Three People Kamsa Could Have Befriended

“After consulting with his demonic ministers, Kamsa instructed a witch named Putana, who knew the black art of killing small children by ghastly sinful methods, to kill all kinds of children in the cities, villages and pasturing grounds. Such witches can play their black art only where there is no chanting or hearing of the holy name of Krishna.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 6)

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Relaxing one afternoon with a good friend, you decide to flip through an old photo album. Your friend looks quite different in these pictures from a previous age. They don’t appear to be happy. A constant frown on the face. Strange clothes; almost aggressive in a sense. Before you can ask, they feel the need to explain:

“That was a dark time in my life. I was hanging out with the wrong crowd. Friends and family tried to warn me, but I couldn’t see clearly. Only after that period ran its course did I realize how destructive the association was. I never want to go back there.”

This reasoning is understandable. As staunch as we may be in our philosophy on how to live life, the pressure from peers can be fended off for only so long. Eventually, one side is going to win. Either you will be able to influence others or they will persuade you over to their side.

A long time ago the ruler of Mathura had a choice. He went through much trouble due to paranoia from a prophecy, and he couldn’t see that the extraordinary effort to prevent destiny wasn’t getting him anywhere. If anything, it was only making him more uneasy and less content. He could have changed the outlook by choosing different association.

1. Vasudeva

That leader’s name was Kamsa, and on the occasion of his sister’s marriage he had the opportunity to associate with someone so saintly that the Supreme Lord Himself would appear in the family. Kamsa followed tradition and escorted his sister, Devaki, to the home of her new family after the marriage to Vasudeva took place.

Devaki’s husband could have been a good influence on Kamsa. He showed his intelligence by dissuading the paranoid ruler from killing his own sister during the trip. A voice from the sky suddenly appeared on the scene and warned Kamsa that Devaki’s eighth child would be his end. Kamsa was ready to kill her right on the spot, but Vasudeva intervened and calmed the escalated tensions.

2. Nanda Maharaja

Kamsa chose not to remain friendly with Vasudeva and his wife. The king of Mathura imprisoned them both and proceeded to kill every child that was born to them. The Divine will cannot be denied, however. What is set to happen must occur, and so the eighth child eventually took birth. This was Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but to Kamsa it was the angel of death.

Remaining true to his saintly character, Vasudeva followed the advice from his Divine son and transported Krishna in the middle of the night to the neighboring town of Gokula. He entrusted baby Krishna to Nanda and his wife, Yashoda.

Kamsa could have associated with either of them. They were kind at heart and ready to share their blissful life with others. Indeed, everyone in the community would come to enjoy the direct association with Shri Krishna, who played in that town as a darling child.

3. Krishna

And not to forget, Kamsa could have befriended his own nephew. After all, what harm could come of taking care of and offering service to someone so special? The past transgressions would have been forgotten. Forgiven in an instant, in the way that Krishna would later recommend to the bow-warrior named Arjuna.

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)

Alas, Kamsa’s story is full of interaction with asuras. These were members of a specific race during that time, but the underlying qualities are what lead to the actual determination. Asura means “against the suras,” who are aligned with God and godly principles.

Perfectly symbolizing the mentality, each of these friends of Kamsa was ready to head to Gokula and take out baby Krishna. They had their own special abilities. One was a crafty witch who could change her shape at will. Another was a powerful whirlwind. This other asura was actually a large snake whose shape could be mistaken for a cave.

Kamsa did not fare well with that association. The asuras failed in their attempts. They would not return to their friend alive. Kamsa’s anxiety would continue to grow until the inevitable took place. The time in between could have been spent in the bliss of sharanagati, such as with Parikshit Maharaja who later heard of the story from Shukadeva Gosvami.

A simple shift in association can make all the difference in the world. It is said that a moment’s contact with a saintly person, a representative of Shri Krishna, cannot be compared to any other benediction. Even when that association ends in the physical sense, the benefits continue to accrue, going past the present lifetime even.

In Closing:

With asura friends a host,

For Kamsa in important post.

Deciding on sinful way,

But dangerous with Destiny to play.

Better off if saints befriended,

Benevolence to him extended.

So that with auspiciousness to depart,

But sadly doomed from the start.

