Thursday, May 23, 2024
Contents
Introduction
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The seventh skanda is straight from God's heart. In this skanda Prahlada's history that epitomizes the power of praising Sri Hari in an effort to eliminate desires is unraveled.
This skanda is about the battle between good and bad. Hiranyakasipu was symbolic of bad qualities, whereas Prahlada, his son, was a repository of good attributes.
Man is supposed to live for a hundred years. Half of the life span is spent in sleeping. Childhood takes ten years. Ten more years are spent on youth. The old age spans for twenty years. The rest of the life is devoted to pursuing worldly matters. This way man is wasting away precious human birth. Prahlada was condemning whiling away time and asking us all to seek happiness in singing praises of the Lord.
Devotion blocks desires. It prevents devolution into selfish action.
Prahlada's history shows that there is no fault in being born to a demon, but it is wrong to live like a demon.
When one hears the word Bhagavata, the imagery of Prahlada springs up. This skanda is full of such imagery.
Seventh Skanda
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Paramatma is the Lord of all life forms. His benediction flows to all life equally. He is the truth and light for ever. He is always following us. When he blesses one, the entire world will be subservient to him. Meditation on the lotus feet of such a Lord is the only recourse a jiva has. Before death arrives, when the body made of the five elements is still active, one should make every attempt to worship and partake in devotion to the Lord.
Devotees won't feel the burden of life. For one traveling in the cart of God, there is no need to carry bags. All one has to do is rest the bags on the cart. Devotees don't think of negative outcomes. How can they happen when one is praying to the most auspicious Lord Sri Hari? Only the devotees know the initial losses are steps to unimaginable gains.
One day the wealth goes away, daughters and sons move out, relatives will not be around. buildings fall, wives will not be able to help, coveted power will be gone, fame subsides and death comes. Is this human life all about?
What is the point in loving the fickle minded? How long can we plug the hole of time as we age? The only thing we need is the Lord. The meaning of life is spirituality. Lord is the destination of the jiva. Even a king is a beggar without knowing the Lord. Whereas a beggar knowing the Lord is really an emperor. The past memories are like a dream. They give temporary happiness. The light of the Lord induces bliss in all that is permanent.
Let the existing ones exist. Don't covet anything. Let him keep his. Let mine wither away. Egotism is like sweet poison. It is an inseparable impurity. Humbleness is the cool elixir that never loses its pleasant taste. The negative thoughts should go away. Mixed thoughts may remain. One should harvest devotion and lead a happy life. Demons are like negative thoughts. The humans are like mixed thoughts and the devotees are positive thoughts.
Pareekshit was asking Suka Brahma"Mahatma, paramatma is an embodiment of knowledge. He is equanimous. He is loved by one and all. If that is the case, why does he show partiality to Devas and annihilate asuras? How did this partiality begin? Being an embodiment of love, how can he hate asuras? Thus, my mind is in a quandary. Please enlighten me".
For as long as one has a body, the doubts haunt. Doubts will detract a person from a path of rectitude. Like water in a trench is made impure by the dirt, the doubts in the mind will spoil it. Swami Rama Teertha said"You may keep a bullet in the heart, but not an iota of doubt".
A doubt may arise in the mind, but it should not take root in it. One has to approach a guru to clear the doubts. Otherwise, one has to meditate on the Lord to find the answers by one self.
"O King, you asked an excellent question. Your doubts are reasonable. The tales of the Lord are puzzling. They have to be understood with reason. They are pure and sung by the sages like Narada. They make the world pure. They are the spring for the forests called ascetics."
Parameswara is devoid of gunas, unborn, ever present, free from death. Even though he is beyond mind and intellect he is duty bound. The three gunas apply to maya but not the Lord. Gunas are impermanent. But his creation was made possible with gunas. With the peaceful or sattva guna the rishis were created. The active or rajas was used to create asuras. And the lazy or tamas paved the way for demons.
In all the multiplicity the Lord is seen as one, just as multiple reflections of the sun. Paramatma has equally embraced suras, asuras, jivas and the rest. The wise ones realize the Lord within, for everlasting happiness. Not everyone can see the self.
The Katha Upanishad said"Even though the self is resident in all, not all can perceive it. But the wise ones are able to see with keenness of mind."
Eswara is equanimous. There is no inequality in him. But discrimination has been attributed to him. Discrimination is maya's attribute. We think the moon is shaking as its reflection in water changes shape because of the waves.
"O King, a long time ago, during a yagna ceremony, your great grandfather Dharma Raja asked sage Narada a similar question. I will tell you that story" said Suka Brahma.
Sisupala hated Lord Krishna. In a yagna, he refused to worship the Lord and cursed him in many ways. Sri Krishna annihilated him with his Sudarshana disc. A strange thing happened. A light from the body of the slain Sisupala merged in Sri Krishna. Dharma Raja was puzzled by the attainment of the Lord by Sisupala. So he asked sage Narada to clarify it.
"O Narada, Sisupala hated the Lord and developed animosity. How could he attain salvation? Why didn't his soul go to hell? Dantavaktra, similarly, had animosity toward the Lord. The two always cursed the Lord. Why did they not end up in hell? As everyone watched, they merged in Vasudeva. I am unable to understand this. Like a lamp made of wick that is shaken by the wind, my mind is wavering. You are omniscient. Please give me a clarification" said Dharma Raja.
Narada said"Dharma Raja, to experience praise and curse, honor and censure the mortal body has been given. Jivas ascribe I-mine thoughts around it. Does the paramatma have love for his body? There are no dualities in him. He has no hatred. Nor does he know the haters. One can attain paramatma in any manner."
"Mortals attain the Lord by cursing him sooner than the devotees" said Narada.
Some hate the Lord, and chant his name feverishly making them eligible for salvation. Just as devotees attain Lord Krishna, some with desires, a few with hatred, some with fear and others with friendliness attain the Lord as well.
"Gopikas by love, Kamsa by fear, Sisupala with enmity, Yadavas with friendship, sages like me with devotion attained the Lord" said Narada.
With these five ways, one can attain the Lord. But an atheist called Venu, who didn't fall into these five categories, did not attain him. So whatever path one chooses, the Lord has to be the center of his thoughts.
"By whatever means, one has to keep the image of the Lord in the mind always" said Narada.
Some Gopikas fell in love with the handsomeness of Sri Krishna. Over time, they realized Sri Krishna's divinity. The lust for the Lord eventually will be replaced by devotion. Kamsa with constant fear kept chanting Sri Krishna's name. As a result, he attained salvation. Whatever emotion stirs in the mind, it should be about the Lord. That is the most supreme yoga.
"One should show anger, lust and hatred on the Lord after surrendering everything to the Lord" said Narada in Bhakti Sootras.
"Dharma Raja, your cousins Sisupala and Dantavaktra were guards in the Vaikuntha. Because of a curse they took birth on the earth",said Narada.
