Three Reasons Bhagavan Is Described As Urukramanghrim

"Unless they smear upon their bodies the dust of the lotus feet of a Vaishnava completely freed from material contamination, persons very much inclined toward materialistic life cannot be attached to the lotus feet of the Lord, who is glorified for His uncommon activities. Only by becoming Krishna conscious and taking shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord in this way can one be freed from material contamination." (Prahlada Maharaja, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.5.32)

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नैषां मतिस् तावद् उरुक्रमाङ्घ्रिं
स्पृशत्य् अनर्थापगमो यद्-अर्थः
महीयसां पाद-रजो-’भिषेकं
निष्किञ्चनानां न वृणीत यावत्

naiṣāṁ matis tāvad urukramāṅghriṁ
spṛśaty anarthāpagamo yad-arthaḥ
mahīyasāṁ pāda-rajo-’bhiṣekaṁ
niṣkiñcanānāṁ na vṛṇīta yāvat

The creation attributed to Him should be enough. To have a massive object that floats in space and produces endless heat and light is itself uncommon. To configure an engine of earth, water and air delivery, with predictable and reliable movements, should be sufficient cause for glorification.

Yet to see the association is difficult in the conditioned state. Therefore the doubting souls insist on hard evidence. They need to see something to prove the existence of God. They also want justification for the recommended practice of glorification.

Prahlada Maharaja says that the Supreme Lord, whose many names include Vishnu, is glorified for His uncommon activities, urukramanghrim. Vedic literature provides ample supporting evidence.

1. Killing Putana

Here Vishnu was on earth in the two-handed form of Shri Krishna. The darling of Vrindavana as a youth, everyone was captivated by Yashoda’s son. He, in fact, first appeared from the womb of mother Devaki in Mathura. Due to the danger posed by the leader, Kamsa, the birth-father, Vasudeva, transferred the newborn Krishna to Gokula Vrindavana, where He would likely be in safe hands under the care of Nanda and his wife Yashoda.

Kamsa later learned of Krishna’s birth and wanted to do something about it. He deputed a witch named Putana to go and kill Him. Kamsa did not realize that Vishnu’s potency is the same irrespective of the visual. Krishna could do anything as an infant, though appearing to be helpless and fully dependent on the elders.

Putana had the ability to change her shape at will. From reading Vedic literature we find that this is not an uncommon ability. Today the same feat exhibited in public might fool millions of people into accepting you as God, but in reality there is only a shift in material elements occurring. Through a little mystic power even a person if ill-intent can do the same.

Putana arrived in Gokula dressed as a beautiful, enchanting woman. This made it easier to pick up baby Krishna to nurse Him. No one objected. She had smeared poison on the breast. This would be a rather straightforward strike.

Not only did Krishna survive, but He ended up sucking the life out of her. The magic of the mystic ability vanished at the same time. Putana reassumed her large and hideous form. She crashed to the ground in death. Meanwhile, Krishna innocently played on her body. He was not hurt in the least.

2. Tolerating Bhrigu

Imagine you are lying down in rest. Your wife is massaging your feet. Suddenly, you feel a sharp blow to the chest. Upon opening your eyes you see that someone you know very well has kicked you. There was no justification. They were simply conducting a test, to see if you got angry as a result.

This happened to Vishnu once. The one of uncommon activities showed tolerance to the highest degree. He asked if the brahmana Bhrigu had hurt his foot, since Vishnu’s chest is known to be hard. He welcomed the guest as if he had done nothing wrong. This was a devotee, after all, and he wouldn’t have been allowed in Vaikuntha if he lacked the qualification of gentleness, tolerance, intelligence and allegiance to the Supreme Lord and those who support Him.

3. Appearing from a pillar

Prahlada already knew that Vishnu is amazing. He didn’t require further convincing. The asura class, however, would not take his word for it. Prahlada was a young child at the time, and a stubborn one at that. He refused to take an interest in statecraft, at a time when the orders directly from the crown demanded otherwise.

