Is Purification Required Prior To Chanting The Holy Name

“Therefore, although I was born in a demoniac family, I may without a doubt offer prayers to the Lord with full endeavor, as far as my intelligence allows. Anyone who has been forced by ignorance to enter the material world may be purified of material life if he offers prayers to the Lord and hears the Lord's glories.” (Prahlada Maharaja, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.9.12)

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तस्माद् अहं विगत-विक्लव ईश्वरस्य
सर्वात्मना महि गृणामि यथा मनीषम्
नीचो ’जया गुण-विसर्गम् अनुप्रविष्टः
पूयेत येन हि पुमान् अनुवर्णितेन

tasmād ahaṁ vigata-viklava īśvarasya
sarvātmanā mahi gṛṇāmi yathā manīṣam
nīco ’jayā guṇa-visargam anupraviṣṭaḥ
pūyeta yena hi pumān anuvarṇitena

“I remember reading in the Ramayana that Sita and Rama, the Divine couple, prepared for Rama’s planned ascension to the throne, the abhisheka ceremony, by sleeping on the floor the prior night and contemplating Vishnu, which is one name for the Almighty.

“It is a kind of purification step. I understand that Rama is the same Vishnu, an incarnation appearing on this earth and providing the visual of a bow-wielding human, chivalrous in every way, and ever-dedicated to upholding dharma, which is the essential business of the living being.

“Sita and Rama set an example. Sleeping on the floor is a kind of austerity, especially for someone in a royal family, who has the greatest amenities available to them. In the modern day, the coveted dwelling is the new construction home. The number of floors, bedrooms, bathrooms, and the entire layout are all configurable. Moreover, no one has lived in that place before; it is being made specifically for you.

“In Ayodhya, the royal family lived in the best possible conditions. Beautiful palaces along with dedicated servants to take care of every need. Yet ruling is a kind of austerity, also. A sacrifice made for the good of the people. The king absorbs the blows from rivals around the world. Rama would have to prove Himself in battle in order to keep the people safe.

“My question relates to chanting the holy names, which is the sacrifice recommended for the present age of darkness and hypocrisy. Is there a purification step? I know that for other versions of yajna, you might have to fast for a certain number of days, sit in a specific place, face a certain direction, and so forth. Is there a similar kind of preparation necessary when worshiping in devotion, bhakti?”

We get confirmation from Prahlada Maharaja that the glorification is itself the purification. That is to say we start in the contaminated condition. It is an unfortunate reality to our existence, and we have no way of knowing better until the time of the second birth, which the spiritual master facilitates.

He opens our eyes to the duality of body and spirit, to the ever-changing conditions in our environment and how the illusion fools us into accepting the experience at the moment as everything. Purification through the jnana method is difficult, but necessary. Then there is the requirement for vijnana, the practical realization. An analogous concept is studying both the science in college and passing the field work in the laboratory. Learning the principles and then proving them via observation and experiment.

Chanting the holy names is a version of the direct method, approaching God the person and glorifying Him. Not asking anything in return for that glorification. No beauty. No money. No fame. If those should happen to arrive, they are accepted, but not valued on a scale anywhere close to the glorification itself, which is everything.

Prahlada is the ideal example both in his instruction and his circumstances. He was born in what would be considered a low-grade family. His father was the best of the Daityas, or those against the principles of dharma. Under the standard way of purification, Prahlada would have to wait for a future birth in a higher species to break free of the illusion.

Instead, he worshiped Vishnu directly, to the detriment of his own safety. This was the purification itself, though it wasn’t necessary since he was a devotee since birth. That same process can purify anyone, explaining why the acharya so strongly recommends it: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Fast today and face to the west,
For yajna this purification test.

Is there something the same,
For bhakti chanting holy name?

From Prahlada explained,
That when opportunity attained.

Potent itself the glorification,
Approach including purification.

