Isn't The Liberation Promise A Little Too Easy

“One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.9)

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जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यम्
एवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः
त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर् जन्म
नैति माम् एति सो ऽर्जुन

janma karma ca me divyam
evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ
tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma
naiti mām eti so ‘rjuna

“I think one of the primary criticisms with other popular faiths around the world is the ease with which you can get salvation. This is not exclusive to the afterlife, but clemency for deeds committed in the past and the current while still alive.

“It is as though the savior has taken out a contract. ‘You do whatever you want and I will save you.’ It doesn’t make much sense. Sure, if I am accused of a crime and about to report to jail because of it, my friend can step in at the last moment and take the fall. Though they are innocent, they make this sacrifice for me.

“This does not mean I am free to commit crimes in the future. That is the flaw with the savior model, as I will refer to it. Vedic culture, on the other hand, is supposed to be rooted in intelligence. A philosophy that we can discuss, poke holes at, contemplate, really think about for an entire lifetime. The goal is to change consciousness; not necessarily to make a formal acknowledgment registered in an official book kept by an institution.

“Yet we have that one verse from Bhagavad-gita. Simply knowing the transcendental nature of Krishna’s appearance and activities guarantees liberation. Rebirth stops. No more appearance in the land of birth and death. Does that not seem a little too easy? Aren’t we bordering on faith exclusively, here?”

The key is to know in truth, tattva. I must really understand how Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is situated. This knowledge is based on a juxtaposition. If I know how Krishna’s janma is Divine, I will automatically know that other kinds of janma are not.

For instance, my appearance in this world is not Divine. You could say it was in the sense that all energies are ultimately under the direction of the Supreme Lord, but it was ordinary in the sense that I was forced to take birth, against my will.

I do not remember where I was previously. I do not recall asking to emerge from the specific womb, at the specific time, in that specific country. These factors were out of my control. The same applies to death. The rare few like Bhishmadeva and Hanuman can choose the time they will leave the world, but for most people it is unknown. The forces of nature decide.

As Krishna’s activities [karma] are also transcendental, I automatically know that mine are not. I am under the laws of ordinary karma. In the simplest way to explain, say that I am the victim of theft at some point. This means that I must have stolen from someone before. “What goes around, comes around.”

In the larger sense, karma means that I will suffer a consequence related to the development of a material body. A material body carries distinction; a difference between my true identity as individual spirit and the temporary abode consisting of various elements like earth, water, fire and wind.

We can go on with the explanation, which means that simply from knowing two things about Krishna we gain a clearer picture of an existence itself. If I know the all-attractive one in truth, I will understand the futility of the pursuit of temporary rewards such as beauty, wealth, strength and fame. Even longevity is not an indication of superiority, as the tree can stand in place for thousands of years, while other living entities come and go.

After knowing Shri Krishna in truth, I will not have to spin on the wheel of suffering anymore. Bhishmadeva contemplates Krishna at the time of death and merges into the transcendental body of Narayana. This is one kind of liberation, and the service that follows is everlasting and enduring, ensuring continued bliss in devotion: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Just from two things knowing,
Immediate to liberation going.

But not to blind faith the same,
Because first to knowledge came.

And understanding of world around,
That temporary not on solid ground.

Again and again to spin on wheel,
Truth of Krishna a better fate to seal.

Four Important Questions To Answer At The Time Of Death

“One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.9)

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जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यम्
एवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः
त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर् जन्म
नैति माम् एति सो ऽर्जुन

janma karma ca me divyam
evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ
tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma
naiti mām eti so ‘rjuna

On his last day in office, the outgoing leader decides to declassify information related to several controversial investigations which took place during his term. Previously, there was the excuse of ongoing litigation holding everything back, but in truth the information would expose many bad actors within the government.

People are shocked at what is revealed, wanting to know even more about what else they have been lied to about through the years. As there is the inherent belief in God possessing omnipresence and perfect memory, there might even be the hope that in the afterlife every lie will be revealed, that the truth will finally come out to so much deception.

