Three Areas Where Hiranyakashipu Received Help

“O lord, we know that when you simply move your eyebrows, all the commanders of the various planets are most afraid. Without the help of any assistant, you have conquered all the three worlds. Therefore, we do not find any reason for you to be morose and full of anxiety. As for Prahlada, he is nothing but a child and cannot be a cause of anxiety. After all, his bad or good qualities have no value.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.5.49)

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जितं त्वयैकेन जगत्-त्रयं भ्रुवोर्
विजृम्भण-त्रस्त-समस्त-धिष्ण्यपम्
न तस्य चिन्त्यं तव नाथ चक्ष्वहे
न वै शिशूनां गुण-दोषयोः पदम्
jitaṁ tvayaikena jagat-trayaṁ bhruvor
vijṛmbhaṇa-trasta-samasta-dhiṣṇyapam
na tasya cintyaṁ tava nātha cakṣvahe
na vai śiśūnāṁ guṇa-doṣayoḥ padam

Whether the teachers were intentionally overlooking certain facts to prop up their despondent leader or they were actually unaware of the true history behind his ascent, the truth remained that Hiranyakashipu did not achieve his position by himself. It appeared to be ekena, or the work of a single person, but there were supporting forces in the background.

1. Taking over the three worlds

He just had to move his eyebrows. A single glance and anyone taking notice would become alert. Trouble was on the way. This is what the teachers in the royal family observed. Their leader had risen so high that the suras, the demigods in heaven, were assuming disguises in order to avoid punishment. They no longer received oblations in yajna, sacrifice.

In truth, Hiranyakashipu only rose to power after receiving assistance from Lord Brahma, the creator. There were already the gifts of nature in the form of a body. No one can say that they ordered their specific set of hands and legs. The eyes, the nose, the mouth – these are products of nature. Both gross and subtle elements cover the individual spirit soul for a period of time.

भूमिर् आपो ऽनलो वायुः
खं मनो बुद्धिर् एव च
अहङ्कार इतीयं मे
भिन्ना प्रकृतिर् अष्टधा

bhūmir āpo 'nalo vāyuḥ
khaṁ mano buddhir eva ca
ahaṅkāra itīyaṁ me
bhinnā prakṛtir aṣṭadhā

“Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego-altogether these eight comprise My separated material energies.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.4)

One person is particularly talented in sports. Another in music. They have no memory of requesting specific features prior to the time of birth. There was an existence during that time since others can validate. They say that the world continued on, that such and such happened on such and such date.

The lack of input into the conditions of birth is one indication of the helpless nature of the individual. Knowledge of the fact should bring humility and curb pride. Hiranyakashipu had even more reason to be thankful. He conducted severe austerities, enough to catch the attention of the creator, who works with the basic ingredients of the material world to craft the different body types.

2. Teaching the children of the family

He did not act alone in taking over the three worlds on the power of Brahma’s boons, and he did not engage in teaching the children in his family, either. Hiranyakashipu’s son Prahlada was under the care of the family gurus. They were sons to Shukracharya, who is the preceptor of the demon clan, the Daityas. His name indicates that the qualifications are based on ancestry.

If Hiranyakashipu were as powerful as Shanda and Amarka made him out to be, he would have been able to get Prahlada’s mind right. The five-year old son was interested only in Vishnu-bhakti. He understood that the Supreme Lord is the strength of the strong and the overall ability in man.

Armed with this knowledge, Prahlada was never morose. The father, on the other hand, was a different story. He was particularly upset over failure in an area important to him. He could not understand the lack of success over something that should have been straightforward.

3. Trying to take out an enemy

This was a menace to society. He would not listen to anyone. Left unchecked, he could change the way everyone thought. The hard-fought victories over the enemies of the world, the suras, would go for naught. Everything would be erased if the problem was not taken care of.

This was how Hiranyakashipu viewed Prahlada. The father reached the decision to kill the son, to have him eliminated. In this task the king received help from the attendants under his charge. They tried various means of lethal punishment, and each one failed.