Three Causes For Krishna’s Return To The Spiritual World

“Some of Lord Krishna's pastimes are mentioned in the Mahabharata as maushala-lila. These include the stories of the destruction of the Yadu dynasty, Krishna's disappearance, His being pierced by a hunter's arrow, the story of Krishna’s being an incarnation of a piece of hair (kesha-avatara) as well as mahishi-harana, the kidnapping of Krishna's queens. Actually these are not factual but are related for the bewilderment of the asuras who want to prove that Krishna is an ordinary human being. They are false in the sense that these pastimes are not eternal, nor are they transcendental or spiritual.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya Lila, 23.117-118 Purport)

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The Supreme Personality of Godhead is so kind. He does not force the bhakti way of life upon anyone, even though that is the original and constitutional position. It is what matches the dharma of the soul, i.e. its essential characteristic.

In fact, every other behavior is a derivative of this spirit. Even the atheists are worshiping, in a sense. They pay homage to the illusory energy known as maya. As all energies emanate from Bhagavan, strong denial of the Divine side of living is an indirect form of worship.

Even when the Supreme Lord appears as Himself from time to time, He offers just enough material for the atheists to continue to justify their way of life. With the advent of Shri Krishna, there is the well-known incident of His disappearance, i.e. His return to the spiritual world.

Though the Mahabharata clearly describes Krishna returning to the spiritual land of Vaikuntha, where He resides in His four-handed manifestation of Vishnu, there appear to be external causes which trigger the event.

1. Shooting Vali in a previous avatara

The story comes from the Ramayana of Valmiki. In this avatara the Supreme Lord is an excellent bow-warrior named Rama. As is the nature of God, He is friendly towards those who are devoted to Him, though the regular disposition is neutrality.

समो ऽहं सर्व-भूतेषु
न मे द्वेष्यो ऽस्ति न प्रियः
ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या
मयि ते तेषु चाप्य् अहम्

samo ‘haṁ sarva-bhūteṣu
na me dveṣyo ‘sti na priyaḥ
ye bhajanti tu māṁ bhaktyā
mayi te teṣu cāpy aham

“I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.29)

The friendship is limited neither to the higher classes in society nor to the human society. Rama made friends with forest-dwelling creatures known as Vanaras, whose leader was Sugriva. The leader was in exile, similar to Rama’s situation. Sugriva was hiding out on Mount Rishyamukha, afraid to go back to his home due to the unfortunate rivalry with the powerful brother named Vali.

Rama fixed the situation by shooting Vali in the back. Not in a fair fight. Not in direct combat. The arrow was released while Vali was engaged in conflict with Sugriva. This specific attack was planned. The act goes against the standards of dharma, as it is commonly understood. For a warrior this was sinful, but piety and sin do not apply to the Supreme Lord.

There is a class of mental speculators who believe that karma is everything. They consider action and reaction to be an insurmountable force, one that takes control of any being seen on this earth. Bhagavan encourages their faulty assumption through this pastime, by somehow delivering Himself payback from a previous lifetime. Shri Krishna gets shot in the foot by a hunter as supposed retribution for having killed Vali before.

2. Misapplying the frumenty paste

To err is human. Man is fallible. God is supposed to be the opposite, Achyuta. He is infallible, which means that He never falls down or makes mistakes. To those who wish to classify Krishna as an ordinary man, the Supreme Lord provides the incident of the visit from Durvasa Muni.

As many lessons are taught through a single exchange, Krishna and His chief queen, Rukmini Devi, show the lengths to which a host should be accommodating to their guest. Durvasa intentionally demands this thing and that. He is the worst kind of guest you can imagine, and yet the hosts never lose their cool. They agree to everything.

At one point Durvasa asks the couple to smear frumenty paste all over their bodies. He later explains that the places covered by the paste will provide protection from death. The muni notices that Krishna missed a spot on the sole of His foot, which is taken to be an unfortunate mistake.

Sure enough, the hunter’s arrow later strikes Krishna in that very spot, somehow showing that the error in following the guru’s instructions is what causes the Supreme Lord’s demise. The incident also gives hope to the atheists that they may one day find a similar substance to bring immortality.

3. The curse of Gandhari

With the triple threat, it is a wonder that Krishna managed to survive at all in the material world. After the destruction of the Kauravas due to the Bharata War, the grieving mother of the losing side cursed Krishna to leave this world after a certain number of years. Though with the misfortune of being the mother of the wicked Duryodhana, Gandhari herself was famous for her chastity and good character. Krishna happily accepted her curse.

