Five Reasons Even Narasimha Was Not A Wrathful Deity

“The great saint Narada Muni continued: The demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and other great demigods, dared not come forward before the Lord, who at that time was extremely angry.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.9.1)

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It’s a commonly held belief. There appears to be justification in ancient works passed on and read to this day, though in translated form. It would help to explain why bad things happen. It stands to reason that category five hurricanes striking land are not a random occurrence, that someone upstairs is upset.

That person in the sky is known as God to most, and in a typical depiction there are signs of aging. It is an old man, who is upset and vengeful. He is looking down disapprovingly at the people below, who are supposed to avoid sin. Instead, they are neck-deep in it, not giving a second to spiritual life in their day.

The Vedas, which are authority passed down in a chain of disciplic succession, and therefore free of the defects of mental speculation, paint the proper picture. God is the oldest person, but He does not age. He has hands and legs, but they are not of the kind we know. He has a form, but it is transcendental. That form is the most attractive, and so one of His names is Krishna.

In that form, which is considered the original, God has nothing to do. He is carefree, at every moment. There are days and months for organizational purposes, but even time is of a different nature. It does not change the body of Krishna, who attracts the residents on the spiritual planet on which they live together.

If God is not angry, then how to explain the incident of the appearance of Narasimhadeva? This is described in works like the Shrimad Bhagavatam and Vishnu Purana. Apparently, the same Krishna incarnated on earth as half-man/half-lion. He didn’t really teach. He didn’t play His flute. He didn’t steal butter from the homes of the neighbors.

He killed, and violently so. He rid the world of Hiranyakashipu, a wicked ruler who was so low that he tried to have his own son killed. Even with this apparently fearful form of the Lord, the truth of the cheerful disposition in ananda, bliss, is not invalidated.

1. He was not angry at everyone

It is not like the hurricane who was Narasimha tore through everyone. His was an intelligent strike. People had done wrong, and at the top of the list was the king. During the encounter these people tried to attack Narasimha, and they paid dearly for it. The most important strike was on Hiranyakashipu himself, who was toyed with in the manner of Garuda capturing a snake.

“O Yudhishthira, O great son of Bharata, when Lord Narasimhadeva gave Hiranyakashipu a chance to slip from His hand, just as Garuda sometimes plays with a snake and lets it slip from his mouth, the demigods, who had lost their abodes and who were hiding behind the clouds for fear of the demon, did not consider that incident very good. Indeed, they were perturbed.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.8.26)

2. So many sinners, but chose only a few

If Krishna were to be looking disapprovingly from above, it stands to reason that if He were to ever descend to earth the entire population would be in line for punishment. In Narasimha’s case, the justice was limited to a certain set of people. Piety and sin are already accounted for through karma and time. These come from God, but they are managed indirectly. Krishna typically does not get involved.

3. Prahlada was not afraid

If God in the form of Narasimhadeva is ultimately mean and angry, why was Prahlada Maharaja not afraid? It was for this boy that the Supreme Lord came. Prahlada did not ask for the direct intervention, but enough was enough. Krishna arrived to do away with the boy’s father, who was the worst aggressor. Prahlada witnessed the targeted attack and understood the intelligence behind it. Therefore despite the demigods being afraid of the anger of Narasimha, Prahlada approached Him without fear.

4. The ultimate benefit for Hiranyakashipu

At first glance, it looks like punishment. The most important thing taken away from you: the kingdom. Then the immunity from death in so many situations worked around, proven to be faulty. At last, the very life taken from you, in the most gruesome way, torn apart at the torso.

Still, this apparent punishment was a great benediction to Hiranyakashipu. The wicked king was originally a devotee, cursed in the spiritual world due to a transgression. By dying directly at the hands of God, he received liberation, or release from the cycle of birth and death. Krishna’s anger was beneficial for everyone affected.

