God Plus One Is A Majority

“My dear Krishna, Your Lordship has protected us from a poisoned cake, from a great fire, from cannibals, from the vicious assembly, from sufferings during our exile in the forest and from the battle where great generals fought. And now You have saved us from the weapon of Ashvatthama.” (Queen Kunti, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.8.24)

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विषान् महाग्नेः पुरुषाद-दर्शनाद्
असत्-सभाया वन-वास-कृच्छ्रतः
मृधे मृधे ऽनेक-महारथास्त्रतो
द्रौण्य्-अस्त्रतश् चास्म हरे ऽभिरक्षिताः

viṣān mahāgneḥ puruṣāda-darśanād
asat-sabhāyā vana-vāsa-kṛcchrataḥ
mṛdhe mṛdhe ‘neka-mahārathāstrato
drauṇy-astrataś cāsma hare ‘bhirakṣitāḥ

So much corruption surrounding you.  The journalists; you sort of knew that before.  You thought they were biased, for sure, but now they have shown themselves to be below contempt.  They are flat-out liars.  They fabricate stories.  They use video footage from an unrelated event and present it as recent and indicative of a larger problem. They pile on and echo what their colleagues say.  You could never imagine being so dishonest, in so public a fashion.

The government, from low to high; they are all corrupt.  The members may divide into different parties and segments, but it is almost like they are acting.  They want to get paid.  They make money off foreign influence.  They will do whatever their donors want.  They display passion in opposing certain legislation, but that is just for show.  They clip videos of their speeches and include them in their fundraising communication.  In reality, they are interested only in improving their personal fortunes.

The courts; they are obviously bought off.  The law is just a piece of paper to them.  They first see what the plaintiffs or defendants are seeking.  Then they decide whether they can make that happen.  They choose sides.  They are not blind, as justice is supposed to be.  They will make cheating and stealing legal, if it serves their purpose.

You feel as if you are only one person.  Everyone is against you.  There is nothing that can be done.  Either keep quiet or expect to lose the fight.  The other side has the numbers.  They are an overwhelming force, and maybe it is better to go along to get along.

A wise person realizes that God plus one man is a majority.  If you have the favor of the Supreme Lord, then even an overwhelming force on the other side is not enough to overcome you.  Not that you expect miracles to occur regularly or that you call upon God to specifically help in a particular situation, but you have assurance that the effort in righteousness will not go in vain.

From shastra a clear example comes to mind, though there are many.  The Pandava brothers were kicked out of the kingdom that rightfully belonged to them.  They were out on the street, homeless and with no money to their name.  They had to simultaneously support their mother and wife.  It was not an easy condition to endure.

The entire time they were favored by Shri Krishna.  This means they had the majority.  When the hostilities eventually concluded with a massive war, it was Krishna who steered the chariot of Arjuna, the leading warrior for the Pandava side.

The Kauravas did not stand a chance.  They had tried desperately to completely eliminate the Pandavas on several occasions.  After the fact, Kunti Devi fondly remembered those incidents.  Though the family was put through so much trouble, in that difficulty they were completely surrendered to the lotus feet of Krishna.  He was their savior, from beginning to end.

The world of illusion and its countless followers may have the overwhelming majority in sheer numbers.  They may subtly give me the message every day to stop worshiping someone you can’t see, who is otherwise imaginary, who doesn’t really exist.  They want that I fall into the bottomless trap of sense gratification, which is the most hellish existence.  They won’t get in my way if I choose that direction; they will relent in their interference.

Since I have the Supreme Lord protecting my devotional efforts, I always have the majority.  It is they who will be defeated, who will be forced to manifest again and again, in conjunction with the arrival and departure of kalpas tied to the day and night of Lord Brahma, the creator.  I will continue in my devotional efforts, knowing they will never be destroyed:  Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Attacking one most dear,
Immense pressure from peers.

That devotional path wrong,
Useless and time wasted long.

Better with the senses to play,
And follow unrighteous way.

But majority since Krishna with me standing,
Authority over all commanding.

Never Of Diminishing Potency

“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

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada explains that with Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no diminishing potency with the output of effort. The same applies for giving or extending capabilities to others.

The understanding is clearer when we take a few real-life examples. In one instance we have a wealthy businessman. They are the top in their profession. They are respected throughout society. They get cover photos on popular magazines and journalists are always angling for an exclusive interview.