The king received help in his successful ventures, like taking over the world, and also in the ones that failed. This is the way of the world, as no one is guaranteed to have every desire fulfilled. Better to be an akama devotee of the Supreme Lord, where the lone desire is considered spiritual since it relates to serving the one who is above this world of duality. He alone exists before the creation, at the start of time, in the middle, and also beyond the end.

In Closing:

Gurus the king praising,

But contradictions raising.

Hiranyakashipu not acting alone,

Potency not entirely his own.

Help in wayward son teaching,

But success not even reaching.

Meaning for strength an underlying force,

Who of son and everyone’s source.

Three Occupations Where Birthright Is Insufficient

“Please tell me so that I may be taught in the matter by the instruction of the Personality of Godhead and may thus act instrumentally to generate living entities, without being conditioned by such activities.” (Brahma speaking to Narayana, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 2.9.29)

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भगवच्-छिक्षितम् अहं
करवाणि ह्य् अतन्द्रितः
नेहमानः प्रजा-सर्गं
बध्येयं यद्-अनुग्रहात्

bhagavac-chikṣitam ahaṁ
karavāṇi hy atandritaḥ
nehamānaḥ prajā-sargaṁ
badhyeyaṁ yad-anugrahāt

Varnashrama-dharma gets mistakenly applied as the caste system.

“You belong in this group. You are part of that one. I am superior to you. Just look at my last name. It is an honorary. I have different material qualities than you due to this ancestral link.”

While it is certainly a blessing to be born in a family whose previous generations possessed good qualities and uplifted society in general, birthright itself is never qualification for anything significant. The original system involves both guna and karma. The material qualities must be there, and the proper work needs to be carried out.

In that realm of carrying out action with a desired consequence, sufficient training is necessary. Proof is already there that birthright cannot equate to automatic liberation from the cycle of birth and death, which ultimately requires a change in consciousness.

1. Doctor

You want to become a doctor, but how? If your father is one already, does that title pass down to you? Can you use that as justification when treating patients in a hospital? Will the licensing board grant certification on that basis, without further questioning?

The first step is learning the ins and outs. It is a scientific field, as well, which requires both theoretical and practical knowledge. Learn the principles and then successfully apply them in a laboratory setting. Only then will you be considered a doctor in truth.

2. Lawyer

The same principle applies. There is law school for a reason. The bar exam in a particular state is difficult precisely to weed out the pretenders. If you were in legal difficulty, you wouldn’t want to go to someone who has no knowledge of the law. Even if their parents were lawyers, the qualification at the personal level has to be rooted in instruction and knowledge.

3. Creator of the universe

Under the system of birthright, Lord Brahma would have the highest claim. He could say that he is better than everyone else due to emerging from the stem on the lotus-like navel of the Supreme Lord, Vishnu, who is also known as Padmanabha.

Because of the unique circumstances to this birth, Brahma is often described as svayambhu, which means “self-born.” He lacks a mother and father in the typical sense, but he did not emerge from nothing. He is something like God’s first child, and so he could use that as justification for idleness, for sitting around and demanding honor from others.

Brahma is the creator, but even with that potency there had to be some guidance. He directly sought advice and clarification from the Supreme Lord, who responded with the now famous chatuh-shloki verses from the Shrimad Bhagavatam.

If even the creator needs training to do his work, who are we to demand honor based on an ancestral link? The system of societal and lifespan divisions is meant for lifting up every person simultaneously. That is to say not everyone is expected to be a brahmana, or one in the priestly class. Not every person has to renounce the entire world starting at the time of birth.

There is a chance at gradual progression, with everyone working together towards the common goal of pleasing the Supreme Lord, which is ultimately the purpose of Brahma’s work, as well. He creates on the support of the mighty Vishnu, and so everyone else owes their strength to the same source. When applied in the proper direction, there is a direct link known as yoga, which breaks the long-held bond with the illusory material world.

In Closing:

Caste system degraded,

Not by Vishnu stated.

Who varnashrama passing down,

Based on principles sound.