"Maharshi, this is even stranger. How can Lord Vishnu's guards be degraded? Why were they born as asuras being Lord's first devotees? Who put the curse on them? Why did they curse? Please enlighten me" said Dharma Raja.
Once Lord Brahma's sons Sanaka, Sananda et al. went to Vaikuntha. They were naked and looked like adolescents. When they tried to enter the abode of Lord Vishnu, two guards called Jaya-Vijaya blocked their way. The enraged rishis cursed them.
"Dharma Raja, rishis cursed Jaya-Vijaya to be born as demons" said Narada.
Because of the curse, Jaya-Vijaya were born to Diti as Hiranyakasipu and Hiranyaksha. Sri Hari vanquished Hiranyakasipu in the Nrusimha avatar and Hilranyaksha in the Varaha avatar. Thus they were released from the curse.
Prahlada was Hiranyakasipu's son who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. His father tried to get him killed in many ways. But he couldn't kill him.
Jaya-Vijaya were born as Ravana and Kumbhakarna. They tormented the world. Sri Hari killed them in the Rama avatar. In their third incarnation Jaya-Vijaya were born as Sisupala-Dantavaktra. Lord Krishna released them from the curse by destroying them with Sudashana disc.
After learning from Narada, thus, Dharma Raja wanted to know why Hiranyakasipu became an enemy of his own son.
Hiranyakasipu
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Diti had two sons called Hiranyakasipu and Hiranyaksha. Diti means that which discriminates. Ego and selfishness are the children of discrimination. Hiranyakasipu was the ego and Hiranyaksha was the selfishness. It is hard to get rid of egotism. When selfishness is overcome, then egotism will go with it. When the enjoyment of senses subsides, the feeling that one is the doer will also subside. This was called Yoga or Sanyasa in Bhagavad Gita.
Sri Hari in Varaha avatar destroyed Hiranyaksha. This enraged Hiranyakasipu. He vowed to kill Sri Hari.
Hiranyakasipu told his ministers"When one cuts the root of a tree, all the branches and leaves will perish. Similarly when my enemy Sri Hari is vanquished, all the Devas who are his devotees will be destroyed".
He ordered that yagnas, ritual sites should be destroyed. Asuras gained momentum. They killed cows, tortured brahmins, looted towns, and burnt houses. One day Hiranyakasipu visited his mother who was with his brother's wife Bhanuvu. He regaled them with philosophical speech.
"Mother, wife of the brother, don't keep worrying about my brother Hiranyaksha. He attained a noble death. This is to be commended but not regretted."
Travelers meet at a lodge and then go their separate ways. In this world, we all are travelers. So it is natural to meet and part.
Who is the mother? Who are the sons? Everything is an illusion. All these bonds are meant to be severed one day.
"Self is forever, pure and all pervading. So there is no need to feel sorrow," said Hiranyakasipu.
"Mother, there is an old story about the god of death Yama's speech to the relatives of a dead one" said Hiranyakasipu.
Suyagnu was the king of Useenara. He died in a battle. His relatives and queens were crying over his death. The loud cries of the queens reached Yama's world. Yama then assumed a child's form and went to them.
Yama was mystified by seeing them. Knowing that death was inevitable, the queens were crying. He thought infants were better than them.
The child told the queens"This world is operating under the command of Parameswara. This is a playground for him. With his grace, a man lost in a forest would be rescued. If not, even one living in a palace could not be rescued"
"Queens, the object of your sorrow has been lying here. Will the corpse speak to you? It can't. So why are you sorrowful? When the one who talked and heard is no longer cognisable, then he will always be invisible. The seen will eventually disappear. All that we see will be incognisable one day" said the child.
Thus, Hiranyakasipu conveyed words of dispassion. He told them there was no use in worrying about Hiranyaksha's death.
Diti and Bhanuvu felt rejuvenated after Hiranyakasipu's speech.
This is the mystery. This is the maya. On one hand he preached dispassion to his mother and on the other he was scheming about how to kill Sri Hari. This shows the bipolarity of Hiranyakasipu. He was not following the edicts he promulgated. Those who preach others without following their own words, will be asuras. Salvation won't come to them. They follow their own will and expect others to obey their words. What they say will be considered just. In reality they are unjust. They flout dharma. Lawless are they that make their wills their law.
Shakespeare said"Those who transform their will into law are in fact the one's flouting the law"
Hiranyakasipu's Penance
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Hiranyakasipu started penance atop Mandara mountain. He wanted no one in the three lokas to match him. He wanted to conquer old age and death. He stood on his foot's big toe while doing penance. The suras were frightened by his penance.
Due to his penance, space was filled with fire. Rivers and oceans trembled. Mountains quaked. Thick smoke spread in all directions. Devas ran to Brahma Deva for help. They said it was near impossible to travel in space filled with fire and smoke. They prayed to Brahma Deva and sought his refuge.
Brahma Deva went to Mandara. Hiranyakasipu was surrounded by ant hills covered by grass and bamboo. His skin and flesh were being eaten by ants and other insects.
"Son of Diti, Kasyapa, get up. Let auspiciousness come to you. Your penance reached the pinnacle. Let me know your wish. I will fulfill it. Your penance is unmatched even by rishis. You conquered my heart. Ask for boons" said Brahma Deva.
He then restored Hiranyakasipu's form that shone with youth and vigor. He saluted Brahma Deva.
His eyes were filled with tears. His voice was overpowered by his contentment. He prostrated before Brahma Deva.
"O Lord, the best among those granting boons, I should not meet with death by any one created by you."
"Grant me a boon so that I don't meet with death either inside or outside a home, either at night or in day, by objects, by arrows, nor on earth, nor in sky, nor by human, nor by animals"
When one doesn't have good intentions, even a hard penance will be a cause for his downfall. There was no purity of mind behind the asura's penance. Hence he asked for a strange boon.
"Kasyapa, none will get the boon you have asked. No one asked me for such a boon and I never granted such a boon. But I am impressed by your penance and will grant you the boon. Please be wise and act accordingly" said Brahma Deva.
Asura's Evil Acts
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Hiranyakasipu obtained the boons he pined for. His egotism knew no bounds. He wanted to take revenge on Sri Hari for killing his brother. There was no end to his evil acts.
One day he would thrash Gandharvas. The next day he would punish suras. On another day he would imprison the planets. Next day he would torture the serpents. On another day he would smash flying birds. He would torment ascetics. He would insult the virtuous. He shook the three lokas claiming immortality.
He would take the fruit of yagna all by himself leaving nothing for Devas who sought refuge in Lord Vishnu.
Lord Vishnu reassured Devas:"Don't be afraid. I am aware of Hiranyakasipu's atrocities. Time will resolve it. One who hates Devas, cows, vedas, devotees of mine, and myself will fall soon. When he begins torturing my devotee Prahlada, despite having boons, he will be killed by me."
Devas were elated. They thought the demon was sure to die. And they were out of calamity. Sri Hari's words would not be in vain.
