Three Reasons Brahma Could Feel Proud

“Brahma, it is I, the Personality of Godhead, who was existing before the creation, when there was nothing but Myself. Nor was there the material nature, the cause of this creation. That which you see now is also I, the Personality of Godhead, and after annihilation what remains will also be I, the Personality of Godhead.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 2.9.33)

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अहम् एवासम् एवाग्रे
नान्यद् यत् सद्-असत् परम्
पश्चाद् अहं यद् एतच् च
यो ऽवशिष्येत सो ऽस्म्य् अहम्

aham evāsam evāgre
nānyad yat sad-asat param
paścād ahaṁ yad etac ca
yo ‘vaśiṣyeta so ‘smy aham

“I built this business from the ground up. In the beginning, we were so small. Someone came to visit recently and they remarked on the difference. Only a short ten years ago they saw that we had a single receptionist at the front door. That was it. Now there are corporate offices throughout the country. We are doing well, and I can’t help but look back with great satisfaction. It was not easy.”

In this situation the founder has a reason to feel proud. The success did not occur randomly, after all. It was not as if they simply sat back and waited for the pieces to fall into place. In varying levels of success, larger or smaller than the referenced example, a person could use the fruits of their work as a source of pride.

There is also the case of Lord Brahma. Described in Vedic literature with many names, such as Vidhata and Chaturanana, he has sufficient justification for feeling superior to everyone else.

1. The creator

The Vedas do not give a single book that must be accepted blindly. As the Absolute is infinite in its existence, as time and space know no true boundaries, so the glorification of the Supreme is limitless. There are many such sacred texts passed on for the benefit of mankind, with a certain group categorized as belonging to the mode of goodness.

This refers to the target audience. Those who are sober-minded, dhira, who are not distracted by the pursuit of temporary rewards whose duration is fixed to accompany the temporary existence in the material body, become the ideal audience to hear properly about the original person.

The Bhagavata Purana is one of the principal works in that category, and not surprisingly it contains a description of the creation. This is relative to our present time period; for analysis purposes. We learn that a single person is responsible for everything we see around us.

Lord Brahma takes three main ingredients: goodness, passion and ignorance. Through his effort creation begins. This means that the planets, the sun, the stars, the moon, the mountains, the oceans and the like do not appear randomly. Someone first takes action; there is an instigating agent.

2. No one helping him

Brahma is also known as Svayambhu. This refers to the fact that he has no mother and father in the traditional sense. A person can feel proud of the company they built, but if previous generations within the same family helped to pave the way, then the credit gets shared. We have no say in who our parents will be prior to birth. This means that so much is out of our control.

Vidhata used the three base ingredients and went through the complicated, complex and lengthy task of creation. He has justification for feeling immense pride, for anything that results after the fact is tied to him. The beautiful flower. The amazing sunset. The glacier maintaining form for years. These are all due to Brahma.

3. Amazing output

Brahma does not generate the living beings. He creates the types of bodies they will inhabit. It is amazing that the same living force, chetana, can survive in the water, on land, or in the air. The specification is based on the configuration of the body, for which Brahma is responsible. The Vedas reveal that there are up to 8,400,000 unique forms.

Despite having the most over which to be proud, Brahma remains humble. This is because he understands that the creation did not take place automatically. Though he is self-born, there is the origin known as Vishnu. Brahma emerged from the lotus stem coming from Vishnu’s navel. As Lakshmi Devi, the goddess of fortune, is Vishnu’s wife, Brahma also has a mother.

Moreover, the task of creation first required some instruction. A person does not become a qualified doctor until they first study properly and receive training. They do not become a lawyer unless studying law and then practicing. In the same way, Brahma received guidance on exactly how to create.

For these reasons the actual creator is Vishnu. He is commonly known as the maintainer, as well, but the entire material world is sourced in Him. It is one of His energies, as are the many living entities. The feeling of pride, ahankara, gets purified when there is the acknowledged linkage to the Supreme Lord, who does the work of the world, and without applying much effort. He can just as easily lift the fallen souls out of ignorance back into the Divine light.