Work of creator Brahma shown,

Started not from birthright alone,

Only after qualification went,

Divisions for wellbeing meant.

Some Guys Have All The Luck

“Bhagavan means who possesses these six opulences in full: all riches, all strength, all influence, all wisdom, all beauty, all renunciation.” (Vishnu Purana, 6.5.47)

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ऐश्वर्यस्य समग्रस्य
वीर्यस्य यशसः श्रियः
ज्ञान-वैराग्ययश् चैव
षण्णां भग इतीङ्गना

aiśvaryasya samagrasya
vīryasya yaśasaḥ śriyaḥ
jñāna-vairāgyayaś caiva
ṣaṇṇāṁ bhaga itīṅganā

Material life is difficult. Shri Krishna says that the conditioned souls, the jivas, are struggling within that nature, which is inferior. In addition to the five senses, the mind causes trouble.

ममैवांशो जीव-लोके
जीव-भूतः सनातनः
मनः-षष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि
प्रकृति-स्थानि कर्षति

mamaivāṁśo jīva-loke
jīva-bhūtaḥ sanātanaḥ
manaḥ-ṣaṣṭhānīndriyāṇi
prakṛti-sthāni karṣati

“The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal, fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 15.7)

In the course of the difficulties, it is not uncommon to hear complaints resembling the following:

“You know, it seems like I have the worst luck. God, why does it always rain on me? I see other people who have everything go right for them. Job, family, looks, possessions – they have it all. I would take success in just one of those areas, but no. I am perpetually doomed. I will have to stay miserable for the rest of my life.”

One source of comfort is the Supreme Lord. Connecting with Him is known as yoga, and in that link the properties get shared. That is to say if God is always blissful and attractive, the same can be said of those devoted to Him. From His avatara of Shri Rama, we see that the name Bhagavan is befitting the origin of everything.

Winning the bow contest

The Vedas give the name “Bhagavan” as applying to God. The literal translation is “the most fortunate one.” God possesses every bhaga, or opulence, simultaneously and to the fullest degree. This means that He has the best luck. Nothing goes sour for Him, even if the temporary situation may describe otherwise.

A famous incident involving Shri Rama is the bow contest held in the city protected by King Janaka. The pious ruler had the most beautiful daughter who came to him in the most unusual way. Deciding that she was too special to give away in a typical arranged marriage of the time, he held a svayamvara, or self-choice ceremony.

It was a contest. Whichever prince could first lift the amazingly heavy bow of Lord Shiva, which had been passed down several generations in the family, would win the hand of Sita Devi. How lucky was Shri Rama that none of the participants could even move the bow, let alone lift it? How fortunate was He to even be within the vicinity, escorted there by the spiritual guide named Vishvamitra?

Meeting Hanuman

Marrying Sita was appropriate. As Rama is an incarnation of Vishnu, Sita is identical to Lakshmi Devi, the goddess of fortune. An easy way to tell that God has the best luck is to know that He is married to fortune. He is the protector of fortune, and so He can shower unlimited blessings to others through her kindness and service.

Some years after marrying Sita, she went missing in the forest of Dandaka. It seemed like an unlucky situation, but then how fortunate was Rama to later come across Hanuman? If not for Hanuman, Sita may never have been eventually found. That dedicated servant in the body of a Vanara was uniquely qualified to cross over the vast ocean and reach the island of Lanka, the place to which the daughter of Janaka had been taken against her will.

The most loyal citizens

The people of Ayodhya eagerly awaited Rama’s return home. The schedule was fourteen years. They were so devoted that they initially insisted on following the son of Dasharatha to the forest. They were ready to give up home and live like ascetics, as long as they could be by the side of the person they loved the most.

How fortunate was Rama to have such loyal followers, who were pious in every way? Who could ask for better younger brothers, who competed with each other to see who was willing to give up the most in their service to the eldest, the leader, agraja? They each rightfully earned the name Ramanuja.

