person being praised, upon listening for only a few minutes you are able to spot obvious deviations. They barely make mention of God or service to Him. The focus is entirely on aspects of material nature that are in duality.

“Work hard towards your goal. Forgive every single time. Love is the only way.”

You know that if the criminals are forgiven for every offense against society, they will never learn. Love, for sure, but what exactly does that mean? Give away stuff? Never chastise someone, even if they are doing something wrong?

With these flaws so crystal clear, you wonder how anyone would mistake the preacher to be God. There is certainly some exceptional talent. There is something in their karma to enable them to attract followers, but that alone shouldn’t establish equivalence with the original person.

2. They perform magic

This is an area where it is easier to understand the vulnerability towards falling for the pretender. They can appear and disappear at will. Put them in a locked room and they are able to escape. They can make an apple appear from nowhere. They are able to read minds, place curses on others, and go many days without food and water.

The Vedas explain that these are siddhis, which are perfections in the practice of mysticism. The idea is that the body is something like a holding cell. The spirit soul has almost boundless potential in ability, but the type of body acts as a covering. The human body is the most auspicious because it allows for the natural ability to extend to the greatest degree possible.

Even within that one body type there is variation. An expert yogi has mastered the ways of escaping the influence of the local material elements, though only temporarily. Through public displays of magic, they can easily fool others into thinking that there is some extraordinary divine influence.

3. They simply proclaim it

No need to be captivated by an impassioned speech. No reliance on a magic show. Just hear it directly stated:

“I am God. I am an avatara of Vishnu. I know this myself and I am revealing it to you. There is the possibility for you to become the same. That is the meaning of the Vedas and religion. Become God yourselves.”

In the concept presented by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, there are the cheaters and the cheated. The person wanting to cheat others and those who are willingly duped. Anyone can say anything. Just because they proclaim something very important, does it mean we should believe them, blindly? Should we not ask pressing questions? If you are God, how did you become Him? Why are you on this earth? Can you show the virata-rupa, the universal form?

On the other end of the spectrum we have the residents of Vrindavana in the setting of the genuine Divine appearance. Shri Krishna was there as the darling child of Nanda and Yashoda. He did truly amazing things, like survive attacks from wicked characters. He emerged victorious while only as an infant, showing that the form is not limiting with Him as it is with others.

Despite the overwhelming evidence in plain sight, the people were unsure. The mother had seen the universal form when once looking into Krishna’s mouth, after He was accused of eating dirt. How could that be? Her child was certainly amazing, but could He be Vishnu Himself?

In fact, the covering of maya was intentional, for increasing the outpouring of affection from those connected to Krishna. Saintly people tend towards this side; they accept the genuine incarnations. When closely aligned with the personal form, they reach the stage of forgetting the Divine nature, basking in the mood of connection of their choice.

In Closing:

Incarnation not so easily to be,

Fooling with magic tricks to see.

Or impassioned lecture giving,

That all and every forgiving.

But from shastra description when,

Identifying genuine avatara then.

Yashoda and others still not believing,

Despite Krishna personally receiving.

Four Ways Janaka Could Have Reacted To Finding Sita

“While he was tilling a field with a plow in his hand, it is said that I, the daughter of that king, arose from underneath the earth’s surface.” (Sita Devi speaking to Anasuya, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 118.28)

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तस्य लाङ्गलहस्तन्य कर्षतः क्षेत्रमण्डलम्।
अहं किलोत्थिता भित्वा जगतीं नृपतेस्सुता।।

tasya lāṅgalahastanya karṣataḥ kṣetramaṇḍalam।
ahaṃ kilotthitā bhitvā jagatīṃ nṛpatessutā।।

An integral aspect to the Ramayana history, King Janaka was in preparation for a yajna. This is sacrifice for a specific purpose. Yajna is synonymous with Vishnu, who is the Supreme Lord. Sacrifice is meant for His satisfaction. As advised to the bow-warrior Arjuna, every act should be dedicated to Vishnu, as this will bring the most auspicious result.

यत् करोषि यद् अश्नासि
यज् जुहोषि ददासि यत्
यत् तपस्यसि कौन्तेय
तत् कुरुष्व मद्-अर्पणम्

yat karoṣi yad aśnāsi
yaj juhoṣi dadāsi yat
yat tapasyasi kaunteya
tat kuruṣva mad-arpaṇam

“O son of Kunti, all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.27)

Janaka was preparing the field. He was the king, so he knew the importance fertile ground has to a society. However many advancements can be made in technology, the basics with respect to living always remain the same. There must be rain. There must be fertile ground. And there must be someone to reap the harvest.

While digging his way to something better, the king received an unexpected surprise. Based on his situation, Janaka could have responded in a variety of ways, which diverge significantly from the path ultimately chosen.

1. Not my problem

Janaka found a baby girl in the ground. She was still alive. As Sita Devi describes to Anasuya, the king was childless at the time. Nevertheless, the following rationale could be justified:

“Hey, this is not my problem. Obviously, the child belongs to someone else. If I didn’t stumble upon this area, nothing would have changed. I am in the middle of preparing for a yajna. My focus is on pleasing Bhagavan with a specific activity delineated for such a purpose. What is a baby going to do for me?”

2. Men are not cut out for this

As much as a father may try, with a newborn there are some limitations brought on by nature. When the child is desperate for milk from the mother, the father has no other recourse. He cannot satisfy the crying child. Unless and until there is visual and physical contact between the mother and child, the crying will continue.

Janaka could have walked away based on gender. He is a man, after all. What would he know about raising a child? The baby was a girl, also, which means that Janaka could not pass down the kingdom to her. There would be the added responsibility of finding a suitable husband for her in due time.

3. I am a yogi

Janaka was well-known for his detachment. The title of Videha suited him. A person in the renounced mindset, vairagya, is not swayed by the temporary. Family life can be the greatest illusion, since there is the hope that through offering love and affection to others happiness will abound. Many times the dependents become spoiled and only look to see what the provider has to offer them on a given day. Failure to meet expectations will create resentment.

As Sita describes, Janaka felt affection immediately. Was his status as a yogi invalidated? Was he now back in the clutches of maya, the illusory energy whose influence keeps the connection in yoga a distant dream?

Actually, the girl was the goddess of fortune. Unconditional affection for her qualifies as bhakti. The behavior in Janaka actually enhanced his position in vairagya. He brought her home and named her Sita. A voice from the sky confirmed that this was his daughter in all righteousness.

The devotional way of life does not always go as planned. While a person may wish to simply chant the holy names in seclusion, the Divine may have different ideas. If the mentality is the same, if the purity in the heart is not tainted, then even accepting a new member of the family continues the devotional mindset.

In Closing:

Baby girl in ground,

By King Janaka found.

While preparing the field,

For mercy of plenty yield.

Ways that could have reacted,

That not by family to be distracted.

Or father for this not made,

But instead with affection stayed.