From Vedic literature we learn that there are more important questions to answer at the time of death. Knowing trivia will not do much for me in the long-term, especially as it relates to scandals occurring in a temporary world.

1. Do you know God?

He is the person that brought us to this world. He is the lone reality in the place otherwise governed by illusion. I mistake a snake for a rope. I take this temporary body to make my full identity, despite the many changes. I was once a student in school. I was once a flourishing athlete in a sport. I am currently a father, but perhaps in the future I will be a grandfather.

None of these identifications are permanent. They relate to the body and juxtapositions with other living entities. If I don’t know myself, how will I know God? The acharyas give the easy way; learn from outside working in. Understand who is God, how He relates to me and everyone else, and then I will also learn who I am.

2. Do you know Krishna?

This is a more specific question, relevant to information presented in Bhagavad-gita. Knowing God is important. Acknowledging His presence at the very least prevents grossly sinful behavior. This explains the concept of “God-fearing.” I will avoid dishonesty, deceit and cruelty because I know that at some time there is commensurate punishment for violating the laws of nature.

Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is the detail behind the abstract. He is the same person everyone else knows or denies, but with more identifiable features. He is all-attractive, stands in a beautiful pose with His two-hands, holding a flute and wearing a peacock feather in His hair.

If we simply know the transcendental nature to Krishna’s appearance and activities, we will never take birth again. Imagine that. Answer the simple question of knowing Krishna and we get the achievement of many lifetimes, the ultimate boon of liberation.

3. Are you attached to Him?

If we have full attachment to Krishna, it will be easy to know Him at the time of death. Otherwise, we tend to forget. Even if I have been devoted for many years, a sudden wrong turn in world events might distract my attention. I am worried over temporary outcomes, to the point that when I see an image of Krishna I am not as enthralled as I used to be.

The acharyas guide the way in attachment. We simply have to remember to remember. Force our way into association, whether we are feeling it or not. Krishna is our friend from a long time back, so the relationship is natural. The more we chant the holy names, the more we will be attached: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

4. Do you want to continue to serve Him?

This question pertains to life after liberation. At the time of death, knowing Krishna is enough to escape rebirth. Yet that does not mean existence ceases. I will continue to be somewhere. The soul never takes birth and it can never be killed.

If I want to continue to serve Krishna, I will get that opportunity; simple as that. That service meets my essential characteristic, dharma. This is one of the reasons that the only analogous term to “religion” in Vedic culture is “sanatana-dharma.” This is the eternal way of living, and we can find it through Shri Krishna.

In Closing:

This life fleeting fast,
Seeking occupation to last.

Where first in liberation setting,
Through proper consciousness getting.

But then continue in service too,
To supreme benefactor who.

All-attractive and pleasure giving,
His happiness my reason for living.

How Can We Overcome So Much Evil

“Neither the demigods nor any exalted personalities were there helping Rama, for He acted alone. You should not entertain any doubt on this matter. Indeed, Rama shot feathered arrows, plated with gold, which turned into five-headed serpents that devoured all the Rakshasas. The Rakshasas were oppressed with fear, and wherever they went and wherever they turned, they saw Rama in front of them. In this way, O spotless one, have your Rakshasas been destroyed in the forest of Janasthana by Rama.” (Akampana speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 31.18-19)

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नैव देवा महात्मानो नात्र कार्या विचारणा।
शरा रामेण तूत्सृष्टा रुक्मपुङ्खाः पतत्रिणः।।
सर्पाः पञ्चानना भूत्वा भक्षयन्ति स्म राक्षसान्।
येन येन च गच्छन्ति राक्षसा भयकर्शिताः।
तेन तेन स्म पश्यन्ति राममेवाग्रतः स्थितम्।
इत्थं विनाशितं तेन जनस्थानं तवानघ।।

naiva devā mahātmāno nātra kāryā vicāraṇā।
śarā rāmeṇa tūtsṛṣṭā rukmapuṅkhāḥ patatriṇaḥ।।
sarpāḥ pañcānanā bhūtvā bhakṣayanti sma rākṣasān।
yena yena ca gacchanti rākṣasā bhayakarśitāḥ।
tena tena sma paśyanti rāmamevāgrataḥ sthitam।
itthaṃ vināśitaṃ tena janasthānaṃ tavānagha।।