The best biographers

The real-life events are one thing, but how will future generations share in the wealth of information presented through that lila, the transcendental pastimes of Bhagavan? How will they relive everything, as it happened? How will they connect with Rama in the same way that His contemporaries could?

Further evidence that Shri Rama has the best luck is seen in the quality of His biographers. There is Maharishi Valmiki, who composed the sacred Ramayana poem to immortalize the one person who is beyond the limits of time. That Sanskrit work carries forward to today, where devoted souls take joy every day in remembering the slayer of the demon Ravana.

There is also Goswami Tulsidas, who made the Ramayana accessible to the people of the time, those who may not have been able to understand Sanskrit. He composed one of the most widely sung songs in history, the Hanuman Chalisa, in praise of Rama’s loyal and courageous servant. There is the greatest luck surrounding that greatest of bow warriors, and anyone who connects with Him in a mood of love has no reason to ever be down, since they can rely on the shared fortune of the husband of Sita.

In Closing:

No reasons to be down,

Since greatest fortune I’ve found.

To Shri Rama connected,

Who bow into air projected.

Signifying contest’s winner,

Of Rakshasa demon slayer.

Servants like Hanuman not scared,

That luck with His people shared.

Three Times The Demigods Failed Against Vishnu

“In this way, Brahma, the master of this universe, after offering humble and respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead and circumambulating Him three times, was ready to return to his abode known as Brahmaloka. By His gesture, the Supreme Personality of Godhead gave him permission to return.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 14)

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So many gods from which to choose. People inheriting the tradition from their ancestors travelling in different directions. Though they are classified as belonging to the “Hindu” faith, the exercise is not uniform. A colorful panorama of beautiful deities, aligned together, and yet offering specific rewards to their worshipers. How to resolve the confusion?

Indeed, within the history documented in Vedic literature itself there are so many stories of people being benefitted by this god and that. The starting point is a desire. Worship in a specific procedure then follows. With enough dedication the supplication bears fruition. The god of choice, a deva residing in the heavenly realm, appears on the scene and agrees to grant boons.

From several incidents, along with supporting theoretical and practical knowledge, we see that one person is the best to approach. He is the benefactor of the benefactors. We see that the boons offered by the devas aren’t perfect, either.

1. Hiranyakashipu’s boons

De facto immortality. Sufficient protection to live in peace. Safe from attack against every type of known creature. Protected at night and during the day. Both inside and outside, on land and in the sky, from every kind of weapon, as well.

The boons received were specific due to the requests. Hiranyakashipu, symbolizing the materialist’s primary interest in comfort and wealth, won the favor of Lord Brahma, who is the creator. The future terror of the world specifically avoided worshiping Vishnu, who is known in the Vedas as the original person. Brahma may have created, but before him there was Vishnu. Before Vishnu there was no one, and so He is also described as anadi.

The problem is that you either have immortality or you don’t. There is no imitation version or one constructed from component pieces. Hiranyakashipu received evidence of the defect in his plan first through the survival of his saintly son against wicked attacks. Prahlada had no such deal with Brahma, and yet the crown could not kill him, no matter how much they tried.

Later on, mortality would show its gruesome face to the king deserving the fiercest punishment. The same Vishnu arrived in a half-man/half-lion figure inspiring fear and awe in everyone around. Hiranyakashipu did not survive the encounter, and with the end of life came the expiration of his gifts from the creator.

2. Govardhana Puja

This was a more innocent affair. At least it should have been viewed that way. Vishnu was again on the scene, but this time as the all-attractive youth named Krishna. He inspired the residents of the farm community of Gokula to perform the inaugural Govardhana Puja to honor the nearby hill that meant so much to everyone.

The issue was that the sacrifice, or yajna, was a kind of replacement. Instead of worshiping Indra, the king of heaven, as per tradition, the people shifted their offerings towards the hill. Everyone was pleased, and Krishna confirmed that the hill was non-different from Him.

As a devata, Indra should have been happy, as well. He is on the side of the good guys. Vishnu has helped his party countless times in the struggles with the Daityas. Hiranyakashipu had previously usurped Indra’s post by force. It was not until the advent of Narasimha that everything returned to normal.