Having reached the pinnacle of their field, this wealthy person still has desires. Foremost among them is seeing their dependents rise to the top. Let the sons and daughters strike out on their own, with some assistance, if necessary, and be equally as respected in society.

The issue arises when the children ask for financial assistance. They don’t know what it is like to struggle growing up. They live in beautiful palace-like residences, have attendants to meet their every need, and there is never concern over poverty.

Therefore, it is understandable that when the father does help them, they end up squandering the money. One failing business venture after another. They don’t have to worry about it; yet. They can always return to the endless bank account that is the generosity of the father.

At some point, the father has concerns. He is running out of money. Unless the children start to make it on their own, unless their businesses turn a profit, the father will be left bankrupt. They won’t have any potency left.

Another example is the guru offering a blessing to the disciple. The spiritual master in this case has an extended ability, brought about through meditation and dedication to austerity and penance. The guru is so blessed that they can pass on abilities to the disciple.

The problem is the guru knows that doing so will deplete their own reserve of powers. The guru cares about the disciple, but in this case they are hesitant to share in the benefits for fear of becoming powerless themselves.

The same does not apply to the Supreme Lord. Bhagavan can expand and extend His potencies to an infinite level and still remain the same. The best example to study is the expansion known as Supersoul. This is Paramatma, who is the all-pervading witness. We each have God inside of us. He never completely abandons us. We only think that He is far away because we have forgotten Him since before we can remember.

Despite witnessing everything as a neutral, third-party, Bhagavan is not stretched too thin. He hears the prayers offered in the temple. He watches as the burglar approaches the home. He is with the homeowner that tries to defend.

Bhagavan is also in the Vaikuntha planetary system, accepting the massaging of His feet by Lakshmi Devi. He hears the glories from the unlimited mouths of Ananta Shesha Naga. He meets with Lord Brahma and Bhumi Devi when they require assistance.

Bhagavan descends to this earth as Rama and Krishna, but His attention is never diverted. He is the ideal person to approach, regardless of what it is I am seeking. He will always do the best for me, as testified by the acharyas in the devotional line. They are never afraid to share their potency, since they know that Bhagavan is the true source of strength in everyone.

In Closing:

The source of everyone’s strength,
Not diminished by immeasurable length.

Where inside as Supersoul to stay,
And hearing what each person to say.

Even with servants to share,
Amazed at abilities there.

Bhagavan never a miser so,
My best interests always to know.

How Do I Properly Honor Someone Who Meant So Much To Me

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Prahlada, O most pure, O great saintly person, your father has been purified, along with twenty-one forefathers in your family. Because you were born in this family, the entire dynasty has been purified.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.10.18)

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श्री-भगवान् उवाच
त्रिः-सप्तभिः पिता पूतः
पितृभिः सह ते ’नघ
यत् साधो ’स्य कुले जातो
भवान् वै कुल-पावनः

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
triḥ-saptabhiḥ pitā pūtaḥ
pitṛbhiḥ saha te ’nagha
yat sādho ’sya kule jāto
bhavān vai kula-pāvanaḥ

“Listen, I understand that death is part of life. It is inevitable, along with taxes, as founding father, Benjamin Franklin, famously quipped. As Shri Krishna explains in Bhagavad-gita, as soon as a person takes birth, their guaranteed end is death. Birth and death are certain; they are paired events in the grand dichotomy that is a janma in the material world.

“I know that Shri Rama explains that for the mature human being there is no greater fear than death. The comparison is to the ripened fruit. Hanging off the tree, there is nothing left to be done. The previous work is successful. The karma that went into the planting of the seed, the care and attention offered during the growing process, the proper protection against the three sources of misery – everything ended well.

“In a similar manner, there is nowhere else to go for the mature human being. They must die. So many have passed on before me. So many will appear and disappear in the future. Again and again the host of beings is manifest and then later annihilated, toggling through the transition based on the duration of Brahma’s day and night.

“Despite everyone knowing this certainty of an existence, to deal with the pain of loss is difficult. Especially if the departed is a loved one, like a father, it is a striking blow to realize that you will never speak to that person again. There are no remnants of their time in this world other than memories. That you will always keep, but it would be of some comfort to know that you could at least contact the person after they have left.

“Nevertheless, this is the reality we must deal with. I am okay with everything, except for one lingering issue. How do we properly honor the person who has left? We can offer kind words and heartfelt tears for their departure, but I don’t think that really does anything, What is the best way to make their contact with us fruitful?”