“I am overwhelmed with sadness and fear. The situation of the world is tragic. I feel so much for everyone, even the evildoers. They do not know the pain and suffering they are in for. It is awaiting them, at some moment in time. They do not know that the afterlife will not lead to escape; they will be forced to suffer in return for the pain they have caused others.

“The fear I have relates to living. I think the newly installed government, which illegally took an election, will implement mass genocide. They are looking to kill anyone who disagrees with their criminal ways. They will never openly admit this. They speak publicly in the opposite way, that they are interested in safety, welfare, and doing good.

“We are not blind to the truth. We know that the criminals have risen to power. They have the might of the military at their disposal. They can compel anyone to do anything. Rather than resist, we keep silent. Why rock the boat? Don’t make any waves. Stay under the radar.

“What is the remedy? I don’t think one person can effect the change that is necessary. How will my life in devotion survive? These people are looking to remove all vestiges of spiritual awakening, of allegiance to a higher power.”

Based on the historical information provided in Vedic literature, the clash between good and evil has been ongoing since before anyone can remember. We think the wicked are strong today, but no one can compare to the likes of Ravana and Hiranyakashipu.

They were so powerful that the demigods in heaven had to live in fear. Saintly people in the world were under constant attack. They were not to conduct yajna; lest the demigods gain in strength. The leaders were ruthless in their punishment. They killed the most innocent in society, sending the warning message to any potential dissenters.

Despite the numbers on the side of the bad, the Supreme Lord can always overcome. You can amass an army of fourteen thousand. The best warriors in the world, aided by the ability to change shapes at will. Flying with the advantage of being on offense, of knowing where the target is, the other side should not stand a chance.

Yet there He is. One man. Fighting alone. With His bow and arrows. The younger brother, equally as capable in combat, retreats to a nearby cave. Lakshmana provides protection to Sita Devi; she should not be anywhere near the conflict.

Shri Rama defends against the fourteen thousand. It is no match. The enemy is so soundly defeated that they have to run for their lives. They cannot scamper fast enough. The arrows chase them wherever they go. There is the vision of five-headed serpents at the end.

Know that Rama chases every demon in the same way through His all-devouring force known as time. The evildoers will always face the music; whether they are aware or not. Lost in illusion they think this life is the only one, that the living being is merely a set of chemicals.

असत्यम् अप्रतिष्ठं ते
जगद् आहुर् अनीश्वरम्
अपरस्पर-सम्भूतं
किम् अन्यत् काम-हैतुकम्

asatyam apratiṣṭhaṁ te
jagad āhur anīśvaram
aparaspara-sambhūtaṁ
kim anyat kāma-haitukam

“They say that this world is unreal, that there is no foundation and that there is no God in control. It is produced of sex desire, and has no cause other than lust.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 16.8)

Even if all hope is lost, if there is nothing on the horizon to look forward to, as long as I have the chance to chant the holy names and remember Shri Rama the other side has not yet gained victory: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Despite following the criminal way,
And through theft in office to stay.

This last victory not gaining,
Rama my efforts sustaining.

So that regularly to chant,
To break my will they can’t.

Standing with arrows at the ready,
With aim on their targets steady.

Is There A Risk Of Circumlocution In Shastra

“Shrimati Kunti Devi has prayed to the Lord just to enunciate a fragment of His glories. All His devotees worship Him in that way, by chosen words, and therefore the Lord is known as Uttamashloka. No amount of chosen words is sufficient to enumerate the Lord’s glory, and yet He is satisfied by such prayers as the father is satisfied even by the broken linguistic attempts of the growing child.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.8.44 Purport)

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“There is a principle in broadcasting that the fewer words the better. This is with trained professionals, obviously. I am not referring to the popular practice of giving radio talk shows to people who have no business being behind a microphone. Just because they are famous through some other means does not make them capable of holding an audience.