The father Hiranyakashipu eventually became fed up. He mocked Prahlada’s devotion. If God were indeed everywhere, as the boy claimed, then why wasn’t He in the nearby pillar? Vishnu most certainly was, and He soon appeared from the column, to the father’s dismay.

This was an awe-inspiring vision. An angry half-man/half-lion, ready to pounce on the offending father, who had tried to kill Prahlada as punishment for devotion. The uncommon form took the uncommon step of killing the true offender through the means of bifurcation. God indeed was in the pillar, and His full strength was also present in the nails on the hands.

In Closing:

Through feats not routinely shown,

As one of uncommon activities known.

Such as from Putana witch feeding,

And Bhrigu’s chest kick proceeding.

For Prahlada from column appearing,

And obstacles to devotion clearing.

Justification for praise a sample,

Vedas with evidence ample.

Three Areas Where Vairagya Makes An Immediate Positive Impact

“The Vedas prescribe two different types of occupation for the human being. One is called the pravritti-marga, or the path of sense enjoyment, and the other is called the nivritti-marga, or the path of renunciation. The path of enjoyment is inferior, and the path of sacrifice for the supreme cause is superior.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.2.6 Purport)

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The relationship with the Vedas is to accept an entire culture. Not merely faith. No following blindly, with a quick way towards prosperity, without having to work for it. Not based only on ancestry, where the parents present a way of life and then the subsequent generations follow.

Accept with some conviction. Be convinced of the path. One of the components to that way of life is known as nivritti. It is the way of renunciation, vairagya. Give things up, but not merely for posterity’s sake. Not just for winning acclaim or a contest, such as seeing who can hold their breath for the longest time under water.

As if inherently understanding that genuine religion carries some restrictions, the interested parties may raise objections. They do not see the need for self-inflicted punishment, but we find that in so many areas of everyday life a little bit of detachment brings benefits quickly.

1. Not interacting with that person who upsets you

Some people compare it to prison. There is the not-so-affectionate term of “the rat race.” Sitting in an office for five days a week, eight hours a day, for year after year until enough money is saved for retirement – that seems to be the only way to earn a living in the modern day.

One of the accompanying aspects that may present a challenge is interaction with colleagues. In an office environment there will likely be other people performing similar tasks, present for the same amount of time.

This one particular person has a negative influence on you. It is not that they are a bad person. They are engaging in innocent conversation, but for some reason you seem to get upset after talking to them. You end up comparing your life against theirs, and envy sometimes springs up.

Lately, however, there hasn’t been a problem. You’ve been working from home. It is an arrangement out of necessity, and you thought that you would miss going to the office. In fact, it is the opposite. So many thoughts no longer arise. You are more at peace, and the sole cause is disassociation.

2. Not checking social media

Some call it an addiction. You turned to it on a regular basis as a means of taking a break in between difficult tasks at work. Soon you were checking more frequently. These are people you rarely see in person. Yet their updates on social media tend to have an influence on you. Particularly the posts boasting of a certain accomplishment, the included hashtags irritate you that much more.

Recently you went overseas for a vacation. As the coverage area was limited, regular browsing of the internet could not take place. At the same time, you didn’t feel the need. You were more relaxed. No envy. No getting upset over trivial issues, things that had no material value. It was like the previous experience was entirely in illusion.

3. Tuning out the news

Similar to the association with social media, the news always gets you upset. It seems like only the criminals get elected to office. You hear politicians say outrageous things and you can’t believe that ordinary people would support them enough to emerge victorious in elections.

Sometimes you calm yourself down by reminding yourself of the fact that most people don’t pay attention. They hear sound-bites here and there but actually remain clueless to real legislation and its impact. This is one of the flaws with democracy. The vote of the ignorant person counts just as much as the vote from one who is fully aware of what is going on.