5. The supposed anger was against the sin, not the person

The spirit soul remains intact through death. Spirit represents the identity of the individual, and that identity can never be removed. There is the period of sleeping during the cosmic dissolution and when there is merging into the impersonal Brahman, but never is that identity gone forever.

“Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.12)

The punishment Hiranyakashipu received was for the sins. Even then, the fruit of bad deeds is known to arrive at the appropriate time. That reward is ghastly, as well, to match the original deed.

“Just as a tree starts to blossom during the proper season, so the doer of sinful deeds inevitably reaps the horrible fruit of their actions at the appropriate time.” (Lord Rama speaking to Khara, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 29.8)

For Prahlada’s father, the arrival of Narasimhadeva was specifically to prevent further persecution. Hiranyakashipu had tried to kill the five year old son in so many ways, but every attempt failed. Enough was enough, and it took a special person to stop the train of trouble. Prahlada was always protected, before, during and after Narasimha’s appearance. The supposedly wrathful deity was auspicious for everyone involved, including future generations who would hear of His appearance and remember it fondly thereafter.

In Closing:

To this day joy still deriving,

When to hear of Narasimha arriving.

The wicked king finally to do away,

And palace guards coming in the way.

Though angry even the demigods to fear,

Not for Prahlada happily coming near.

Specific case with a targeted strike,

Benefit to saint and sinner alike.

Four Activities Accounted For Through Charanamrita

“It is described in the Padma Purana that even a person who has never been able to give in charity, who has never been able to perform a great sacrifice, who has never been able to study the Vedas, who has never been able to worship the Lord - or, in other words, even one who has never done any pious activities - if he simply drinks the charanamritam which is kept in the temple, he will become eligible to enter into the kingdom of God.” (The Nectar of Devotion, Ch 9)

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It is a combination of two words. There is amrita, which is a negation of the word that means “death.” Amrita typically refers to a kind of drink produced through the churning of the ocean one time by the suras and the asuras, the good guys and the bad. The drink gave immortality, and it was like nectar.

Charana refers to the lotus feet, and combined together charanamrita is the nectar produced by touching the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is one of the reasons Ganga Devi, the river famous in India, is considered sacred. She emanates from the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord in His form of Vishnu, brought to earth by the help of Mahadeva, the greatest Vaishnava.

This nectar of immortality touching the lotus feet of the Supreme Pure is so powerful that it can eliminate the need for pious activities. Good and bad are applicable only in a realm of duality. One second a person is up, another they are down. Today’s winner is tomorrow’s loser. The rich and the poor can trade places, not only in Hollywood pictures of that name, but in real life; in successive lifetimes, too.

Charanamrita is spiritual. It brings bhakti, which is love and devotion. The bhakti spirit is the lone requirement for entering the kingdom of God, a destination which even pious activities don’t guarantee.

1. Giving in charity

I have accumulated so much in my years of working. I’m not poor. I have enough to retire on, if I want. Still, charity is recommended. It is a way to break free of attachments. I am not the body, after all. By extension, I am not the possessions which I call my own. Giving to others, at the appropriate time and with the proper mindset, helps to purify consciousness.

2. Performing a great sacrifice

Charity is giving something away, and sacrifice is actually doing some work. Follow a procedure passed on through the generations. Don’t just worship anything, at any time. Act according to time and place, following the authority of someone who knows. Yajnas, or sacrifices, were prominent in the second age of creation, the Treta Yuga.

3. Studying the Vedas

I won’t reach enlightenment on my own. The highest wisdom won’t just come to me, though people have tried that route, which is known as the ascending process. It’s not like a lightning strike will suddenly change who I am.

I have to consult authority. The Vedas are non-different from God, and they contain many branches of knowledge. Through study I get jnana, which is knowledge. Jnana teaches me the difference between body and spirit, the need for charity, and the proper way to conduct sacrifice. The Vedas teach me the very distinction between pious and impious deeds.