Granting My Petition

“I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas am I to be known; indeed I am the compiler of Vedanta, and I am the knower of the Vedas.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 15.15)

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सर्वस्य चाहं हृदि सन्निविष्टो
मत्तः स्मृतिर् ज्ञानम् अपोहनं च
वेदैश् च सर्वैर् अहम् एव वेद्यो
वेदान्त-कृद् वेद-विद् एव चाहम्

sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo
mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ ca
vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyo
vedānta-kṛd veda-vid eva cāham

“I understand that Krishna is just another name for describing the Almighty, the one who is above everyone in terms of persistence, potency, longevity, and overall quality of existence. Krishna is not a ‘Hindu’ god; whatever that means.

“If not, there would be competing concepts for the sun, water, the mountains, the trees, the planets, and so forth. The reality is that there can only be one God. Who could deny that the original person would be all-attractive in their features and act as the greatest of enjoyers, purusha?

“If we settle on the truth that Krishna is all-powerful, then there is a lingering doubt in my mind. We learn that the root cause of suffering in this world is forgetfulness of Him. The solution might not be easy to decipher, for we fondly anticipate the remedy to so many smaller issues.

“If the country just opened up again, we would be happy. If I could once again visit the gym for a workout, sit down and eat at a restaurant, or relax in the bright sunshine of a matinee baseball game, then the panic would subside.

“That is simply not the truth. Another problem would arise, and another after that one. Every problem is actually due to forgetfulness of Krishna. The thing is, if He is so powerful, why can’t He change the situation? Why can’t He let us remember Him? Better yet, compel us to move in the direction best for our interests.”

The condition at present is something like having the government listen to and respond favorably to a petition. Say that I need to build an extension to my house. I would love to go ahead and get the work started, but the local government has laws dealing with these things.

I have to visit the local office first and submit my proposal. Only until they approve the changes can I begin; otherwise I risk a halt to the construction midway through. Or worse, there could be a stiff penalty to pay should the authorities ever learn of my rebellious act.

My overall forgetfulness is due to an informal petition answered by the all-attractive one. This is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita, where Krishna says that He is the source of forgetfulness. The Sanskrit word is apohanam.

I want to be in illusion. I want to be fooled. I want to forget. Something like purchasing a ticket to take a seat at the local movie theater for the next showing of the hit film, I want to pretend like I am unaware of the reality. Birth, death, old age, disease, the dualities of happiness and sadness – place those to the side, for the moment.

The same governing body grants the desire for remembrance. Supreme kindness represented this way. I simply have to want to remember God, and eventually the reality will unfold. I will never be able to forget Him, no matter the panic conditions in society.

I will be able to remember both in this lifetime and future ones. Not only will I finally achieve peace of mind, but there will be a newfound happiness; one not experienced in lifetimes prior. We can make our desires easily known through simple activities like worshiping, praying, contemplating, or even chanting: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Panic in society created,
So my spirits deflated.

That wanting remedy now,
Wondering to continue how?

Krishna like canvassing board,
Ready today to grant the reward.

Of remembering Him clearly,
An affectionate friend held dearly.

The Useless Austerities Of Hiranyakashipu

“O Lakshmana, do you rule this earth with Me. You are like My second self, so this glorious opportunity has been presented to you as well. O Saumitra, do you enjoy all the pleasures you desire and the fruits of the regal life. My life and this kingdom I covet for your sake alone.” (Lord Rama speaking to Lakshmana, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 4.43-44)

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लक्ष्मणेमां मया सार्धं प्रशाधि त्वं वसुन्धराम्।
द्वितीयं मेऽन्तरात्मानं त्वामियं श्रीरुपस्थिता।।
सौमित्रे भुङ्क्ष्व भोगांत्स्वमिष्टान्राज्यफलानि च।
जीवितं च हि राज्यं च त्वदर्थमभिकामये।।

lakṣmaṇemāṃ mayā sārdhaṃ praśādhi tvaṃ vasundharām।
dvitīyaṃ me'ntarātmānaṃ tvāmiyaṃ śrīrupasthitā।।
saumitre bhuṅkṣva bhogāṃtsvamiṣṭānrājyaphalāni ca।
jīvitaṃ ca hi rājyaṃ ca tvadarthamabhikāmaye।।

According to Vedic instruction, the human life is meant for tapasya. Austerity and penance, where both are voluntarily imposed. The chance is not there in the other species. The animals are at the mercy of nature. They eat until they are satisfied, but they do not fast on specific days as a way to better concentrate the mind on the source of all things.