Unfortunately, envy took hold. Indra was so upset that the people ignored him. He retaliated by sending a devastating rainstorm to the area. Make no mistake, there was every intention of destroying the people and their cows.

The person who wields so much power was embarrassed in the face of a youth with a bluish hue. Giving further confirmation of the sacred nature of that massive piece of land, Krishna lifted up Govardhana Hill and used it as an umbrella. The rain lost its teeth, so to speak, and Indra was reminded again of the unlimited potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

3. Brahma stealing the cows

He learned to create after worshiping Vishnu. The generation of the 8,400,000 varieties of species is through the use of three main ingredients: goodness, passion and ignorance. There is complexity and beauty built into every facet of the nature attributed to him.

Yet nothing would have been possible for Brahma without the sanction of Vishnu. He worshiped properly and only then was able to create. During the same advent of Krishna, the four-necked origin of the species became jealous one time. There was curiosity, as well, to see just how the Supreme Lord would handle a difficult situation.

Brahma stole Krishna’s cowherd friends in secret. He took the cows under their protection, as well. Now what would Krishna do? What would He say to the parents and elders upon returning from the fields? How would He save the day?

As Krishna is the source of energy, the energetic to the many sparks of energy that are spirit souls, He simply expanded Himself. No one could tell. The game went on for an entire year until Brahma finally relented. The creator was defeated, and he felt contrite afterwards.

Much time and effort is saved by approaching Bhagavan directly. He is the most fortunate person, so He has the most impactful rewards to distribute. Moreover, He exclusively applies discrimination. If a reward is not in our interest, it will not be received. Like a loving parent, His mercy involves guidance, to show the way towards transcendence.

In Closing:

Despite in high position seated,

Demigods many times defeated.

Like when Indra rain sending,

Then Govardhana as umbrella extending.

Or Brahma the cows to steal,

More magic Krishna to reveal.

Better when to the origin going,

Best interests for everyone knowing.

Three Inescapable Realities Of Life

“Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate, the supreme abode and purifier, the Absolute Truth and the eternal divine person. You are the primal God, transcendental and original, and You are the unborn and all-pervading beauty. All the great sages such as Narada, Asita, Devala, and Vyasa proclaim this of You, and now You Yourself are declaring it to me.” (Bhagavad-gita, 10.12-13)

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अर्जुन उवाच
परं ब्रह्म परं धाम
पवित्रं परमं भवान्
पुरुषं शाश्वतं दिव्यम्
आदि-देवम् अजं विभुम्
आहुस् त्वाम् ऋषयः सर्वे
देवर्षिर् नारदस् तथा
असितो देवलो व्यासः
स्वयं चैव ब्रवीषि मे

arjuna uvāca
paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma
pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān
puruṣaṁ śāśvataṁ divyam
ādi-devam ajaṁ vibhum
āhus tvām ṛṣayaḥ sarve
devarṣir nāradas tathā
asito devalo vyāsaḥ
svayaṁ caiva bravīṣi me

The spiritual teacher says to avoid chasing after sense gratification, that there is no point. The recipient of such wisdom may never have heard of the term.

“What is sense gratification? I am simply living my life. I am doing what everyone else does. How am I supposed to go about my day, then?”

The spotless wisdom descends from the top. A chain of transfer beginning with the only person of true perfection, the teachings are meant to show a different way of life, one that will bring true happiness.

Otherwise, the chase in sense gratification will always leave a person in the same position relative to others. That is to say no matter to where a person moves, they will always find at least three types of people juxtaposed for comparison.

1. Will always find someone lesser

You hear these reminders when a person is complaining about their plight. The words go something like the following:

“No one has it worse than me. I am struggling so much. I can’t get enough sleep at night. I am forced to wear these uncomfortable clothes and sit at a desk all day, staring at a bright computer screen. Please explain to me how this is any different from prison. At least on a long haul flight there is the option to close your eyes and take rest. I can’t do that here since others surround me; there is no privacy.”

