Five Situations Where The Brahma-bhutah Soul Remains Prasannatma

“One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman. He never laments nor desires to have anything; he is equally disposed to every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.54)

Download this episode (right click and save)

ब्रह्म-भूतः प्रसन्नात्मा
न शोचति न काङ्क्षति
समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु
मद्-भक्तिं लभते पराम्

brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā
na śocati na kāṅkṣati
samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu
mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām

The Sanskrit is prasannatma. The individual is fully joyful. The achievement accompanies a state based on understanding. Brahma-bhutah. The living entity is one with the Absolute. They are beyond the designations based on distinctions, vishesha. They see the spirit soul everywhere.

They understand the collective, that every individual soul put together is part of a singular energy known as Brahman. This prasannatma property can be understood by judging the response to different situations.

1. Upon receiving a harsh rebuke

“You really are the worst person in the world. You think that you are so great, that everyone should worship you because of your achievements, but it is not the qualities born from nature that count.

“What I am trying to say is that it matters what you do with your ability. Just because you are superior to someone else in a particular field, it doesn’t mean that you are meeting your full potential. Someone else might not be as capable, but they are more honest and humble. They are superior to you in terms of character.”

2. Upon receiving heaping praise

“I don’t know what we would do without you. Seriously, I mean it. Since you came along everything has been running more smoothly. We are meeting our target objectives for the first time ever. Because of your productivity, other departments have less workload, which means that they can be more efficient.”

3. Amidst a closed society due to a pandemic

“Stay inside. I mean it. If you have to go to the store, wear a facemask or some type of covering. You will be denied entry, otherwise. We are doing this to save lives. Don’t try to get cute and bring up abortion. We’re not in a philosophical debate here. The experts warn that if we don’t do something, as in taking drastic measures, putting millions of people out of work, there will be so much death and disease that our hospital system won’t be able to handle it. Yes, I know that the massive hospitals we just had built never saw any patients, but that is only because we got lucky. Don’t tempt fate.”

4. Amidst a roaring economy

“There are so many jobs available. I have never seen the country like this. It seems that every company is hiring. Incomes are up. People have this pep in their step that I have not noticed for many years. It’s sunny outside, metaphorically speaking.”

5. Upon receiving news of a terminal illness

“Only a certain number of days to live. That is the prediction, anyways. What can you do, really? Man is born to die. Let me try to follow the wonderful example of Parikshit Maharaja and focus the rest of my time on hearing Hari-katha.”

…

The brahma-bhutah soul remains in the joyful position because they no longer have anything to do with the material world, a place in which the conditions always change. Nothing is ever settled. The person chastising me today could be my best friend tomorrow. That economic depression befalling us could turn around into an extended period of growth.

Shri Krishna explains that the person reaching the prasannatma characteristic takes up devotional service, bhakti-yoga. They become devoted to Krishna, as He is the source of the Brahman energy. Rather than hanker and lament for a change, they are pleased where they are, at the lotus feet of the all-attractive one, always chanting His glories: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

For upward movement I can,
But already pleased where I am.

Changing circumstances can meet,
Since focused on His lotus feet.

That hankering no more,
Or loss lamenting for.

Brahma-bhutah paving the way,
No more in this duality to stay.

How Could Kamsa Be So Cruel

“There are many instances in the history of the world of persons in the royal order who have killed father, brother, or a whole family and friends for the satisfaction of their ambitions. There is nothing astonishing about this, for the demoniac can kill anyone for their nefarious ambitions.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 1)

Download this episode (right click and save)

“I guess every person has their breaking point, the line in the sand, if you will. It is the limit to the kind of bad behavior they are willing to tolerate. Not that there is something we can really do about it, but at some point we have to speak up.

“For instance, in some societies the practice of animal killing is so widespread that it is really pointless to raise an objection. Who will listen? My friend supports the behavior. My neighbor has no problem with it. Every person in government feasts off the results on a daily basis. What will my crying do?

“There are other behaviors, such as the killing of innocent children in the womb, against which we can raise opposition. I can find sympathizers. People will be more open to hearing the different points of view.

“Well, from reading the Krishna book I find it particularly troubling that King Kamsa of Mathura would throw innocent children against a stone slab. Yes, I understand that his actions are really no different than what takes place today with abortion, both early in the term and recently as late as the time of birth. But still, how could someone stoop so low?”