Restrictions on eating and sex life find their way into sacred texts for the sole purpose of restriction and regulation. Otherwise, there is no objective to institutions such as marriage. Eat whatever you want, whenever you want. Kill indiscriminately, because there is no difference between matter and spirit, types of birth, the past and the future.

At the same time, the tapasya should be authorized. It should be directed towards the proper objective. A student purchases a laptop computer to deal with the suddenly imposed need to learn remotely. A hacker purchases the exact same model of computer, but for a different purpose. They wish to bring down the world’s banking system, to steal money and hide someplace thereafter.

The seed activity is similar, yet the consequences are different. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada says that the austerities of someone like Hiranyakashipu are useless. A total waste of time. That infamous Daitya king described in Shrimad Bhagavatam performed austerities to a level unimaginable. The less intelligent will relegate the historical accounts to fiction or mythology. They think that it could never happen, that it must be imagination at play.

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

“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)

Even with an attitude of skepticism, a person can at least play along, conducting a mock experiment. If someone did perform severe austerities for the purpose of world domination, would that be a worthwhile endeavor? Would they become happier as a result?

We see from the dealings in the kingdom of Ayodhya many thousands of years ago that royal life is not without its problems. There can be heartbreak to the point of prematurely ending life, as occurred with King Dasharatha.

In that kingdom the prince named Lakshmana accepted the austerity of always following his elder brother, Shri Rama, no matter the situation. Whether living in a royal palace or a recently built hut in the forest, Lakshmana would always be there.

Such austerity is the height of sacrifice and the ideal way to live. Other sacrifices do not yield a lasting benefit. Despite achieving world domination, Hiranyakashipu was always on edge. He was constantly worried that the enemy he denied existed, the Supreme Lord, would attack and take away everything. He was paranoid to the point of harassing his innocent five-year old son named Prahlada.

Tapasya for Shri Rama is worthwhile because He returns the favor. He tells Lakshmana that everything is done for the pleasure of His brothers. Rama has three younger brothers in Ayodhya and there is no rivalry between them. That avatara of the Supreme Lord appreciates every sacrifice made in His honor, and so the comparatively mild austerity in Kali-yuga that is the chanting of the holy names earns His favor immediately: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Possible even for a child,
Austerity by comparison mild.

Where effort not to go to waste,
Quickly arriving the transcendental taste.

Chanting names of Krishna and Rama,
Not like tapasya for kama.

Where useless in the end,
Since pain of samsara to extend.

Who Am I Going To Be Loyal To

“O Lakshmana, do you rule this earth with Me. You are like My second self, so this glorious opportunity has been presented to you as well. O Saumitra, do you enjoy all the pleasures you desire and the fruits of the regal life. My life and this kingdom I covet for your sake alone.” (Lord Rama speaking to Lakshmana, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 4.43-44)

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लक्ष्मणेमां मया सार्धं प्रशाधि त्वं वसुन्धराम्।
द्वितीयं मेऽन्तरात्मानं त्वामियं श्रीरुपस्थिता।।
सौमित्रे भुङ्क्ष्व भोगांत्स्वमिष्टान्राज्यफलानि च।
जीवितं च हि राज्यं च त्वदर्थमभिकामये।।

lakṣmaṇemāṃ mayā sārdhaṃ praśādhi tvaṃ vasundharām।
dvitīyaṃ me'ntarātmānaṃ tvāmiyaṃ śrīrupasthitā।।
saumitre bhuṅkṣva bhogāṃtsvamiṣṭānrājyaphalāni ca।
jīvitaṃ ca hi rājyaṃ ca tvadarthamabhikāmaye।।

“Let me start off by saying that I absolutely love bhakti-yoga. I understand that it can be practiced in a variety of ways. No one is forced into a certain path that doesn’t match their qualities. You see these differences in children. One child is super-active; they won’t sit still. Another is content to stay in one place, to read a book or watch a program on television.