The real cause for the return to the spiritual world is the desire of the Supreme Lord. He appears and disappears at His will, and just as the individual soul can never be killed, the Supersoul is always around. Nothing would exist without the presence of this feature of the Divine.

In Closing:

For atheists just enough giving,

So that in continued ignorance living.

Such as with hunter’s arrow piercing the sole,

Vali’s vengeful spirit to unfold.

From frumenty mistake this world renouncing,

Also from Gandhari’s curse pronouncing.

If ignorance desired then in it to stay,

But the wise knowing maya at play.

Radhashtami 2019

“In the same Karnamrita there is another statement about the chanting of Radharani. It is said by one of the associates of Radharani: ‘O Lord Govinda, the girl who is the daughter of King Vrishabhanu is now shedding tears, and She is anxiously chanting Your holy name - Krishna! Krishna!’” (The Nectar of Devotion, Ch 18)

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Friend1: I particularly enjoy visiting a temple on Radhashtami day.

Friend2: Explain what that is.

Friend1: The appearance day anniversary for Shrimati Radharani. Something like a birthday, but more.

Friend2: And who is Radharani?

Friend1: She is the energy of God. The feminine side to the Divine. The Supreme is both male and female. Just as the two mix in this world to continue life, so the combination of male and female are responsible for the entire cosmic manifestation. The male is the enjoyer and the female the enjoyed.

Friend2: Who is the enjoyer?

Friend1: Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Friend2: What about Vishnu? Where does He fit into this?

Friend1: The same Almighty manifesting in different ways. You never lose the combination of male and female. Radha is with Krishna. Lakshmi Devi with Vishnu. Sita Devi with Rama. The energy on the right side of the image and the energetic on the left.

Friend2: Are we not the energy, too?

Friend1: A different category, but with a similar position of “enjoyed.” We think otherwise; that I am the greatest enjoyer, purusha. Actually, we are prakriti in comparison to the original purusha. That is what makes Radharani so special. She is the ideal companion to Krishna. She is the energy, but one that is completely pure in consciousness. She never falls into illusion, or maya. We have that vulnerability, but she does not.

Friend2: Why do you prefer her appearance day? What about Krishna’s? How about Diwali and other celebrations?

Friend1: On Janmashtami the temples get very crowded. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not putting down any of the other holidays on the Vaishnava calendar. To me there’s just something special with the energy of God. It’s like we almost prefer to celebrate her more.

Friend2: That is the mood in Vrindavana, which is a spiritual place. The residents tend to say, “Radhe, Radhe,” more than they do Krishna’s names.

Friend1: Speaking of names, I know that one of Radha’s other names is Vrishabhanu-suta.

Friend2: This means “daughter of King Vrishabhanu.” He lives in a town nearby Krishna’s Gokula. These are from the pastimes in the manifest world, which are described in sacred texts like the Puranas and derivative works by saints appearing in the disciplic succession.

Friend1: There is something to that bond between father and daughter. Vrishabhanu must be very special to have received the goddess of fortune in his family.

Friend2: Absolutely. That is one way to look positively on the birth of a female child. The daughter is an extension of Lakshmi Devi. In Vrishabhanu’s case it was Lakshmi herself in his home.

Friend1: What about the issue of separation? In Vedic culture that is of particular concern for the father of the bride. He knows that one day he will have to part ways with someone so dear to him. It is a kind of torture, if you think about it.

Friend2: How is that?

Friend1: You were going through life just fine prior. Then this amazing person appears. They give you more happiness than you ever imagined possible. But one day you will have to part ways. The responsible thing to do is to arrange for a marriage at the appropriate age.

Friend2: Ensure that the child is always protected. Rather than be selfish, think of the wellbeing of your dependent.

Friend1: It just seems unfair, the separation aspect.

Friend2: Sadly, separation is part of life. Fortunately, with the Supreme Lord and His energy you can always keep them close by. Upanayana is the formal ceremony marking the approach towards the representative of Radha and Krishna. The guru teaches how to maintain their association, to never feel like you are separated from them. The Radhashtami celebration is a tradition aimed at that purpose. We can remember the daughter of Vrishabhanu every single day through saying her names like Hare and Radhe, and also on the special occasions relating to her dealings with Krishna.