To put things into the proper perspective, a friend may give the following reminder:

“Actually, so many people have it far worse than you. Think of the ones struggling for food. They don’t know if they will eat tomorrow. Then there are those suffering from illness. They may not live another day. Be thankful that you at least have a job. So many people would envy your situation.”

2. Will always find someone equal

These are known as peers. In the business community they are colleagues. Friendship is formed because of this status. If I work at the same place as someone else, we have a common interest and thus an easy way towards friendship.

People who speak the same language can better communicate with each other. If I am the same age as someone else, perhaps we share similar memories from childhood with respect to sports and entertainment. Whatever the situation, there is always someone in similar circumstances.

3. Will always find someone greater

It is in this particular area that the chase for sense gratification falls short. If I am trying to become the richest person in the world, there will always be someone with more money. If that can’t be proven, if I can show that my net worth is more than anyone else’s, then there is at least one way that another person excels me.

They may have more free time on their hands. After all, who is better situated, the person who has no peace of mind or the one who is always calm and relaxed, no matter the conditions of the external world? Someone may have more muscles than me. Perhaps a larger family from which to draw support.

The idea is that chasing after temporary positions in a material existence is not a good use of time. There is only one person who is superior in every area. That is one of the reasons He rightfully earns the name Bhagavan.

He is the best in at least six features that can be enumerated and described. Bhagavan has the most wealth. He is the owner of the entire creation, after all. He is the most beautiful, seen through the amazing visual of the all-attractive one, Shri Krishna. He is the strongest, as He holds the entire solar system in place. He is the most famous, as the Vedas and saintly people have been singing His glories since before anyone can remember. He has the most knowledge, as evidenced by the unmatched wisdom found in His teachings. He is also the most renounced, since no attachment can bring Him down; He never falls, Achyuta.

The human being is so fortunate since they have the ability to share in these glories. They can connect with the greatest person and feel no rivalry in the process. They become so proud and pleased that the Supreme Lord has the most chaste and devoted wife, Sita Devi. They shed tears of joy when they remember that Bhagavan has the best servant in Shri Hanuman. They are thankful that the devoted mother, Yashoda, sets the example for everyone to follow. They also can confirm with firsthand knowledge that Bhagavan’s representatives are the true saints of this world, providing rescue from the depressing life in illusion, maya.

In Closing:

Wise person to remind,

That always state to find.

Someone lesser where,

A peer with status to share.

And person having more,

So why hard working for?

Better to bask in Bhagavan’s glory,

Guru of Him many a story.

Four Places The Enlightened Teacher Should Go Beyond

“Thus I have explained to you the most confidential of all knowledge. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.63)

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इति ते ज्ञानम् आख्यातं
गुह्याद् गुह्यतरं मया
विमृश्यैतद् अशेषेण
यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु

iti te jñānam ākhyātaṁ
guhyād guhyataraṁ mayā
vimṛśyaitad aśeṣeṇa
yathecchasi tathā kuru

For a teacher of genuine spirituality, the best person to emulate is Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Not that the ordinary person can display the virata-rupa, the universal form. Not that they can accurately claim to be the origin of everything, adi, and also of no origin, anadi. Not that they can say with a straight face that they will be around at the end, anta, and also beyond that time period, ananta.

The idea is to take the original teachings and then present them as they are, without adulteration. In the same way that Arjuna was helped on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, the struggling conditioned soul can find relief while on the battlefield known as material existence.

Even if not touching upon Krishna directly, the enlightened teacher should at least go beyond certain areas and practices in their teachings. This will show that they are serious about the end goal and that they wish the best for the students.

1. The way of life at present

You are approaching someone with higher knowledge for a reason. A university degree did not cut it. Landing a high paying job was not sufficient. Family life has brought its own problems, struggles, and daily pressures.

The one claiming to be a tattva-darshi, a seer of the truth, should know that the individual soul is meant for more. Simply accumulating and then trying to enjoy will bring little happiness. The same goes for the opposite direction of full renunciation.