Hiranyakasipu had a son called Prahlada which means one who brings happiness to all. Even though Prahlada was an asura, he loved suras. He overcame his senses, was devotional toward Sri Hari, was of calm mind without egotism. He would serve the elders and shower parental love towards the helpless. He would be like a brother for his friends. He worshiped the gurus.
Bhakta Prahlada
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Prahlada's mind was always focused on parameswara. Even though he was handsome, he did not have egoism;even though he was wealthy, he had no selfishness; he had luxuries but he was not conscious of them; he was valorous, but he had no cruelty; he could seek anything he wanted, but he was desireless. He was an epitome of all good qualities that congregated on him like all the rivers flowing towards the ocean. Like the Lord Vishnu, Prahlada's auspicious qualities would never leave him. Indra and Devas sang praises for his good attributes.
Prahlada's mind was always focused on Sri Hari's lotus feet. Sometimes he went into trance meditating on the Lord. He was of firm faith that the entire world is the Lord's manifestation. He loved all and lived to love. He searched for Lord Vishnu all over. His devotion shook even the mountains. He would play, but as soon as he thought about the Lord whose playground was the world, he would stop playing. He would think about worldly matters, but would redirect his thoughts when he realized that thinking was possible due to Sri Hari. He would talk, but as soon as he remembered that the Lord made speech possible, he would remain silent. Even with vision in both eyes, he would see like the blind. He stood in deep devotion.
Prahlada was dispassionate and an ardent devotee. His mind always sought Sri Hari's lotus feet. He rested his will on the Lord on whom he constantly meditated. If he had to speak, the speech would be about the Lord. He would experience bliss in the meditation of the Lord. He would see the Lord while sitting and meditate on the Lord while standing. He would chant Lord's name while walking. On the bed he would salute to the Lord. While talking, he would put the Lord ahead of him. As he thought, the Lord appeared in his mind. In the daily activities he would see the Lord always.
He would cry at times, unable to give up devotion to the Lord. Then he would smile, sing, play and talk. Suddenly he would stop talking and stand like a tree. He would jump. He would call out the Lord. He would be shaking with tears. He would not remember his friends. Nor did he feel hunger. He wouldn't understand the need for sleep. He would forget all of his personal needs. He behaved strangely. He constantly thought about the Lord. Was he a fool? No, because he was immersed in devotion. Was he inert? No, he was praying all the time. Was he obsessed? No, he occupied the most exalted position among the devotees. Always forgetting the world, meditating on the Lord, he was a consummate devotee and one without a sin.
He was always frolicking in the ocean of devotion, enjoying the bliss. He wouldn't participate in worldly transactions. He was always alert about the Lord. He would be submissive to the virtuous people he came across. Thus he was like an axe to cut asunder the ropes of karma binding one. Whenever he heard the name of the Lord, tears rolled in his eyes. Nobody understood him.
Dharma Raja couldn't understand why such a virtuous devotee as Prahlada was tortured by his father Hiranyakasipu. When children err, it is natural for the parents to protect them. When children commit mistakes unknowingly, parents will forgive them and set them right. Parents show love but not cruelty and enmity towards their children.
Prahlada was a child. That to he was a peaceful child. How could his father torture him who was loved by the ascetics? How could he order Prahlada be killed? Dharma Raja had all the questions but not answers.
Suka Brahma told King Pareekshit,"Thus, Dharma Raja sought elaboration from sage Narada".
Prahlada's Torture By His Father
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Hiranyakasipu's was disturbed by Prahlada's conduct. He thought the boy looked like an imbecile and was mentally retarted. He felt education would only save him.
One day he lovingly said"Son, without education one will be useless. It will teach you discrimination and enlightenment. Everyone needs education. I will send you to great teachers. Study well and conduct yourself regally".
He then decided to entrust Prahlada's education to Chanda and Marka who were the sons of Sukracharya.
Hiranyakasipu told Chanda-Marka"Gurus, this boy is my son Prahlada. He is very strange. He appears to be blind. He won't talk. He didn't inherit even an iota of my valor. You are our gurus, elders, and kind hearted. You are like family. Kindly teach my son and mold him to be great".
The gurus took Prahlada along to the school. Then they introduced other children of asuras to Prahlada. Under their tutelage, Prahlada learnt many things. But he wouldn't stop thinking about Lord Vishnu. He would listen to the gurus but wouldn't question them. Knowing that everything but the Lord was ephemeral, without any argument he would listen to the gurus.
Hiranyakasipu wanted to know Prahlada's progress in studies. He summoned the gurus who came with Prahlada. Hiranyakasipu was ecstatic to see his son.
"Son, come, and sit on my thigh" he said.
"Son, did you study well? Did you learn the scripture? What did you learn? What did the gurus teach you? A father loves to hear his son's eruditeness. Conversation with children will alleviate the burden of parents. Please tell me a few things you have learnt from the gurus" said Hiranyakasipu.
Prahlada saluted his father and said"I heard many things from the gurus. But I think one is the most exalted".
Hiranyakasipu was all ears. He said"Son, please tell. Don't delay. Tell me what is the most exalted".
"Father, everyone is neck deep in household matters. They are living with they-them-us-me and such differences. It is better to give up this multiplicity and roam in the forests chanting Lord Vishnu's name" said Prahlada.
Hiranyakasipu was taken aback."Son, what is this wonder? People blindly trust whatever children say. You were taught by someone about our enemies. Did you acquire this knowledge by yourself or someone teach you? No matter, this is not something to be learnt. Vishnu is our nemesis. It is not proper to think about him or utter his name. Don't say Hari or Giri. Don't let those words near you" said Hiranyakasipu.
On listening to his father, Prahlada looked at the gurus who were cowering under fear.
"Some people under the influence of maya develop discrimination as us and them. They can't remain as devotees of paramatma who is an embodiment of knowledge. In fact, Brahma Deva and others couldn't describe the grace of Sri Hari. So what can be said about ordinary mortals. I am unable to give up devotion to Sri Hari. My mind is firmly rooted in him" said Prahlada.
The gurus were shivering with fear. They said"Son, who else taught you besides us? Who turned your mind towards Vishnu. Please forget Vishnu. Accept your father as paramatma".
Prahlada replied that forgetting the Lord was impossible for him.
"Will a bee feeding on the nectar from hibiscus, go near weeds? Will a swan frolicking in the river Ganga's waves, come near ordinary rivers? Will a nightingale enjoying the mango fruit, go near a brush? Will a mythical bird, chakora, feeding on the moonlight go near snow covered lands? Similarly drinking the elixir of worshiping the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu, will the mind go after other things" said Prahlada.
The gurus were enraged by Prahlada's talk. They said "Child, you are only five years old. Yet you are talking strangely. You are expressing devotion to our enemy and causing infamy to your dynasty. You are thinking what you say will be logical. Please tell us one thing we tried hard to teach you. You made us unpopular before our ruler. Are you the son of the asura king or his enemy?"
"Prahlada was like a weed in the sandalwood forest of the asura dynasty. He has become the handle of the axe that stands for Vishnu to undercut the forest."