In Closing:

Baby arriving in home one day,

Daughter of Vrishabhanu to say.

Radhashtami the appearance celebrating,

Who of pure devotion demonstrating.

That eventual separation not fair,

Joy now but of future aware.

From guru approach technique learning,

That distance into closeness turning.

Three Areas In Which I Might Over-Endeavor

“Narada Muni continued: Lord Brahma was very much satisfied by Hiranyakashipu's austerities, which were difficult to perform. Therefore, when solicited for benedictions, he indeed granted them, although they were rarely to be achieved.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.4.1)

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श्री-नारद उवाच
एवं वृतः शत-धृतिर्
हिरण्यकशिपोर् अथ
प्रादात् तत्-तपसा प्रीतो
वरांस् तस्य सुदुर्लभान्

śrī-nārada uvāca
evaṁ vṛtaḥ śata-dhṛtir
hiraṇyakaśipor atha
prādāt tat-tapasā prīto
varāṁs tasya sudurlabhān

Advice given to the aspiring devotee, the person looking to go beyond the highs and lows of a material existence, to find real transcendence, is to not over-endeavor. The pursuit in karma is only natural. Fruitive activity is what determined the conditions of the present birth, and it will subsequently play a role in the future situation.

श्री-भगवान् उवाच
अक्षरं ब्रह्म परमं
स्वभावो ऽध्यात्मम् उच्यते
भूत-भावोद्भव-करो
विसर्गः कर्म-संज्ञितः

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
akṣaraṁ brahma paramaṁ
svabhāvo 'dhyātmam ucyate
bhūta-bhāvodbhava-karo
visargaḥ karma-saṁjñitaḥ

“The Supreme Lord said, The indestructible, transcendental living entity is called Brahman, and his eternal nature is called the self. Action pertaining to the development of these material bodies is called karma, or fruitive activities.” (Bhagavad-gita, 8.3)

Work for the purpose of achieving a result. Otherwise, what is the point to doing anything? Why not stay in bed the entire day? Let others take care of meeting the daily obligations. Don’t worry about paying the bills or keeping the refrigerator stocked.

As this is not the typical course of action, it is only expected that once a person endeavors, they might overdo it a bit. Go to the extreme, not realizing the folly of the course. Hiranyakashipu over-endeavored to the point of winning the favor of Lord Brahma, but a person needn’t travel so far in order to discern a disturbing pattern.

1. Saving for retirement

The tax-collecting wing of the federal government has stringent rules in place. So many different types of accounts, and you can’t really overlap. For instance, if you store a certain amount of money through a plan offered by the employer, the amount you can contribute to a personal plan gets reduced.

There are some loopholes, however. Any significant side income could classify as a separate business. That entity could then have its own retirement plan. The spouse has their own contribution limits, separate from you. In addition, the plan at work has a matching feature.

Combining the different incentives, I decide to load up on my retirement savings. Let me take the tax breaks today and allow my investments to grow tax-deferred. Not only can I potentially retire early with this method, but I might even find tricks later on to withdraw the money without having to pay taxes or penalties on it.

2. Exercising to perfection

Not just once or twice a week. They say walking is good for you, but I want to reach the level of an elite athlete. They don’t seem to have health problems. High cholesterol and diabetes are almost non-existent for them; at least while they are active in the field.

I will exercise in such a way that my fitness will increase in the process. My stamina and endurance should reach peak levels. To aid in the process I will restrict my diet to certain foods. The more progress I make, the happier I will be; at least that is the expectation.

3. Create a collection

Many friends and family rave about the online streaming service they subscribe to. It has so much digital content for them to consume, but I would rather own everything myself. I will set up a standalone server to run out of my basement. I will load it up with every film and television series imaginable.

There is corresponding software available. I can connect to my own collection from any device, from anywhere around the world. This will be really cool. I will have more than anyone else, and hopefully sufficient quantity to bring many years of enjoyment.

…

The acharya of the bhakti tradition will highlight the obvious flaw in the plan: guaranteed destruction. There is also the unpredictability of its arrival. That is to say I do not know exactly when everything will come crashing down. The time I spent endeavoring gets nullified through something I have little control over.