In Closing:

Proud of my business empire,

Sufficient funds to retire.

But others the way paving,

Much effort for me saving.

Brahma having justification the most,

Since responsible for variety a host.

But first Vishnu knowledge giving,

Ahankara through His grace forgiving.

Four Ways To Prove That There Must Be A Creator

“Brahma, it is I, the Personality of Godhead, who was existing before the creation, when there was nothing but Myself. Nor was there the material nature, the cause of this creation. That which you see now is also I, the Personality of Godhead, and after annihilation what remains will also be I, the Personality of Godhead.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 2.9.33)

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अहम् एवासम् एवाग्रे
नान्यद् यत् सद्-असत् परम्
पश्चाद् अहं यद् एतच् च
यो ऽवशिष्येत सो ऽस्म्य् अहम्

aham evāsam evāgre
nānyad yat sad-asat param
paścād ahaṁ yad etac ca
yo ‘vaśiṣyeta so ‘smy aham

It seems rather easy to disprove the idea of God. Just make an argument along the following lines:

“See the tragedy and suffering pervasive in this world. No one ever has enough. Money is at a premium. Those who earn a high salary sacrifice time spent with friends and family. There is constant stress. Someone can be walking down the street, innocently contemplating the future, when everything ends. If there is a God, then at least let Him be seen. Let the believers provide visual, empirical evidence. Otherwise, I will remain skeptical to the idea.”

The same can actually be done in the reverse. Make the skeptics support their claims through evidence. Prove how certain things can occur, which would have to be in the absence of a central authority figure who extends beyond the boundaries of delineated time and space.

1. Leave the furniture unassembled after opening

Since there is no God, there is no creator. Everything manifested on its own. Moreover, the many aspects of nature, both simple and complex, operate without any governing authority. Therefore, the following situation should not present a problem:

“I am sick and tired of assembling furniture. The family has moved to a new place and little by little we are adding items to the rooms. I thought it would be easier to order most things online and then set them up myself after delivery. After some time, however, I became fed up. I am not ready to unbox heavy items and figure out how to assemble, especially after a hard day at the office.

“My choice is to simply let the pieces sit there. They will assemble themselves. That is the meaning to the lack of a creator. Sure, my wife yells at me every day to get my act together, to finish what I started, but I am confident that everything will work out in the end.”

2. Lay out the ingredients on the kitchen counter

“The price of takeout is a little steep. Moreover, in that case we can’t control what goes into the preparation. I really don’t want to call up another restaurant and ask them what items they can make without onion and garlic. I’m resigned to the fact that everyone makes horrible food, using disgusting canola oil, and that the consuming public just doesn’t know any better.

“No big deal. We will cook for ourselves. I have laid out the necessary ingredients on the kitchen counter. Right now I am resting on the sofa. My wife keeps nagging me to return to the kitchen and start cooking. I have assured her that we will be eating soon, for the necessary ingredients are there. Somehow everything will work out.”

3. Turn on the car and leave it in the park position

“I’m not sure why everyone sitting inside is so upset. We have the necessary means of transportation. This car is state of the art. The rear camera is amazing. There are guides to help you park. The front display is great, too, since the system integrates with the smartphone.

“Yet the passengers are anxious. I have started the car and left it in the ‘park’ position. They insist on more effort. They keep screaming about the need to drive. I told them that everything will happen automatically. No need to think too much. After all, nature has no creator. The sun rises and sets on its own, so why can’t the car behave similarly?”

4. Wait for the laundry to clean itself

“Yes, I understand dirty clothes are piling up. Both hampers are full. No, I don’t see a need to buy another one. Just throw the extra clothes on the floor. Somehow they will get clean. There are machines, after all. I am not lifting a finger. Don’t expect me to carry such a heavy load anywhere.”

These are just a few examples illustrating how action is necessary for a consequence. Even if the result does not manifest for long or if the outcome is the inverse of that desired, there still has to be some effort applied.