“Brevity is the soul of wit. Culled from Shakespeare, this saying is to remind people to get to the point. Your statement will be stronger that way; it will have wider appeal. Think of the quotes superimposed on images that then go ‘viral’ on the internet. If you put too many words, that will not make as big an impact; people will not pay as much attention.

“This brings me to the area of scripture as it relates to the Vedic tradition. While the original Vedas are not voluminous, you have the famous texts of Mahabharata and Ramayana. The Puranas seem to be rather lengthy, as well.

“Is not something lost in the messaging when the content is so long? I think Mahabharata would take almost a year to read. To think that the sages originally memorized the verses. I think His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada says that people in ancient times had such enhanced brainpower that they could remember these works after hearing only a single time.

“Nevertheless, don’t you think the impact would be far reaching if the length was cut down? Something manageable; perhaps a few hundred pages.”

One of the many names for the Almighty is Uttamashloka. If we attempt a literal translation, we get, “A verse that is above darkness.” Uttamashloka means that God is glorifed in the choicest poetry. He is worthy of the best. No one can compare to His eternal consort, Lakshmi Devi. No one is more dedicated to Him than Ananta Shesha Naga. No one can outperform Narada Muni in rescuing the world and inspiring great thinkers and teachers.

As He is Uttamashloka, God can be glorified perfectly in a single verse. Many are set to memory already. Take any of the famous Sanskrit shlokas from Bhagavad-gita, for instance, and you have enough to support an entire lifetime of devotion.

At the same time, devotion is not reserved for a select few. There isn’t some elite club that limits the number of members. Though He is Uttamashloka, the Supreme Lord can also be worshiped by the young child who is only learning to speak.

What qualifications do I really have to assume the occupation of devotee? From Narayana’s perspective even the best poetry I compose will be the equivalent of broken language from a child. Although I am not perfect, if I am sincere in my effort than the other side appreciates.

With respect to Mahabharata and Ramayana, the extensive length by comparison is due to the opportunity afforded to many devotees. Valmiki is not the only person glorifying Shri Rama, the avatara of Narayana who roamed the earth to eliminate the plague that was the Rakshasa demon named Ravana.

Vyasadeva is not the only person glorifying Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There are others who put forth their observations. They each come from a unique perspective in life, as do we. All are eligible, and there is no risk of circumlocution since the glories of God are endless. Even Anantadeva laments that He has not a sufficient number of hoods necessary to accurately describe the one whose glories are without beginning and without end.

In Closing:

As brevity the soul of wit,
The point please get to it.

With shastra a possible risk?
Since reading anything but brisk.

Idea that best verses reserved,
To Supreme Lord richly deserved.

But not limited to person one,
From any source can come.

Two Philosophies For Engaging With The World

“O Rama, You should know that just as fish cannot survive when taken out of water, neither Sita nor I can live without You for even a moment.” (Lakshmana speaking to Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 53.31)

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न च सीता त्वया हीना न चाहमपि राघव।
मुहूर्तमपि जीवावो जलान्मत्स्याविनोद्धृतौ।।

na ca sītā tvayā hīnā na cāhamapi rāghava।
muhūrtamapi jīvāvo jalānmatsyāvinoddhṛtau।।

1. Detaching from the insignificant

The number of words used to describe this category are few, but the scope is as large as the mind can imagine. To get an idea, take the vision of the universal form. Known as the virata-rupa in Sanskrit, this has been on display several times throughout history, most notably in front of the bow-warrior named Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

मन्यसे यदि तच् छक्यं
मया द्रष्टुम् इति प्रभो
योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं
दर्शयात्मानम् अव्ययम्

manyase yadi tac chakyaṁ
mayā draṣṭum iti prabho
yogeśvara tato me tvaṁ
darśayātmānam avyayam

“If You think that I am able to behold Your cosmic form, O my Lord, O master of all mystic power, then kindly show me that universal self.” (Arjuna, Bhagavad-gita, 11.4)

The awe-inspiring image still does not do justice to the objects represented within. Who can actually grasp the entire cosmos and more? We marvel at the sights when looking out the window when seated on an airplane. Everything looks so small. At the same time, the depth and scope of the land and surrounding nature come to life.