"King, unless we give corporal punishment, he won't reform. We will try with more care. We vow to improve his performance. We will chide him. Please don't blame us" said the gurus and returned to the school with Prahlada.
The gurus Chanda-Marka taught about dharma, wealth and desires. They also taught the techniques to deal with people by peaceful negotiation, donation, contrast and punishment (same-dana-bedha-danda). After some time they thought he was following all the principles they taught him and wanted to take him to his father.
They told him,"Son, we are going to meet your father. Please see to it that we are not humiliated. Please don't forget all that we taught you and don't mention our enemy Vishnu".
The gurus brought Prahlada to his father's court. Prahlada used to forget about his existence by always imbibing the elixir from reciting Lord's name. With his devotion, unmatched even by Brahma and Devas, he used to be ecstatic. After studying the daily routines of mortals, he was of the firm belief that only the Lord can alleviate their suffering.
Hiranyakasipu blessed Prahlada when he saluted his father. He hugged him lovingly and made him sit on his thigh.
He combed Prahlada's hair and kissed him. His eyes were full of happy tears.
"Son, it has been a long time since we met. Your co-students learnt very well and are behaving well. My wish has finally come true. I want to experience your eruditeness. Please recite a sloka and translate it so that I can understand" said Hiranyakasipu.
"Father, gurus have taught me well. I read scripture under their tutelage. In one word, I learnt the essence of all scripture", said Prahlada.
The gurus were happy to hear his words. Hiranyakasipu was very joyful.
"Son, I am so happy to hear that you learnt what the gurus taught you. Will a weed grow in the garden of holy basil? Will I give birth to a retard? You look to me like my successor in the dynasty. Your gurus need to be commended for their effort to teach you. We are so indebted to them. Please recite a sloka. Make my heart bounce in joy" said Hiranyakasipu.
Nine Ways Of Devotion
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Prahalada said,"Chanting Lord's name, listening to his escapades and gunas; praising the Lord; meditating on the Lord; worshiping the lotus feet of the Lord; performing pooja for the Lord; saluting him; servitude; friendship; surrendering the self are the attributes of a devotee. Whoever possesses these nine attributes of devotion, is the one who has learned everything".
Listening to the Lord's stories provides knowledge. It gives the discrimination between self and non-self. It promotes good thoughts and rituals. One can obtain moral rectitude. The after life will be better.
Listening to the Lord's avatars enlightened Sounaka and other rishis in Naimisa forest, the emperor Janaka, Pareekshit who attained liberation. Adi Sankara said before sunrise one striving for liberation should receive the knowledge.
Sant Tukaram sang"Listening to Lord's glory will make one pure as bathing in the place where Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati rivers meet. Lord, devotee and Lord's names are congregating in that place. That place reverberates with and is purified by the stories of the Lord. It was further purified from the visitings of mahatmas. Listening to Lord's tales will destroy the mountainous sins and makes all participants, including the speaker and listeners, pure"
The second aspect is singing praises of the Lord. Scripture said, by singing about Lord's glory in Kali yuga, one will be able to attain salvation.
In Adi Purana Lord Krishna said"Arjuna, I am indebted to those chanting my name and meditating on me in their hearts as if they are at close proximity to me."
Sage Narada said in Bhakti Sootra"By listening to and praising the Lord's attributes, one can attain him."
The third aspect is meditation. One should inculcate the mind to focus on the Lord always. The mind thus focused will attain the paramatma for ever.
"The mind meditating on me will devolve into me" said the Lord in Bhagavata.
Worshiping Lord's lotus feet is the fourth aspect. This is what had transformed Guha in Ramayana. Bharata attained liberation by worshiping Lord Rama's shoes. Lord Rama's feet removed the curse on Ahalya.
Purusha Sookta had described the universe as one foot of the Lord. Hence those worshiping the world as the form of the Lord come under this category.
Some do pooja to idols of the Lord. We see that in many homes that are practically temples of the Lord.
Adi Sankara said in Bhaja Govinda slokas"Those who do pooja of Sri Hari will not have arguments with the god of death Yama". Pooja is the first step in a seeker's efforts to attain liberation. During pooja the body, senses, mind and intellect will be regulated easily. One should do pooja to a divine in one idol. And should see the divinity in all other idols.
Salutation is the next aspect of devotion.
In Raja Vidya Raja Guhya yoga and Sanyasa yoga of Bhagavad Gita the Lord said"Worship me and salute me".
Akroora was saved by saluting the Lord. Vibheeshana surrendered to Lord Ram by saluting him.
Servitude means focusing the mind on doing service. One who does servitude has no duties, nor burdens. The Lord will carry the burden.
One in servitude performs the Lord's service with devotion."I dwell in Lord Rama" said the great devotee Anjaneya. An ardent devotee surrenders to the Lord with servitude.
Servitude removes ego and removes karma. The fruits of karma will be holy. There won't be a lack of peace. One will always be content and free from fear. Fame will spread. One doing servitude by being a tool in the Lord's hands, eventually attains salvation.
The next aspect is friendship. In this form of devotion one will be a best companion for the Lord. Like we acquire the attributes of friends, Lord's attributes will be passed on to the companions. Radha by always reminiscing about Sri Krishna, thought she herself was the Lord. This is the pinnacle of devotion by friendship.
Arjuna, Sugreeva, Kuchela, Guha and other mahatmas reveled in the companionship with the Lord. One may ask, will Lord befriend us? That is possible not only because of our abilities but also the grace of the Lord. The foremost ability is to have faith in the Lord. And the good nature of the Lord comes through automatically.
Finally the complete surrender to the Lord. The surrender makes devotion powerful. Those who surrendered live according to the diktat of the Lord. Those opposing thoughts will be shed. One will be certain that the Lord will save him. And there is no one else but the Lord. This is the full surrender of the self.
Mira Bai sang "O lord of the Lord, please let us cross this ocean of life by you being the boat. For the dispossessed you are the only support and ultimate refuge."
Prahlada answered that these nine paths of devotion would make one learned.
"Father, without devotion for Lord Vishnu the world is like moonlight to the blind; the sound of conch shell to the deaf; recitation of scripture for the dumb; yagna with ash; the wealth of a miser; perfume to the pig. In my view anything that is not used to serve the Lord is a waste" said Prahlada.
Hiranyakasipu upon hearing the adolescent child, blamed the gurus for the sermon he received.
With rage he said"You sinners, you promised to teach my child but taught him to praise the enemy. I was deceived by you who are related to my guru Sukracharya. You cheated me and made my son retarded. Are you brahmins?"
"O King, we are not your enemies. We are your friends. We are priests. We deserve your mercy. We swear on your feet that there is no fault on our side. We didn't teach your son to praise our enemy. No one we know taught him. It seems the devotion to Vishnu comes naturally to him. There is no use blaming us. We made our efforts without any fault" said the gurus.
"Child, being my son, how did you get this bad nature? Who taught you the things gurus didn't teach?" said Hiranyakasipu.