4. Worshiping the Lord

It is a pious act to worship God. Even if I’m not sure who He is, where He lives, what He looks like, or what He wants, just worshiping in a simple way is so beneficial. The atheistic mentality will keep me bound to birth and death. I will find misery at every turn, especially when I least expect it.

Even if I can’t follow any of these four activities, there is still the chance to enter the kingdom of God. That is the power of the Lord’s mercy. One way that is available is charanamrita, which is found in temples and homes where there is formal worship of Bhagavan in the form of the deity. The people worshiping extend the potency of their efforts by helping others to regain their original consciousness, that of lover of God.

In Closing:

If only to one activity reduced,

Tasting like nectar once produced.

Because lotus feet contacting,

That charanamrita fast acting.

Need for pious deeds eliminating,

Consciousness original reinstating.

Since bhakti spirit power to create,

Bringing safely to kingdom’s gate.

Four Lessons From Govardhana-Lila

“The Lord's uncommon features, uncommon activities and uncommon beauty can be perceived even by an ordinary man. For example, when Lord Krishna appeared just like a six- or seven-year-old boy in Vrindavana, He was approached by the residents there. There were torrents of rain, and the Lord saved the residents of Vrindavana by lifting Govardhana Hill and resting it on the little finger of His left hand for seven days. This uncommon feature of the Lord should convince even materialistic persons who want to speculate to the limit of their material senses.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 4.7.32 Purport)

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It’s a little difficult to believe at first. A small child, lifting up a hill, and then holding it up for seven straight days. Not mere fun, not a way to test out strength, but in the moment of sheer panic for others, a dire emergency, the Supreme Personality of Godhead both receives the 9-1-1 call and rushes to the rescue.

Vyasadeva, the compiler of a significant portion of Vedic literature, which is the foundation of what passes today as Hinduism, was not a fiction writer. He was a realized soul, so he did not need to make up anything for his own amusement. He took the recollections of others and organized them into book form in the Sanskrit language. His own recollections and experiences are passed on as well.

If a person has a difficult time believing that events like Govardhana-lila took place, there is still value in hearing. Many lessons are taught simultaneously by the amazing work of Shri Krishna.

1. The inferior nature of demigod worship

Hinduism is known for its many gods, devas in Sanskrit. There are too many to count, though many are depicted in pictures and paintings. So many continue to be worshiped to this day.

During Krishna’s time in one area there was focus on Indra, the king of heaven. He received an annual puja in his honor, conducted by the residents of the farm community of Vrindavana. The people were very respectful of the authorities in Vedic culture. They worshiped as per tradition, understanding that a pleased Indra would reciprocate by providing sufficient rainfall.

The people had Krishna with them, whose association was more significant. When you have God with you, nothing else is needed. If you are afraid that something bad will happen by ignoring tradition, Krishna is there to put the mind at ease.

“Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.23)

Not only are the rewards of such worship temporary in nature, the people being worshiped don’t automatically become more favorable as a result. Indra did not offer any sort of forgiveness to the people of Vrindavana skipping his worship. He extended something better described as the loyalty punishment.

He was so jealous that Govardhana Hill was worshiped instead at Krishna’s insistence that he felt the need to retaliate with a devastating rainstorm, the likes of which would wipe out a city and its people in any other circumstance. Through Krishna’s subsequent protection the lesson was taught that demigod worship is not required.

2. Krishna’s land is worshipable

Not only is God fit to be worshiped, but so is anything directly associated with Him. This includes His land. Vrindavana is sacred precisely because bhakti flourishes there. Bhakti is prominent because the residents are always thinking of Krishna. That consciousness is partly inherited from past generations, who at one point were graced with Krishna’s direct association.

As God is worshipable, so is His land. The first Govardhana Puja illustrates this. The people brought the best preparations of food to the hill, offering with love. There was no doubt as to what to bring, since Krishna directed everything.