Again, simply tuning out the news has such a positive impact. No need to argue with others, either, for you are not aware of the issue which they wish to debate. You don’t feel compelled to correct them or to harbor resentment for their ignorance.

…

A person who takes up bhakti-yoga seriously may be accused of isolating themselves, of giving up, but in fact they are searching for real and lasting happiness. Ananda is only possible through the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Everyone already follows Him in all respects.

ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते
तांस् तथैव भजाम्य् अहम्
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते
मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः

ye yathā māṁ prapadyante
tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham
mama vartmānuvartante
manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ

“All of them - as they surrender unto Me - I reward accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pritha.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.11)

The difference is that bhakti-yoga is connecting directly with Bhagavan. The indirect connection is through the illusory energy of maya, which brings so many miserable conditions that are unnecessary. Paired with vairagya is asakti for Krishna. Detachment for attachment’s sake. Those who are attached to Him can know Him free of doubts.

In Closing:

To give up things why?

Seems needless to try.

Better to enjoy this life,

With jobs, family and wife.

But value seen already,

Of disassociation steady.

To entire maya principle apply,

And on attachment to Krishna rely.

Three Accusations Against Religion Strengthened By A Pretend Leader

“Unless they smear upon their bodies the dust of the lotus feet of a Vaishnava completely freed from material contamination, persons very much inclined toward materialistic life cannot be attached to the lotus feet of the Lord, who is glorified for His uncommon activities. Only by becoming Krishna conscious and taking shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord in this way can one be freed from material contamination.” (Prahlada Maharaja, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.5.32)

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नैषां मतिस् तावद् उरुक्रमाङ्घ्रिं
स्पृशत्य् अनर्थापगमो यद्-अर्थः
महीयसां पाद-रजो-’भिषेकं
निष्किञ्चनानां न वृणीत यावत्

naiṣāṁ matis tāvad urukramāṅghriṁ
spṛśaty anarthāpagamo yad-arthaḥ
mahīyasāṁ pāda-rajo-’bhiṣekaṁ
niṣkiñcanānāṁ na vṛṇīta yāvat

Human beings are rational, after all. This means that they can develop a rationale to support any decision. What bigger choice is there than the direction in life based on the belief or lack thereof in a higher power?

The question comes down to the acknowledgment of an ever-watch full eye. When no one is looking and I do something I understand to be improper to some degree, will there be consequences? Not a soul around. Unless I divulge later on, the secret stays with me.

If I believe in a higher power, then that entity must have eyes everywhere. This is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita, where a specific shloka references the feature known as Paramatma. Though not visible in the physical sense, the distribution is widespread.

सर्वतः पाणि-पादं तत्
सर्वतो ऽक्षि-शिरो-मुखम्
सर्वतः श्रुतिमल् लोके
सर्वम् आवृत्य तिष्ठति

sarvataḥ pāṇi-pādaṁ tat
sarvato 'kṣi-śiro-mukham
sarvataḥ śrutimal loke
sarvam āvṛtya tiṣṭhati

“Everywhere are His hands and legs, His eyes and faces, and He hears everything. In this way the Supersoul exists.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 13.14)

If I lack belief in such a power, then it will be easier to continue on. As long as I can escape the scrutiny of the state, of other physically present watchful eyes, then everything will be okay. Those who claim otherwise can be shouted down by the lack of physical evidence. Moreover, the popularity of charlatans in religious garb, the pretend leaders only looking to exploit nature in the same way as myself, help to lend support to the accusations made against the concept of spiritual life.

1. Religion itself is nothing but a cunningly devised fable

Look at the stories presented. As a case study we can take Hinduism, which in the proper understanding is the Vedic culture. The roots are in scriptural works known as the Vedas, which originally get passed down in an aural form. Shabda-brahman, the sound of the Absolute Truth.

In this delineation there are so many amazing figures of authority. An elephant-deity, a person with poison perpetually stuck in his throat, a multi-armed lady seated atop a tiger, a bluish figure with four arms lying down on a serpent-bed, and so on.