"Father, for those revolving in the darkness of ignorance; immersed into worldly transactions; caught in the birth-death cycle, can the devotion to the Lord come naturally? Will they acquire from others? Does it come by going to forests? Most of the people live like blind following the one-eyed. They are caught in the karmic cycle and unable to show their devotion to Lord Vishnu. It is only possible for those made pure by the dust on the feet of the Lord to reach his abode" said Prahlada.
"Father, I read a lot of scripture. This world is like a dangerous ocean. In this ocean wife and children are the violent fish. The waves are desires, pride, hatred. It is possible to cross the ocean only with Lord's name serving as a boat. Is it possible to cross the ocean with evil thoughts?" said Prahlada.
Hiranyakasipu was enraged and threw him to the floor.
"Ministers, have you seen this? This child has become a servant of Vishnu who in the form of a boar killed his uncle. He has no shame. He made enmity with me. This way he is inviting his destruction. Have you seen anyone like this sinner and a son who hates his father?" said Hiranyakasipu.
"Ministers, this lad is five years old. Yet he chose to argue with me. He is praising my enemy Vishnu. He won't heed to us. There is no remedy by thinking. He is no longer my son. The son that this diseased body begot should be incised" said Hiranyakasipu.
"Asuras, a part that has become infected in the body will be amputated by the doctor. I will earn your applause by destroying this ignominious and evil minded low life. That way my dynasty will be pure" said Hiranyakasipu.
"He is eligible to be killed, not protected. He is destined for the god of death Yama's loka and not to be left alone. Go and kill him" said Hiranyakasipu.
The asuras lunged forward and started torturing Prahlada with their swords. They attacked a child without kindness in all cruelty. They poked him with their swords. Yet a tiny amount of blood did not show up from Prahlada's body. His bones were not affected. There was no change in his vision. His face did not carry any emotion. The devotion was not defeated. Prahlada saw Sri Hari in the swords. He was in a salutation stance. And was meditating on the Lord.
As the asuras were rattling their swords, Prahlada would say"Sri Hari, Sri Dhara, Narayana" but not shed a tear. He was fearless and unshakeable. He didn't try to defend himself. He did not curse his father. He prayed to no one but the Lord. He had no regrets. Hiranyakasipu was baffled by all of this.
He tried to get Prahlada crushed by the elephants. Prahlada saw Sri Hari in them. He was bitten by snakes. Prahlada saw the Lord resting on Adi Seshu, the serpent, in the milky ocean. He was tossed into fire, poisoned and thrown from mountain tops.
Nothing could destroy Prahlada. He only saw the Lord. One whose mind is pure, sees the creation as auspicious. One without desires will see the creation as the Lord. One who sees only the beauty in the world will not know about the paramatma. In non-duality there are no sorrow and desires. Nor are there fear and delusion.
The Brahma Rahasya Upanishad said"One who detaches from his body and always thinks about Brahman, will not experience happiness or sorrow, nor will there be faults of gunas. Self is his strength. Self is his wealth. He will always be in meditation on the Self."
No matter how many ways the asuras tried, Prahlada was not getting destroyed. To the contrary, his aura was increasing. Hiranyakasipu did not know what to do.
Chanda-Marka tried to pacify Hiranyakasipu. They convinced him that after Prahlada grew up, there would be a change in him. He asked them to teach about dharma, wealth and desire and sent his child with the gurus.
Prahlada Teaching Children
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Prahlada's gurus were teaching about three gunas, dharma, wealth, desire and such. Because their teachings were interlaced with hatred, Prahlada was not paying attention to them. When the gurus were not at the school, his classmates would invite him to play with them. A smiling Prahlada would teach them about devotion to the Lord.
Suka was telling Pareekshit that the children's hearts were not exposed to hatred; hence they were able to listen to Prahlada with an open heart.
The devotion acquired during childhood is pure. Some people want to acquire devotion at an advanced age and approach gurus. They continue doing evil actions, pine for fame and use the gurus to absolve themselves of the sins.
Blessed are those who are devotional from a young age. They don't have hatred, egotism and selfishness. They move with love and are dispassionate. They feel empathy for those suffering. Jealousy is something they don't feel. Prahlada's teachings were rejected by the elders. Because of their adolescence his co-students were willing to accept his teachings.
He would say:"Friends, our gurus don't teach even one good thing. They always teach us about karma. I will tell you good things that give you happiness"
"Friends, children of our age are dying in front of our eyes. Even then our gurus are teaching us about things that are impermanent. The worldly matters are ephemeral and we should not partake in them."
"The worldly matters involve strife. There is no need to try for them. The longevity will be affected because of them. The happiness from worshiping to Mukunda's lotus feet is par none".
Prahlada said"Bhajan on the Lord should be done by all of us".
Man was meant to live for a hundred years. Half the time is spent in sleep. Ten years pass by with childhood. Ten more years are spent in youthful activities. Old age consumes twenty years. The remaining precious time is being spent on worldly pleasures, thereby wasting life.
Narada Parivraajaka Upanishad said"Dispassion is felt when one knows the faults of the worldly life".
Body is impermanent. It gives the means by which paramatma can be attained. Hence before the body enters old age, one should strive to realize paramatma. But men don't do that and let their lives down.
"Children, the silkworm weaves a nest around itself. Without any exit in the nest, it dies inside. Men seeking pleasures get caught in the nest called the world and perish in them" said Prahlada.
Whoever is keen about family, will lose longevity by striving to protect the family. Yet he won't realize it. Every tantalizing thing in this world will lead us to death. Those renouncing the world will live happily. There is no pleasure in it. Nor fame. We should come out of the vicious death-rebirth cycle.
"Friends, listen to me. Rather than getting distracted by asuras, it is better to approach mahatmas who renounced the bondage, serve them and attain Lord Vishnu" said Prahlada.
The children would then ask:"Prahlada. We are all about the same age and more or less born in the same place. We are taught by the same gurus. How could you acquire this strange knowledge? Which noble soul taught you this? Please tell us".
Prahlada said"I heard it from sage Narada. I learnt the dharma of Bhagavata that delights the Lord".
"Prahlada, we learnt from the same gurus. Your father won't let anyone to enter the private areas of the palace. So when did you learn this knowledge from sage Narada? We are unable to believe your story" said the children.
New Beginning in Mother's Womb
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Soota was telling the Sounaka and other rishis gathered in Naimika forest: Suka Brahma informed Pareekshit what Narada said:"Dharma Raja, Prahlada reminisced those things I told before the children".
Prahlada said"Once my father was doing penance atop Mandara mountain. The king was gone for a long time. Devas thought he perished."
"Like a snake killed by teaming ants, Hiranyakasipu died from his sins" thought Devas. Emboldened, they waged a war on asuras. Facing defeat, the asuras ran a helter skelter. My mother was being dragged by Indra. Fortunately, Sage Narada appeared on the way.