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada describes bhakti-yoga as watering the root of the tree. This material world has so much variety. Though everything is in one sense illusion, like scenes in a dream, there is so much to experience that it is like we are jumping from one branch of a tree to another.

The branches have different levels. You start at one place and then break out in one direction. There is a new line created on the other side. One branch has children, who then have siblings. Then there are grandchildren, aunts, uncles, ancestors, and so forth.

At the root of the tree is the Almighty, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. We are encouraged to worship Him directly. He is the father to even Brahma. The four-headed creator emerges from the stem of the lotus-flower tied to the lotus-like navel of Vishnu, who is all-pervading.

This direct approach and appeal to the original person, adi-purusha, has the exclusive benefit of automatically helping others. If Vishnu is pleased with my worship, then my parents, grandparents, and several generations of forefathers get honored at the same time.

As is known to the wise, honor ascends. If I do something noteworthy, something to legitimately help society, then it is a positive reflection on those who came before me. Though I am proud of my abilities, I could not stand up without the help of my protectors. I was fully dependent on them at one time, and they had their own teachers and guides.

From a historical account found in Shrimad Bhagavatam, we see a five-year old boy asking God directly for clemency for his just-departed, sinful father. Prahlada Maharaja wants that Hiranyakashipu not be held liable for his horrible crimes. Perhaps the Almighty can forgive, as the leader of the Daityas had merely been ensnared in the grand illusion of the material world.

Vishnu as Narasimhadeva replied that Hiranyakashipu was already liberated. This was because the demon had a son like Prahlada. Though there was no explicit instruction in the path of devotion, though there was only antagonism and interference, nevertheless the situation created by the father allowed the son to thrive in his devotion.

Therefore, some credit was due. Imagine, then, the benefit that extends to my father who has led a pious life, showing unconditional love to me, even when I didn’t deserve it. Imagine how much the Supreme Lord must love him, who has shown by example the importance of spiritual life and following regulative principles. My father will forever be glorious, as he showed me the way towards unending bliss and happiness in the shelter of the husband of Lakshmi.

In Closing:

To forget him never,
Sitting glorious forever.

Since path by him shown,
Through which Almighty known.

That despite short time spent,
This life for something meant.

Simple but always unafraid,
Best example through obeisances paid.

Working From Home

“The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.2.6)

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स वै पुंसां परो धर्मो
यतो भक्तिर् अधोक्षजे
अहैतुक्य् अप्रतिहता
ययात्मा सुप्रसीदति

sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo
yato bhaktir adhokṣaje
ahaituky apratihatā
yayātmā suprasīdati

Because of modern amenities, we can do things today that simply were not possible in the past. This accounts for dealing with tragedies, both personal and affecting the society at large. The advantage is helpful at maintaining a living, and the flexibility afforded gives a glimpse into the way spiritual life can be practiced when at the highest levels of consciousness.

A tragedy strikes at home, warranting extra attention. The family needs you, and you cannot abandon them. The problem is that work does not simply wait around. They may give you some time off, but it is not like they can halt operations indefinitely while you sort everything out.

One of the advantages of the modern day is telecommuting. Within certain businesses, the majority of vital functions occur on a computer, and people connect to the data through central repositories. This means that if everyone is at the office, they are still working remotely, in a sense.

The official title of “working from home” is simply shifting the office space. Each individual makes a micro-office at their place of residence instead of congregating in one suite in a corporate building. There are disadvantages, for sure. If you need to show someone how to fix something they are working on, you can no longer simply walk over to their desk and solve the issue in a few seconds. Instead, you have to set up a virtual meeting, share screens, and talk through the problem.

Nevertheless, the advantages are many. If there is a severe weather event, like a hurricane or flood, no time is missed. If the government forces everyone to stay at home for a set period of time, certain businesses can continue operations. They might even move forward without skipping a beat.

In the eternal occupation of sanatana-dharma, the visuals might give the indication that a person needs to visit a designated house of worship in order to advance. This establishment has a routine that is hopefully maintained by the residents. Wake up at a certain time, start a prayer and worship offering, read from sacred texts, clean the space, cook meals, welcome guests, and so forth.

Then there are the special occasions. In the Vedic tradition, practically every day can be a holiday. The Sanskrit word is nityotsava. Always celebrating the Almighty and those dedicated to Him. The house of worship and the steady flow of devotional activities also provide a means of auspicious association. If everyone else around me is dedicated to God the person, it is natural that I will follow along, if not only to fit in.