“The cowherd men then inquired from Krishna how He wanted the yajna performed, and Krishna gave them the following directions. ‘Prepare very nice foodstuffs of all descriptions from the grains and ghee collected for the yajna. Prepare rice, dahl, then halavah, pakora, puri and all kinds of milk preparations like sweet rice, sweetballs, sandesha, rasagulla and laddu and invite the learned brahmanas who can chant the Vedic hymns and offer oblations to the fire.’” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 24)

To make sure no one doubted the authenticity of the process, Krishna assumed the identity of the hill and spoke to the residents. He acknowledged the worshipers and directed that the same worship be conducted annually. That amazing formation of land is still found in this world, in the same place, in Vrindavana. Even if a person creates a replica of the hill on a much smaller scale, when the worship is done with the proper mood the same benefit is there: increased devotion to God.

3. You can extend full trust to Krishna

This was an emergency situation. Indra sent the cloud normally reserved for the end of creation. This means a ton of rain, more so than any hurricane striking land in recent times. There could have been doubt. The people trusted Krishna’s direction in worshiping Govardhana. Now they were threatened with instant death as a result.

There was nothing to fear. Full trust and faith can be extended to God. He will protect from all dangers. In this case He solved the problem by lifting the just worshiped hill. The land that was non-different from Him became physically linked to Him for seven days.

4. The pinky finger on Krishna’s left hand

The location on which the hill rested when it acted like an umbrella is no accident. After lifting the hill, Krishna placed it on the pinky finger of His left hand. This is the typically non-dominant hand; meaning weaker. The pinky is known to have the least strength of the five fingers.

God is so strong that He can do amazing things with something that is typically considered weak. If His pinky is this strong, imagine how much strength is there in Krishna’s arm? And these are visuals for our understanding only. God’s strength is actually beyond comprehension, and He is willing to apply that strength for the protection of the devotees.

In Closing:

Full faith in Him to extend,

Arm from pressure not to bend.

Since on pinky finger strong,

Lasting through rain pouring long.

Not like when with deva worship engaged,

Where one day pleased then another enraged.

Worshipable too His land,

Place on which Krishna to stand.

Why Would Anyone Go To Indra After The Govardhana Incident

“Krishna's invoking the anger of Indra and later on chastising him is a clear indication to His devotee that those who are engaged in Krishna consciousness have no need to worship any demigod, even if it is found that the demigod has become angry. Krishna gives His devotees all protection, and they should completely depend on His mercy. ” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 25)

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Friend1: Listen, I know the events described in the Bhagavatam are real.

Friend2: Who said they weren’t?

Friend1: Well, you know how people are. Who is going to believe that an elephant getting trapped by a crocodile will suddenly offer wonderful prayers to Vishnu? Who is going to believe that Hiranyakashipu was killed by a half-man/-half-lion figure that emerged from a pillar?

Friend2: For sure, the uncultured won’t understand. It is mythology to them. These things are inconceivable, but even the person who is materially minded and achieves the perfections of mystic yoga understands that these things aren’t out of the realm of possibility.

Friend1: Let’s say I am discussing with an open-minded person. They aren’t ready to believe fully, yet, but they want to know of the symbolic aspect.

Friend2: What do you mean?

Friend1: For example, Govardhana Puja. Any symbolism there?

Friend2: To the worship itself or what happened afterwards?

Friend1: When Krishna lifted the hill.

Friend2: I don’t like playing this game. You will get more out of it by knowing for certain that these events aren’t made up. The great sage Vyasadeva did not have time to waste on fiction. There wasn’t a secret plot, either, to help people understand higher concepts. In many ways these authors of Vedic literature were journalists, the genuine and trustworthy kind. They reported on what they saw.

Friend1: I understand that.

Friend2: Of course there is symbolism to everything Krishna does. His is the most intelligent mind. Everything we see around us that has intelligence derives it from God. When looking at the lifting of Govardhana Hill, what immediately stands out to me is the place where the hill rested for seven days.