अदृष्टगुणदोषाणामध्रुवाणां तु कर्मणाम्
नान्तरेण क्रियां तेषां फलमिष्टं प्रवर्तते

adṛṣṭaguṇadoṣāṇāmadhruvāṇāṃ tu karmaṇām
nāntareṇa kriyāṃ teṣāṃ phalamiṣṭaṃ pravartate

“Unseen and indefinite are the good and bad reactions of fruitive work. And without taking action, the desired fruits of such work cannot manifest.” (Lakshmana speaking to Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 66.17)

Take the same concept and relate it to the creation at large. The sun, the moon, the planets, the stars and everything else visible in nature do not manifest out of nothing. Neither can a certain set of chemicals collide randomly to create. Otherwise, the same reactions could be reproduced to achieve a similar result.

Fortunately, there is the Shrimad Bhagavatam to provide clarity. The Supreme Personality of Godhead directly empowers someone known as the creator, Vidhata, to do the necessary work in a specific universe. Though Brahma gets credit for the resulting output, though he gets honored as the creator, there is still someone before Him.

Bhagavan is there before anything manifested and He will remain after everything is annihilated. He is the cause of all causes, sarva-karana-karanam. Nothing can happen without His sanction first. There is the associated concept of Supersoul, Paramatma. Though He may not be seen, God is everywhere. The very results to action are the supporting evidence. The empirical data is there, should the discerning eye be open to notice it.

In Closing:

Ready for eyes discerning,

Existence of creator learning.

Like with furniture pieces leaving,

Finished product not receiving.

Or ingredients for dish to make,

Required that initiative to take.

Creator in this universe as well,

But directions from Vishnu to tell.

Five Takeaways From The Image Of Rama Eating With His Brothers

“That best among men would not go to sleep without Him, nor would he eat without Him, even if the food brought was very palatable.” (Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kand, 18.30)

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न च तेन विना निद्रां लभते पुरुषोत्तम ।।
मृष्टमन्नमुपानीतमश्नाति न हि तं विना ।

na ca tena vinā nidrāṃ labhate puruṣottama ||
mṛṣṭamannamupānītamaśnāti na hi taṃ vinā |

If there is a God, how does He behave? What should the ideal interaction be? Shy and reserved? Open and honest? Make fun of Him? Take jabs at others, to see if you can get Him to laugh with you?

A meeting is not out of the realm of possibility, and from the avatara of Shri Rama we see that there can be different kinds of interaction. When seated for a meal in the royal home in Ayodhya, the Supreme Lord shows how close others can be with Him.

1. It’s okay to nag Bhagavan

Sometimes I just don’t want to be bothered. Let me focus on the task at hand. If I am watching a game on television, I don’t need others sitting there asking questions every two minutes. It presents a distraction. Let me concentrate.

But what happens if someone doesn’t respect my wishes? What if someone decides to nag the Supreme Lord? Will He mind? With the mothers in Ayodhya, Shri Rama has to listen. If they want to offer more food, He can politely decline, but they are not obliged to comply. After all, mother knows best. You may be the origin of the universe, but in this house you are a dependent requiring care and attention.

2. He is helpless to offerings made in love

Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu faced a similar problem. People would offer Him palatable food preparations. The abundance was too much to fathom, and He felt an obligation to be polite. At the same time, for a person officially in the renounced order, sannyasa, controlling the tongue is paramount. Limit speaking nonsense and eat only enough to keep the body healthy.

Nevertheless, God is helpless in the face of His devotees. If they continue with offerings of love, He must accept. If they wish to sit next to Him, He cannot run away. If someone wants to always remember Him through chanting the holy names, the non-different sound vibration gets produced: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

3. His brothers don’t fight with Him

The term is “sibling rivalry.” One child never gets yelled at by the mother. Another one is on the constant receiving end of criticism and harsh words. That child wonders why no one else in the family endures the same treatment. Jealousy is a likely byproduct.

Even in Rama’s family there was a hint of jealousy at a particularly well-documented moment. Queen Kaikeyi succumbed to the persuasive words of her servant. She became jealous at the fact that Rama would be the next queen instead of her own son, Bharata.