“Bhakti-yoga is for connecting with the Divine, and since we are all His children He does not reject us due to a character flaw or lack of ability in a particular area. In the way that I have started, entered, advanced, and thrived, I can only say positive things. My personal testimony is that these have been the best years of my life.

“That is not to say I’ve lacked difficult moments. I caught on pretty quickly that this experience is not something to be openly shared with others. You can discuss news, politics, the weather, dogs, what you ate for dinner, where you want to go on vacation, what kind of car you wish to drive, the place you wish to retire – pretty much any topic is okay except for bhakti-yoga.

“The moment you mention your frustration with illusion, the repeating days and years, the futility of sense gratification, the joy from praising the Almighty and His features, you will get resistance. Sometimes it is pretty strong. Attacks from all sides.

“That person who you thought was your good friend. That loving family member. Those cherished colleagues at the office. That band of brothers formed during the college years at the dormitory. They want nothing to do with your newfound interest. They may even mock you. Insulting words. Chastisement. Ridicule.

“I can’t tell you how sad that makes me. Are we left with no choice? Should we abandon loyalty to people who have meant so much to us? I find it difficult to reject others, because with that path I will end up entirely by myself. Isolated and alone.”

Unfortunately, this is a choice many people have to make. A decision in loyalty. If we contemplate a little further, we see that the decision is not that difficult. As warned by Shrimati Radharani and the gopis, if you give yourself over to the all-attractive Supreme Lord, you will lose your reputation and the honor of your friends and family. Society will cast you aside.

There is a similar lesson provided by the Ramayana. At one point in time everything seems to be running smoothly. A kingdom in which every person is happy, engaged in their particular occupation. The eldest son in the royal family, Shri Rama, has been chosen to become the next king, to succeed the current ruler, His father.

Before the transfer of power can officially take place, plans change. Not only is Rama not going to be the next king, He has to also leave the kingdom and not return for fourteen years. Not simply setting up a version of the royal palace somewhere else, either. He has to live like a homeless mendicant, with no possessions.

Rama’s younger brother Lakshmana has a choice to make in terms of loyalty. Stay with friends and family or accompany Rama and share in the hardship. This is not a difficult decision. Rama was ready to share the power of the kingdom with Lakshmana moments prior, as the best of the Raghus has so much love for His three younger brothers.

Moreover, why should Lakshmana remain loyal to people who just stabbed his elder brother in the back? Why should he show allegiance to people prioritizing power over dharma? The embodiment of dharma, Shri Rama, meant everything to him, so the choice was easy.

In the same way, the person who has given us transcendental pleasure, who has rescued us from illusion, becomes our foremost priority. It is a tragedy that others cannot share in our joy, but that is the way of the world. At no point should we abandon the shelter of the lotus feet of the Divine, who can rescue us simply through sound: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Rescuing me simply through sound.
Not like the others around.

Who now mocking my choice,
No longer a supportive voice.

Since towards bhakti turned,
Valuable life-lesson learned.

That loyalty I’ve properly placed,
Shri Rama despite whatever faced.

Three Family Relationships To Learn From In The Ramayana

“O Lakshmana, do you rule this earth with Me. You are like My second self, so this glorious opportunity has been presented to you as well. O Saumitra, do you enjoy all the pleasures you desire and the fruits of the regal life. My life and this kingdom I covet for your sake alone.” (Lord Rama speaking to Lakshmana, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 4.43-44)

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लक्ष्मणेमां मया सार्धं प्रशाधि त्वं वसुन्धराम्।
द्वितीयं मेऽन्तरात्मानं त्वामियं श्रीरुपस्थिता।।
सौमित्रे भुङ्क्ष्व भोगांत्स्वमिष्टान्राज्यफलानि च।
जीवितं च हि राज्यं च त्वदर्थमभिकामये।।

lakṣmaṇemāṃ mayā sārdhaṃ praśādhi tvaṃ vasundharām।
dvitīyaṃ me'ntarātmānaṃ tvāmiyaṃ śrīrupasthitā।।
saumitre bhuṅkṣva bhogāṃtsvamiṣṭānrājyaphalāni ca।
jīvitaṃ ca hi rājyaṃ ca tvadarthamabhikāmaye।।