Friend1: You mean that it was on Krishna’s hand?

Friend2: But which one?

Friend1: The left, I think.

Friend2: Yes.

Friend1: There’s symbolism to that?

Friend2: Not just the hand, but the finger. The hill rested on the pinky finger of Krishna’s left hand.

Friend1: For seven consecutive days, so as to give protection from the devastating rain.

Friend2: Yes. This was the weakest finger on the typically non-dominant hand. That is how strong God is. He is even stronger than that, but this incident gives us some idea.

Friend1: Oh man, that’s good. Thanks. Here’s another thought that just popped up. After this incident, why would anyone ever go back to Indra?

Friend2: You mean praying to him for stuff?

Friend1: Yeah. These people in Vrindavana were loyal to him for so long. Okay, they skipped his puja for one year. Just one time! And look what happened. Indra got so jealous that he tried to kill everyone involved. I understand that this was part of Krishna’s lila, meant to teach many lessons, but I would never trust the guy again.

Friend2: I don’t know if they ever did go back to him. They all saw Indra approach Krishna towards the end with prayers of contrition. Those prayers were very nice. That horrible deed, borne of wrath and envy, was instantly forgiven.

Friend1: Alright, but the potential is there with any kind of demigod worship. There is no customer rewards program. There is no loyalty benefit. Why not go directly to Krishna?

Friend2: Well, there you go. That is another lesson to take. The less intelligent, alpa-medhasam, look for temporary rewards through worshiping the devas. The wise understand that both Krishna and His realm are permanent. By worshiping Him, you go to Him. Going to Him means getting the greatest protection from danger. Even Krishna’s umbrella held up in the air for seven days is more secure than anything we’ve ever seen.

In Closing:

Of His protection can be sure,

Like hill on pinky secure.

Resting on non-dominant hand,

Subtle way Indra to reprimand.

Who through anger revenge sought,

Devastating rain to area brought.

Risk when trust to extend,

Better same to Krishna to send.

Ranking My Favorite People

“When the Supreme Personality of Godhead is pleased with the living entity because of his devotional service, one becomes a pandita and does not make distinctions between enemies, friends and himself. Intelligently, he then thinks, ‘Every one of us is an eternal servant of God, and therefore we are not different from one another.’” (Prahlada Maharaja, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.5.12)

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Friend1: Have you ever thought about who is the person you prefer the most?

Friend2: Besides Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

Friend1: I mean amongst your friends and family.

Friend2: Is this like trying to decide which of your kids is your favorite?

Friend1: Maybe. Something along those lines. “This person is my best friend.” “That person I can’t live without.”

Friend2: I guess. Maybe. What brings this up?

Friend1: I was thinking about it with regards to people close to me. I realized the list hasn’t always been the same.

Friend2: Yeah, it can’t be. We’re coming and going. Someone we are close with today may move somewhere far in the future. Then we will miss them.

Friend1: You can go years without seeing someone, but they are still a close friend. At least that’s the way it seems to me.

Friend2: Yeah. I hope you realize that such lists are based on what people do for us.

Friend1: What do you mean?

Friend2: This person is my friend because they help me. That person is my enemy because they aren’t as favorable towards me. Prahlada Maharaja says that these are the dualities coming from a material existence.

Friend1: Are they not real, though? You don’t think there is something behind the concept of enemies? Didn’t Sita Devi hope that her husband, Shri Rama, was making alliances, treating His friends well?

“I trust that He is getting friends and also been approached for friendship. I trust that He has auspicious friends and that His friends are giving Him first priority.” (Sita Devi speaking to Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 36.18)

Friend2: Well, we know that Shri Rama was playing the role of ideal man, husband, prince and leader. Administrators have to make distinctions. They have to differentiate between the law-abiding and the criminals.

Friend1: But the rest of us shouldn’t be making distinctions?