The imagery is striking, but isn’t it all just a myth? Isn’t it convenient that these supposedly real-life entities will watch over everyone and keep them in line? If everything turns sour then they are at the ready to provide punishment. What better way to control the population than to concoct fables illustrating the folly of the sinful way of life, as defined by those wanting to control?

2. Religion is a trick of state

Support for this accusation comes from the many horror stories documented in history relating to challenge of key scriptural points. The state in these instances was tied to an established religious entity. Anyone opposing or deviating was considered a heretic. The fit punishment was death, often in a gruesome manner.

Religion has been used as an excuse to control people since time immemorial. It is really no different than the system of communism, which promotes the idea of equality and lack of envy. Everyone will be taken care of to a certain degree. Meanwhile, the leaders are exempt from the system of scarcity. They live lavishly at the expense of the public. They are not subject to the same rules, for if anyone marks a deviation the overwhelming power of the state comes after them.

3. Religion was invented to keep mankind in awe

If the people remain in awe, they are more likely to be controlled. They will not wander into areas of discovery. They will not question too much of what is going on. After all, who can explain the ways of God, who is beyond amazing? Who can really make sense of this world? Better to follow the leaders, for they have a better understanding, even though they are not compelled to prove it.

…

The counterargument is that just because pretenders and cheaters exist does not mean that the genuine thing is diminished in value. I may be scammed into purchasing knock-off goods on the street from a devious vendor, but the real items exist somewhere. The cheater has spoiled my impression of those items, but their behavior has no influence on existence.

While religion may have been used to cheat people and it may continue to be used that way today, the concept of life and death is still there for analysis. Death remains the guaranteed outcome to birth. The material nature is still a force to contend with, and so is the illusion in chasing after money, wealth, fame, name, honor, distinction and the like for achieving peace and happiness.

Prahlada Maharaja says that the only way to break free of the illusion is to take the dust of the lotus feet of a genuine servant of the Supreme Lord. That genuineness can be tested. In real spiritual life, questions are welcomed. Bring every doubt to the table. Leave no stone unturned. See for yourself if the proclaimed servant is actually interested in staying connected with God or if they are merely using the post as a ploy to gain followers and attract attention. Notice if they are addicted to intoxicants, gambling, needless violence against animals and enjoying the senses with others.

A saintly person like Prahlada Maharaja has such a significant influence that even the worst offenders to the law codes of dharma get purified. Though they may not be seeking such an end, though they may consider religion and God to be the greatest enemies at the personal level, the Vaishnava brings purification to whichever area they travel, making their association the most valuable.

In Closing:

Dust of their lotus feet taking,

For purification making.

Even if willing not,

This benefit got.

Power in the saintly person seen,

On maya’s illusion keen.

Support to idea of God lending,

Against false accusations defending.

Would You Say The Material Body Is Contaminated

“Becoming Krishna conscious brings about anartha-apagamah, the disappearance of all anarthas, the miserable conditions we have unnecessarily accepted. The material body is the basic principle of these unwanted miserable conditions. The entire Vedic civilization is meant to relieve one from these unwanted miseries, but persons bound by the laws of nature do not know the destination of life.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.5.32 Purport)

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Friend1: Would you say the material body is contaminated?

Friend2: Where is this question coming from? I don’t believe I’ve ever heard that characterization before, unless you are referring to a specific disease.

Friend1: It’s from something Prahlada Maharaja said. You can’t become disinterested in material life unless and until you take the dust of the lotus feet of a spiritually realized person, a great soul who has nothing to do with this material world.

Friend2: That only makes sense. Take the situation of a first-time trip through an underground train system.

Friend1: The subway?

Friend2: Yes. When you get off the train at the desired stop, you usually have a choice in direction. One side leads to an exit at a particular street. The other side might go towards another street.

Friend1: Sure.