What should happen if such a community is not available? What if everyone is shut off from society? They are sheltering in place, working from home, and when they see other people they stand several feet apart, intentionally. They view other human beings as a collection of germs, a breeding center for deadly, contagious diseases.

Shrimad Bhagavatam describes the topmost religion to be without motivation and without interruption. The latter stipulation accounts for any interference based on external circumstances. That is to say if I want to worship God the person, there really is no one who can stop me. The graphic evidence of this truth is the story of Prahlada Maharaja and his encounters with Hiranyakashipu.

Devotional service is also unmotivated. In the beginning I certainly will ask something from the person who has everything. That is only natural. He is the eternal father, after all. I have a right to my father’s property. There is no shame or embarrassment in approaching Him for things.

If the love is really strong, I will maintain a relationship no matter what the response on the other side is. Growing up, my father may have denied my requests many times. I may have cursed at him when returning to my room. I may have openly declared that I was born with the worst father in the entire world.

Those emotions were only temporary, and I maintained my allegiance throughout. This is because nothing can change the relationship. My opinion is meaningless in the case of a loving father, since he will always be there for me, looking out for my best interests.

The relationship with the Almighty can be of the same nature. As I progress in devotional service, I will continue to worship, regardless of the response I am expecting. The connection in consciousness is enough to fuel me, and I will never tire of chanting the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Sheltering now all alone,
Forced to work from home.

So that income still flowing,
Without to office going.

Same with bhakti apply,
Where without help to try.

Since Bhagavan efforts behind,
In service support to find.

What Is The Purpose Of Living

“After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.19)

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बहूनां जन्मनाम् अन्ते
ज्ञानवान् मां प्रपद्यते
वासुदेवः सर्वम् इति
स महात्मा सु-दुर्लभः

bahūnāṁ janmanām ante
jñānavān māṁ prapadyate
vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti
sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ

“What is the purpose for our existence? Precisely referring to the present, where we are conscious, where we have vibrancy, where we can make rational decisions on how to behave. What exactly should we be doing to pass the time in a meaningful way? What does ‘meaningful’ mean, anyway?

“These questions are in the context of inevitable death. Dealing with the recent passing of a loved one, I make these inquiries. The questions were just as much relevant prior to the tragic event, but the departure of that person has left such a void that it seems impossible to fill.

“If I am in line awaiting a similar fate, what is the purpose to living? Why should we make friends if we will one day have to leave them? Why should we love family members if one day they will no longer be by our side?

“It seems like everything we do is a waste. Washed away by the waves of time. No lasting meaning to it. I guess that is maya, as described in sanatana-dharma. That is the illusion of the material world, but we are experiencing it right now. Why not just abandon everything and focus on death?”

The acharyas both explain the situation and show the proper example through deeds. The idea is to be renounced to the extent that body and soul are maintained. We cannot make advancement towards the highest achievement unless we are alive in some way.

Not only is death imminent in the present situation, but the cycle repeats. Countless times, spiraling through many births and deaths. Even after the time of annihilation of the entire cosmic manifestation, there is the chance that we will appear here again.

भूत-ग्रामः स एवायं
भूत्वा भूत्वा प्रलीयते
रात्र्य्-आगमे ऽवशः पार्थ
प्रभवत्य् अहर्-आगमे

bhūta-grāmaḥ sa evāyaṁ
bhūtvā bhūtvā pralīyate
rātry-āgame ‘vaśaḥ pārtha
prabhavaty ahar-āgame

“Again and again the day comes, and this host of beings is active; and again the night falls, O Partha, and they are helplessly dissolved.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 8.19)

As Shri Krishna describes in Bhagavad-gita, after many births a person comes to know Him in truth. This is the reason for our existence. The consciousness associated with this knowledge is permanent. It lasts beyond the present lifetime. The devotion towards the Supreme Personality of Godhead can never be destroyed.

The difficulty is that there are endless avenues of distraction. If I want to forget Krishna, I have every opportunity to do so. Like spending the entire time of a long-haul flight playing video games, I could find a way to stay occupied from the time of birth up until death.

The subsequent end will be painful, as I have not reached the proper conclusion relating to the world around me. I have not understood my true identity as spirit soul, atma. I have not put the material nature into the proper context, seeing its temporary duration and the misery accompanying association.