Yet between the brothers there was never a hint of rivalry. Each one loved Rama so much, even though they divided in pairs since the time of birth. Though Bharata and Shatrughna were known to stay together, they had just as much allegiance to the eldest Rama as Lakshmana did.

4. Meditation can occur while engaging the senses

In the Bhagavad-gita we learn that a yogi controls their eating and sleeping. Not extreme in either direction. Sleep enough, but not more. Don’t starve, but eat to keep the body going.

Yet even in enjoyment, bhoga, a person can be fixed in meditation, dhyana. Sitting down for a meal and being at the side of Shri Rama is no different than worshiping Him in the temple. It is the same as remembering Him, which may be considered a more acceptable devotional activity.

5. A template for deity worship

The image of Rama sitting with His brothers is a model for how deity worship should be conducted. Feed the chief resident in the established place of worship. Allow Him ample time to enjoy, and make sure there is sufficient quantity for everyone seated. The less intelligent person may discount the efficacy of the process due to the perceived lifelessness of the forms on the altar, but through His mercy Bhagavan accepts and wholeheartedly reciprocates the loving exchanges.

In Closing:

Brothers in arranged seating,

For prepared offerings eating.

Must consume what given so,

Bhagavan powerless to say no.

That act of bhoga not,

Same benefit as meditation got.

For deity process showing the way,

Possible close with Rama to stay.

Four Laughable Misinterpretations Of Bhagavad-gita

“You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.47)

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कर्मण्य् एवाधिकारस् ते
मा फलेषु कदाचन
मा कर्म-फल-हेतुर् भूर्
मा ते सङ्गो ऽस्त्व् अकर्मणि

karmaṇy evādhikāras te
mā phaleṣu kadācana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr
mā te saṅgo ‘stv akarmaṇi

The acharya explains that you can’t learn everything from just reading the book. The reference is to the original text, not a translation and commentary put forward for the time and circumstance. There was a different culture back then. So many stories and incidents known only to the insiders. Those immersed in the culture would understand, but not so much someone just glancing at the words for the first time.

Parampara is necessary. The knowledge descends through a chain of teachers. Otherwise, you get misinterpretations. The severity in deleterious impact ranges from innocent to truly harmful, based largely on the intent of the author.

It is for this reason that someone in the devotional line, bhakti-yoga, can confidently add the suffix, “As It Is,” to their published translation of Bhagavad-gita. They consider some of the widely disseminated interpretations to be so ridiculous that the immediate reaction is laughter.

1. God came to teach that there is no God

The speculators won’t openly admit this, but there is no other conclusion to be reached from their presentation. The idea is that Shri Krishna is God. That is the reason for the weight of importance associated with Bhagavad-gita to begin with. The less intelligent will say that He is a Hindu deity, falling into the category of faith, with the corresponding followers living in a certain area of the world.

Never mind that the word “Hindu” is not found anywhere in the text, and neither is there a reference to faith or blind allegiance. The principles presented are scientific in nature, no different than the law of gravity or the rules of mathematics. The work is essentially a transcript of a discussion between teacher and student. In the end the recipient of the words has the choice of whether to accept or not, with the opportunity to pose additional questions for clarity’s sake.

कच्चिद् एतच् छ्रुतं पार्थ
त्वयैकाग्रेण चेतसा
कच्चिद् अज्ञान-सम्मोहः
प्रणष्टस् ते धनञ्जय

kaccid etac chrutaṁ pārtha
tvayaikāgreṇa cetasā
kaccid ajñāna-sammohaḥ
praṇaṣṭas te dhanañjaya

“O conqueror of wealth, Arjuna, have you heard this attentively with your mind? And are your illusions and ignorance now dispelled?” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.72)

One class of cheaters says that there is no God. The idea is that everyone is Divine, a fragment of the Brahman energy. Krishna is merely an elevated version of Brahman. He is a realized soul speaking to someone who is in ignorance. A God-like person is taking the time on a battlefield to teach that there is no God. If everyone is Divine, then it means that no one is, as there is a lack of a distinguishing leader or superior figure.

