Talent On Loan From God

“Brahma told them that after taking away all the boys, he saw Krishna again playing with the same boys in the same fashion. Their bodily complexion was blackish, almost like Krishna's, and they all had four arms. The same calves and cows were still present there, in the same original fashion. Even while describing this incident, Brahma became almost overwhelmed. ‘And the most astonishing thing,’ he added, ‘was that many other Brahmas from many different universes had also come there to worship Krishna and His associates.’” (The Nectar of Devotion, Ch 46)

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Every individual has a genius unique to them. Though they may not exhibit the ability in public, though they may be unaware of the presence of this special talent, something amazing exists within them. This is because the spirit soul is the power source, the animating spark, so to speak. In any objective analysis, the soul would be considered amazing.

आश्चर्यवत्पश्यति कश्िचदेन
माश्चर्यवद्वदति तथैव चान्यः।
आश्चर्यवच्चैनमन्यः श्रृणोति
श्रुत्वाप्येनं वेद न चैव कश्िचत्।।

āścaryavatpaśyati kaśicadena
māścaryavadvadati tathaiva cānyaḥ।
āścaryavaccainamanyaḥ śrṛṇoti
śrutvāpyenaṃ veda na caiva kaśicat।।

“Some look on the soul as amazing, some describe him as amazing, and some hear of him as amazing, while others, even after hearing about him, cannot understand him at all.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.29)

It never takes birth. It doesn’t die. It can’t be broken apart, suppressed in capacity, thrown aside, buried under a rock, or burned by fire. The soul is the very essence of existence, and to extinguish its liveliness would be to rid the universe of every living thing.

That individual spark of energy is an expansion. This implies that there is an original source, the place from which the expanding began. The Sanskrit word is amsha. In the Bhagavad-gita, Shri Krishna explains from where these amshas emanate.

ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः।
मनःषष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि प्रकृतिस्थानि कर्षति।।

mamaivāṃśo jīvaloke jīvabhūtaḥ sanātanaḥ।
manaḥṣaṣṭhānīndriyāṇi prakṛtisthāni karṣati।।

“The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal, fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 15.7)

To distinguish between the source and the offspring, there is the word jiva. This references the individual souls, who have a choice in residence. They can remain in the company of the source, like sparks of a fire close to the blaze, or they can descend to a land of duality driven by illusion; something like the spark falling onto the ground.

Jivas can be found in different locations. Some live in the sky. Some in the water. Others tread the earth. The manifest world, which features the aforementioned illusion, has varying grades of residence. The earth is considered to be in the middle; sometimes pleasant, sometimes miserable. Hell is on the extreme side of unpleasant and heaven the exact opposite.

Jivas are in the heavenly realm, as well, and they exhibit amazing abilities. There they are known as devas; it is easy for even them to forget from where the potency comes, the shakti of the purusha. Paurusham, which is ability or human effort, comes from the same source mentioned before.

रसोऽहमप्सु कौन्तेय प्रभास्मि शशिसूर्ययोः।
प्रणवः सर्ववेदेषु शब्दः खे पौरुषं नृषु।।

raso'hamapsu kaunteya prabhāsmi śaśisūryayoḥ।
praṇavaḥ sarvavedeṣu śabdaḥ khe pauruṣaṃ nṛṣu।।

“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)

The best of the devas is Lord Brahma. Also known as Vidhata, he is the creator. He takes three base material ingredients and sets his imagination free. The result is 8,400,000 different species. These are nothing more than individual combinations of jiva soul and material elements.

It would be understandable for Brahma to feel a little proud every now and then. After all, there is only one creator in this universe. Every living being traces their ancestry to him, who emerged from the lotus stem growing from the lotus-like navel of Lord Vishnu, who is the same Krishna but in a slightly different manifestation.

One time Brahma’s pride swelled so much that he decided to play a trick on Krishna, who was on earth in the middle of His manifest lila, or pastimes. Brahma knew that his power to create was not of his own making. It was given to him by Vishnu. Every person’s ability has the same source; knowledge of which should keep pride in check.

Brahma saw Krishna playing with cows and cowherd friends. He decided to steal them from Krishna, to see what the Supreme Lord would do. To his surprise, the same Krishna who gives rise to the amshas simply expanded Himself to create identical versions of the missing cows and cowherd boys. There was no suspicion on earth. No one knew anything had happened. The powerful creator was defeated.

He also saw something else of interest. There were many other Brahmas on the scene worshiping Krishna. They came from other universes. The post for which he took great pride was not unique to him. Others were invested with similar responsibilities. The talent loaned out to Brahma was also shared with people from different universes, which could not be seen.

