Four Things That The Vision of Narasimha Told Hiranyakashipu

“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.” (Shanda and Amarka speaking to Hiranyakashipu, 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

Not a common source of sadness. Over all of the things to cause the morose feeling, failure to kill your own son, who is five years old at that, is not high on the list. Psychiatrists are sworn to a code of confidentiality, but they will sometimes share information about their cases without referencing individual names. Something like the metadata collected from a surveillance operation, the mental health professionals would be baffled by Hiranyakashipu’s situation.

The king of the world was equally sad over the son’s ability to survive. The root cause of the attacks was the professed allegiance to Vishnu, the Supreme Lord. Hiranyakashipu had a rivalry of sorts with the Vaishnavas. He thought Vishnu was the worst person in the universe. If Vishnu were indeed God, as the Vaishnavas claimed, then He could be defeated through the exercise of strength. Therefore, the eventual vision of Narasimha taught that wicked father several important lessons.

1. I was the source of your strength all along

Hiranyakashipu should have been wise to the truth. Memory is sufficient. Remember how you achieved the position at present. I may be proud of the job I landed, of the annual salary and benefits, but I didn’t achieve anything entirely on my own. There was the hard work and sacrifice of others. The friends and family supported. At the very least, they deserve some of the credit.

In the case of Hiranyakashipu, the help was more obvious. Lord Brahma, the creator, granted several boons. They were specifically asked for. Hiranyakashipu wanted immortality, and when he couldn’t get it he settled for the next best thing.

Build up a seemingly impenetrable barrier through component pieces. Then consider the work complete, that you have achieved a backdoor way to immortality. Meanwhile, Brahma was the visible source of strength, and Narasimha showed that behind the scenes there was someone else supporting even Brahma.

2. I was the source of Prahlada’s strength

Hiranyakashipu wanted to know how Prahlada survived. There were multiple attacks, and each one severe in nature. The assistants in the royal court did not mess around. They took the orders from the king seriously. Prahlada simply meditated. He did not run away or offer physical resistance.

Amazing strength at the source, Narasimha was the visual evidence that the nonbelievers so often insist upon. Hiranyakashipu didn’t believe, but he was forced to acknowledge the truth when meeting the amazing half-man/half-lion.

3. I am time, the great devourer

Prahlada had previously explained to the father that material life is a kind of embarrassing situation. It is better to retreat to the forest and concentrate on the Divine. This existence is not meant for succumbing to the illusion of acquisition. Better to stay above the influence of the senses.

The vision of Narasimha told Hiranyakashipu that everything was over. The hard work that went into supplicating Brahma yielded a bountiful result, but now the king would have to leave it all behind. No more ruler of the world. No more a leader feared by everyone.

4. I am everywhere, including in the pillar

Prahlada explained to the father that the source of strength was the same for everyone. That is to say the thief and the police officer both have the Supreme Lord inside of them, providing the spark of animation, so to speak.

In most instances, that expansion of the Supreme Lord acts as a neutral observer. He does not specifically interfere in activity, since at the end of the day pious and impious bring the same result: continued rebirth.

Prahlada was a special case since the child decided in favor of devotion to Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu directly threatened that, and so the same Supersoul gave partiality to one side in the conflict. The king could not believe that God was everywhere, and so he mocked Prahlada by asking if the source of strength were in the nearby pillar.

Narasimhadeva proved with a visual manifestation that God is indeed everywhere. The amazing sight was triggered by the innocent devotion of a saintly son of a Daitya king, affirming that Vishnu is indeed partial to His devotees and that such servants can be found in any kind of family.

In Closing:

Child of devotion without fear,

Understood that in pillar near.

And also in the heart,

Bhakti life from the start.

Father as king to preside,

With mentality on the other side.

That strength and effort alone,

Disproven when Narasimha shown.