He said"Indra, you are the king of Devas. You are mighty. Why are you taking this chaste woman? She is faultless and free of sin. On top of all that, she is pregnant. Please leave this poor soul".
Indra said"Sage, in her womb a fetus born of Hiranyakasipu is growing. I will imprison her until she delivers the child. I will then kill the child and release her."
"Indra, the fetus in her womb is no ordinary fetus. It will grow up to be a noble child free from sin and fear and devotional towards Lord Narayana. You can't ever kill the child" said Narada.
After being convinced by sage Narada, Indra released my mother.
"Sage Narada then took my mother to his ashram. He advised her to stay in the ashram until my father returned. My mother agreed and lived in the ashram. Narada ensured that my delivery was safe and taught various things."
"With kindness towards me, Sage Narada gave knowledge to her. She forgot all of the knowledge because she never reflected on them. But I didn't forget a single thing".
Prahlada said all the things Sage Narada taught him remained intact in his memory. They in fact grew because of his reflecting on them.
Forgetfulness is like death. A forgetful person can't get liberation. To overcome forgetfulness we should constantly reflect on the things we learn with alacrity. To gain alacrity we need devotion. For devotion to take place dispassion is necessary.
"Children, I am telling you what the sage told me. I listened to him while I was still in the womb. If you have faith in his words, just as I do, please spread sage Narada's words. Don't discriminate. Let women and children receive the knowledge" said Prahlada.
When we have confidence in the guru, we try to understand what he teaches. A true disciple should spread the teachings of his guru among others. That's the only way the guru can be satisfied. That will satisfy the Lord as well. When the guru is satisfied, paramatma is satisfied. Thus, Prahlada advised the children to spread the knowledge he got from Narada that he related to them.
Self is always present. It will never be destroyed. It is non-dual. Hence it is pure. It is necessary for bodily functions. It is changeless, all pervading, dissociated from the body. People knowing this are able to renounce equating the body with the self.
Gold is found in mines. A goldsmith extracts pure gold from the gold nuggets excavated in the mines by heating with fire. Similarly the self that is interlaced with the body has to be realized with the fire of knowledge.
There are eight prakrutis: maya, mahat, ego, and the five senses--form, sound, taste, touch, smell; three gunas: sattva (calmness), rajas (active), tamas (laziness); sixteen alterations: five organs of karma--speech, feet, hands, two organs for excretions-- five senses--touch, smell, taste, hearing, seeing--five elements -- fire, earth, water, air, space--and mind. With these sixteen alterations the never exhausting self is interlaced. The self has to be rejecting what is not self. This was stated by sage Kapila and other great rishis.
One seeking salvation has to reject what is not self by analysis. Then by composition one has to arrive at the all pervading self.
Intellect has three states: wakeful, dreaming sleep, deep sleep. Paramatma is manifest in all of them. We infer that wind is blowing, when the perfume of flowers wafts in the air. Similarly we have to infer that self exists by the various activities done by intellect in conjunction with the three gunas.
Due to the changes in intellect, gunas, karma jivas are partaking in worldly transactions. A a dream is unreal, so is the world. Hence the world is impermanent. The jivas have to be careful about the impermanent world.
"The comprehensible and the one comprehending should be carefully analyzed. One has to leave wishes and desires gradually" said Annapoorna Upanishad.
The comprehensible and the one comprehending applies to the fives senses and their union. Prahlada advised the children to acquire devotion that destroys karma, ends the three states (wakeful, dream sleep, deep sleep).
Some people are not sure which path is superior. Prahlada said whichever path engenders endless love on Paramatma was the best path.
People's ideas change and accordingly religions are invented. Not all minds are alike. Hence one path won't suit all. Whichever path encourages the faith in the Lord and multiplies it is the superior one.
"Friends, we should serve capable gurus. Whatever we find has to be used to render service to such gurus. We should associate with the virtuous and pray to the Lord. We should be interested in the stories about the Lord. We should perform meditation and pooja. With these activities that are dear to the Lord, our desire for the Lord remains strong" said Prahlada.
"One has to believe that Sri Hari is present in all jivas and will satisfy the desires of all of them. We should honor ascetics" said Prahlada.
We should catch Sri Hari with service rendered to mahatmas. The Lord will be known through guru. Without a guru we can't cross the ocean of life.
Using a boat called knowledge, guru as a navigator helps us cross the ocean of life.
Guru is not restricted to mere body. One's faith in gurus, ascetics should be as strong as the devotion in the Lord. An idol is not mere stone even though it is made of stone. Similarly a guru isn't just the body.
Lust, anger, covetousness, pride, jealousy, desire are to be avoided. Unless weeds are plucked the plants in the garden won't grow well. Once ignorance starts receding, knowledge will dawn.
Mahatmas are satisfied with meditation on Eswara. They sing praises and grow the loving creeper for the Lord. They clean the creeper with their happy tears. The creeper thus growing with tears, one day will have a fruit. That is the thing being worshiped on. Hence mahatmas think the one that brings them closer to the object of their worship is the best. They lived their lives accordingly.
The one who seeks refuge in the Lord is able to come out of the karmic cycle. He will attain salvation, which is nothing but unending bliss. So Prahlada was advising the children to pray to the Lord residing in their hearts.
"Children, wealth, wives, kith and kin are impermanent. Longevity is also not guaranteed. The quality that makes us human is not permanent. The experience in heaven won't last forever. So we should not aspire for them. We should wish to attain Sri Hari. We should meditate on the Lord" said Prahlada.
"The body that is loved by one, actually belongs to others. It turns into food for dogs and wolves. If the body is like that, what can be said about the relations, friends, wives, children that are related to the body?" said Prahlada.
"Thus, all transactions are destroyed with the body. They are meaningless. They shine as if they are meaningful. Can one attain the blissful mind with these frivolities?" said Prahlada.
Karma is strange in that it might end, but its result won't come to an end. The jiva performs karma with the body. The result of past karma causes more births. Thus new karma is done with a new body, and a newer body will be born to exhaust the karma. And so on and so forth. So the whirlpool of karma is frightening.
"Karma brings about destruction by drawing one into the ocean of karma. The fruit of karma is impermanent. Besides, it causes rebirth and won't help in attaining liberation" said Ramana Maharshi.
Adi Sankara said about Bruhadaranyaka Upanishad"That which causes bondage, will not be a cause for liberation".
"Children, seek refuge in Sri Hari. He resides in all jivas. He is dear to all. He is all pervading. His love is not restricted to brahmins. Nor Devas. Nor rishis. Nor religious rites. Nor yagna, penance, rituals. They won't satisfy him. I will tell you what makes him happy" said Prahlada.
Except devotion everything else is useless. Paramatma yields to devotion. He will regale in the love of devotees. One who surrenders to the Lord need not try for salvation which is the Lord's responsibility.
"Children, listen to me. Think about what I say. The Lord yields to devotion only. Whoever views the world as Lord Vishnu, will attain liberation. Our gurus are unable to teach us that which is not experienced by them. There is no use in studying under them"
"Children, come with me. Toss all of your books away and come to me. I will tell you the best way to lead life. If you don't like then you will be stuck in a karmic cycle. Decide for yourself if you want a positive or a negative outcome" said Prahlada.