“Who in their right mind would think they could control any of this? Just see how amazing nature is. I don’t understand how any person can be an atheist after looking at all of this. The clouds alone are awesome enough; at least to me.”

Within a small section of that universe we have our own little world. Friends, family, home, community, roads, bridges, tunnels, job, television, news, sports, etc. So much going on, but know that in the long-term interest there is nothing happening.

The daily changes are part of an illusory play which has tricked us since we first entered this world. There is even illusion in that event, as we have certainly lived before and will continue to exist moving forward.

न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्
नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः
अजो नित्यः शाश्वतो ऽयं पुराणो
न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे

na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin
nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ
ajo nityaḥ śāśvato ‘yaṁ purāṇo
na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre

“For the soul there is never birth nor death. Nor, having once been, does he ever cease to be. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, undying and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.20)

It is proper to detach from the insignificant. Engage, but not really. You certainly have to do what is necessary to survive, such as eating, sleeping, mating and defending. The interaction should be limited, and the primary interest should be placed elsewhere.

2. Never letting go of that which is the most important

We cannot eliminate desire; it will always be there. As much as we can remove attachment to the temporary, there will remain a longing to serve. This is known as the essential characteristic of the living being. The Sanskrit word is dharma.

Dharma translates to religion, religiosity, righteousness, duty and so forth only because of the relation to the essential characteristic within. In other words, religion is dharma because it is the best way for me to satisfy my essential characteristic.

I want desperately to serve. This desire can never be eliminated. The recommended way of living is to detach from service to the temporary and instead remain attached to the eternal. The Sanskrit word is sat. Sat-sanga and asat-tyaga.

The Ramayana provides an ideal example of the way to live. We have the decision made by Lakshmana. The younger brother of Rama decides to follow the older brother into the forest. The term is fourteen years. Lakshmana is leaving behind a host of luxuries. What most people in the modern world aspire to, Lakshmana already had.

He chose to follow someone who is eternal; the chief eternal, in fact. Rama’s wife, Sita Devi, made the same decision. She would rather be poor and with Rama than wealthy and devoid of His association. Lakshmana makes the comparison to fish being removed from water. They cannot survive for long in that condition, and so Sita and Lakshmana would not let Rama leave for the forest by Himself.

They did not necessarily abandon the world. They did not remove responsibility entirely. The priorities were properly aligned; this is the secret taught by the acharyas. Make God the top priority and everything else will fall into place: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Temporary interests many,
But not lasting importance any.

So interest should renounce,
Rather than always to bounce.

Focus on the permanent so,
In service wherever to go.

Like Sita and Lakshmana leaving,
For joy of association receiving.

No One Is Actually Free

“He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.31)

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क्षिप्रं भवति धर्मात्मा
शश्वच्-छान्तिं निगच्छति
कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि
न मे भक्तः प्रणश्यति

kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā
śaśvac-chāntiṁ nigacchati
kaunteya pratijānīhi
na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati

Friend1: I get a kick out of anyone talking about freedom in certain parts of the world.

Friend2: In what context?

Friend1: That we live in a free country. That the person at the top of the government is the “leader of the free world.”

Friend2: I think they are trying to contrast with royal monarchies; places that don’t have elections.

Friend1: Oh, I know exactly what they mean. Except the idea of freedom existing in these democracies is laughable.

Friend2: What makes you say that?