What About This Idea That God Gave Us Special Teeth For Eating Meat

“Animal food is not meant for the human being. For chewing solid food, the human being has a particular type of teeth meant for cutting fruits and vegetables. The human being is endowed with two canine teeth as a concession for persons who will eat animal food at any cost. It is known to everyone that one man's food is another man's poison. Human beings are expected to accept the remnants of food offered to Lord Shri Krishna, and the Lord accepts foodstuff from the categories of leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. (Bg. 9.26).” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 2.3.19 Purport)

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Friend1: Surely, one of the more attention-grabbing headlines for a person first learning about the bhakti way of life is the restriction on meat eating.

Friend2: You mean if they were to remember just one or two key points from the presentation, either in personal interaction or through reading a book, they would not be able to look past the issue of control over the senses as a whole?

Friend1: There is that; no doubt. But if a person is accustomed to eating animal flesh, they will feel threatened immediately. “You are teaching me about God, and for some reason I have to change the entire way I live in order to understand Him.” That might be a little too much to take.

Friend2: Undoubtedly, but there is no requirement to do anything drastic at the beginning. Just sacrifice some time to hear. Sit and listen peacefully. Don’t turn off your brain, though. You can ask questions as they arise. You can request clarity on any topics that are difficult to understand.

Friend1: One of the counterarguments is that the Supreme Lord gave us special teeth for a reason.

Friend2: Besides to eat food?

Friend1: A distinct set of teeth is there especially for chewing through animal flesh.

Friend2: Then why do people need a knife and fork? Why are there rules of etiquette stating which hand should hold which utensil?

Friend1: I’m not sure. I’m just giving you the argument, as I heard it.

Friend2: Hold on a second. If someone were to eat their steak with their hands, no one would take issue? I have been witness to such a scene, where an intoxicated person at a wedding started picking up their meat.

Friend1: Was there a reaction?

Friend2: Others were aghast. It was like the greatest offense. I should have brought up the argument about the special kind of teeth.

“Don’t sweat it. God made us this way. He doesn’t want us to use the knife and fork.”

Friend1: Humor aside, is there not some validity to the argument?

Friend2: To what, the presence of those teeth?

Friend1: Yes.

Friend2: Why are you stopping at the teeth?

Friend1: What do you mean?

Friend2: If you want to highlight the real distinction, the way God made human beings superior or distinct, reference the intelligence.

Friend1: How man is smarter than the animals?

Friend2: To the largest degree conceivable. In an open battle, the human against the tiger is a one-sided affair. Yet the human being has so much intelligence that they don’t have to worry about being attacked. They can take care of any animal if they so choose.

Friend1: Okay, so what is your point?

Friend2: If you are saying that a special set of teeth is license for killing innocent animals by the millions, such as with cows in the slaughterhouse, then a superior intelligence can be utilized on an even larger scale. Kill other human beings by the millions.

Friend1: But that is sinful. It is also not necessary.

Friend2: But God made us this way. The smartest ones rise to the top. Survival of the fittest. I can use my intelligence however I please.

Friend1: No. There should be some discrimination applied.

Friend2: That is the whole point. Don’t just eat anything and everything. Question the reason for living. Find a higher purpose. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean that you should. With freedom comes responsibility. The person practicing bhakti-yoga aims to limit the negative influence of the senses. Everything is focused on pleasing the Supreme Lord, who is the master of the senses, Hrishikesha. Every rule and regulation is devoted to this principle. The restrictions don’t get created on a whim. There is a science to every aspect of the culture descending from the Vedas.

In Closing:

Special set of teeth two,

Meant for flesh chewing through.

My excuse made for eating meat,

But another perspective from guru’s seat.

Intelligence bigger advantage still,

Yet not license for everyone to kill.

Proper food with principles combining,

For consciousness with Divine aligning.