Friend2: At the highest platform of consciousness, you’re supposed to view everyone as a friend.

Friend1: How is that possible, though? Is it just a state of mind or is there reality to back it up?

Friend2: This is how the saint behaves. They see everyone as serving God to some extent. They try to help those that are serving God’s illusory energy of maya. They offer this help because maya does not bring much happiness. In fact, the changes in fortune happen almost on schedule, without endeavor.

Friend1: The happiness in serving God is different?

Friend2: Right. It lasts. It stays. The saint thinks everyone is their friend, because everyone is connected to God, who is so dear to them.

Friend1: I’m not quite sure I can relate to that understanding.

Friend2: It’s very difficult to. Prahlada is one example. He was favorable to everyone around him. There were enemies close to home. The father ordered the royal guards to kill Prahlada. The boy did not hold a grudge. He did not make a ranking system, where the mother was first on the list and the father last. Prahlada was extremely forgiving. He didn’t think he was better than his classmates. He instructed them on the science of self-realization because he thought that’s what a friend should do.

Friend1: I see. Interesting. I will know if I am advancing if I start to like more and more people?

Friend2: Haha, I don’t know. I’m just explaining the mindset of the saint to you. By no means am I one, but it is nice to appreciate their kindness. It is one of the reasons people like His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada are compared to an ocean of mercy.

In Closing:

Not that first on list the mother,

And last the demoniac father.

Prahlada with an equal view,

Friends even his enemies too.

Vision of sameness, through link connected,

Hating not king who to bhakti objected.

Saints this high platform to reach,

Then by example to teach.

From Farm To Table

“In the Skanda Purana there is the following description of the result of seeing aratrika (worship) of the Deity: ‘If someone sees the face of the Lord while aratrika is going on, he can be relieved of all sinful reactions coming from many, many thousands and millions of years past. He is even excused from the killing of a brahmana or similar prohibited activities.’” (The Nectar of Devotion, Ch 9)

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Friend1: I know you don’t like me complaining about social media.

Friend2: The vehicle itself or the people using it?

Friend1: The latter.

Friend2: You know I love it when you complain about anything. What is it this time?

Friend1: The pictures of food.

Friend2: Seriously? If people couldn’t post pictures of that social media sites would go out of business.

Friend1: I should be more specific. Produce.

Friend2: Like what you buy at the supermarket?

Friend1: Very good you mentioned that. It relates to my complaint. These are pictures of plants grown in the garden.

Friend2: Like eggplant, spinach and such?

Friend1: Tomatoes, too.

Friend2: Okay. And you don’t like this?

Friend1: I don’t understand why someone would think a tomato is worthy of public mention.

Friend2: It’s not just any tomato. They grew it in their garden. They saw the tomato when it was just a seed. It’s the miracle of life.

Friend1: They love putting hash-tags like, “From Farm To Table.”

Friend2: That’s pretty good.

Friend1: My complaint is that have these people not been to a supermarket? There is plenty of produce there. Where do they think the cucumbers, peppers, apples and bananas come from?

Friend2: Those are mass produced, though. They are grown far away sometimes.

Friend1: It’s the same miracle of life. Why not post pictures of the produce aisle?

Friend2: These are good questions. There is a difference when you witness something with your own eyes. You appreciate it more. It’s like when people witness the birth of a child. It’s life-changing.

Friend1: I guess you’re right.

Friend2: This is all the more reason to practice bhakti-yoga in the association of others.

Friend1: You mean like visiting the temple?

Friend2: Sure, but could also be at someone’s house. The atmosphere is what matters. Think about it. You hear this and that about God. You hear people explaining His glories and how everything we see around us is the product of intelligence. Nothing happens by chance, especially not something amazing like the planets, the sun, nature, and the seasons.

Friend1: True.