On the other hand, if I slowly move towards transcendence in consciousness, life within that illusion becomes easier. It will make the loss of a loved one easier to handle. It will bring enthusiasm to the renewing days, despite the ascension towards the inevitable end. It will bring a bliss never before experienced. And most importantly, it will bring the protection of the one who has final say, who is the creator of the material and spiritual worlds, and who always knows the best interests of the living entities.

In Closing:

Fortunate another day receiving,
That in His mercy believing.

Otherwise no possible way,
Not permanent here to stay.

Others already gone,
The loss to dwell upon.

But my devotion to sustain,
When right consciousness to retain.

Narasimha Chaturdashi 2021

“Desiring to kill his son Prahlada, who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, Hiranyakashipu tortured him in many ways.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.1.42)

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हिरण्यकशिपुः पुत्रं
प्रह्लादं केशव-प्रियम्
जिघांसुर् अकरोन् नाना
यातना मृत्यु-हेतवे

hiraṇyakaśipuḥ putraṁ
prahlādaṁ keśava-priyam
jighāṁsur akaron nānā
yātanā mṛtyu-hetave

Friend1: All glories to Narasimha. All respectful obeisances offered at the lotus feet of this amazing avatara of Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Friend2: The half-man/half-lion incarnation. The transcendental form matched specifically to the boons of protection offered to the Daitya king, Hiranyakashipu.

Friend1: It would be more accurate to say that Narasimha was there to meet the vulnerabilities in that protection.

Friend2: As immortality is not possible, Hiranyakashipu could not very well create the same through component parts. He sure did try, and Brahma was willing to oblige. The creator, pleased with the devotee’s level of austerity and penance, was ready to offer anything asked for.

Friend1: Up to the point of immortality, which even Brahma does not possess. I always find it interesting when someone is afraid of the image of Narasimha.

Friend2: You do?

Friend1: It is just that I have never had that reaction. I completely understand the purpose of that amazing avatara, who we celebrate on the auspicious occasion of Narasimha Chaturdashi.

Friend2: Seeing a lion holding an adult male on its lap and tearing it apart using nails doesn’t concern you in the slightest?

Friend1: Absolutely not. If you accidentally come upon the image, I guess that reaction is understandable. If you know the backstory, however, you wonder what took Vishnu so long to appear.

Friend2: And what is that backstory?

Friend1: That the king of the Daityas had the misfortune, as he saw it, to produce a son whose allegiance was to Vishnu. The devotion showed at an early age, and by five years Hiranyakashipu was fed up.

Friend2: What did he do?

Friend1: He tried peaceful means, at first. A sort of deprogramming attempt, of ancient times, the teachers were ordered to get Prahlada’s mind right. The boy should be focusing on ruling a kingdom, on concentrating power, on maintaining the treasury, on keeping enemies in check, and so forth.

Friend2: In other words, the family business.

Friend1: It didn’t work. Prahlada kept talking about Vishnu and the importance of the human birth as it relates to succeeding in spiritual life. The child even lectured other students in school. This led Hiranyakashipu to attempt lethal force.

Friend2: Kill Prahlada.

Friend1: Except it didn’t work. The demon employed a variety of measures precisely because Prahlada kept surviving. What kind of sick person would do that to their own son?

Friend2: Someone sick enough to maintain their hold on the illusion of their atheistic way of life. If Prahlada was telling the truth, it meant that Hiranyakashipu lived in a house of cards, one that was destined to crumble.

Friend1: One thing led to another, and eventually Vishnu appeared from a pillar. He technically wasn’t a beast or a human. He ended up killing Hiranyakashipu, but in a way that did not violate any of the boons previously offered by Brahma.

Friend2: In that gruesome image you see Prahlada Maharaja offering a garland of flowers to Narasimha. While everyone else was afraid, the devoted Daitya child was not.

Friend1: In the aftermath, everything was forgiven. Prahlada himself asked that Hiranyakashipu be pardoned. This is something I have a difficult time understanding. In the news today, we hear of horrible things happening to the defenseless, such as women and children. The people who are justifiably outraged demand justice; they want the offenders punished to the severest extent.

Friend2: Makes sense.

Friend1: Yet no one was violated more than Prahlada. No one was tortured in such a way; not before and not since. Prahlada asked for forgiveness for the father. Vishnu agreed. It is a little difficult to understand.