Why Are You Making Your Child A Sannyasi

“The Haryashvas, the sons of Prajapati Daksha, were very well behaved, cultured sons, but unfortunately, because of the instructions of Narada Muni, they deviated from the order of their father. When Daksha heard this news, which was brought to him by Narada Muni, he began to lament. Although he was the father of such good sons, he had lost them all. Certainly this was lamentable.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 6.5.23)

नाशं निशम्य पुत्राणां
नारदाच् छील-शालिनाम्
अन्वतप्यत कः शोचन्
सुप्रजस्त्वं शुचां पदम्

nāśaṁ niśamya putrāṇāṁ
nāradāc chīla-śālinām
anvatapyata kaḥ śocan
suprajastvaṁ śucāṁ padam

Friend1: There are two ways to view this: a child spontaneously interested in bhakti-yoga.

Friend2: How spontaneous are we talking here? They say the holy names out of nowhere? They had to get some guidance in the first place, some exposure to the Divine life.

Friend1: Let’s say that there isn’t much persuasion. Only listening once or twice to a bhajan glorifying the Supreme Lord. Children are open about their preferences. They are not afraid of outside scorn like with adults expressing their political beliefs. This is not like the person attending a hockey game wearing the sweater of the visiting team.

Friend2: Oh yeah, you could get seriously hurt doing that. Not just people hurling insults, but the other fans might throw objects or instigate a physical altercation.

Friend1: One side is happy with the child’s preference. They like the fact that there is an interest in something beyond the typical.

Friend2: Video games. Candy. Toys.

Friend1: Sure. The other side is not so happy.

Friend2: Why is that?

Friend1: They view spiritual life as giving up. It is coupled with the tragic end to life. When contemplating life and death, religion is always part of the mix.

Friend2: And so a young child should not be interested in the end of life? They are just starting out, anyway. Why ruin the fun?

Friend1: Yes. Exactly. If the parents do anything to explicitly encourage the child, such as reading sacred texts like Shrimad Bhagavatam and Ramayana with them, strong accusations arrive from different directions:

“Why are you turning them into a sannyasi? Didn’t you attend school? I remember you playing sports as a youth. Let them grow up like a normal person. Get married. Have children. They can think of renunciation after that.”

Friend2: That is always the excuse; wait until later. Yet rarely does death give sufficient notice of its arrival. Even then, it might be too late. The consciousness is focused on everything indulged in during the many preceding days. The conception of life carries forward into the subsequent birth, like the air transporting aromas from the garden-area to someplace in the distance.

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)

Friend1: What is the counterargument, though? How do you handle being on the receiving end of such an accusation?

Friend2: It has been leveled since the beginning of time. Narada Muni, the traveling saint, got cursed as a result. He taught children of Daksha, one of the progenitors of man. After hearing from Narada, the youths chose to remain celibate for life.

Friend1: Daksha was so angry that he cursed Narada to never be able to stay in one place for too long.

Friend2: Which the saint then used to his advantage, and also the benefit of the entire world, thanks to the extended preaching inspiring the likes of Valmiki and Vyasa.

Friend1: People will not be happy. Sometimes even the parents and grandparents take offense. They don’t want the future generation to turn into oddballs, as they see it.

Friend2: The justification is rather straightforward; to me anyways.

Friend1: What is that?

Friend2: I have found a way to be happy in any situation. I know of the effect of intoxicants. I know the futility in chasing after money and influence. I also have firsthand experience of the other side, the Divine life.

Friend1: Bhakti-yoga.

Friend2: Which starts out as a discipline distinguished from other ways of life and ends up being the only way. I may accept the routine of chanting the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. The guru gives me the encouragement.

Friend1: The seed of the creeper of devotion, bhakti-lata-bija.

Friend2: Through their guidance I am able to advance. At some point it reaches the stage where I can’t live any other way. It is my reason for getting up in the morning. It is what sparks the fire inside of me. I appreciate nature so much more as a result. I have immense respect for other living beings, extending to the non-human species. All because I am connected to the Supreme Lord in a mood of love. It is an ever-expanding reservoir of bliss.