Serving the Almighty is the best use of the talent loaned by Him. Though the potency in the background is someone else, the individual gets full credit, such as with Shri Hanuman and Arjuna. Shri Krishna is kindness personified in this way; He keeps those serving Him always close by and protected from downfall.

In Closing:

Brahma as original deva known,

Expert ability in creating shown.

When ego too much expanded,

Thought over even Krishna commanded.

When defeat over illusion mind set right,

Then saw another amazing sight.

That Brahmas from other universes there,

Praising Supreme Lord in same field where.

How Can Bhagavan Hear Every Prayer Offered To Him

“When Narada came to see the activities of the Lord at Dvaraka and he saw that Krishna was present within every palace in the same body and was engaged in different activities, he was struck with wonder. This is one of the examples of astonishment in devotional service by direct perception.” (The Nectar of Devotion, Ch 46)

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Friend1: Have you ever wondered how God can handle every request made of Him?

Friend2: Are you implying that He should be overwhelmed? Sort of like that movie they made where if the Almighty were to check His email in the morning, it would have an infinite number of messages.

Friend1: Think about it. Celebrities receive so much fan mail. It’s impossible to give a reply to each one. These are people with significant resources. They could pay someone to read the messages if they wanted to.

Friend2: I know what you are saying, but the Supreme Lord is so much greater than any human being in ability. The quality is the same on the inside, that of spirit, but the exercise of ability is to such a high level that it is impossible to conceive.

Friend1: Yes, yes, and hence the name Adhokshaja. God the person has features which don’t register on any instrument.

Friend2: Put Him on a scale, and no measurement would result.

Friend1: Ask Him to lift a mountain, and He can do so.

Friend2: Holding it on His pinky finger afterwards.

Friend1: Even that is not enough. Put ten more mountains on top of that one and there still wouldn’t be an issue. Unlimited strength, balam.

Friend2: Seems like you already know the answers. What is the issue, then?

Friend1: An interesting concept, that’s all. The ability to discern multiple voices at a single time. You enter a sports arena and you know that so many people are talking. Yet you can’t make out a single conversation. The distinct words are muffled; you only get sound.

Friend2: But as Krishna states in the Bhagavad-gita, everywhere are His eyes, ears, etc. The Supreme Lord accomplishes omnipresence through the expansion known as Supersoul.

सर्वतः पाणिपादं तत्सर्वतोऽक्षिशिरोमुखम्।
सर्वतः श्रुतिमल्लोके सर्वमावृत्य तिष्ठति।।

sarvataḥ pāṇipādaṃ tatsarvato'kṣiśiromukham।
sarvataḥ śrutimalloke sarvamāvṛtya tiṣṭhati।।

“Everywhere are His hands and legs, His eyes and faces, and He hears everything. In this way the Supersoul exists.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 13.14)

Friend1: I get it, but the Supersoul is unseen. He is within the heart. We know of its presence based on external factors. It’s something like the nirguna version of the Divine.

Friend2: Okay, but our perception, or lack thereof, makes no difference on the reality.

Friend1: But is there a way to get further confidence in the matter? Is there something from the saguna form that proves the ability?

Friend2: You know that every one of Shri Krishna’s pastimes on earth is both factual and symbolic.

Friend1: The Puranas are not made up stories. They are recorded observations of real-life events, but not necessarily presented in chronological order. Some have yet to take place, but blessed with Divine vision the rishis of the past could see the future. Sort of like how Valmiki composed the Ramayana before the advent of Shri Rama on earth.

Friend2: The Bhagavata Purana has a story that might be of interest to you. The traveler of the three-worlds, Narada Muni, once visited Shri Krishna in Dvaraka.

Friend1: This is the city that Bhagavan had created in the water, surrounded by gates. This was during the stage of adulthood from His time on this earth some five thousand years ago.

Friend2: Yes, and Krishna had over sixteen-thousand queens. There is a story to that, also, but for today’s discussion it’s not necessary to go into detail. Narada visited Dvaraka and met Krishna. This was in one of the palaces.

Friend1: The obvious question is which Krishna? Didn’t the Supreme Lord expand Himself to live with so many queens?

Friend2: Exactly. Narada went from palace to palace and saw the same Supreme Lord doing the same kind of work. Narada was astonished by this. He knows very well the presence of the Supersoul. He has a firm understanding of Bhagavan’s all-knowing ability. Yet even he was surprised in witnessing the reality. If Krishna can simultaneously live in sixteen thousand palaces, He can also live within the hearts of countless souls, taking pleasure in their chanting of His holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

With many simultaneous prayers to hear,

How Supreme Lord for focus can clear?