An ideal example is Hiranyakashipu. He endeavored to the point of conducting austerities that hardly any person would be able to replicate. He worked to the extreme to achieve boons of protection. More than just retirement income, he had safeguards against others attacking him. Lethal punishment would have no meaning to him, or so he thought.

Meanwhile, Hiranyakashipu’s five-year old son exemplified the attitude of avoiding endeavoring in the extreme. Prahlada was simple, humble, devout and steady in his determination to please the Supreme Lord. The child did not care about protecting the temporary body. Neither was he interested in exerting influence over others to the point of domination.

That over which Prahlada took no interest came easily. He managed to protect himself from the attacks of the powerful father. Though Hiranyakashipu invested so much to achieve protection from Brahma’s boons, he could not complete a simple task like killing an innocent and defenseless child.

Hiranyakashipu eventually lost everything, whereas Prahlada’s most cherished possession, pure devotion, remained protected. That spirit can be carried from lifetime to lifetime, as time will never be able to destroy. The controller of time, Narasimhadeva, personally provides the protection.

In Closing:

From DVDs and digital content a host,

My collection with titles the most.

Invest for retirement savings large,

A perfect body through exercise charge.

But time an unpredictable cost,

In an instant the rewards lost.

Whereas saints like Prahlada easily to get,

Since Vishnu like pillar in protection set.

Three Ironies With Hiranyakashipu’s Situation

“Narada Muni continued: Lord Brahma was very much satisfied by Hiranyakashipu's austerities, which were difficult to perform. Therefore, when solicited for benedictions, he indeed granted them, although they were rarely to be achieved.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.4.1)

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श्री-नारद उवाच
एवं वृतः शत-धृतिर्
हिरण्यकशिपोर् अथ
प्रादात् तत्-तपसा प्रीतो
वरांस् तस्य सुदुर्लभान्

śrī-nārada uvāca
evaṁ vṛtaḥ śata-dhṛtir
hiraṇyakaśipor atha
prādāt tat-tapasā prīto
varāṁs tasya sudurlabhān

Man is fallible, after all. The Vedas list four primary defects. One of them is the tendency to commit mistakes. Another is the inclination towards cheating. I know that what I am doing is wrong, but somehow I continue down that path regardless. As if some superior force has control over me, the situation goes from optional to compulsory.

Then there are the cases where I am just oblivious. For instance, let’s say that I am constantly late in arriving at work. I am slow to complete my assignments. These are chronic issues, a pattern established over many years at the firm.

Then one day I start complaining about another colleague. I don’t like how they take too long to work on requests. Their work ethic is suspect, to say the least. The irony doesn’t dawn on me; only other people at the company notice it. Here I am complaining about someone who is just like me.

A long time ago, a king named Hiranyakashipu was similarly unable to notice the ironies to his situation, of which there were many.

1. He didn’t believe in a higher power, and yet he had worshiped one

As leader of the Daitya class, Hiranyakashipu wanted world domination. He desired to be the most powerful person in the world, to wield that influence for his benefit only. Let others cower in fear; let them not dare to question authority or even think of raising a mounted opposition.

At the foundation of this desire was a strong envy and hatred of the Supreme Lord. Hiranyakashipu knew Him as Vishnu, who was the person who killed the brother named Hiranyaksha in a previous time period. The brother in both mentality and family relation, Hiranyakashipu wanted to get revenge. He hated Vishnu and he more importantly didn’t believe Vishnu to be God.

There was no God in the Daitya’s eyes, but the irony was that previously there was worship of a higher authority. Hiranyakashipu had a benefactor; he did not reach the lofty position solely on his effort. Lord Brahma, the creator, provided significant assistance. Hiranyakashipu knew how to worship properly, and yet subsequent to receiving the important boons he cast aside any further interest in worship.

2. Proud of his might, but couldn’t kill a defenseless five-year old child

As if completely forgetting the interaction with Brahma, Hiranyakashipu was incredibly proud of his might and influence. There was immunity from death in ninety-nine percent of situations, so there was little reason to fear anyone.

At the same time, this formidable king was unsuccessful in eliminating a five-year old nuisance from the kingdom. Prahlada happened to be the king’s son, and he became worthy of punishment through professing allegiance to Vishnu. The child perceived Vishnu to be everywhere, and he knew that Vishnu was the source of strength in each person.