Friend2: The thing is, if every person exiting the train travels only in one direction, you might not know there is another option.

Friend1: Just follow along.

Friend2: Suddenly a few people start going the other way. Now that choice becomes visible to you. The saintly person has a similar effect. They are not interested in the contaminations involved with life in the material world.

Friend1: There is that word. Is it the place that is contaminated or the body itself? And what are the contaminations?

Friend2: The Sanskrit word is anartha. This is a negation of the word artha, which refers to profit or interest. Anartha basically goes against your interest.

Friend1: What would be an example of an anartha?

Friend2: Could be something as basic as addiction to a stimulating beverage. You try one and soon thereafter you must have at least one every single morning. It is your pick-me-up.

Friend1: Okay, but then wouldn’t that be artha since it is meeting your interest of staying awake?

Friend2: That is the hidden danger of maya, or illusion. That which you consider to be profitable is actually hurting you in the long run. The stimulation doesn’t last long and in the future you might require a higher dosage to get the same effect. There are associated negative effects like dehydration and irritability. Then there are the nasty withdrawal symptoms.

Friend1: Headaches, lethargy and the like.

Friend2: Apply the same analysis to so many aspects of life and you will get an idea of the preponderance of anarthas.

Friend1: How do we cure the contamination, then? It seems like every person is going in the direction where more unwanted aspects get accepted.

Friend2: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada says that the entire Vedic culture is built around the concept of removing anarthas. Instead of school for learning how to earn money and enjoy the senses, get a basic education in the difference between matter and spirit, starting at an early age. Instead of chasing after unregulated sex life from this person and that, get married under religious principles. Instead of using the fruits of your labor to become further entangled in illusion, follow charity, sacrifice and austerity to further the highest goal of liberation.

Friend1: I see. In essence, purify while still using the material body and the surroundings provided by nature.

Friend2: Prahlada’s instruction is important in this regard. If you can accept the dust from the lotus feet of a Vaishnava, then even if you have so many anarthas gathered up through time, you will gradually be cured. The impossible becomes possible.

Friend1: Okay, but the teachers in the royal family were not positively influenced by Prahlada. He was the saint in their midst and they continued with their anarthas. The most obvious sign of failure is with the father, Hiranyakashipu.

Friend2: They didn’t accept Prahlada as their saintly guide, but there was still a benefit through his association. That amazing child caused the appearance of Narasimhadeva, the Supreme Lord who is famous for His uncommon activities.

In Closing:

Contamination created by place,

Knowledge of Divinity erased.

Like on subway in direction one,

Knowledge of other side none.

Until someone else showing,

Spiritual master in this way glowing.

Like Prahlada with vision clear,

Causing Narasimha to appear.

Four Ways To Explain My Belief System At Present

“Hereditary gurus, or spiritual masters, have been accepted everywhere since time immemorial, but Prahlada Maharaja declined to accept such a seminal guru or take instruction from him. An actual guru is shrotriya, one who has heard or received perfect knowledge through parampara, the disciplic succession.” (Shrila Prabhupada, 7.5.31 Purport)

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Human beings are rational; or at least they are meant to be. Even in the person who is totally immersed in their work from day to day, week to week, and year to year, during some period of downtime there is contemplation on the meaning to it all. What do they value the most? To where do they think the individual travels in the future? From where has everything in this magnificent creation come?

To that end there could be a variety of factors that influence the belief system. Like every living being, the human species has inherent intelligence. We know that a baby will likely grow into an independent adult who can walk and talk precisely because of the potential for the development of intelligence.

At the same time, there is the ability to influence. A person growing up in a certain part of the world speaks a certain language. The same kind of person placed in different surroundings at birth will likely speak another language fluently. A similar ability to influence exists with respect to resolving the most puzzling issues of an existence

1. My parents

In general conversation the Sanskrit word guru refers to the spiritual guide. The one who opens your eyes to beyond the physical. Going past the manifest world and understanding what is on the inside. Formal acceptance of such a person brings what is known as the second birth, with the first taking place when emerging from the womb of the mother.