Concept of Supersoul in Gita explained,

How through expansion omnipresence gained.

Visual evidence from Narada Muni get,

Who astonished when in Dvaraka set.

The same Krishna in many palaces so,

Identical activity wherever saint to go.

What About The Idea Of Not Disturbing People Interested In Karma

“Let not the wise disrupt the minds of the ignorant who are attached to fruitive action. They should not be encouraged to refrain from work, but to engage in work in the spirit of devotion.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.26)

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न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम्।
जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान् युक्तः समाचरन्।।

na buddhibhedaṃ janayedajñānāṃ karmasaṅginām।
joṣayetsarvakarmāṇi vidvān yuktaḥ samācaran।।

Friend1: I’m going to explain a phenomenon to you, but I’m not exactly sure how to present it.

Friend2: What do you mean by phenomenon? Is this behavior in other people or something about yourself? Maybe something that occurs in nature?

Friend1: With me; at the personal level.

Friend2: Okay.

Friend1: It took me a while to realize it. At first, I wasn’t exactly sure what was going on, so I used to blame the other people.

Friend2: Who are these “other people”? This doesn’t involve only you?

Friend1: No; the setting is general conversation.

Friend2: Direct or part of a large group?

Friend1: Could be either.

Friend2: Okay.

Friend1: The conversation turns towards an area where I have some advanced knowledge. The other participants are not aware.

Friend2: That you have advanced knowledge?

Friend1: Correct. It could be about anything. Politics. Sports. Computer programming. History. The idea is that I know more than they do, despite their speaking as if they are experts.

Friend2: This happens to me all the time.

Friend1: And so I immediately get nervous. I feel this pressure to perform. I have to share everything I know, but in the right way.

Friend2: In order to convince them.

Friend1: Exactly! The thing is, most of the time they aren’t convinced. They’ll look at me like I’m crazy. They think they know more than me. As a result, I get more upset.

Friend2: It’s in the nature of friendship. Even amongst colleagues, or what have you, everyone is considered an equal. Therefore, why should I have to learn anything from you? I’m not a student sitting in your classroom.

Friend1: I know that is the reason Shri Krishna had to change His role prior to speaking the Bhagavad-gita. Otherwise, it would be two friends discussing the highest topics, where one is an expert and the other not having as much knowledge.

Friend2: It’s guru-disciple. Higher knowledge is never accepted through friendship. Perhaps I can learn from my friend through experience, but then the relationship changes at the foundation, even if there isn’t an acknowledgement of the fact.

Friend1: I’ve become so frustrated at my failures that I don’t even make the attempt anymore. I stop myself before the urge gets too strong.

Friend2: You mean in similar situations you remain silent? You don’t share the advanced knowledge that you have?

Friend1: Right. What is the point? It doesn’t get me anywhere. The other people don’t listen.

Friend2: It’s to save yourself the trouble. There is something similar mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita, you would be happy to know.

Friend1: I am well aware. That was the setup. I want to delve further into that teaching. For anyone who may not know, Shri Krishna says that people too much interested in karma should not be disturbed.

Friend2: Do not distort their minds, buddhi-bhedam.

Friend1: From my personal experience I totally understand the teaching. Goes to show you how the Bhagavad-gita and other Vedic texts continue to have further relevance as time goes by.

Friend2: For sure. One reading is never enough.

Friend1: My question is that if we shouldn’t disturb people interested in fruitive activity, who are attached to the results of action, then why are we teaching bhakti-yoga at all? Shouldn’t we keep it to ourselves? The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan, endorses this decision.

Friend2: Not just people easily identified as fruitive workers, but many times within religious circles there is the same attitude. Guarantee salvation by a profession of faith and then go do whatever you want. Follow Vedic principles on worshiping higher authorities, but with the same underlying purpose.

Friend1: You are agreeing with me, then? Large groups of people would be disqualified as potential audiences. Authority figures would more or less keep quiet. Is that the teaching?

Friend2: You can look to the Bhagavad-gita for the resolution. What is the nature of Arjuna? What is the setting of the conversation? What was the behavior of both parties: the teacher and the student?

Friend1: There was genuine inquisitiveness.

Friend2: What was the spark, though?

Friend1: Doubt. Concern. Uncertainty over the proper course of action.

Friend2: In other words, interest. You are saying that Arjuna was interested in hearing from Krishna.

Friend1: Yes.

Friend2: Then? It’s the same principle in general. Find people who are interested in going beyond fruitive activity. Trust me, so many are fed up with it, though they may not be completely aware. Look at the rich and famous. Look at the people who work in a single office for so many years and then suddenly drop everything to try something new. Sense gratification is never enough.