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada makes the comparison to royal leaders from recent history. We see in the United States of America that sometimes brothers fought and killed each other in battle, such as during the Civil War.

The idea is that power becomes the sole ambition, and nothing will get in the way of fulfilling that ambition. Shri Krishna, the person Kamsa was really afraid of, teaches that kama, combined with krodha, is the all-devouring enemy.

श्री-भगवान् उवाच
काम एष क्रोध एष
रजो-गुण-समुद्भवः
महाशनो महा-पाप्मा
विद्ध्य् एनम् इह वैरिणम्

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
kāma eṣa krodha eṣa
rajo-guṇa-samudbhavaḥ
mahāśano mahā-pāpmā
viddhy enam iha vairiṇam

“The Blessed Lord said: It is lust only, Arjuna, which is born of contact with the material modes of passion and later transformed into wrath, and which is the all-devouring, sinful enemy of this world.” (Bhagavad-gita, 3.37)

This is an important principle to learn because no one is immune to the effects. It is not like we can take a vaccine to protect against kama. It is not that only the alcoholic will be unable to control their senses. A person can be fully sober today and in a moment everything can change.

This is wonderfully illustrated in the Ramayana poem of Maharishi Valmiki. A similar setting of a royal household, one of the queens to the pious king suddenly turns envious. She was previously happy and peaceful, without a rivalry against the children born of the other queens.

Some carefully placed words from her servant turned things in an instant. That queen then demanded that her husband remove the chief prince from the kingdom, not to return for fourteen years. She wanted her own son to be installed as the next king, even though it went against the rules of succession.

Kamsa was in self-preservation mode. He was fighting a losing battle against destiny, which warned him of the imminent end. Alas, even killing the innocent children born to his sister Devaki did not do the job. Shri Krishna cannot be killed by the asuras. Rather, He is the great enemy of the atheists. Appearing as ruthless time, His swift punch would deliver the fate that Kamsa could not run away from.

In Closing:

Society turning on another,
Where even brother killing brother.

Behavior of Kamsa to understand,
Where infants on stone to land.

Kama the enemy devouring all,
Eventually that asura to fall.

Of cruelty to level hard to believe,
But punishment from punch to receive.

Why Are Demons Always Afraid Of Demigods

“Narada warned Kamsa to be careful of the friends and well-wishers and all the demigods taking birth in those families. Kamsa and his friends and advisors were all demons. Demons are always afraid of demigods. After being thus informed by Narada about the appearance of the demigods in different families, Kamsa at once became alert.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 1)

Download this episode (right click and save)

Friend1: I was reading the story of Krishna’s advent the other day.

Friend2: For the first time?

Friend1: Definitely not.

Friend2: From what book? Or was it a website?

Friend1: The original source is the Bhagavata Purana, also known as Shrimad Bhagavatam. The accounts are presented in story form, through the kind efforts of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Friend2: The Krishna book?

Friend1: Yes. “Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead” is the full title. In the opening chapter I found a few thought-inspiring interactions. They involve Narada Muni and Kamsa.

Friend2: Explain who those people are.

Friend1: Narada is something like a space-travelling monk. He is very dear to and close with the Supreme Lord in Vaikuntha, which is the spiritual realm. Narada travels from place to place to share the glories of God and to inspire others to take up the same service, which will make them supremely blissful.

Friend2: And who is Kamsa?

Friend1: He is the king of Mathura at the time. This is around five thousand years ago, in comparison to the present day. Kamsa has an interesting dilemma. Upon escorting his sister after her wedding to her new home, a voice from the sky announces that Devaki’s eighth child will spell Kamsa’s doom.

Friend2: Devaki is the new bride, in this case?

Friend1: Yes. Vasudeva is the husband. Kamsa wants to kill Devaki right away, but Vasudeva steps in and persuades the king otherwise. Crisis averted, for the time being. Everyone is living peacefully, but Narada decides to step in.

Friend2: What does he say?

Friend1: He warned that demigods were taking birth in the surrounding areas. This portended the advent of the Supreme Lord Vishnu, which meant that Kamsa was in trouble. Narada essentially got Kamsa to put his foot back on the gas pedal. Take the threat seriously. Imprison Devaki and Vasudeva.

Friend2: That is true. Narada wanted to accelerate the sequence of events, to ensure the advent of Shri Krishna in this world.