The one who was protected through Brahma’s help could do nothing to harm Prahlada. Hiranyakashipu sure did try, but every attempt had the same result: failure. The king put in extraordinary effort to reach the height of power in the world, and here an innocent child was able to defeat him.

3. Confident that God was nowhere, but He appeared from a pillar

Ironic it was that Hiranyakashipu couldn’t see what his son saw. God is indeed everywhere. This is always the case. A wise person doesn’t require an extraordinary show. Something like the virata-rupa revealed to Arjuna is not needed.

Prahlada tried his best to explain, but the father would not hear it. Hiranyakashipu mocked the concept of an all-pervading spirit, not realizing that Vishnu was inside of him, as well. The idea seemed so silly to him that he jokingly asked if the one giving strength to Prahlada was in a nearby pillar.

Vishnu most certainly was, and he gave the visual evidence that the less intelligent are always insisting upon. The avatara of Narasimha was immediately terrorizing to Hiranyakashipu, while auspicious to Prahlada. The harsh realization arrived too late for the king, though he was blessed to have such a saintly son.

In Closing:

Proud of his might,

Not an adversary in sight.

Worship of devas prohibited,

But previously himself exhibited.

Now that in king’s position setting,

Boons from Brahma forgetting.

God nowhere to exist confidently saying,

Then Narasimha from pillar displaying.

Isn’t The Dissuasion Of Comparative Study Encouraging Blind Faith

“Of these, the wise one who is in full knowledge in union with Me through pure devotional service is the best. For I am very dear to him, and he is dear to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.17)

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तेषां ज्ञानी नित्य-युक्त
एक-भक्तिर् विशिष्यते
प्रियो हि ज्ञानिनो ऽत्यर्थम्
अहं स च मम प्रियः

teṣāṁ jñānī nitya-yukta
eka-bhaktir viśiṣyate
priyo hi jñānino 'tyartham
ahaṁ sa ca mama priyaḥ

Friend1: You likely find this in every religion. The concept of avoiding competing philosophies. Don’t venture outside of the specific culture.

Friend2: Are we talking culture or religion? You are probably referring to the idea of not being a member of multiple religious institutions simultaneously.

Friend1: That is part of it, for sure. You will get confused. You run the risk of blasphemy. Your faith might be shaken.

Friend2: Yes. Understandable. Choose one thing and be dedicated to it. No reason to be an expert scholar on everything out there.

Friend1: There is a hint of blind faith in that warning. The idea of surrendering to one book, to one savior, or else you will be doomed.

Friend2: It is total and complete faith. You could describe it as blind if there is no intelligence at the foundation.

Friend1: Rational thought, as in choosing something after careful deliberation.

Friend2: Right.

Friend1: Here is my question for you. Don’t we find the same thing in the Vedas?

Friend2: What is that? Blind faith? The beginning is athato brahma-jijnasa. Make an inquiry into Brahman, which is the Absolute Truth. Use the intelligence provided the human being to advance in this direction. Athato means that now is the time. Not before. Not in a previous existence. The conditions were not as conducive.

Friend1: I get that. I am more referring to the idea of not studying every religion. The acharyas recommend staying with something like Shrimad Bhagavatam. Their claim is that everything needed to be known will be found in that sacred text.

Friend2: It is not a claim. It is the honest truth.

Friend1: Okay, but doesn’t every religious leader say that about their particular book? Everyone dissuades comparative study, probably because they are afraid of the challenges competing philosophies might present.

Friend2: There is a big difference with the Vedas.

Friend1: What is that?

Friend2: The culture itself features comparative study. If you read something like Bhagavad-gita, the teacher presents many different philosophies. He briefly covers so many aspects of living. More detail is in Shrimad Bhagavatam. The acharyas in the devotional line actually know every point of view.

Friend1: How is that possible? No one can live through every experience.

Friend2: Shastra-chakshu. The eyes of the sacred texts. You will be exposed to every philosophy that will ever exist. You will understand the pros and cons. You will see where a certain angle of vision is correct, and where it falls short in describing the complete picture.

Friend1: I see.

Friend2: Always use your intelligence. Of the four kinds of people who approach Shri Krishna, the Supreme Lord, in devotion, the jnani is considered the best. This is because they have made a decision based on intelligence to serve God without motive and without interruption. Intelligence includes comparative study. You can only make a wise choice to abandon all dharmas and surrender unto Krishna after you know for certain that no other path will come close to bringing the same level of bliss, both for this life and future ones.