Guru can also refer to the parents. They are the first teachers, in fact. They become authority figures through nature’s arrangement. If the parents pass on a certain belief system to the children at an early age, that recommendation carries tremendous weight. No matter what else a person may encounter later in life, they always have that foundation developed early on.

2. Teachers within the family

This is especially prevalent in Vedic culture. The family has their specific preceptor. Something like the concept of a family doctor, who may have treated up to three generations of patients within the same family, the guru is there to give guidance and instruction.

This teacher is very easy to accept, since there is no requirement to search. They likely won’t reject disciples new to appear within a family. In the Shrimad Bhagavatam we have the example of Shukracharya, whose very name references a connection through ancestry or heredity.

Leaders like Hiranyakashipu had their worldviews confirmed through Shukracharya’s teachings. He was the guru to the Daityas, which is a class generally demoniac in nature. They could use the excuse that their teacher sanctioned the belief system and so it must be the proper way.

3. Mental speculation

There is the case where the parents failed to provide direction. They were unsure of the purpose of life themselves, so what could they really teach the children? Let them have their freedom. Allow them to discover on their own.

An authority figure to lend support to a particular conclusion is lacking:

“Maybe the individual is simply a collection of chemicals. Perhaps there is no higher purpose to living. The believers are that way because of indoctrination and fear of the unknown. To eat, sleep and enjoy is the ideal objective since everything will end at the time of death.”

4. A bona fide spiritual master

Hiranyakashipu had a son who appeared to be diverging from the path. In essence, the child did not want any part of the family business. A few times there were clear instructions provided to the teachers.

“Make sure Prahlada learns about running a kingdom. He must put standard religious practices, sense enjoyment and material profit as the priority items in life.”

Yet every time the child returned to the father for assessment, it was the same old story. Prahlada was only interested in the science of self-realization. He considered the material way of life to be an embarrassment. A money-chaser would be better suited retreating to the forest and meditating on the Supreme Lord. People without such devotion were merely chewing the chewed, trying to suck any little bit of enjoyment left out of experiences already covered.

The influence here was a bona fide spiritual master. There were family teachers, sons to Shukracharya, but Prahlada did not accept them. He was polite about it. He did not throw a fit when sent to school. He did not try to physically remove the opponents from his presence. He listened to their instruction, but he had a superior understanding at the foundation.

Narada Muni was the accepted guru, who happened to give his association even before Prahlada was born. This is the best person to influence a belief system since they will show the path towards the actual truth, tattva. Their word is based on the highest authority, Shri Krishna, who is at the origin of any bona fide chain of disciplic succession.

In Closing:

Not living in condition isolated,

Possible by teacher to be indoctrinated.

Or from the family passed down,

Perhaps on speculation grounds.

By spiritual master the best,

Knowing atma the test.

Prahlada through Narada connection,

Not influenced by Daitya direction.

Why Didn’t Sudama Just Take Sannyasa

“The brahmana thought that there was no need to ask any material benefit from Lord Shri Krishna, but he was induced by the repeated requests of his wife. Moreover, he thought, ‘If I go there I shall be able to see the Lord personally. That will be a great opportunity, even if I don't ask any material benefit from Him.’” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 2, Ch 25)

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Friend1: One of the more endearing stories from Krishna’s time in Dvaraka is the meeting with Sudama Vipra.

Friend2: The brahmana who was Krishna’s friend since childhood. Goes to show you that there are no status distinctions with the Supreme Lord. He remembers every person and their time with Him. Anything favorable gets highlighted. The bad gets forgotten.

Friend1: Really? If I have previously professed my hatred for God, He will not mind? He will not hold that against me?

Friend2: Think about it. If Krishna were that petty, He would have justification for punishing every single person in the material world. Who hasn’t forgotten Him on occasion? It is said that the fall to the material world is due to the emergence of a challenging spirit. A split second, a moment in ignorance, can cause a shift in residence.