Friend1: That is a nice way to put it.

Friend2: I have all of this now, and so why wouldn’t I want to share it with my children? Why wouldn’t I want to give them the same secret to happiness? Actually, I should be considered a criminal for withholding it from them. It is my duty. I have an obligation to rescue them from the cycle of birth and death. Who cares what anyone thinks? Let them stay mired in misery and discontentment. Let them keep searching for the happiness that is only found in Hari-sharanam, which thankfully I have the chance to offer to others.

In Closing:

Guru teaching how to live,

Which now to others to give.

Who cares if everyone against?

Where lives in misery spent.

This chance the children taking,

When to bhakti routine making.

After Daksha’s children addressed,

Narada cursed but actually blessed.

Three Things Rama Does Not Take Into Consideration When Making Friends

“Sent by the great soul Sugriva, the king of Vanaras, I have arrived here. My name is Hanuman and I am a Vanara.” (Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha-kanda, 3.21)

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प्राप्तोऽहं प्रेषितस्तेन सुग्रीवेण महात्मना |
राज्ञा वानरमुख्यानां हनुमान्नाम वानर ||

prāpto'haṃ preṣitastena sugrīveṇa mahātmanā |
rājñā vānaramukhyānāṃ hanumānnāma vānara ||

It’s an unavoidable reality of the corporate world. Everyone is operating off of self-interest, after all. This means that if the interest fails to be met at a certain point, the relationship is vulnerable. Life events could trigger changes, as well. Marriage and family may mean that the responsibilities have increased and that a better opportunity is necessary.

Hence the constant shuffle of employees at the firm. Today a new person is starting. It is their first day. You remember yours. The leader within the particular group sat you down at your computer. They didn’t tell you much else. You had to figure things out for yourself. Password not working? Need new software installed? How and where to request time off? Call for help. Email support. So impersonal, you thought to yourself.

With the new employee, you notice people making judgments based on appearance. They take note of the speech pattern, discerning a region of origin based on the accent. They try to find out from which company the person just came. Where do they live? How long is their commute? What is their political affiliation?

In this regard Shri Rama stands out. It is not surprising, considering that He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but from the Ramayana we see how His kindness, compassion and friendship extend beyond all boundaries typically created within societies.

1. From which community you come

Rama is a celebrated avatara of the Supreme Lord Vishnu. He is neither a self-proclaimed God nor a manmade creation after the fact. The genuine incarnations get listed in shastra, which is scripture. In programming language terms, Rama is a kind of instantiation of a class of truth presented by Shri Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita.

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

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

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

Rama assumes the role of kshatriya, which is a defender of the innocent. They protect from injury. Rama is the eldest son of King Dasharatha, appearing in the Raghu dynasty of kings. Therefore, it would be perfectly understandable for the Supreme Lord in that manifestation to only make friends with those in a similar class. Perhaps only spend time with family members, such as the three younger brothers.

But from the Ramayana we see that Rama does not make distinctions based on the community of origin. He is just as loyal to the tribal leader Nishada as He is to those in the higher castes. He gives liberation to the vulture named Jatayu and frees a woman from the curse of remaining within stone.

2. Which language you speak

Sanskrit is the language of the gods. Difficult to decipher through simply reading, experts are able to understand perfectly just through hearing. Think of taking three and four words and mashing them together, with spellings altered to be compatible with the adjacent sounds.

Yet Rama is not partial to a particular way of speaking. He can understand the crow named Kakabhushundhi. He makes friends with the Vanaras in Kishkindha, who are monkey-like. In whatever place He goes, the Supreme Lord understands the language of the people and He does not look down at anyone for the way they talk. He must comprehend everything, as He is within every heart as the Supersoul.

3. What you have eaten

At one point in time, Shri Rama forms an alliance with a Rakshasa named Vibhishana. That race of people is not only demon-like, but they eat human beings. Though the saintly person typically consumes only clean foods, like those in the mode of goodness, if there is pure devotion then every kind of sinful behavior gets absolved. Who among us hasn’t made a mistake? Who can be blamed for following the ways of their ancestors?