1. Ravana and Vibhishana

There was so much love coming from Vibhishana. The family were Rakshasas, which are something equivalent to man-eating ogres. Nature did not bless them with auspicious forms, to say the least. Yet from our personal experience and even studying history we see that circumstances do not always create a uniform type of character.

प्रह्लादश् चास्मि दैत्यानां
कालः कलयताम् अहम्
मृगाणां च मृगेन्द्रो ऽहं
वैनतेयश् च पक्षिणाम्

prahlādaś cāsmi daityānāṁ
kālaḥ kalayatām aham
mṛgāṇāṁ ca mṛgendro 'haṁ
vainateyaś ca pakṣiṇām

“Among the Daitya demons I am the devoted Prahlada; among subduers I am time; among the beasts I am the lion, and among birds I am Garuda, the feathered carrier of Vishnu.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 10.30)

In the Bhagavad-gita, Shri Krishna says that among the Daitya class He is the saintly Prahlada. Daityas are a race of demons described in Vedic literature. They descend from a woman named Diti, and every person who appears in their line tends away from dharma and the people trying to uphold it.

Yet Prahlada is different; he is an exception. He has saintly qualities from the time of birth. He is nothing like the other Daityas, who are led by Prahlada’s father, Hiranyakashipu. In the same way, Vibhishana stands out in the city of Lanka.

He does not denounce everyone as sinners and neither does he plot behind the scenes to overthrow the leader, who is named Ravana. Vibhishana has affection for his brother, who is ruthless in character and scary in sight, with his ten heads and twenty arms.

When Ravana has gone too far in stealing the goddess of fortune, Lakshmi Devi, Vibhishana is the only advisor in the kingdom to speak what is right. He tells the truth that Sita’s husband, Shri Rama, will forgive the offense. In other words, the city does not have to be doomed. Return Sita to Rama and everything will be alright.

2. Sugriva and Vali

Shifting from the man-eaters to the forest dwellers, these two brothers live in the kingdom of Kishkindha. Both are very powerful, having taken birth from demigods. Brothers are of the same family. They should look out for one another. The material world is a dangerous place, since every person is struggling to survive.

You could use any support you can get. Who better to lean on in times of trouble than your own brother? Yet the closeness, both in terms of interest and proximity, can lead to intense feuds. This was the case with Sugriva and Vali.

The issue for Sugriva was that Vali was much more powerful. If Vali’s anger rose to the point of desiring to inflict lethal punishment, there was nothing Sugriva could do but flee. He took shelter on the summit of Mount Rishyamukha, where he was assisted by the trusted servant named Hanuman.

3. Lakshmana and Rama

With these two brothers, the love is so strong that there is almost a back and forth in the offering of service. This should make sense, as Rama is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lakshmana is the first expansion, something like the ideal servant. Both are God, but in different manifestations. One is the worshipable God and the other the worshiping God.

A single moment from their dealings reveals everything about the relationship. Shri Rama receives the news that the father Dasharatha has made an important decision. Rama will be the next king. The transfer of power will occur soon. Everyone in the kingdom is delighted. If a poll were taken, the decision would receive one hundred percent support, with zero margin of error.

Yet Rama is so kind towards His brothers that He doesn’t want them to feel minimized. He offers to share the honor with Lakshmana. Rama proclaims that He does everything for Lakshmana, and this is not an exaggeration.

The principle transitions to daily life, in that when there is a struggle for advancement of some kind of material condition, there is sure to be strife, anger, resentment, competition, joy at another’s reversal of fortune, and sadness at another’s ascension.

These emotions are only natural, as we see from the Rakshasas in Lanka and the Vanaras in Kishkindha. If we made the attempt at purification through the bhakti-yoga path, dedicating our words and deeds for the pleasure of Rama and Lakshmana, then the attitude will surely shift.