Friend1: In reading the accounts, Prabhupada describes that demons are always afraid of the demigods.

Friend2: This is in the context of Kamsa being warned by Narada?

Friend1: Yes. It just seems odd to me. Why would you be worried about godly figures appearing in this world? Was there violence involved?

Friend2: Not in this case, anyway.

Friend1: But it is such a sweeping declaration. Why are the demons always afraid of the demigods?

Friend2: Isn’t it simple enough to understand?

Friend1: I mean if I am a non-believer, an atheist, if you will, what do I care if someone else believes strongly? Isn’t the dividing line here between demon and demigod? Asura and sura, if using the Sanskrit.

Friend2: We can think of it like the criminals and the police. If you are law-abiding, there is usually no reason to fear the presence of a police officer. On the other hand, if you have just stolen something or plan to carry out a heist in the near future, the last thing you want is law enforcement around.

Friend1: Were these demigods going to play the role of police? It doesn’t sound like it to me.

Friend2: The influence is the same. The godly people can help society turn towards pious behavior. You are essentially creating demigods on earth. Saintly people are known as bhusuras. The more saintly people you have, the more the villains get isolated.

Friend1: Sort of like the walls closing in.

Friend2: Better to suppress the opposition. Make sure that the godly side never rises to power. Narada instinctively knew this about Kamsa. That’s why he manipulated in that way. By Devaki and Vasudeva in prison, the events would take place as planned. In this case destiny could not be denied. The voice from the sky had been telling the truth.

In Closing:

Afraid of demigods why?
When already in position high.

For Kamsa no reason to fear,
But distressed from Narada to hear.

Idea that like criminals so,
On alert where police to go.

Since saints minds of people turning,
Thus reason for asuras concerning.

Four Reasons Kamsa Could Justify His Actions Against Devaki And Vasudeva

“The procession was passing very pleasingly, and Kamsa was driving the chariot, when suddenly there was a miraculous sound vibrated from the sky which especially announced to Kamsa: ‘Kamsa: you are such a fool. You are driving the chariot of your sister and your brother-in-law, but you do not know that the eighth child of this sister will kill you.’” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 1)

Download this episode (right click and save)

A deadly omen. A voice from the sky. Akasha-vani. Vedic literature describes several such incidents. They seem impossible to believe, but saints like Valmiki and Vyasadeva are not interested in fiction. The real-life drama unfolding before their transcendental vision is sufficient material to include in their beautiful Sanskrit poetry.

This voice had a warning. Kamsa should be careful with how to proceed. He was in the process of escorting his sister to the home of her new family. Not just marrying the husband, she would be with in-laws; a whole new world. All by herself, so it is a nice tradition that the brother accompanies on the first trip; a way to make the transition easier.

The warning to Kamsa was that Devaki’s eighth child would kill him. She was newly married, so based on the laws of science it would be many years before that eighth child would arrive, but Kamsa did not take chances. He ultimately decided to imprison the new couple, and for this he could have used several arguments as justification.

1. Self-preservation

“It’s easy for you to say to just let it go. The message wasn’t for you, was it? The person in the sky was talking about me. My death. The end of my life. It is easy for you to judge, but how could you possibly understand? I am living this life right now. My foremost obligation is to protect it.”

2. The interests of the kingdom

“The people need me. It is not like I am in a meaningless job. A king cannot be easily replaced. The citizens require a leader. The person at the top has to be strong and courageous. They cannot live in fear. How could I possibly rule in peace knowing that death is lurking around the corner? Moreover, there is something I can do right now to stop it. There is a way to mitigate. A little inconvenience for others. Sacrificing for the common good.”

3. The potential to kill others

“You people fail to see the long-term implications. If this eighth child is supposed to kill, who is to say that he won’t kill others, as well? Why would he stop at me? Remember, he will be responsible for his uncle’s death. That is someone within the family. The sin increases many times. After such a heinous crime, why would the child suddenly stop? Where is the guarantee that he will leave other innocent people alone?”

4. The advice from Narada Muni

“Narada Muni warned me. I was compassionate at first. Please remember that. Vasudeva offered up the first child, and I sent him back. There was no reason to worry. But then Narada Muni came to talk sense into me. He said that the demigods were already appearing elsewhere. This means that the arrival of the angel of death was imminent. I was forced to take action.”