2. Learn about passion in life from someone who was dispassionate

Another class of individuals gets inspiration from the student, Arjuna, in following through with their specific passion in life. The interpretation goes something like this:

“Follow through with your desires in life, but do so without fear of the outcome. That is the central message of the Bhagavad-gita. Don’t be afraid. Krishna is like the teacher to the golfer on the course. Don’t worry about where the next shot will land. Trust yourself. Live without fear.”

There is certainly the verse confirming the need to abandon interest in the result to work, karma-phala. Yet the real meaning of karma is prescribed duty, i.e. that which should be done based on the sanction of a higher authority.

Moreover, if passion in personal desire were the ultimate message, why would Krishna choose to speak to someone who was dispassionate to begin with? Arjuna did not want to proceed in the war. He was not interested in ruling over a kingdom, especially if it meant hurting people on the other side, the rival party. There would be no need for God to teach someone to develop an interest in material life, since that is the starting point for everyone anyway.

3. The only person to show the virata-rupa says that all gods are the same

This is one of the more audacious misinterpretations due to the fact that there is direct contradictory evidence from specific verses. A person reading Bhagavad-gita does not want to surrender to the Supreme Lord and abandon all dharmas, as recommended in the concluding verses.

सर्व-धर्मान् परित्यज्य
माम् एकं शरणं व्रज
अहं त्वां सर्व-पापेभ्यो
मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः

sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.66)

There is nothing unique or extraordinary with such a position, as the maya energy works to hide the true identity of the individual as part and parcel of God, who is the ultimate object of service, the reservoir of the activity associated with dharma. Yet to try to support an opinion based on mental speculation with verses from the Bhagavad-gita is the highest form of cheating.

Though it was not necessary, Arjuna asks Krishna to see the virata-rupa. This is the universal form, and it is the visual confirmation of Divinity insisted upon by the skeptics. If every deva, or god, were equal in stature, then any one of them could have arrived and displayed the same vision. They had the opportunity to travel to the scene and teach Arjuna. Moreover, we do not find any other references in Vedic literature to such a display by someone who is not equivalent with Krishna.

Again, the only logical conclusion from the opinion would be that someone who claims to be God teaches that every important divine figure of the Vedic tradition is God. It does not make sense, and neither is there supporting evidence. The root cause is cheating, opposing service to the Supreme Lord, which contradicts the purpose of Vedic literature.

4. The distinct person named Krishna teaches to worship the Krishna inside all of us

The concluding verses of the Bhagavad-gita are difficult to ignore, so one class of teachers tries to redefine who Krishna is. They say that every person has the Supreme Lord inside of them, and so the interpretation is that everyone should worship this aspect of God rather than the separate person named Krishna.

There is a hint of truth to the claim, as the Supreme Lord does expand to reside within the heart of every living being. Yet Krishna is the superior realization, not the inferior. Otherwise, Paramatma, the Supersoul, would have taught Arjuna everything he needed to know. Moreover, Paramatma was there in the hearts of the enemies, those fighting on the other side. Why did they not follow dharma, then? Where was Paramatma to help them?

The proper interpretation is not difficult to decipher. The Sanskrit word aham appears many times throughout the work. This refers to a distinct person. It is a direct reference to Krishna, who is also described as Bhagavan.

राजन् संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य
संवादम् इमम् अद्भुतम्
केशवार्जुनयोः पुण्यं
हृष्यामि च मुहुर् मुहुः

rājan saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya
saṁvādam imam adbhutam
keśavārjunayoḥ puṇyaṁ
hṛṣyāmi ca muhur muhuḥ

“O King, as I repeatedly recall this wondrous and holy dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, I take pleasure, being thrilled at every moment.” (Sanjaya, Bhagavad-gita, 18.76)

Those who receive the valid meaning and accept it will be benefitted by the work to the point of liberation in the afterlife, with the transformation process triggered immediately. They will always fondly remember that conversation in the way that Sanjaya felt a thrill in living it through the blessing of Vyasadeva.

In Closing:

Krishna is not God you see,

Only elevated Brahman is He.

Or with passion go full thrust,

In this interpretation trust.