Friend1: The Vedas offer more.

Friend2: Absolutely. Those who take a real interest in Krishna consciousness have become disgusted with material life. In sharing the wisdom of the ages with them, we are not disturbing anything. We are giving answers to those with important questions.

Friend1: Okay, but I know that sometimes a speaker will be at an assembly where not everyone has that interest. Disciples will take the impetus and try to find people to spark their interest.

Friend2: It’s always question-based. It is not going up to someone and pointing the finger at them. “You are eternally damned with the path that you are on. Surrender now to be saved.” It is not like that. Just as Krishna asks Arjuna at the conclusion of their talk to deliberate and make a rational decision, so the benevolent teachers of the bhakti tradition attempt to at least give people that choice, when previously they didn’t know they had one.

In Closing:

With desire appetite not to curb,

Karma followers not to disturb.

From Krishna Himself the teaching,

How then Vedic principles reaching?

Like with Arjuna an interest so,

Towards open-minded go.

At least then a different choice through,

One which previously never knew.

Three Ways Kama And Krodha Can Manifest During The Morning Commute

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

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श्री भगवानुवाच
काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः।
महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम्।।

śrī bhagavānuvāca
kāma eṣa krodha eṣa rajoguṇasamudbhavaḥ।
mahāśano mahāpāpmā viddhyenamiha vairiṇam।।

Arjuna is a conscientious disciple. He does not think only about himself. If every person were to act in their interests alone, one hundred percent of the time, the world would descend into chaos and madness. Theft would be permitted, and since even the thief expects respect of the property they have taken, conflict quickly abounds.

Arjuna was in a difficult situation, worried about the chosen course of action. Was it the right way? Was there something he overlooked? Could a different approach be attempted to reach a satisfactory resolution, to satisfy every party involved in the conflict?

Fortunately, there was the best teacher close by. So near that an amplification device was not necessary for audible communication, Arjuna could pose his questions directly to the person steering the chariot, which was situated in the middle of the battlefield of Kurukshetra, surrounded by thousands of the world’s greatest fighters.

The driver-turned-guru explained the ways of the world, not merely for that time period but applying to every era and every space, including other planets. Arjuna listened attentively and injected his own questions and opinions where appropriate.

One aspect of life that puzzled him was the seemingly helpless nature of human beings in the face of sinful behavior. How could a person continue to do something that they knew was bad for them? For instance, a person understands the health risks associated with a particular behavior. They have sworn off it many times in the past, but the next day they fail in their vow. What is the cause?

The guru answered that it is lust only. Known as kama in Sanskrit, it combines with wrath, krodha, to take down even the most discriminating individual. A simple example of the morning commute gone wrong shows how these forces can quickly manifest.

1. Anger at other drivers

“Why are you just hanging out in the left lane? Don’t you see the trouble you are causing? So many cars are behind you, waiting to pass the slower vehicles on the right. Yet you are just sitting there, as if on an afternoon stroll.”

“Thanks for not signaling your lane change, buddy. Really appreciate it. If only every person in this world were as inconsiderate as you, maybe we could have world wars on a daily basis. Great way to keep other people safe. Let me continue to drive right behind you so that I can keep guessing as to your next move.”

“Your tailgating me is not going to influence my behavior in the slightest. There are tons of cars ahead of me. What do you want me to do, jump over them? Back off or I will slam on the brakes and you will get a lesson to never forget.”

It is very easy to detect faults in others. Just look at a person. Immediately so many negative thoughts come to mind. With other drivers on the road, it is not difficult to get frustrated with apparent violations of etiquette and even breaches of the law.

2. Bemoaning your plight

Stuck in traffic on the way to work, where there is an important meeting scheduled, you bemoan your plight. It’s just not fair. You didn’t do anything wrong. Why is this happening to you? For what transgression has this punishment been delivered to you? Why can’t the trip to work be predictable, as smooth as it was the previous few days? It’s like the higher ups knew that this day was important to you, so they decided to mess with things.

3. Blaming other people for troubles

If the people living downstairs had only kept quiet during the night maybe you would have gotten enough sleep. Then you could have woken up on time and left the house prior to all of this traffic. If people knew how to drive, not stopping to gaze at every flashing light and every car pulled over to the side, there would be a quicker pace.

In this way it is easy to be devoured by lust and anger. The initial spark is a desire, and when it goes unmet, it is understandable to become upset. The anger then leads to bewilderment of memory and loss of intelligence. Sort of like punching the wall in frustration, nothing good results. The wall has no identity of its own, and striking your hand so hard against it only causes you pain, not the other way around.