“Narada warned Kamsa to be careful of the friends and well-wishers and all the demigods taking birth in those families. Kamsa and his friends and advisors were all demons. Demons are always afraid of demigods. After being thus informed by Narada about the appearance of the demigods in different families, Kamsa at once became alert.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 1)

In this way, we see that a person of the asura mentality can find many ways to justify sinful behavior. This was a case of false imprisonment of his sister. This was killing infants as soon as they were born. None of the justifications were sufficient. Only an asura would value his life over others in such a way.

Details of this story come from the Shrimad Bhagavatam. That work is predicated on a similar predicament. The king named Parikshit learns that he has a certain number of days to live. Rather than take to sinful life, he immediately abandons the throne and takes a seat on the banks of the Yamuna River.

The purpose is to hear the Bhagavata Purana from Shukadeva Gosvami. Everything else would take care of itself. Hearing about the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His pastimes is more important than taking to abominable behavior to preserve life. That life is destined to end, but infinite happiness can extend through the shelter of Shri Krishna, who would arrive and fulfill the destiny for the king of Mathura.

In Closing:

That life eventually to end,
But way for bliss to extend.

Like Parikshit sitting to hear,
Not over demise imminent fear.

Kamsa justifying in many ways,
These games the asura plays.

But good reason none,
And destiny still to come.

Deadly Omens

“The procession was passing very pleasingly, and Kamsa was driving the chariot, when suddenly there was a miraculous sound vibrated from the sky which especially announced to Kamsa: ‘Kamsa: you are such a fool. You are driving the chariot of your sister and your brother-in-law, but you do not know that the eighth child of this sister will kill you.’” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 1)

Download this episode (right click and save)

“The story of Shri Krishna’s advent is compelling, riveting, and nectar to the ears. Every person should become familiar with the accounts and descriptions provided in sacred texts like Shrimad Bhagavatam, Vishnu Purana and others.

“There really is no excuse anymore, as His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has removed the difficult barrier in the modern day that is the Sanskrit language. Not just translating each shloka into English, he has presented everything in a narrative style, which is easier to read.

“Let’s study an incident right from the beginning. King Kamsa is following tradition by accompanying his just-married sister, Devaki, to the home of her new family. It is the final send-off. Amazing what women of the Vedic tradition endure. They bring such strength and dedication to the new husband, who is sure to be uplifted through this support.

“Something got in Kamsa’s way, however. The Sanskrit is akasha-vani. A voice from the sky. The message was a prophecy. Devaki’s eighth child would be Kamsa’s doom. My question is why Kamsa would listen to something like that? How could he validate that this voice was telling the truth? Was it really a deadly omen?”

Vedic culture provides information about both what can be seen and what cannot. For instance, the thick cloud cover in the sky this morning portends rainfall. The cool temperatures indicate that it won’t be pleasant to step outside later in the day.

This is an assessment based on obvious physical indications. Vedic teachings provide ways to predict the future based on not-so-obvious messages. It could be seeing a monkey in a dream. Sita Devi once remarked on this. When she met Shri Hanuman for the first time, while held in Lanka against her will, she thought that maybe she was dreaming. To see a monkey in a dream is a bad omen, but Hanuman was making her feel good. He was carrying the message from her husband, after all. This means that the vision of Hanuman was real.

In the case of Kamsa, there wasn’t any code to decipher. The voice flat out told him what was going to happen. Kamsa was essentially helping to seal his own demise by escorting his sister to her new home. He should think twice about what he was doing.

Kamsa was also of the asura mindset. A person concerned only with life, and namely that of their own. Preservation. Protection. How to prolong it to the best extent possible, for the singular purpose of enjoying the senses.

We see examples with government leaders of the modern day. They impose draconian restrictions on the people, in the name of public health, but if you listen closely you see that the motives are entirely selfish. The leaders themselves are afraid of catching some disease they know nothing about, so they force other people to suffer.

Asuras will always choose this option. The saintly person undergoes tremendous pain and sacrifice in order to lift others out of darkness and despair. This is a heroic mindset, as embodied by people like Hanuman. Kamsa, on the other hand, will put innocent people into hardship if it means that he can continue to live peacefully.

These were the contributing factors in his ultimate decision to imprison Devaki and her new husband, Vasudeva. The voice from the sky was telling the truth. There was nothing Kamsa could do to alter destiny. Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, would emerge from the womb of Devaki and give further delight to the saintly people of the world. Kamsa’s days were numbered.