Or that all devas are the same,

Though Govinda specifically came.

Real meaning to acharya known,

That conclusion of bhakti alone.

Four Examples Of First-World Problems

“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)

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ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः।
मनःषष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि प्रकृतिस्थानि कर्षति।।

mamaivāṃśo jīvaloke jīvabhūtaḥ sanātanaḥ।
manaḥṣaṣṭhānīndriyāṇi prakṛtisthāni karṣati।।

Shri Krishna explains in the Bhagavad-gita that the jiva souls, those conditioned by the vulnerability to material life, struggle when in a temporary land, covered by material elements. He does not make a qualification between rich and poor, young and old, or male and female.

Through perceiving the world around them, a skeptical person may raise objections along the following lines:

“Don’t you think some people have no reason to complain? Their problems are ridiculous. That is the reason for the term, ‘First World Problems.’ The idea is that many people around the world would love it if their only issues in life related to these supposed emergencies requiring urgent attention. How can anyone objectively say that these folks are struggling? It doesn’t make sense to me.”

1. The Music app on the smartphone is more difficult to use

I don’t understand. This company rebounded from near obscurity to record prominence through the revolution in the music player. Others were first to the market to deliver a portable way to listen to digitized music, but none of the products were very good. They had bugs to them. The battery life was weak. The interface was difficult to use.

Then this other company released a product that became immensely popular. The secret was being able to navigate to a song to play in a matter of seconds. A few gestures using one hand and you could be listening to your favorite artist.

But along with the advent and popularity of streaming, the same company has ruined its own application for playing music. Now there are these giant images for the artists, when before reading text was sufficient. It takes forever to get to the album you want. Creating a playlist is also very cumbersome. That used to be my morning routine, prior to leaving home for the office. I would pick some songs quickly and then listen while driving. That is now out the window; never to be experienced again. I am so frustrated.

2. The video streaming service of choice doesn’t automatically play the next episode

It took a while, but I finally got on the streaming bandwagon. I am too lazy to shuffle through a shelf of DVDs to find a title to load into a device. That also requires extra storage, for things that may only be watched once every few years.

Now I can simply open up an app on my television. The problem is this specific company makes it very difficult to play episodes in sequence. I have to go back to the main menu and find my place all over again. It is terribly annoying, especially since the episodes have thumbnail images and a short description. These are things I do not wish to see, as they are kind of spoilers.

3. The voice in the GPS app is hard on the ears

I remember when portable navigation devices initially became available. I was one of the first to have them among friends and family. They thought I was crazy to buy one. They figured I would never need it. Nor did they think it would work properly.

Fast forward to today and drivers can hardly live without such assistance. The GPS is integrated into the smartphones, making life much easier. The only problem is the voice. The one I have is really annoying. I can’t stand it. I would rather not stare at the screen for turn-by-turn instructions, getting distracted from the road in front of me. But at this point I have no choice. Keeping the app on mute is the only way I can tolerate the situation.

4. No WiFi on the train

This is a long ride into work each morning. I know by the average commuter’s standards my trip is rather short, but it seems to take forever. Having internet connectivity would help a great deal. I know in other cities there are wireless hotspots almost everywhere. Yet here I am stuck with nothing. I have to just sit there. I don’t want to bring a book with me, since that means carrying extra stuff that could get forgotten or lost during transit.

…

These are referred to as “first-world” issues because in places where technology is not as advanced, people would never think of lodging the same complaints. If there are no cars to drive, how would they ever use a GPS app, for instance.

At the same time, the outside opinion bears no impact on the actual emotion. That is to say the person with the supposed “first-world” problem has genuine suffering. We can consider the situation of someone who has a million dollars in the bank, but still worries about money. They should not have concern in that area, but due to forgetfulness they are always uneasy. One could say the worry is unfounded, but the worry is there all the same.

And so we see that Shri Krishna is indeed correct in His assessment. Every person is struggling. The cause is the six senses, which include the mind. This is all the more reason for taking up bhakti-yoga, which is the culmination of assimilating the science of self-realization.