2. Rigid ideology

“Follow this book. Pledge allegiance to this savior. Why? Because I say so. Otherwise, you are destined for hell. Condemned forever. You wouldn’t want to take that chance, would you? Better get on the good side of the man upstairs. Trust me, everything will work itself out in the afterlife. Don’t ask too many questions.”

The human being is rational for a reason. They have a leg up on the animal community, who cannot contemplate the meaning of life, of going beyond the basic animal instincts of eating, sleeping, mating and defending. If I have a brain, I might as well use it.

The spiritual guide should insist that I go beyond rigid demands for staying with a certain ideology that has many logical flaws. They should not scare me into submission; otherwise every person could bring their own agenda and demand the same.

3. Sentimental allegiance

Maybe you are not so much afraid, but there is some attachment to this book or that. At least some hint of religion exists, where there is a desire to think beyond the present lifetime. At the same time, the spiritual teacher should have knowledge as their foundation. They should provide a sufficient level of understanding wherein the sentiment gets supported by sound philosophy.

4. Blind faith

“Just go along because everyone else is doing it. The tradition in the family for generations has been to follow this particular way of life. Inherit from them. Don’t worry about anything else. No need to venture outside the comfort zone.”

Shri Krishna Himself was in the same family as the puzzled student. Arjuna and Krishna were related as cousins. They were also good friends, the corresponding behavior to which Arjuna later apologized.

सखेति मत्वा प्रसभं यद् उक्तं
हे कृष्ण हे यादव हे सखेति
अजानता महिमानं तवेदं
मया प्रमादात् प्रणयेन वापि
यच् चावहासार्थम् असत्-कृतो ऽसि
विहार-शय्यासन-भोजनेषु
एको ऽथ वाप्य् अच्युत तत्-समक्षं
तत् क्षामये त्वाम् अहम् अप्रमेयम्

sakheti matvā prasabhaṁ yad uktaṁ
he kṛṣṇa he yādava he sakheti
ajānatā mahimānaṁ tavedaṁ
mayā pramādāt praṇayena vāpi
yac cāvahāsārtham asat-kṛto 'si
vihāra-śayyāsana-bhojaneṣu
eko 'tha vāpy acyuta tat-samakṣaṁ
tat kṣāmaye tvām aham aprameyam

“I have in the past addressed You as ‘O Krishna,’ ‘O Yadava,’ ‘O my friend,’ without knowing Your glories. Please forgive whatever I may have done in madness or in love. I have dishonored You many times while relaxing or while lying on the same bed or eating together, sometimes alone and sometimes in front of many friends. Please excuse me for all my offenses.” (Arjuna, Bhagavad-gita, 11.41-42)

When it came time to learn, the roles changed. Bhagavan became the guru and Partha the disciple. As the Supreme Lord, Krishna could have demanded blind faith. He could have insisted on unflinching allegiance. He would have been justified through the display of the virata-rupa alone.

Yet at the end of their conversation we see the option placed before Arjuna. Had he heard everything properly? What was his decision? Did he have any more doubts? The choice was his for how to proceed.

In the same way, the bona fide guru presents the teachings in such a way that the sober-minded person makes the decision for dharma with confidence and a proper understanding. This way they are better situated for success; they are more likely to stay on the path. They remember their guru every time they chant the holy names with faith, attention and love: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

So important that teacher is he,

Necessary for higher life to see.

Should go beyond dogmatic insistence,

And indulge any logical resistance.

Laying out with option giving,

So that student with confidence living.

Bhagavad-gita the model ideal,

Where first guru the truth to reveal.

Three Ways To Understand The Effect Of Gunas

“According to the three modes of material nature and the work ascribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me. And, although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non-doer, being unchangeable.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.13)

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चातुर्-वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं
गुण-कर्म-विभागशः
तस्य कर्तारम् अपि मां
विद्ध्य् अकर्तारम् अव्ययम्

cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ
guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ
tasya kartāram api māṁ
viddhy akartāram avyayam

“Shri Krishna explains that He is the origin of the system of varnashrama. This is what commonly goes by the term ‘caste system’ today, but I know there is a scientific basis to the genuine thing. The Supreme Lord, Bhagavan, reveals that there are two factors at play: guna and karma.