The husband of Sita Devi is so grateful that a single gesture done in His favor gets remembered forever. The friends are rewarded handsomely, though they never seek such benefit from the one who can give everything. Rather, simply the ability to remember Him is enough, as exemplified by the behavior of Shri Hanuman.

In Closing:

Community coming from where,

Shri Rama not to care.

Neither the language to speak,

Or what in the past to eat.

Words to Him intelligible,

For friendship everyone eligible.

Single good deed with Him forever,

His friends forgetting Him never.

Three Reasons Someone Might Want Their Dog’s Life

“The Lord is the all-prevailing Supersoul of all existence, and yet He appears in the form of a boar amongst the animals, in the form of a human being as Rama, Krishna, etc., in the form of a rishi like Narayana, and in the form of an aquatic like a fish. Yet it is said that He is unborn, and He has nothing to do. In the shruti mantra it is said that the Supreme Brahman has nothing to do. No one is equal to or greater than Him. He has manifold energies, and everything is performed by Him perfectly by automatic knowledge, strength and activity.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.8.30 Purport)

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You thought it would be just another Saturday. A quick trip to a few stores to run some errands. Sadly, the weekend is the only time you get for meeting such responsibilities. On this day there is more traffic on the roads than usual. The cause is easy to decipher. There is bright sunshine, and the temperature is comfortable. Unofficially, the first Spring Saturday. Everyone is out enjoying the weather.

Stopped at one of the intersections, you notice a bumper sticker on the car in front of you. It reads, “I want my dog’s life.” What an interesting idea. Something you certainly never thought of, as there have never been pets in the homes you have lived in. The professed desire is intriguing, especially when considering the teaching of the Vedas that the human birth is the most auspicious.

1. Someone else to take care of everything

Travel no further than the present situation. A dog does not need to exit the house to pick up the dry cleaning. They do not have to go to the supermarket, either. Everything in life gets taken care of by others. They are completely dependent, and at the same time there is no worry. Just live your life. Have fun. Something similar to the experience from childhood, but of course without the compulsory formal education aspect.

2. No commitments

Try to relax on the weekend and you can’t help but contemplate the week ahead. The pressing responsibilities at work. The travel to that wedding of a family member. The need to get maintenance done on the family car. The cleaning out of the garage, the mowing of the lawn, and the new furniture that needs to be purchased.

The dog has no such issues. Their name is likely not listed on any enrollment sheet. No one is taking attendance. They do not need to request paid time off from work. They can avoid showing up at a certain place for days and no one could do anything about it.

3. Easily found companionship

The bumper sticker was specific. Not just any dog. “My dog”; i.e. the one kept as a pet. In that instance the animal does not need to find a friend with whom to play. The owner will arrive at some point. There may be other dogs in the home. Loneliness is not an issue, and there is no need to spend hours surfing the internet to pass the time. No vulnerability to divorce and losing half of your financial assets.

…

If the dog has it so good, why the emphasis on reaching the human birth found in Vedic literature? The acharya, the one who represents the sacred and eternal culture of Divine life, stresses the need for making this kind of birth successful, saphala.

“Don’t spoil the opportunity. You don’t only get one life to live, but who knows when you will see the human form again. Now is the chance. Understand who you truly are: Brahman. Plunge into genuine spiritual life and experience a level of happiness never before thought possible.”

In truth, the human being can act just as carefree. The worries are due to the influence of maya, which is the illusory energy pervading the material world. The cause of all causes, the origin of the species and everything else, is Himself without a care in the world. He is always in pleasure, atmarama. He has nothing to do, despite accounting for the vast creation, its maintenance, and the eventual dissolution.

Those who are connected to Him can have a similar experience. That is the benefit of the human birth. Understand that the Supreme Lord is already taking care of everyone. He is the eternal companion, with us in the heart as the Supersoul, Paramatma.