As every person is struggling, they can benefit from connecting with the Supreme Lord in a mood of love. Everyone can feel the transcendental bliss resulting from chanting the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Sacred texts like Bhagavad-gita are for everyone, as the principles explained apply to every circumstance and foresee every potential divergence and area of misunderstanding.

In Closing:

These people complaining should?

Since others never would.

Because within world not in first,

Where urgency on hunger and thirst.

Who cares of music app or streaming?

To even own a car only dreaming.

Still that pain and suffering real,

Lacking yoga everyone to feel.

How To Deal With People Who Won’t Allow Opposing Opinions

“Although the teachers Shanda and Amarka were instructing all the boys in the materialistic life of religion, economic development and sense gratification, the boys were not much polluted. Therefore, with great attention they wanted to hear from Prahlada Maharaja about Krishna consciousness.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.5.56-57 Purport)

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Friend1: In reading the story of Prahlada Maharaja, in one section we see the description of the other children in school.

Friend2: This is in the kingdom of Hiranyakashipu? We’re talking about the time period where Prahlada is five years of age, sent to get his mind right by the teachers, Shanda and Amarka?

Friend1: Yes. Killing the child didn’t work. He outlasted every attempt made on his life. The demoniac father, Hiranyakashipu, was frustrated beyond belief. There was no other choice but to hope for the best in school.

Friend2: These were other Daitya children, but they had a fondness for Prahlada.

Friend1: That is what I was getting to. The description is that they were not yet polluted by material life. Though the teachers focused on perfunctory religion, advancing self-interest, and pleasing the senses, the boys really weren’t converted to that way of life.

Friend2: Makes sense. You can try to pass along your life experiences to children, but what do they really have to compare? What frame of reference is there to accurately assess? That is why children sometimes think the elders are crazy.

“They have lost their way. They are stuck in the past. They don’t realize that the world is different today.”

Friend1: It helped Prahlada make his case for the transcendental path, the Divine way of life. I immediately think of the people who don’t listen to any opposing opinions. Have you ever encountered such a situation?

Friend2: Provide some more clarity first. What are we talking about here? Trying to convert someone to a different religion?

Friend1: Let’s say that politics comes up. You are in a room with someone else. They mention that so and so is a bad person. You ask them what about that person is bad. This person then immediately gets defensive. They won’t accept your challenges. They don’t want to hear anything from you. Meanwhile, you asked a basic question. You weren’t challenging anything. Some clarity would be nice, yet they will not provide.

Friend2: I see. Something like sentimentalism. “I already know everything; don’t try to teach me.”

Friend1: Yes, and so how would someone of the Vaishnava tradition handle that situation. You run into challenges all the time.

Friend2: Look to the same example of Prahlada. He was able to instruct the students. They didn’t retaliate in a negative way. They did not tell on Prahlada to the elders. They were genuinely receptive to the idea. It was new information; something which the teachers certainly weren’t sharing.

Friend1: Are you saying that Hiranyakashipu could be compared to the closed-minded person?

Friend2: Absolutely. Prahlada did not discourse nearly as long to the father. The king did not want to hear a single word of praise of Vishnu, the Supreme Lord. Are you looking for some secret strategy here?

Friend1: Not really, but just thinking of the difficulties involved with spreading the science of self-realization.

Friend2: Do your best. Make the most out of advantageous opportunities. Chant the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Distribute prasadam, the sanctified food blessed by the transcendental glance of the Supreme Lord. Know that even such blindness to the truth is a form of praise of Vishnu.

Friend1: Oh? How so?

Friend2: The closed-minded are illustrating the potency of the illusory energy known as maya. Fortunately, the saints can break the dream, destroy the false reality. What awaits on the other side is a lifetime and more of happiness, the likes of which Prahlada experienced since birth.

In Closing:

King suffering beyond belief,

Feeling morose with grief.

That Prahlada standing still,

After many efforts to kill.

To the students then teaching,

Their minds with wisdom reaching.

Even if with opposition mounting,

Saints steady when encountering.