In Closing:

Days remaining to count,
Despite opposition to mount.

Where destiny to deny,
King Kamsa to try.

But telling the truth that voice,
Imprison and no other choice.

Shri Krishna eventually to arrive,
And asuras no more to thrive.

The Two Parents For The Dvija

“Nanda Maharaja said: My dear great sage, if you think that your performing this process of purification will make Kamsa suspicious, then secretly chant the Vedic hymns and perform the purifying process of second birth here in the cow shed of my house, without the knowledge of anyone else, even my relatives, for this process of purification is essential.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 10.8.10)

Download this episode (right click and save)

श्री-नन्द उवाच
अलक्षितो ’स्मिन् रहसि
मामकैर् अपि गो-व्रजे
कुरु द्विजाति-संस्कारं
स्वस्ति-वाचन-पूर्वकम्

śrī-nanda uvāca
alakṣito ’smin rahasi
māmakair api go-vraje
kuru dvijāti-saṁskāraṁ
svasti-vācana-pūrvakam

An intelligent person is grateful. They are automatically so; no reminders necessary. In the Ramayana, we see Lakshmana use his brother’s gratefulness as one of the reasons to follow. Lakshmana and Rama’s wife Sita will follow Rama to the ends of the earth, if necessary. They understand that He never forgets a kind act done in His favor.

अहमस्यावरो भ्राता गुणैर्दास्यमुपागतः
कृतज्ञस्य बहुज्ञस्य लक्ष्मणो नाम नामतः

ahamasyāvaro bhrātā guṇairdāsyamupāgataḥ
kṛtajñasya bahujñasya lakṣmaṇo nāma nāmataḥ

“I am His younger brother, Lakshmana by name. Due to His transcendental qualities, I have taken up service to Him, as He is grateful and very knowledgeable.” (Lakshmana speaking to Hanuman about Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 4.12)

In this light, a saintly person has tremendous affection and appreciation for their parents. They inherently understand that in the infancy stage the human being has no other support. They cannot do anything on their own. In most cases, the mother makes the greatest sacrifice.

She is with the child constantly. Little chance to sit back and sleep for hours, uninterrupted. No freedom from responsibility; at least not until the child goes to school or is placed in someone else’s care for a considerable portion of the day. In the modern day, the mother may even be called to duty to support the family financially.

The infant relies on the work of the father and the protection he provides to the entire family. Even if there is turmoil, argument, or general difficulty in dealings with the father later on in life, the saintly person cannot forget the efforts from the past.

The genuine brahmana of the Vedic tradition has appreciation for a different set of parents. They may even downplay the significance of the birth mother and father as a way to put the priorities into perspective. The common teaching is that every person has biological parents, but to receive the gifts from above for becoming a dvija is rare.

1. Vedic literature

The Sanskrit word is shastra. You can translate as “scripture,” but these works actually predate the written word. They first appear as sound, heard by the creator, Lord Brahma. They later get passed on in written form, when the memory ability in the human society diminishes.

The word dvija means “twice-born.” It is the second birth, so to speak, which is the more important one. The first birth can take place from any womb. Nature’s way, I had no say in where I was born and who my parents would be.

With the second birth, the mother is shastra. This is how the saintly person gets nurtured. They get everything they need from Vedic literature. Sometimes only a single work suffices, such as Shrimad Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita.

Shastra is the trusted source for resolving doubts, for settling contradictions, for finding relief during a difficult time, for gaining inspiration in the continuing fight against illusion. Shastra is as benevolent as the birth mother, never forgetting the relationship to the child.

2. The spiritual master

The Sanskrit word is guru. He is the father to the dvija. I could not make sense of shastra without the guru. The spiritual master opens the darkened eyes, helping to escape the illusion and find the light of transcendence.

Like the birth father, the spiritual master may be tough on the disciple. They may demand a lot and not provide much encouragement along the way. This is intentional, to support an output which goes beyond what was previously thought possible. Reaching new heights, exceeding potential, by being pushed instead of patted.

The saintly person appreciates these parents just as much as they do their biological ones. The combination of spiritual master and shastra is the conduit to the Supreme Lord, who is the original seed-giving father of this world.