Friend2: To understand Prahlada, this is in the nature of a saintly person. They understand how material desire [kama] can interfere with better judgment. They know that a person acts according to their nature, and Hiranyakashipu was born in the race of demons.

Friend1: Why would Vishnu forgive, though? This was a great offense against His dear and innocent devotee.

Friend2: There is a backstory. Hiranyakashipu is actually an eternal servant, a doorkeeper in the Vaikuntha realm. His falling to the material world due to a curse is not actually a fall in the typical sense. The doorkeeper descends to play a role in a dramatic play, where the protagonist is Vishnu. Therefore, the whole affair is something like out of a dream; there is no substance to it.

Friend1: I think people might have a difficult time understanding that.

Friend2: Narasimha also sat on the throne of Hiranyakashipu. This is the Supreme Lord accepting something offered by the devotee. There are many such intricacies to these dealings, and on auspicious occasions we have the chance to remember, contemplate, and appreciate moving forward.

In Closing:

For servant so dear,
From pillar to appear.

In that Daitya kingdom where,
With nails of lion to tear.

The boons previously to gain,
Brahma’s word to maintain.

But Prahlada that time to save,
And liberation to father gave.

Two Incidents From Childhood That Give A Sense of Krishna's Protection

“For one who worships Me, giving up all his activities unto Me and being devoted to Me without deviation, engaged in devotional service and always meditating upon Me, who has fixed his mind upon Me, O son of Pritha, for him I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 12.6-7)

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ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि
मयि सन्न्यस्य मत्-पराः
अनन्येनैव योगेन
मां ध्यायन्त उपासते
तेषाम् अहं समुद्धर्ता
मृत्यु-संसार-सागरात्
भवामि न चिरात् पार्थ
मय्य् आवेशित-चेतसाम्

ye tu sarvāṇi karmāṇi
mayi sannyasya mat-parāḥ
ananyenaiva yogena
māṁ dhyāyanta upāsate
teṣām ahaṁ samuddhartā
mṛtyu-saṁsāra-sāgarāt
bhavāmi na cirāt pārtha
mayy āveśita-cetasām

1. Gliding through the water

“I don’t remember exactly how old I was. Maybe three or four. I could have been two, even. There was a pool inside of the community in which we lived. I’m assuming my parents took me and my older brother there one time for leisure. Go in the pool, have some fun, get out of the house. That sort of thing.

“Well, I was deathly afraid of the water. Not only did I not want to go in, but I started crying. I was not going to listen to anyone, no matter how much they told me it was safe to proceed. My father was there, and I remember him chastising me. I don’t think he liked seeing such behavior in a male child.

“Eventually, he picked me up by force and took me with him into the water. Though I was so young at the time, I still remember the feeling to this day. It was exhilarating. It was like being on a boat. My father was such a good swimmer, and I felt totally protected. I have never felt anything close since then. To me, that time in the water embodies the relationship between father and son.”

2. Falling off the bike

“I think I was six years old. Back in those times, children regularly roamed the neighborhood. There wasn’t as much apprehension as there is today. I took the bike out by myself, and I had only learned to ride recently.

“I certainly remember this much: I decided to try a stunt and ride the bike along the curb of the sidewalk. What a terrible idea. I failed to stay in a straight line and the bike crashed to the ground, taking me along with it.

“I actually got knocked unconscious. The only time in my life that has happened. I think a neighbor saw me lying there in the street and brought me home. When I woke up, the first person I remember seeing was my father.

“I remember the attention and care he was applying to my nose, which had been completely scraped off. No yelling. No chastising. Just peace and calm. He wasn’t even saying much. I felt completely protected, as if I had nothing to worry about.”

…

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada often remarks that a person in the material world should have nothing to worry about, precisely because their eternal father is the richest person in the world. Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, possesses the opulence of wealth to the highest degree.

Moreover, God is the greatest protector. The jiva souls run into trouble when they forget the relationship to Him. When they think they can become ultimate protector, in absence of God, they eventually run into frustration and defeat.

Shri Krishna promises in Bhagavad-gita that He is the swift-deliverer from the ocean of birth and death for His devotees. We are swimming without any rescue, stuck in this vast ocean, not knowing how to get out. Through remembering Him, who is always our well-wisher, who always has our best interests at heart, we will be protected: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Not well in pool faring,
That water easily scaring.

My father by force taking,
And exhilarating ride making.

With Shri Krishna similar so,
When of His protection to know.

That in this world never alone,
Greatest well-wisher ever known.