Five Things Hiranyakashipu Could Not Remove From His Kingdom

“I am also the gambling of cheats, and of the splendid I am the splendor. I am victory, I am adventure, and I am the strength of the strong.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 10.36)

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द्यूतं छलयताम् अस्मि
तेजस् तेजस्विनाम् अहम्
जयो ऽस्मि व्यवसायो ऽस्मि
सत्त्वं सत्त्ववताम् अहम्

dyūtaṁ chalayatām asmi
tejas tejasvinām aham
jayo ‘smi vyavasāyo ‘smi
sattvaṁ sattvavatām aham

Man has strength. He has ability. Evidence is abundant. Any exercise of free will that bears the desired fruit is proof. Getting up in the morning. Taking a shower. Moving from one place to another. Operating a motor vehicle. Persuading someone else to your side of an argument.

At the same time, there are varying levels of success. No one has a perfect record. A long time ago a king named Hiranyakashipu thought that he was the sole doer, for even his amazing protections had the initial trigger of personal effort. He thought he could stop the clouds from moving, but from the dealings with the son named Prahlada there were many areas of failure.

1. Vishnu-worship

Namely, the king failed to remove certain things that were unwanted from his perspective. The first and foremost was worship of Vishnu, which is one name for God. The feverish pursuit to rise to the top, to subjugate others considered as rivals, to ensure everyone else was under his control was rooted in the competition with the Supreme Lord.

If there were a God, Hiranyakashipu would defeat Him. If others were to show allegiance to Vishnu, that would not be tolerated, even if it happened to come from someone within the family. Prahlada was only five years old at the time, so what chance did he have to defend his choice?

2. Discourses on the science of self-realization

Prahlada was neither afraid nor timid when questioned. It would be one thing if he agreed to worship in secret, to not make a mockery of the king by defying his orders. Instead, Prahlada would tell anyone who asked what the most important objective is in life. He discoursed on atma-tattva, the truth about the soul, and how to achieve the best end for the individual, svartha-gatim.

Hiranyakashipu’s focus was on changing the son’s mind, but what he didn’t anticipate was Prahlada persuading others to the Divine way of life. This powerful ruler, who was feared throughout the three worlds, couldn’t prevent the dissemination of transcendental knowledge from occurring right under his nose.

3. Praise of the Supreme Lord

One of the benefits of being king is that others sing your praises. Mostly out of fear, but if you happen to be a good guy, the exercise might be spontaneous. In the kingdom of Shri Rama, for example, the people would surround Him with jubilant worship at the beginning of the day. Similar to what is seen in established temples, the Supreme Lord would be treated like the chief resident of the community.

Prahlada praised Vishnu to the point that he advised others to follow the same path. The father was outraged. He did not want to hear about bhakti-yoga. He considered Vishnu to be the enemy, the person who killed his brother, Hiranyaksha, many years prior.

4. Meditation in yoga

The response to Prahlada’s insolence was the method of diplomacy known as danda. Brute force. Argumentum ad baculum. Get rid of the problem. The only issue was that Prahlada kept on meditating. Hiranyakashipu could do nothing to stop this. Though the demigods lived in fear of him, Prahlada steadfastly remained dedicated to the person who resides within each person’s heart.

5. Challenge to his authority

While Prahlada was humble and respectful, he did not hold back in telling the truth. In a sense, he was a challenge to the authority of the father. In other words, Hiranyakashipu could not control his own son. He had power over the demigods, but not over a five year old child.

Of course the reason for the failure was the same as the cause of the success in other areas. As confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita, Shri Krishna is the strength of the strong. He is the determining factor in the manifestation of an outcome. False ego tricks the individual into believing personal effort is the sole influencing agent, but so many times the same action is taken without a uniform result. Krishna was the cause for Prahlada’s strength in meditation and also for the failure in strength in the demoniac father.

In Closing:

A moment worth taking pause,

That at both sides Krishna the cause.

Where father to domination ascent,

But insolence of son could not prevent.

Worship of Vishnu taking place,

Bhakti spirit impossible to erase.

Failures to king an obvious sign,

That values with dharma not to align.