In His spiritual land of Vrindavana, there are no commitments or responsibilities. The all-attractive one, known as Krishna to those who love Him, simply plays the day away. Time exists, but it lacks a negative influence. Similarly, those associated with Him forget about time, and they only find new ways to enjoy with the person who is full of transcendental pleasure, Rama. Thus the wise person chooses the saintly life, wherever it may lead them.

In Closing:

The dog with nothing to do,

At home waiting for you.

Like loving companion to greet,

Happy with no tasks to meet.

Human being for similar meant,

For reviving the acharya sent.

Of the spiritual world to explain,

Where Krishna’s association to gain.

Why Wouldn’t You Say That Bhagavan Is Guna-less

“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

Friend1: I know the different meanings to the Sanskrit word “guna.”

Friend2: There is more than one definition?

Friend1: Depending on the context, but two of the translations are basically identical. One says “a material quality.” The other is “rope.”

Friend2: Why are they the same?

Friend1: Because a material quality is binding like a rope.

Friend2: Why is that? How is the rope fastened?

Friend1: One side is to the individual. This is pure spirit soul, atma. Since there is the vulnerability to a conditioned state, the qualification is jivatma.

Friend2: As opposed to?

Friend1: Paramatma, but I am getting there. The other end of the rope is tied to the material world, which can also be understood as the cycle of birth and death.

Friend2: So if I have a guna or gunas, it means that I am anchored down to the floor of a surface.

Friend1: Precisely. The gunas come in three flavors: goodness, passion and ignorance. From the gunas you get what are known as varnas, which is something like a color or designation. Based on a person’s material qualities, they are suited for a particular kind of work.

Friend2: Such as warrior, administrator, teacher, laborer, and the like.

Friend1: I understand what gunas mean, so when transitioning to discussing the Supreme Lord, why is it not said that He is guna-less?

Friend2: He has material qualities? That is news to me.

Friend1: No, but the gunas take on a new translation. They mean “glories” or “transcendental attributes” when applied to the Supreme Lord.

Friend2: Yes, and you take issue with that?

Friend1: Because you are making an exception to a rule. You are saying that gunas are bad, that the individual is beyond the material qualities, and at the same time you use gunas to describe the Supreme Lord, who is the source of the spiritual and material energies.

Friend2: There are actually two relevant words here: saguna and nirguna. The understanding is based on your angle of vision. You are correct that Bhagavan does not have material qualities. That is why nirguna is an appropriate description. At the same time, He is saguna since He is not featureless.

Friend1: But are those features material qualities?

Friend2: No. They are distinguishable characteristics. He has hands, but not of the ordinary kind. He has a face, but not resembling one we have ever seen.

Friend1: Then why the saguna aspect at all? If we can’t comprehend those features, why display them?

Friend2: Because they are there. We have different descriptions for the atmospheric conditions that are based on the relative positioning of the sun. We say that the sun has set or that the sun is rising. Yet the sun is always there, no matter our point of view.

Friend1: What we say about the sun does not affect its existence.

Friend2: Exactly, and so whether we say nirguna or saguna with respect to the Supreme Lord, He is always the same. He is both guna-less and with gunas. He is larger than the largest and smaller than the smallest. He creates the system of varna and ashrama that corresponds to gunas and karma, but He is always above such a system. He has no work to do and He is never bound by any external force. He revives a similar potency in those souls dedicated to serving Him in a mood of love.

In Closing:

Rope and to this world bound,

Different meanings to gunas found.

Why description for God to get,

When qualities not on Him set?

Krishna both nirguna and saguna too,

With features but not like me and you.

Giving varnashrama advancement’s tool,

But never to Him applying its rule.