In Closing:

From comparative study dissuaded,

That to stay in one place persuaded.

But hint of blind faith not?

Let me see what others have got.

Idea that Bhagavatam everything assimilating,

Many philosophies as such contemplating.

So that decision for bhakti wise and sober,

Most dear is the intelligent knower.

Four Instances Of Satisfaction From Completing A Task

“This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.2)

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राज-विद्या राज-गुह्यं
पवित्रम् इदम् उत्तमम्
प्रत्यक्षावगमं धर्म्यं
सु-सुखं कर्तुम् अव्ययम्

rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyaṁ
pavitram idam uttamam
pratyakṣāvagamaṁ dharmyaṁ
su-sukhaṁ kartum avyayam

1. Completing paperwork

“It’s not that big a deal, but I have been putting it off for a while. Classic case of procrastination. I was well aware of the tedious nature of the task, so I delayed the inevitable. Make two copies of this document. Get that one notarized. Head to the bank to get an official check, as this new institution doesn’t fully trust you yet. Go to the post office to mail everything together a certain way.

“One thing I anticipated beforehand was the satisfaction after completion. I tell you, I feel great. What a load off my shoulders. The task also presented a nice break from the daily routine. I got to visit places that normally wouldn’t come across my radar.”

2. Finishing a coding project

“The managers allocated two months for this particular work. That estimate incorporates issues with concurrency, i.e. being on more than one project at a time. Still, I didn’t think everything would take that long. I was only considering the individual pieces, not the whole.

“Of course, they are managers for a reason. They have experience in this area. They made a good guess based off past projects of a similar nature. I can’t believe I spent so much time on this. It was really a lot of work. Now everything is functioning properly. The code modules integrate seamlessly. Not much time to take a victory lap, but I am grateful for the experience.”

3. Assembling furniture

“Going in, I knew it was an uphill battle. I am less skilled in this area, to say the least. Nevertheless, the alternative seemed a bit too much for me. Rather than visit different stores, pick out the items I want, and then arrange for delivery, I decided on the online purchase option.

“Several advantages, including the ability to research thoroughly, but the one drawback is that the furniture has to be put together. It arrives unassembled. I did not foresee something simple like a shelf being a problem.

“With my level of proficiency and vulnerability to frustration, the task was anything but easy. I somehow completed it, and I must say that I feel great. I am taking care of the house, doing some things by myself. I wouldn’t want a repeat of the experience moving forward, but it’s nice to know that I am not completely useless around here.”

4. Completing a marathon

“I am in an elite class. Most people can’t run a full mile, let alone twenty-six. Heck, I was terribly out of shape at the beginning of the process. All of that pizza and soda didn’t do my body good. I was motivated to improve my health, and along the way the running became easier.

“I can’t believe I reached the level of fitness necessary for completing a marathon. What an accomplishment. Not to rub it in anyone’s face, but to myself it proves that I can do something significant. The power is in my hands to shape destiny; to an extent.”

…

In the Bhagavad-gita, Shri Krishna says that the king of education, raja-vidya, is joyfully performed. This happiness is not of the material variety. It is the true ananda corresponding with the blissful potency of the individual spirit soul.

Full assimilation into that education is not required to get a taste of the bliss. Just as an everyday task may bring tremendous happiness upon completion, so reading a single verse from sacred Sanskrit texts like Bhagavad-gita and Shrimad Bhagavatam can provide sufficient joy to last throughout the day.

While the feeling may wane due to the influence of time and the interfering external factors, another verse is ready to be absorbed the following day. Some saintly personalities focus their entire existence on a single set of verses, such as the four spoken by Lord Vishnu to Lord Brahma at the beginning of the creation.

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

“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)

Any evangelist for their particular favored way of life can make a similar pitch, but there is no harm here in trying. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has made the esoteric available to the masses. The complex is now understandable, and fortunate are those who relish in the sacred sounds passed on by the Supreme Lord.

In Closing:

Overwhelmed and wanting to retreat,

But through perseverance to complete.

That task difficult and long,

Required concentration strong.

Bliss in bhakti similar so,

When to just one verse to go.

Contemplate and next day to repeat,

In this way life’s mission meet.