On hearing his words, the children left the gurus and went to listen to Prahlada.
"Come, let us play by chanting Sri Hari's names. Let us sing praises of him. We will break away from the relations with asuras enveloped by maya. We will associate with devotees of Sri Hari and escape from the worldly bonds. We will destroy lust and anger. We will rest our minds and hearts at the feet of Sri Hari and attain him" said Prahlada.
On seeing all of these Chanda-Marka were perturbed. Clueless, they ran to Hiranyakasipu and told him what they saw and heard. They told him that all the asura children were immersed in devotion to Vishnu. Hiranyakasipu was enraged. He decided to kill Prahlada himself.
Glory of Nrusimha
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Hiranyakasipu called for Prahlada. He came and saluted his father in obedience.
"You fool, what are you thinking about me? Sun is afraid to shine brightly in front of me. Wind is too afraid to blow strongly toward me. Fire loses its power in front of me. If I raise my head, Yama, the god of death, will stop all of his activities. He will stand in front of me by bowing his head. There is no point in telling about the common Devas. When Devas are afraid of me, why aren't you? If I am angry at you, who can rescue you? Where will you run? Who is your savior?"
"Retard, you are saying Vishnu is valorous. If that is so, where is the coward hiding when I am punishing Devas?"
"Like a simian gone bad, you inculcated bad behavior among the children. You made them drink the poisonous devotion of Vishnu. There is no point in letting you live. It is better for the asuras by killing you"
"I killed many people all by myself. No one can match me in the three worlds. On whose might are you resting your hopes?" said Hiranyakasipu.
"King, the one who gives power to the mighty, the weak, you, me, Brahma and Devas is giving me power too."
"You are asking me who will rescue me. Sri Hari who carries out creation, maintenance and destruction and shines among all is my savior. Please listen to me. Be kind. Control your mind that has detracted from good. Servants being afraid of you, are not telling the truth. Since their words won't please you, they are afraid."
"Father, why does one need enemies, when his mind is detracted? You conquered many lokas and killed several. But did you control your senses? Did you win the hearts? Where is your strength? You are deluding that there is one external enemy, when you have six enemies inside you."
"A real emperor is one who conquered his inner demons. One who conquers lust and rage has no enemies. Everyone will be friends. Please be equanimous. Even though you are an asura live forever by meditating on Lord Narayana" said Prahlada.
"One who is sentenced to capital punishment is not afraid to express his feelings freely. Now you are doing that by not realizing your limits, not being afraid of me" said Hiranyakasipu.
"I am the king of this universe. Vishnu is hiding like a thief somewhere. I vowed to kill Vishnu who killed my brothers. Being afraid for his life, he ran away. I couldn't track him. I am tired of searching for him. Where is he? Tell me where he is hiding? I will kill both of you" said Hiranyakasipu.
Prahlada who worshiped Lord's feet always said"Father, Lord Vishnu is everywhere. All pervading. There is no place without him. He is in water, in space, in fire and all over the universe. He is within me and within you. Is it possible to pinpoint him in time and space?"
"King, Lord Vishnu is everywhere. So he is not seen particularly in one place. For the devotees he is present everywhere" said Prahlada.
"You fool, being egotistical you are claiming Vishnu is everywhere. Can you show him in this pillar? If you can't, I will decapitate your head. Then we will see if Vishnu will protect you"
"Father, why doesn't one who manifests from Brahma to an atom exist in this big pillar? There is no need to doubt. He can appear today" said Prahlada.
Hiranyakasipu stood up, grabbed a sword, went to the pillar and banged on it. Then half-human, half-lion Nrusimha deified from the pillar. Hiranyakasipu wondered why he was not entirely a human or entirely an animal?
To rescue his devotee Prahlada, the Lord donned a new form. The fire rising from the five faces of Nrusimha spread all over the world. His claws shone like lightning in the sky as if the world was coming to an end. He caught hold of Hiranyakasipu like a snake catching a mouse. Hiranyakasipu writhed and surrendered to Nrusimha.
He then put Hiranyakasipu on his thighs. He tore open his chest with his sharp claws like an eagle preying on a snake. He disemboweled him. He wore the blood soaked arteries and intestines around his neck.
When he was disemboweling Hiranyakasipu, his claws shone like axes. As he was tearing open his heart his claws were shining with sharpness. The claws appeared like sickles when he was cutting his arteries. As he was cutting his intestines his claws looked like saws. This is how the Lord punishes evil and rescues his devotees.
No one could approach the enraged Lord. Devas showered flowers from the sky. Indra and Devas, afraid of Nrusimha saluted him from afar. Brahma Deva praised the Lord. Indra joined him. Rishis, yogis, prajapatis, gandharvas, and the rest sang praises of the Lord.
Nrusimha Pacified By Prahlada
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Brahma and Devas couldn't approach Nrusimha. Devas prayed to Lakshmi Devi"Mother, you are Sri Haris wife. You serve him all the time. Your mind is always concentrated on him. Please pacify your husband".
Lakshmi Devi tried to go near the Lord. But Sri Hari's face was seething with anger. His eyes were streaming fire. His entire body was enveloped with rage. She couldn't muster enough courage to touch him.
Brahma Deva then told Prahlada"Son, you are the only one here who can pacify the Lord. Please step forward".
Prahlada prostrated before the Lord who blessed him by placing his hand on his head. Unlike others Prahlada saw the Lord as ecstatic and peaceful. This is because the Lord is easily accessible to his ardent devotees.
"Lord, my life has become meaningful now. I was born as an evil asura. But I am fortunate to receive your grace which Brahma and Devas don't get. Even though I am a demon, you placed your holy hand on my head. I am ecstatic for the grace you have shown to me. Without your kindness mothers can't raise children, medicine won't be effective to cure disease, a boat can't rescue the drowning people"
"Lord, I don't need luxuries. I don't ask for pleasure. I am surrendering to you totally. Please merge me with you. People are turning immoral by believing their bodies are permanent, even though they are actually diseased, and aspiring for unlimited pleasures. They are letting themselves down without being able to discern truth from delusion."
"Lord, men are afraid of sorrows caused by themselves, others and the will of the Lord. Minds are racing towards desires rather than meditating. Tongues are relishing the taste of food rather than singing your praises. Eyes ogle beautiful women rather than seeing your holy and auspicious form. Ears are listening to worldly stories rather than your escapades. Nose smells all kinds of odors but is not used for pranayama and yoga. Like a polygamous person, men are caught up in their senses and eventually dying".
"Lord, because of your grace, the world has not tormented me. I don't need anything but your grace".
The Lord was pleased with Prahlada's prayer.
"Prahlada, let fortune come to you. I am impressed by you. I fulfill the wishes of jivas. Please tell me your wishes. I will grant boons to you. One who doesn't see me will not overcome sorrow. Once they see, nothing else entices them" said the Lord.