The wise person tries to maintain a steady and sober outlook. An easier way is to remain connected in consciousness to the Divine. He was there in the personal form with Arjuna, serving as the guru, the role for which He is ideally suited. Shri Krishna is the adi-guru; no one comes before Him. Kama and krodha do not stand a chance at devouring someone who is protected by Him, as He once literally swallowed a blazing fire in the forest to avert danger for His friends.

In Closing:

Arjuna not just over his plight,

Wondering how against sin to fight.

Since even when better knowing,

Still into dangerous path going.

Truth that lust and wrath to devour,

Like during commute at rush’s hour.

So quickly turning into angry face,

Solution only Krishna could erase.

Five Issues Over Which War Can Break Out

“This world is compared to a forest fire caused by the cohesion of bamboo bushes. Such a forest fire takes place automatically, for bamboo cohesion occurs without external cause. Similarly, in the material world the wrath of those who want to lord it over material nature interacts, and the fire of war takes place, exhausting the unwanted population. Such fires or wars take place, and the Lord has nothing to do with them. But because He wants to maintain the creation, He desires the mass of people to follow the right path of self-realization, which enables the living beings to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.10.2 Purport)

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It has been ongoing, since before anyone can remember;a continuous struggle. Vedic literature describes the two parties: suras and asuras. Loosely translated, the good guys and the bad guys. Piety, righteousness, duty, attention and honor. The other side with murder, theft, intoxication, greed and general sin. It is not surprising that groups of people in large numbers possessing contradictory qualities would not get along. The tensions escalate to the point of violence, sometimes reaching the largest scale.

Philosophers, concerned citizens, welfare workers, and the like have bemoaned the situation.

Why can’t there be peace? Will we ever get rid of war, for good? How to prevent death on a mass scale moving forward?

As the trigger to conflict is not a single issue, to address every potential cause appears to be a daunting task.

1. Dispute over land

The guy next door is adding on to his garage. The house came with a designated area fitted to cover a single vehicle. An enclosure to protect against the elements, some people use the space for other purposes, like storage. He is adding a second garage, which means that the construction moves closer to the side, which is the dividing line of the property.

In fact, you think he has overstepped his rights. He is building on your property, but he claims that is not the case. Civil conversation has not addressed the dispute, and so it is off to court. Even if you win, it doesn’t mean there will be a peaceful resolution. Resentment might be the result, and the conflict could resume at any time.

The same type of dispute on the largest scale is not only the cause of instances of war, but ongoing rivalry, as well. People living on a piece of land today think that their ancestors were cheated. It is time to right the wrong. The other side has no idea about the past; they are fine with the situation at present. Yet when attacked on the issue, when asked to leave the area, they fight back.

2. Trade imbalance

One country has a surplus of funds. Another has goods in excess. The two naturally exchange: money for goods. Both sides should be happy, but then there is the vulnerability in terms of leverage. If one side decides to withhold, the other is in trouble. The country with goods will be lacking in funds. The country with money won’t have any goods, some of which might be vital to sustaining life.

One solution is to go to war. There is no such thing as a trade imbalance if you simply make the other country part of yours. There aren’t any similar news stories about one state in a country exporting more goods than other states. As everyone is part of the same name, under one umbrella, there isn’t as much concern.

3. Leaders disliking one another

There was a summit of world leaders. Each was allowed to make a presentation in front of an assembly. One leader didn’t like what another leader had to say about them. This led to a battle of insults, carried out in the press. The relationship between the countries was fine prior to this. In fact, they were considered the strongest of allies, but due to the influence of time leadership is always changing.

From a simple dispute between personalities a war can start.

“He thinks that I’m not smart? I’ll show him. Take this rocket. Here is another missile. Eat that.”

The other side then feels it necessary to retaliate, and the conflict escalates from there. Two individuals in a conflict can at most do damage to one another, but world leaders have the resources of their country at their disposal. In addition, the citizens become a target, caught in the line of fire. This was the case with the infamous Rakshasa named Ravana, who because of uncontrolled lust put the people of Lanka at risk.

4. Battle for religious supremacy

My salvation-style faith says that you must accept so and so or be forever damned. This other person has their own book and the name of a different prophet. They have an identical sales pitch, though. Accept or else. Everyone must be converted or they are of no use to this world.

If an entire nation were to subscribe to such a philosophy, it would serve as easy justification for invading another nation. Such conflicts fill pages in the books describing the history of the world. The idea is to let one religion reign supreme, when in truth the Almighty is automatically for every person, from every walk of life. Even the animals are connected to Him, and they have no concept of religion.