A person is much happier living with the mood of Rama towards His brothers than the other way around. Envy and competition within one’s own family is no way to live, and through purification of the consciousness a universal brotherhood develops, where I view every person as related to me and sharing in my interest and wellbeing.

In Closing:

Sugriva and Vali for kingdom fighting,
Vibhishana eating words biting.

Instead universal brotherhood sharing,
Kind, patient and forbearing.

No more the previous envy to see,
Like affectionate Rama is He.

Such as honor offering to brother,
Who dear to Him like no other.

Three Things Kamsa Should Have Realized After Learning Of His Previous Birth

“Kamsa was made aware of his previous birth by the grace of Narada. He learned that in his previous birth he was a demon of the name Kalanemi and that he was killed by Vishnu. Having taken his birth in the Bhoja family, he decided to become the deadly enemy of the Yadu dynasty; Krishna was going to take birth in that family, and Kamsa was very much afraid that he would be killed by Krishna, just as he was killed in his last birth.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 1)

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Narada understood what he was doing. The words were carefully chosen, delivered at the appropriate time. First there was the voice from the sky, which gave the warning to Kamsa that his end was imminent. A person should only be so fortunate, to be made aware of the exact means of their demise, which was guaranteed ever since the exit from the womb.

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्
ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च
तस्माद् अपरिहार्ये ऽर्थे
न त्वं शोचितुम् अर्हसि

jātasya hi dhruvo mṛtyur
dhruvaṁ janma mṛtasya ca
tasmād aparihārye 'rthe
na tvaṁ śocitum arhasi

“For one who has taken his birth, death is certain; and for one who is dead, birth is certain. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.27)

The travelling preacher, the dedicated servant of the Supreme Lord, was informing the king of Mathura that the same angel of death soon to appear from the womb of Devaki had been an enemy to Kamsa in a previous birth.

Narada was looking for a particular response, and he got it, but Kamsa certainly could have accepted the information in a different way. A person not struggling with the drive for absolute power, with some sobriety in thought, would have picked up on a few amazing truths that Narada just revealed.

1. I have lived before

The information was that Kamsa was previously someone named Kalanemi. Never mind the exact circumstances. The name, the place, and the type of body could have been anything. From Vedic teachings we learn that a species is a specification of body type, consisting of gross and subtle elements. Due to the wide range of proportions and combinations, there can be up to 8,400,000 species.

Narada’s news meant that Kamsa had lived before. What a tremendous relief, to know that time didn’t begin with this very lifetime. There was an existence prior, where I was just as vibrant. Others were around to witness, to provide confirmation.

2. Death was not the end

As Kalanemi, death took place directly at the hands of Vishnu. This was Narada’s warning to take the message from the voice in the sky seriously. The voice had been telling the truth. Devaki’s eighth child was set to end Kamsa’s reign as king.

The same child had accomplished the deed previously. Narada knew this would instigate fear, but a wise person looks at the circumstances in a different way:

“Wow, not only have I lived before, but death wasn’t the total end to everything. I did take birth again. And what an honor to be killed directly by Vishnu. Amazing that He would consider me to be so special.”

3. Vishnu is more powerful than me

If Vishnu successfully targeted Kamsa in a previous birth, the plan to do so again would have to come to fruition. It would mean that Kamsa is not all-powerful. There was a previous existence, it ended, and another one began again. This one was set to expire, and Narada was kind enough to give the details of the finish line.

Kamsa did not think rationally. The demoniac are concerned only with the short-term. They do not understand the long-term consequences to denying the right to live for other innocent beings. They do not see that taking away someone else’s happiness and joy, unnecessarily, will eventually return to them like a boomerang heaved a great distance away. They fail to see the auspiciousness of the sudarshana-chakra, and how it always finds its intended target.

In Closing:

On target taking aim,
Disc of sudarshana the name.

Symbol against asuras spinning,
Punishment for accumulated sinning.