सर्व-योनिषु कौन्तेय
मूर्तयः सम्भवन्ति याः
तासां ब्रह्म महद् योनिर्
अहं बीज-प्रदः पिता

sarva-yoniṣu kaunteya
mūrtayaḥ sambhavanti yāḥ
tāsāṁ brahma mahad yonir
ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā

“It should be understood that all species of life, O son of Kunti, are made possible by birth in this material nature, and that I am the seed-giving father.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 14.4)

The material nature serves as the original mother, and through proper instruction from the second set of parents, the dvija is able to fulfill their duties in the proper way. They may visit householders and provide vital services like offering names to newborns, as was done by Garga Muni in the home of Nanda Maharaja. They help others to advance in the evolution through the stages of life, hopefully culminating with liberation, which is the end to the cycle of birth and death.

In Closing:

For dvija new mother and father too,
Providing for second birth who.

More important required,
Since towards liberation inspired.

Shastra nurturing and with wisdom packed,
Through guru those meanings extract.

Then benevolently traveling where,
Glories of Narayana to share.

The Two Choices We Have In Material Life

“This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.14)

Download this episode (right click and save)

दैवी ह्य् एषा गुण-मयी
मम माया दुरत्यया
माम् एव ये प्रपद्यन्ते
मायाम् एतां तरन्ति ते

daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī
mama māyā duratyayā
mām eva ye prapadyante
māyām etāṁ taranti te

The tendency for saintly people is to rescue others. They are more than happy in themselves, taking pleasure from within.

One of the Sanskrit descriptions is atmarama. Translating the compound word, we have the individual soul and satisfaction. The saints of the Vaishnava tradition, belonging to a chain of descending teachers, take pleasure from the spirit soul, which is different from its surroundings.

Material life is typically spent in ignorance of this distinction. As a result, there are two choices for dealing with the everyday problems.

1. Avoid the onslaughts of maya

Can you defeat illusion? If we are seated in a cinema hall, watching a film, do we have any influence over how the events depicted on the screen will play out? If we are upset at the emergence of a bad character, how they cripple the law-abiding and innocent, how they rise to power in the make-believe city, can we do anything to stop them?

In the adventure-style video game, at the end of every level there is a character known as a boss. They must be defeated in order to proceed to the next level. The creators of the game intentionally introduce this difficulty, so that the players will feel a sense of accomplishment upon completion. Nevertheless, there is always the choice to continue playing, to try another game, to remain inside of the make-believe world.

The wise take this entire material existence to be something like an illusion. We can try to avoid the onslaughts, but that approach is akin to asking the master of the illusion to be kind on us. If I escape a bad dream by waking up, I still have the potential for a repeat experience in the future.

If one example of an onslaught from maya is a dreaded disease, I can claim victory by healing myself. Through whatever means, be it change in diet or proper treatment from a world-renown physician, at some point the disease vanishes.

This does not mean that maya will let me free. The next day there could be another onslaught in the form of economic destitution. The power-hungry governor, who previously told his political opponents that they were not welcome in the state, has decided to shut everything down in supposed fear of a virus.

He holds a daily press conference where he cries like a spoiled child about not having any money, demanding that others assist him. In the meantime, the businesses, the tax-revenue producing engine, are closed. The illusion of maya has scared me into believing that society may never recover, that all the work we put in these years went for nothing.

Eventually, this problem will pass, but maya’s illusion will continue. Another showing of another film will play at the hall. It seems I have no choice; that I must be an audience member and subject myself to whatever is shown on the screen.

2. Cross beyond by the cool breeze of Krishna’s grace

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada gives the beautiful comparison. The Vaishnava recommends this approach. Break free of the illusion. The first step is understanding it. Know your true identity as spirit soul, atma. Realize that atma is part of a larger, collective energy known as Brahman. The Sanskrit is aham brahmasmi.

More importantly, there is a controller of maya. He is the source of every kind of energy which can be classified. He created this material world to satisfy our desires to be in illusion, which means that He can also help those struggling inside of the dream.

The comparison is to a cooling breeze. This powerful force carries the boat previously stuck in the ocean across the finish line, so to speak. The Supreme Lord, the all-attractive one, promises that His devotees are easily able to cross beyond the difficult material energy. They make their choice to exit known through devotional activities like chanting the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

On repeat in cinema hall shown,
Crippling illusion of maya known.

Where always fear of some kind,
Perpetually agitated in mind.

Instead by that energy fooling,
Cross beyond by breeze cooling.

From one of all-attractive face,
Lifting me out by His grace.