Friend1: I think it is kind of nice how Sudama didn’t ask anything from Krishna. Though he was poor and his friend now the king of Dvaraka, the brahmana simply couldn’t bring himself to ask for financial help.

Friend2: That was the original purpose of the visit. It’s sad but that’s how friendship works most of the time. People want something. They call you after a long time because they need help or a favor. You may not see them for a while after that.

Friend1: The trigger here was the wife. She nudged Sudama along since she thought that Krishna might be able to help their situation.

Friend2: As a family they were not too concerned with wealth. Take whatever comes your way. No need to over-endeavor.

Friend1: That is more difficult to follow than it sounds.

Friend2: For sure. Who isn’t afraid of destitution? If I am out of a job for a few months it seems like the world will end. How will I pay for stuff? If I can’t produce sufficient money to exchange for goods and services, I might be out on the streets after a while.

Friend1: Here is my question. Sudama had to be under a lot of pressure. As a brahmana he simply wanted to continue in worship. He didn’t want to worry about money. Then he’s got his wife nagging. Though she’s asking nicely, the request essentially violates the husband’s natural spirit of renunciation.

Friend2: More so the dedicated focus in bhakti. A devotee is not in it for the wealth, though they know the object of worship is wealth personified. Krishna is the husband of the goddess of fortune, after all.

Friend1: Who was there in the palace as Rukmini Devi.

Friend2: Financial pressure is a part of life. What can you do?

Friend1: Why didn’t Sudama just take sannyasa? Be free from the wife. No more having to listen to her complaining. Relieve the pressure. Beg from door to door. As a qualified brahmana, people would have been more than generous.

Friend2: Just give up, essentially? Pack it in?

Friend1: It wouldn’t be his problem anymore.

Friend2: Well, for starters sannyasa should not be accepted irresponsibly. It’s not an easy way out of difficulty at home. If the official renounced order of life is more conducive to spiritual growth, then it is certainly auspicious. At the same time, you could say that the insistence from Sudama’s wife was actually beneficial for everyone.

Friend1: But think of the pressure that put on the husband.

Friend2: But think of the outcome. Because of her Sudama went to visit Krishna in Dvaraka. He had a wonderful meeting with his old friend. Krishna treated him so nicely, like he were the most important guest in the world. As a token gesture, something not very important, Sudama and family were immediately blessed with opulence.

Friend1: Yes, the wife became happy.

Friend2: She gets the credit for the entire exchange. Her association should be considered auspicious, something that only increased the devotion to Krishna in her husband.

In Closing:

From subtle pressure applying,

That on Shri Krishna relying.

For financial situation to address,

That the goddess of fortune to bless.

Better that sannyasa not taken,

And wife and family forsaken.

Since to auspicious result led,

Meeting with dear friend instead.

Three People Not At Fault For Prahlada’s Inclination

“The son of Shukracharya, Hiranyakashipu's spiritual master, said: O enemy of King Indra, O King! Whatever your son Prahlada has said was not taught to him by me or anyone else. His spontaneous devotional service has naturally developed in him. Therefore, please give up your anger and do not unnecessarily accuse us. It is not good to insult a brahmana in this way.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.5.28)

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श्री-गुरु-पुत्र उवाच
न मत्-प्रणीतं न पर-प्रणीतं
सुतो वदत्य् एष तवेन्द्र-शत्रो
नैसर्गिकीयं मतिर् अस्य राजन्
नियच्छ मन्युं कद् अदाः स्म मा नः

śrī-guru-putra uvāca
na mat-praṇītaṁ na para-praṇītaṁ
suto vadaty eṣa tavendra-śatro
naisargikīyaṁ matir asya rājan
niyaccha manyuṁ kad adāḥ sma mā naḥ

The father was livid. He couldn’t tolerate it. There was an enemy among them. He had carefully protected himself from foreign attack. There were safeguards in place. Like with an important computer server running in the background to support a high-volume website, there were multiple points of failover.