Wasn’t It Dangerous For The Other Students To Be Friends With Prahlada

“Smelling the fragrance of Rama and Lakshmana, like a dog smelling a tiger, certainly you will not be able to stand.” (Sita Devi speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 21.31-32)

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न हि गन्धमुपाघ्राय रामलक्ष्मणयोस्त्वया ||
शक्यं संदर्शने स्थातुं शुना शार्दूलयोरिव |

na hi gandhamupāghrāya rāmalakṣmaṇayostvayā ||
śakyaṃ saṃdarśane sthātuṃ śunā śārdūlayoriva |

Friend1: One of the offenses to the chanting of the holy name is to explain its glories to someone who is faithless.

Friend2: Don’t waste your time. No point to the exercise. By descending to their level of intelligence, you will actually harm yourself.

Friend1: How so?

Friend2: You might be taken in by their arguments based on mental speculation. You might get angry as a result of frustration, which is something a self-realized person should avoid. But there is one thing in particular which is the most harmful.

Friend1: What is that?

Friend2: You will hear offensive language directed at the Supreme Lord. This is something like when in school another student makes derogatory remarks about your mother. “What did you say? Don’t you dare talk about my mother.”

Friend1: Oh, for sure. Basically, you are risking speaking with an enemy about devotional principles.

Friend2: Exactly.

Friend1: Let’s transition to the story of Prahlada Maharaja. He was in a Daitya family. That race was known as demons.

Friend2: Descending from the womb of Diti. The conditions and mindset at the time of conception are important. Diti urged sexual interaction at an inappropriate time; hence the poor quality of the offspring.

Friend1: Prahlada was exceptional in the sense that he didn’t follow the ways of the Daitya class. He was also not afraid of speaking the truth, to the point of asserting the superiority of worship to Vishnu in front of the great enemy to religion that was the father.

Friend2: Hiranyakashipu.

Friend1: For that openness, Prahlada received the reward of lethal punishment, attempted many times and to the severest degree.

Friend2: With failure at each turn.

Friend1: The question I have relates to this treatment. Prahlada spoke of the glories of Vishnu, who is the personal God. The leader of the Daityas became so upset to the point of wanting to kill his own son. Were not the other students in school at similar risk?

Friend2: Why would they be? They were not praising the enemy, so to speak.

Friend1: No, but they were listening to Prahlada. During recess, the exalted saint of only five years of age held sessions, so to speak, on the futility of material pursuit. No slide deck or elaborate demonstration. He merely highlighted the need for renunciation with the purpose of realizing the self and the Supreme Self.

Friend2: Yes, and what a wonderful benediction those other students received. They didn’t have to travel far to associate with a saintly person. They had one right in their classroom.

Friend1: Okay, but getting back to the risk angle. Were not the children in danger of being punished the same way that Prahlada was?

Friend2: Two ways you can look at this. One is that Prahlada was still there teaching. He obviously survived the obstruction against him. This was a clear illustration of the power of yoga.

Friend1: I guess you could say that.

Friend2: The other viewpoint is that those connected to the Supreme Lord in consciousness become fearless. You can take Sita Devi as an example. The devoted wife of Shri Rama, she was not afraid of Hiranyakashipu’s future counterpart named Ravana. She was held captive against her will, surrounded by menacing female ogres ready to kill and eat her. And yet she still spoke strong words to Ravana, comparing him to a scared dog.

Friend1: As a woman, what could she really do to defend herself? Yet she was not worried about the consequences to speaking the truth.

Friend2: And so the students weren’t afraid, either. If you know that the spirit soul can never be killed, that the body is only a temporary covering carrying temporary identifications, then even someone powerful like Hiranyakashipu can’t shake you. Try as they might, the undefeated force known as Narasimha is there to provide support at the foundation.

In Closing:

Rama’s wife without fear,

Speaking words biting and clear.

Directly to enemy’s face done,

Who once as scared dog to run.

Prahlada in same way speaking,

Welfare for fellow students seeking.

Bhakti with this power to instill,

That devotional spirit never to kill.