Friend2: Chanting together, in sankirtana, brings a direct experience of the Divine: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. The deity is there for this reason, too. It is the mercy of Bhagavan to appear in a statue. He does not have to do that. If someone experiences God firsthand, they will appreciate Him more. Increased appreciation hopefully increases the appetite for participation, and if that participation continues up until the time of death then liberation is guaranteed.

In Closing:

Of produce from garden proud,

Liberty to post online allowed.

That like from farm to table coming,

Saw it as seed, full plant becoming.

But same proof previously there,

Just now in new way aware.

Similar with deity in temple meeting,

Benefit just from arati greeting.

If Your Child Has Become Wealthy Have You Succeeded

“They pray to God to grant them blessings: ‘May You garner fame and return victorious. May You not lose a single hair while bathing.’” (Janaki Mangala, 29)

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Friend1: When you see your kid for the first time, right after birth, there are some pretty heavy feelings.

Friend2: Such as?

Friend1: Protection. You want to do everything you can to protect the child. Keep them away from harm. Let them not suffer, at all.

Friend2: That is completely natural. I know you don’t like me going off on tangents, but your sentiment reminds me of how people in Ayodhya felt a long time back.

Friend1: Towards their children?

Friend2: That’s the thing, these were two sons to the king, Dasharatha. Rama and Lakshmana were called away on duty.

Friend1: You make it sound like they were in the military or something. You know that is a form of punishment today; to straighten out kids that are troublemakers.

Friend2: The brothers were trained in the military arts. Since Rama is an incarnation of God, He exhibited amazing ability at a young age. That is why the sage Vishvamitra called on them. He and other sages living in the forest were being harassed by Nishacharas. These are man-eating night-rangers. Anyway, Lakshmana came along because he always followed Rama. When the two boys were leaving, people in the town prayed for their safety.

Friend1: Really?

Friend2: Just imagine that. On one side you had Vishvamitra who was employing them as something like bodyguards. On the other side the people did not pay attention to that. They prayed that not even a hair on their heads would be harmed.

Friend1: I guess this isn’t that much of a tangent. What is wrong in thinking that way for the children?

Friend2: Who said it was wrong?

Friend1: I know that you’re supposed to liberate the dependents from the cycle of birth and death. I’m assuming that spoiling them isn’t going to cut it.

Friend2: Well, you mentioned that you didn’t want the child to suffer. The greatest suffering is repeated birth and death. That is what liberation solves.

Friend1: Okay, that is in the long-term, but what about right now? You understand that this sentiment is what drives parents to push their children into high-paying fields. They want the child to be self-sufficient in adulthood, not having to worry about money.

Friend2: I am well aware.

Friend1: Is that misguided?

Friend2: Not at all. You would rather children grow up to be beggars?

Friend1: But money isn’t everything.

Friend2: Of course not.

Friend1: You are confusing me.

Friend2: Listen, just don’t think that once your child gets a good job and settles down that the work is complete. There is much further to go. Character is the most important. Look at Hiranyakashipu and Ravana. They were wealthy and powerful kings. Would you want your children growing up to be like them?

Friend1: Absolutely not.

Friend2: But they didn’t have to worry about money. They had plenty of food to eat. No one else had to take care of them.

Friend1: They lost everything in the end.

Friend2: Exactly. The material nature dictates that what goes up must come down. Gains are paired with losses. Better to work for a good character, which comes automatically through practicing devotional service, bhakti-yoga. There is the special benediction of receiving assistance directly from God. Hiranyakashipu had a son named Prahlada. The boy was not interested in gathering material power. He did not care about ruling a kingdom. That ended up being his future anyway, but his character remained the same. By surrendering fully to Krishna the boy did not lack anything. Meanwhile, for the father there was a great and tragic reversal of fortune.

In Closing:

Great job as adult to get,

In financial security set.

Work of parent properly done,

Since having destitution none?

Character concern more pressing,

Needs of spirit within addressing.

Hiranya and Ravana though with might,

In end lost everything in sight.