5. Control over commodities

Similar to the issue with trade imbalance, the justification for these wars is “the vital national interest.” If my country purchases a certain resource from one country, it becomes heavily dependent on that country’s wellbeing. If another country should interfere by invading and taking over, that could jeopardize the wellbeing of my people.

One way to remedy the situation is to go to war. Kick the invaders out. I’m fighting a war on foreign soil, and not even for control of the country that was attacked. In more extreme circumstances, a greedy leader wants full control of a commodity. Why even risk getting into wars in the future? Just invade and take control. This has happened many times in history, especially over food, spices and gold.

If there are so many triggers for war, how to remedy the situation? It seems like they break out spontaneously, without cause sometimes. How to keep such forces in check? If someone were to attack your home, would you not fight back? Then should not the nation do the same? Don’t they have a right? Is not war sometimes a necessity, an unavoidable reality to living in a temporary and miserable world?

At the root of every issue is kama, which is material desire, or even lust. Uncontrolled kama turns into wrath, and combined together they devour the otherwise sober and rational person.

श्री भगवानुवाच
काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः।
महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम्।।

śrī bhagavānuvāca
kāma eṣa krodha eṣa rajoguṇasamudbhavaḥ।
mahāśano mahāpāpmā viddhyenamiha vairiṇam।।

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

The only solution is consciousness of God, through more than fear or dogmatic insistence. Genuinely thinking of Him and seeking His pleasure, knowing His nature and understanding the variety of the world created by Him. Fortunately, this is made easier in the age of darkness and quarrel through the chanting of the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

Follow a routine and enter into a bhakti-yoga discipline. Be conscious yourself, to guard against lust and wrath. From there rescue others, and at least create peaceful situations and communities in the process. Every individual has the right to reunite with the Divine, in what is known as yoga, and that bond is so strong that no war can break it.

In Closing:

Like in forest spontaneous spark,

Out of nowhere a war to start.

Perhaps over resources distribution,

For imposed tariffs retribution.

Or religion supreme over all reigning,

So other nation my enemy naming.

Solution to every cause only one,

Bhakti life, calm even in conflict won.

Three Places In Shrimad Bhagavatam Where Parents Can Get Advice

“One who cannot deliver his dependents from the path of repeated birth and death should never become a spiritual master, a father, a husband, a mother or a worshipable demigod.” (Rishabhadeva, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 5.5.18)

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गुरुर् न स स्यात् स्व-जनो न स स्यात्
पिता न स स्याज् जननी न सा स्यात्
दैवं न तत् स्यान् न पतिश् च स स्यान्
न मोचयेद् यः समुपेत-मृत्युम्

gurur na sa syāt sva-jano na sa syāt
pitā na sa syāj jananī na sā syāt
daivaṁ na tat syān na patiś ca sa syān
na mocayed yaḥ samupeta-mṛtyum

Parenting is not easy, especially in the modern day. While it is likely to consider oneself advanced for living in times with machines that take care of so many daily chores, there is also an accompanying increase in anxiety. The news of the upcoming birth of a child can be dreaded for some people.

Is there enough money? What about time? Just a single person entering the equation causes a chaotic condition. In times past the reaction wasn’t the same. News of a pregnancy was likely welcomed. There wasn’t fear of how to maintain or provide. Family and friends were close by to help.

There are so many difficulties in just the early years, but what about beyond? What is the goal of life? In what direction should the parents steer the child? Independence in adulthood means free will, but the wise understand that the events and instruction provided during childhood play a large role in how the adult behaves.

Fortunately, there is the ancient text known as the Shrimad Bhagavatam to consult. Though composed in the Sanskrit language, with the verses in original form preserved to this day, due to the efforts of benevolent saints the same is available in a translated form. Among other things found in that ripened fruit of the tree of Vedic literature is instruction on parenting, presented both subtly and explicitly.

1. The Dhruva story

Your son has suffered a terrible insult. They can’t let it go. It relates to their father, after all. Not a typical situation, the issues within the family get further complicated when the “nuclear” dynamic gets stretched. Multiple mothers. More than one father. Children from another marriage living under the same roof.

Dhruva was insulted by the step-mother. Not a product of divorce or remarriage, in ancient times it was not uncommon for kings to take multiple wives. They could provide protection and the women were chaste and devoted.

Though the son of a king, Dhruva was told by one of the queens who wasn’t his mother that he could not sit on the lap of the father. That was reserved for her child. Dhruva would have to wait until rebirth to earn that right.