“I’m a little confused as to the guna part. It seems that finding the occupation matching your qualities would be a good thing. For instance, if I am known to be brave, courageous, strong and interested in protecting others, kshatriya would be the way to go.

“At the same time, I’ve heard guna referred to in a negative light. It is better to be nirguna, or without material qualities. What exactly is the effect of possessing material qualities, be they of goodness, passion, or ignorance?”

1. Anchoring a boat to the floor of the ocean when trying to set sail

You are all ready to go. Everyone is on board. Why someone would intentionally choose to leave the comfort and safety of land is beyond you. Nevertheless, you got convinced into this. Supposedly it is a lot of fun. Little connection with the outside world. Nature in its truest sense. Something like camping for the weekend, but here you are surrounded by water.

There is a major problem at the outset. The boat is anchored to the floor of the ocean. No matter how much anyone may try, there is just no moving. The trip cannot continue until this problem is addressed.

2. Tied down to a bed when trying to get up

This new job is killing you. How people show up to the office each and every day at the same time, five days a week, year after year is beyond your ability to comprehend. Nevertheless, this was what the higher forces called for.

Part of the many adjustments to the lifestyle is a strict adherence to a sleep schedule. Fortunately, you are waking up before the alarm goes off each morning. This means that you went to sleep at a satisfactory time the night before.

There is one issue this morning, though. You physically can’t get out of bed. You are tied down. You are ready to prepare for the day. The entire schedule is now thrown off. How to break free from the clutches?

3. Locked in a room when wanting to get out

This presents such an interesting challenge that an industry has emerged which allows people to mimic the situation. Known as an “escape room,” the objective of the game is to try to get out of a room where all the doors are locked. Different clues here and there, a countdown clock also lets you know how much time is left before failure.

In real life, the situation would not be fun. You are ready to leave, to travel to a different space, but nothing can be done. There is only one way, through the door, and that is locked from the outside.

…

The Sanskrit word guna has a definition of “rope” for a reason. The meaning is actually identical to the other common use: material quality. The individual is spirit soul at the core. They are free in the truest sense. Nothing can be done to kill the soul.

न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्
नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः
अजो नित्यः शाश्वतो ऽयं पुराणो
न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे

na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin
nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ
ajo nityaḥ śāśvato 'yaṁ purāṇo
na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre

“For the soul there is never birth nor death. Nor, having once been, does he ever cease to be. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, undying and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.20)

Gunas placed on top of the soul have a binding effect. The side to which they are tied is known as the material world. The living condition in that existence is ever-changing; hence the term transmigration. The soul bound by gunas is known as conditioned, and from there they carry their conceptions from one situation to another.

शरीरं यद् अवाप्नोति
यच् चाप्य् उत्क्रामतीश्वरः
गृहीत्वैतानि संयाति
वायुर् गन्धान् इवाशयात्

śarīraṁ yad avāpnoti
yac cāpy utkrāmatīśvaraḥ
gṛhītvaitāni saṁyāti
vāyur gandhān ivāśayāt

“The living entity in the material world carries his different conceptions of life from one body to another as the air carries aromas.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 15.8)

There is a way to gain escape. Connect with the person who has gunas of a different meaning. For Him the qualities are transcendental. Hence gunas can also mean “glories” when discussing the features that are identifiable and enumerable to a certain extent.

Vedic literature is vast and continuously expanding for this very reason. There is no limit to the praise that can be showered upon the Supreme Lord, in the same way that a devotee never tires of chanting His names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

To bed tied down,

Boat anchored to ground.

Trapped inside of room,

No help arriving soon.

For gunas the transcendental sound,

So to samsara no longer bound.

And then to transcendental transition,

Blissful life known best decision.