Friend1: The government can destroy you in a second.

Friend2: How so?

Friend1: False indictment. Your company could have thousands of employees and been in business for over a hundred years. Then one day, a rogue prosecutor from the government charges you with nonsense. The lower courts convict. The highest court eventually overturns the bogus conviction, but the damage is already done. The company is out of business.

Friend2: That does happen. There are so many bad actors in government. These lower courts are often a rubberstamp. They agree with whatever the government prosecutor brings before them.

Friend1: Then this idea of elections and the people having a say, that is not true at all. They steal elections in broad daylight. A few locations intentionally hold back the vote counting. They are really calculating how many fake ballots they need to overcome the deficit. Then at the last minute they do a dump of votes, all for one candidate.

Friend2: And then no one is allowed to mention the crime. You will lose your business if you go public with what you witnessed before your very eyes.

Friend1: Reminds me of the incident in that communist country years ago. The students protested the government. They were massacred by the military. Now I think no one is allowed to even reference that incident; otherwise you will meet a similar fate.

Friend2: Shows you that the news is totally fake. They report what they want you to hear, not what is really going on.

Friend1: So combine these issues together and you realize that no one is actually free.

Friend2: Oh, of course. From shastra we learn the three sources of misery: from the heavens, from other living beings, and from within. No one is immune to these miseries.

Friend1: If we really had freedom, we could do whatever we wanted. In reality, everyone is under control.

Friend2: Of the laws of nature. We are not even guaranteed an outcome to the most basic action. Nature must first comply:

प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि
गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः
अहङ्कार-विमूढात्मा
कर्ताहम् इति मन्यते

prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni
guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ
ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā
kartāham iti manyate

“The bewildered spirit soul, under the influence of the three modes of material nature, thinks himself to be the doer of activities, which are in actuality carried out by nature.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.27)

Friend1: If everyone is in such a precarious condition, what hope is there for a better life?

Friend2: Well, devotion never perishes. Shri Krishna promises as such in Bhagavad-gita. If you work to create a pure consciousness, no one can destroy that.

Friend1: Even with the restrictions on freedom?

Friend2: The demons will certainly try to interfere. Shrila Haridasa Thakura was whipped a number of times in public. He never changed his ways. Prahlada Maharaja suffered unspeakable torture. He remained steady. The Pandavas were the victims of every kind of unlawful activity. They were victorious in the end.

Friend1: You are saying that God was supporting them.

Friend2: Supporting their devotion. Even if you succumb to the forces of nature, which every person eventually must, the devotion will remain. The saints focus on that area; they are not interested in the temporary. They renounce bad association and always chant the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Proud of living free,
But miseries just see.

How election to take,
With fake ballots to make.

Or business ruined in a day,
With false accusations to say.

But devotion always to maintain,
Since Krishna Himself to sustain.

Holi 2021

“O son of Kunti [Arjuna], I am the taste of water, the light of the sun and the moon, the syllable om in the Vedic mantras; I am the sound in ether and ability in man.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.8)

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रसो ऽहम् अप्सु कौन्तेय
प्रभास्मि शशि-सूर्ययोः
प्रणवः सर्व-वेदेषु
शब्दः खे पौरुषं नृषु

raso ‘ham apsu kaunteya
prabhāsmi śaśi-sūryayoḥ
praṇavaḥ sarva-vedeṣu
śabdaḥ khe pauruṣaṁ nṛṣu

On the occasion of Holi, we focus on and celebrate the exceptional ability in one person. A five-year old boy at the time, he even impressed the envious father, who was an adversary. He proved a truth explained in Bhagavad-gita, that the human being requires gifts from above in order to act.

We marvel at the extraordinary things others are able to do. One person describes it as, “Talent on loan from God.” They are proud enough to realize they are in a special category in terms of performance. At the same time, they are humble enough to know that not everything is in their control.