Dhruva felt scorned and so his mother stepped in. She advised him to seek the favor of the Supreme Lord, and so the boy went to the forest to meditate on Lord Vishnu. That was the only remedy to the situation. The boy was after revenge, which was a material desire, and the mother inherently understood that Vishnu would make things right; she was his first guru, though not officially acknowledged as a spiritual master.

The instruction turned out to be valuable because after meeting Vishnu face to face, Dhruva’s life changed. He forgot about his original purpose entirely. The mood flipped from anger to happiness. He had a different outlook, and the cause of the transformation was meditating on the Supreme Lord. The lesson to parents is subtle yet straightforward: even if a dependent should have material desires, the best option is to have them approach the personal God directly, for His association has a purifying effect.

2. The Prahlada story

Once the child is born there are countless ways to influence. Restrict from dangerous behavior. Feed certain foods. Maintain healthy association. Provide proper instruction.

The Prahlada story teaches that there is a way to give purification even prior to birth. While in the womb, the likely fate for Prahlada was to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was of the demoniac mentality. Hiranyakashipu was a powerful king who hated Lord Vishnu. Naturally, the attitude influenced everything in the kingdom. Prahlada’s potential birth circumstances would be considered anything but auspicious.

Yet the boy emerged as a pure devotee of Vishnu, wise enough to provide instruction to his classmates that even the seasoned adult likely wouldn’t have. The cause was hearing from Narada Muni in the womb. The Veda-shabda is so powerful that it can act even without conscious application. The sound of transcendence, of the wisdom of the ages, which is actually non-different from the person it glorifies, can influence a child prior to their birth. Prahlada’s devotion had such potency that it ended up defeating the antagonistic, powerful father who had previously never met defeat.

3. Rishabhadeva’s instruction

This is the clearest instruction to parents as to the purpose of their institution. That is to say the reason for becoming a parent itself is given through instruction from a king to his sons. The guidance applies to any person caring for dependents.

A person should not become a parent unless they can liberate their children from the cycle of birth and death. Otherwise, there is really no purpose, as sense gratification is available in any species of life. Better to take birth as an animal and enjoy with freedom from anxiety for the allotted time in that specific body type.

Human life is something different entirely, and the parents can play a pivotal role in turning the consciousness towards the proper direction. It is that consciousness which will ultimately determine pass or fail with regards to liberation.

Like with Dhruva and Prahlada, the best way to make that liberation a reality is to give the association of the Supreme Lord. Fortunately, a trip to the remote forest is not a requirement. Enduring endless lethal punishment from a parent is not necessary, either.

Keep a transcendental atmosphere in the home with the chanting of the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Purify with the sacred sound vibrations of verses from the Bhagavad-gita, Shrimad Bhagavatam, Ramayana and other related works. No person can guarantee what consciousness another person will have while quitting the body, but the path of direct devotion to God is so powerful that He helps to ensure success.

In Closing:

After new parent became,

Seeking sound advice and sane.

Ancient text applying to today,

Bhagavatam showing the way.

Like Dhruva with Vishnu’s shelter in forest setting,

But after meeting revenge desire forgetting.

While in womb Prahlada hearing from Narada clear,

King Rishabha for dependents’ direction to steer.

Four Analogies Used By Shri Rama And Family

“As a ripe fruit has no other fear than to fall, so a man who is born has no other fear than death.” (Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 105.17)

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यथा फलानां पक्वानां नान्यत्र पतनाद्भयम्।
एवं नरस्य जातस्य नान्यत्र मरणाद्भयम्।।

yathā phalānāṃ pakvānāṃ nānyatra patanādbhayam।
evaṃ narasya jātasya nānyatra maraṇādbhayam।।

The newborn is on a journey of constant discovery. One day they learn to turn over. The next they are moving from place to place, thrusting the legs forward. Not capable of extending the arms just yet, they make due with what they know.

That knowledgebase continues to expand with further experience. The parents are there to help teach more difficult concepts. A steady progression, starting with known objects and building upon them to reach ideas which were previously elusive.

As there is instruction involved, along with the parents the spiritual guide is also known as guru. Their word carries weight. They are heavy with teachings of substance. The highest value a person can have is the ability to rescue others from the cycle of birth and death. This is superior to providing food, clothing and shelter to last a lifetime. Even if so much wealth gets accumulated to support countless future generations, the benefit of moksha, or liberation, outweighs other priorities.

In the Bhagavad-gita Shri Krishna has a discussion with the bow-warrior named Arjuna. That conversation features many analogies. This is for the benefit of the intelligent and sober human beings, who are interested in further learning.

In the Divine incarnation of Shri Rama, the Supreme Lord similarly invokes analogies to explain higher concepts. His close associates do the same, as the material world bears similarities to the spiritual world, being a perverted reflection of the original, which is the real thing as compared to the shadow copy.