The IT specialist sets up a failover cluster to safeguard against a bad disk or server. With multiple disks of the same type joined together, if one of them should happen to crash, the system does not go down. Then there is backup and restore. If someone should happen to illegally infiltrate the system, bypassing the authentication mechanisms, there is a way to use an older copy of the data to restore everything to a valid state.

There is also the potential issue of a physical disaster. If the area in which the server runs gets hit by a massive hurricane or earthquake and there is no electricity for days, what will happen to everything? If a recently-updated copy exists in some other location, maybe hundreds of miles away, then there is some added level of protection.

Hiranyakashipu had to pay attention to this issue precisely because there was reason for many people to come after him. He had forced his way into the post of ruler of the world. This involves the use of physical force, or at least the threat of it.

If others should attack, there were the boons granted by Lord Brahma, the creator. Hiranyakashipu was supposedly safe in conflict in so many different situations, but here it looked like the enemy was attacking from within. The son, Prahlada, did not share the same values as the father. Frustrated beyond belief, Hiranyakashipu started a blame game which failed to finger the actual culprit.

1. The teachers

Shanda and Amarka were sons to Shukracharya, who was the family priest of the Daityas. Just as in modern times one family may have the same lawyer or doctor providing services to multiple generations of members, so in Vedic culture it is not uncommon to see a single spiritual leader providing guidance to an entire dynasty of important leaders.

Shukracharya was supposedly a brahmana, someone in the priestly order, and the sons were to be as good as him. Thus when they took charge of teaching Prahlada, Hiranyakashipu expected results. Namely, the boy’s inclination towards devotional life, bhakti-yoga, was supposed to vanish.

That did not occur, and so the king thought that the teachers were the problem. They were like a dreaded disease that afflicts a sinful person. The teachers were accused of being fake-friends. Well-wishers by dress, but eventually their true colors began to show. They had poisoned Prahlada’s mind.

2. The other children

The teachers did not like being falsely accused in this way, but they were just as baffled by the situation. Another speculation was that the other children in school taught Prahlada. Such as when your child begins to use unclean words or speak in an offensive way due to making a new friend at school, perhaps Prahlada got in with the wrong crowd. Maybe they taught him about the importance of dedicating this life to Vishnu and setting aside interest in material advancement.

3. The father

If the teachers had the liberty to speak honestly, they might be inclined to put the blame on the father:

“How dare you accuse us? We are brahmanas. Our father is your spiritual master. Maybe this entire problem is due to you. Perhaps your sinful ways are finally manifesting in a disease in the form of an unqualified son. He was born in your house, after all.”

…

In claiming innocence, the teachers actually paid a high compliment to Prahlada. They said that the boy’s inclination towards bhakti was natural. This means that there was nothing anyone could do about it. The teachers sure did try. A program to guide the student in a different direction, but he was stubborn; at least in their eyes.

The actual enemy to the Daityas was Narada Muni, the celebrated saint who travels the three worlds and sings the glories of Narayana, which is one name for God. The source of men is also the source of strength in everyone, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita [7.8].

Prahlada’s controversial education that seemed to spontaneously appear was due to accepting instruction directly from Narada Muni. The transfer took place while the boy was in the womb. What the schoolteachers couldn’t accomplish through physical interaction in an environment suitable for learning took place when there was the formidable barrier in place of the mother’s stomach.

The incident highlights the potency of transcendental sound. It can penetrate any area and have a lasting effect, even in someone born in the Daitya dynasty. The demons had a devotee in their midst, and they didn’t know what to do about it.

In Closing:

From father’s anger rising,

To others chastising.

At teachers falsely laying blame,

Or from other students came.

Prahlada in that house born,

Thus not king deserving scorn?

Truth from Narada Muni teaching,

Sacred sound inside womb reaching.