You can place two people in front of a microphone. The same age, the same hometown, the same gender, and perhaps roughly the same weight. The first person is too frightened to speak. They are unsure of themselves, and they feel embarrassed that others have to hear their voice.

The second person is right at home. They can speak for hours, uninterrupted, on a variety of topics. They do not require guests or callers to appear on the show. They can follow the same routine, day after day, for decades.

There are many such miracles occurring all the time, impressing those who are witness to the excellence.

1. Create original content, day after day

Similar to displaying exceptional broadcasting ability, a single individual can create new content for others to consume on a daily basis. The genesis is the mind. Unlike the supposed comedy hosts on late-night television, there isn’t a large staff of writers. There is some use of items in the news, but even on a slow news day this person can find items worthy of discussion.

2. Handle the pressure of being number one in their field

Everyone else is gunning for them. They have surpassed the competition. At the beginning of the process, no less, they zoomed ahead. Now everyone is in the rearview mirror. The norms of the industry shattered. What was previously considered impossible is no longer so. They are so good at what they do that they maintain a stranglehold on a particular period of time in the day.

No one dares go against them, and yet this person handles the pressure without issue. They have an entire company, with many employees, relying solely on them. The CEO of the large corporation may be vital to the original formation, but eventually they can move on and everything will still keep running. That is not the case with this one performer; he is solely responsible for the revenue stream.

3. Meeting admirers with politeness and kindness

A single person is so popular that wherever they go they find supporters. At the airport. On the golf course. Within the halls of Congress. The admirers are not afraid to approach this person. There is a closeness established through the listening process. They feel as if this person is family, though they have never met them previously.

The person who is the celebrity in this case amazingly maintains a cool disposition. The approaching admirers are greeted with a smile. The celebrity wants to make sure that nothing goes wrong with the interaction. They think that another person should never walk away from the encounter feeling short-changed.

4. Recalling facts at a moment’s notice

More so than excelling at a trivia contest, a single person might be able to remember people and events spanning decades. They do so rather quickly, inserting the appropriate context. They do not rely on others for backup or an internet search to fill in the pieces. This amazing recall-ability comes in handy in their specific profession.

5. Giving generously when others are not asking

A single person has plenty of wealth, and so others naturally gravitate towards the pot. They are with their hands outstretched, but the person in possession discriminates. They do not waste their money, but at the same time they are overly generous. They give to causes they feel are important, and sometimes without anyone asking. Their level of generosity surprises everyone, and most don’t learn the true depth until the person has passed on. They did most of their giving anonymously, as they did not want to draw unnecessary attention to themselves.

…

These are but a few examples of the amazing things a single human being is capable of. With Prahlada Maharaja, the victories were extraordinary since he was unwittingly placed into competition with his father. Hiranyakashipu wanted to inflict lethal punishment. The child’s crime was unwavering support and allegiance towards the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vishnu.

Prahlada survived being thrown off a cliff. Biting, venomous snakes did nothing to him. He made it out from the bottom of the ocean. He was focused on Supersoul the entire time. This is Vishnu’s expansion residing within the heart.

We are never alone. God is always with us. Supersoul is our link to others. Even when they have passed on, with the soul moving to another body, the Supreme Lord is always with them. If we can communicate with God the person, then we always have some sort of link to others, even if indirect.

Holi commemorates the time Hiranyakashipu tried to kill Prahlada by placing him into a fire. The witch named Holika had the unique ability to withstand fire. She took Prahlada in her lap and went to carry out the wicked deed.

It was Prahlada who survived. Holika did not. The ability in man is due to the Supreme Lord. This means that even if a person is exceptional in a certain area, that level of ability can drop to ordinary in a moment. Prahlada never wavered in support of Vishnu, and we will never forget His amazing contribution to the tradition of bhakti, which continues to this day.

In Closing:

All obeisances to him paid,
For amazing contribution made.

Attacks of father withstanding,
At the end alive standing.

Because ability on loan,
Vishnu everything to own.

Devotion of servants protecting,
Who everywhere His presence detecting.