Kamsa after news from Narada hearing,
Still of imminent demise fearing.

Instead of honored to feel,
That Vishnu again to heal.

Three Mitigation Attempts By Kamsa To Preserve Life

“Within the prison, shackled in iron chains, Vasudeva and Devaki gave birth to a male child year after year, and Kamsa, thinking each of the babies to be the incarnation of Vishnu, killed them one after another. He was particularly afraid of the eighth child, but after the visit of Narada, he came to the conclusion that any child might be Krishna. Therefore it was better to kill all the babies who took birth of Devaki and Vasudeva.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 1)

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It is a way to give praise to someone who has just endured a tremendous struggle. They fell on hard times, where they could barely function as an adult human being. There was no guarantee of emerging alive on the other side, so some plaudits are due.

“See that person? They beat cancer. It was a tremendous ordeal. They cried so many times. They thought they wouldn’t make it, but they have the fighting spirit. Tremendous credit due.”

The wise person understands that no one actually survives, in the long term. There is no such thing as a cancer survivor or a survivor of some mysterious new disease that spreads throughout the world. This is because when there is birth, death is certain. That death is an agent of time, which is all-devouring.

King Kamsa had good fortune in the arrival of a voice from the sky, though he didn’t take it that way. Rare it is to receive prior notice to the end of the line, and there are different manners of accepting such information. For Kamsa, the king of Mathura, there was only one choice: mitigation.

1. Kill Devaki

The voice arrived at a strange time, though who would actually anticipate an akasha-vani, no matter what the situation? Kamsa was escorting his sister to her new family. Devaki and Vasudeva were newlyweds. Following tradition, Kamsa accompanied Devaki as a way to ease the tension, to smooth the transition into a new life.

It was during that trip that a voice from the sky warned Kamsa that Devaki’s eighth child would be his angel of death. Kamsa’s initial instinct was to kill Devaki, on the spot. This would preserve life, which was most important to him. Never mind the right to existence for others. The selfish leader cared only about himself.

2. Kill Devaki’s children

Vasudeva fortunately came to the rescue. Not with physical force, but with words of persuasion. He promised to hand over to Kamsa every child born; thus there was no reason for violence at the moment. Kamsa was so moved by these words that he had a complete change of heart. He acted peacefully towards his sister and her husband.

Narada Muni paid a visit one time and did not like seeing this. His purpose was to accelerate the events written by destiny, to have the Supreme Lord Vishnu appear as the eighth child to Devaki. Therefore, Narada stirred the pot by talking to Kamsa. He convinced the leader to be afraid of Devaki and her husband, since all signs pointed to the Divine advent. There were demigods appearing in nearby families, and so many people were anticipating Vishnu’s arrival.

Kamsa then imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva. Kamsa took each child that was born and threw it against stone. Abortion in the visible sense, leaving no mistake. The issue was that even this mitigation did not work. Higher powers were at play, and so the eighth child was born in secret, without others knowing.

In the middle of night, Shri Krishna appeared from Devaki’s womb. He was then transferred to the nearby town of Gokula, where a baby swap took place. Vasudeva returned with the female child who was just born to mother Yashoda. Kamsa then later tried to kill that baby, but it was actually Durga Devi. She revealed her true form and mocked Kamsa for such an attempt, informing him that the eighth child had already successfully taken birth.

3. Kill Krishna

Two plans failed, but one more to go. Just find baby Krishna and kill Him. Kamsa hired the best assassins he knew. These were asuras of the worst mentality. They had no reservations about inflicting violence on innocent children.

Sadly for the leader of Mathura, even this mitigation attempt did not work. God cannot be killed. He cannot be harmed in any way, but the asuras never learn their lesson. They are always trying to measure up, but they fall well short in comparison. Destiny was set, and the demoniac Kamsa would soon receive the proper rewards for his heinous behavior.

In Closing:

Asuras never to learn,
Only punishment to earn.

Which slated already,
Despite opposition steady.

But here directly from hand,
When avatara to land.

Though Kamsa with best mitigation,
True that sky’s vibration.