1. Ripened fruit

We have experience with fruits and the different stages of maturity. Everything starts with a seed. Every type of seed is already found within the earth, in the same way that every kind of dharma, or system of religion, is automatically included in the chanting of the holy names.

जथा भूमि सब बीजमय नखत निवास अकास |
रामनाम सब धरममय जानत तुलसीदास ||

jathā bhūmi saba bījamaya nakhata nivāsa akāsa |
rāmanāma saba dharamamaya jānata tulasīdāsa ||

“Just as within the earth are found every kind of seed and within the sky live all the stars, Tulsidas knows that Shri Rama’s holy name is the reservoir of all dharma.” (Dohavali, 29)

Fruit tastes best when it is ripe. Raw is not so good, and neither is rotten. When the fruit becomes ripe, which indicates the passage of a certain amount of time, it is ready to fall off the tree. Shri Rama takes advantage of this commonly known aspect of nature to explain the fear of death found in human beings.

The entry point is the seed from the father, who implants it into the mother. The first visible stage of maturity is emerging from the womb in the event known as birth. From there every individual has an identical final destination. The mature human being understands this, and so they have no greater fear than death, which is like the ripened fruit ready to fall off the tree.

2. Fish out of water

People might be surprised to learn that this commonly used expression is found in the Ramayana, which was composed so long ago that it is not possible to apply an accurate date. Many millions of years ago is a safe bet.

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

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

“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, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 53.31)

Rama’s younger brother Lakshmana uses the fish and its relationship to water to show just how strong the devotion is to Rama. The wife Sita feels similarly. Lakshmana and Sita are like fish out of water when not in the company of Rama. Their devotion is spontaneous and also constitutional; they simply cannot live without Him.

3. The blossoming tree

When first learning about karma, which is action and reaction related to a material body, a person might wonder why it seems some people don’t see the just and proper consequences to their bad behavior. The question is, “When will justice arrive?”

The truth is that the reactions may not be immediate. This is seen even with supposedly innocuous behavior. I am going away for the weekend. Prior to leaving the house, I remember to close the windows and unplug major appliances. I think I have everything covered, but one thing I forgot was the garbage. I did not empty the can that was in the kitchen.

The reaction to this “sin,” which is nothing more than an incorrect or improper action, will not arrive until later. When I come back from the weekend, I immediately notice the foul odor pervading the house. The cause is the garbage. If I had remembered to empty it prior to leaving, the problem would have been avoided.

अवश्यं लभते जन्तुः फलं पापस्य कर्मणः।
घोरं पर्यागते काले द्रुमाः पुष्पमिवार्तवम्।।

avaśyaṃ labhate jantuḥ phalaṃ pāpasya karmaṇaḥ।
ghoraṃ paryāgate kāle drumāḥ puṣpamivārtavam।।

“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)

Shri Rama uses the blossoming tree to explain how the consequences to sinful deeds arrive. They may not manifest right away, but have patience. The trees blossom at the appropriate season, and so the murdering, man-eating ogres from Lanka would get the proper punishment in due course.

4. A bubble

Forming on the surface of the ocean, bubbles do not maintain shape for very long. Moreover, it is rather easy to break them; not much effort is needed. Shri Hanuman, the dedicated servant of Rama, uses this analogy to explain why it is not wise to overly lament the demise of another person.

शोच्या शोचसि कं शोच्यं दीनं दीनाऽनुकम्पसे।
कस्य कोवाऽनुशोच्योऽस्ति देहेऽस्मिन् बुद्बुदोपमे।।

śocyā śocasi kaṃ śocyaṃ dīnaṃ dīnā'nukampase।
kasya kovā'nuśocyo'sti dehe'smin budbudopame

“Whom are you lamenting for when you yourself are pitiable? Why do you pity the poor when you yourself have now been made poor? While in this body that is like a bubble, how can anyone look at anyone else as being worthy of lamentation?” (Hanuman speaking to Tara, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 21.3)

I feel sorry for someone else based on their situation. Perhaps they are destitute. Maybe they have fallen on hard times. Death and disease. Loss of a loved one. Nevertheless, every person is actually in just as precarious a condition. The body is like a bubble, and so the covering can burst at any moment. In this way I am not any different from you. We are all the same on the inside, spirit soul.

In Closing:

Analogies many in Gita found,

To provide understanding sound.

Shown also in sacred Ramayana,

Describing incarnation of Narayana.

Sita and Lakshmana not to live when forsaken,

Since like fish when out from water taken.

Sinner to pay at proper time indeed,

Like tree’s blossoming for horrible deed.