"Lord, don't ensnare me with boons. I am weak. If I fall into the whirlpool of desires, I can't be resuscitated. Please don't grant me boons. I am surrendering to you totally" said Prahlada.
"I am a devotee not expecting your favors. You are a Lord who can't be known fully. Desires weaken the senses, body; make the mind impure. Desires totally annihilate the jivas. One without desires alone can see your auspicious form always"
"Lord, if you wish to give me a boon, please grant me a mind without desires and bless me" said Prahlada.
"Prahlada, I know an ardent devotee like you is free from desires. You always listen to my stories, see me in all forms. So meditate on me always, renounce all karma, and prosper with devotion" said the Lord.
"Lord, my father was vengeful towards you because you killed his brother. He blamed you. And said evil about you. Because of my devotion to you he tortured me. Please have mercy on him and absolve him of his sins that can't be easily atoned" said Prahlada.
"Son, you are the foremost among all of my devotees. By the contact with me, all of your father's sins were removed. If you perform his death rites, he will obtain a great after life", said the Lord.
Brahma Deva saluted the Lord who told him to be careful in granting boons to asuras. It is not proper to show mercy for the wretched. One should see the suitability of the recipient before granting him boons. Before giving what one wishes, it is better to ascertain their qualifications.
Hiranyakasipu is an alter ego that causes dualities. Ego causes desires and grief. Therefore it should be annihilated during the junction between day and night.
Hiranyakasipu could not be killed inside or outside home. Narahari killed him at the doorway. He could not be killed either in day or at night. Hence the Lord killed him at the junction between day and night. During that auspicious time only bonds should end. That's why the Lord emerged from the pillar. Between dualities one can experience the grace of the Lord.
The Sri Krishna between two Gopikas and the Paramatma between dualities symbolize the mystery of Lord's escapades.
Paramatma is all pervading and omnipresent. There is no place where he isn't there. A proud person can't find the Lord anywhere. A qualified devotee will see him everywhere. Hiranyakasipu didn't find Sri Hari anywhere. But his child didn't understand where the Lord could not be found.
Paramatma is unmanifest and free of attributes. Even then he deifies before the devotees. For the sake of Prahlada, he took the avatar as Narahari. Only devotion can make the Lord manifest.
The devotee who surrenders to the Lord totally won't experience fear. Prahlada had complete faith in the Lord that he would rescue him. One might experience setbacks in life. But faith in the Lord would make them ephemeral like writing on the water.
Nrusimha emerged from a pillar. This means he is not only present in jivas, he is also found in inert things and trees and plants. Hence we should see the Lord everywhere. The Lord in the stone pillar had manifested because of Prahlada's devotion.
Men are tormented by egotism and familial, friendly bonds. Hiranyakasipu and Hiranyaksha symbolize the two. This skanda provided two kinds of elixirs: one from chanting his name and second for the story.
Nrusimha wanted Prahlada to ask for boons. Prahlada wanted none for himself but wanted his father saved. A true devotee won't seek for selfish reasons. He thinks of what is good for the world. He loves even those who torture him.
Because of being a father to a noble child, the evil Hiranyakasipu had the privilege to rest on Lord's thighs.
Prahlada was crowned as the king. He performed rites to his dead father following Sri Hari's commands. He bowed his head before the Devas who blessed him.
"Dharma Raja, thus Lord Vishnu's guards Jaya-Vijaya were born as asuras and destroyed by the Lord. They also were born as Ravana-Kumbhakarna and annihilated by Lord Rama. They once again were born as Sisupala-Dantavaktra and killed by Lord Krishna" said sage Narada.
Dharma Raja said"Maharshi, Prahlada is very fortunate. He saw Sri Hari in person and received his grace".
Narada said"Dharma Raja, true Prahlada is fortunate. But you are more fortunate by having Sri Hari in your home".
Paramatma is resident in all homes. When we find a guru like Narada, that will be apparent. When we realize the paramatma, devotees will throng our homes and make them pure with the dust on their feet. Devotees won't visit those who don't know the grace of the Lord.
Destruction of Tripurasura
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Suka Brahma told King Pareekshit: Narada said"Dharma Raja, Lord Vishnu thus destroyed the king of asuras and saved the child, Prahlada. In a similar manner Lord Vishnu rescued Lord Siva".
When Dharma Raja wanted to listen to that story, Narada began telling about Tripurasura's destruction.
Devas who flourished with Lord Vishnu's might were attacked by asuras. Unable to defeat them, they approached an asura called Mayasura and sought his help.
Mayasura built three towns for asuras. They were made of gold, silver and iron. They were invisible and beyond imagination. The asuras entered the buildings. They began attacking the three lokas with their new found strength.
Tormented by the asuras everyone prayed to Lord Sankara:"The asuras living in Tripuras are torturing us bitterly. Please destroy them and help us"
Acceding to their prayer, Lord Siva launched Pasupata Astra towards Tripura.
Like the sun's rays, the Pasupata Astra enveloped Tripura. The asuras in them fell unconscious. Mayasura came to know about it. He built a fountain of life and dropped the asuras in them.
The asuras regained their luster and became even more stronger. This had troubled Lord Siva. Then Lord Vishnu had an idea. Brahma became a calf and Lord Vishnu turned into a cow. They both entered Tripura and roamed as the asuras watched. The asuras were enthralled by their beauty. The cow went to the fountain of life and drank all the elixir in it. The asuras enamored by the pedigree of the cow and calf didn't realize that the cow drank all the elixir.
Mayasura entered and understood what happened. Asuras felt sorrow. Mayasura consoled them. He told them whatever god's will would be unavoidable.
Lord Vishnu, gave Lord Siva a great chariot, charioteer, horses, bow and arrows, armor. Lord Siva wore the armor and embarked on the chariot. With the bow and arrows, during the noon, he destroyed Tripura. In this manner, Lord Vishnu helped Lord Siva.
Tripuras means three towns. In these towns, the asuras who torture everyone would be roaming. Their sole support was Mayasura. Even though Mayasura was a great yogi, he couldn't overcome God's will.
Asuras are like jiva's thoughts that take him away from the paramatma. Memories of the past torment everyone. Overcoming them will give everlasting happiness.
"If memories of the past are removed, salvation, that engenders lack of karma, will be attained" said Upanishad.
The past memories disturb us. Like asuras seeking Mayasura, the memories persist because of maya.
Mayasura built the towns with gold, silver and iron. Similarly maya gives calmness (sattva), action (rajas) and indolence (tamas). Gunas are acquired because of maya. Tripuras were impossible to enter. No one could destroy them.
Lord Krishna said in the Vigyan yoga of Bhagavad Gita"Being divine and of three gunas, my maya is impossible to overcome. Whoever surrenders to me, will surmount the maya".
For this reason everyone prayed to Lord Siva who is always meditating. In order to suppress past memories and overcome gunas, we have to meditate.
Lord Siva shot arrows at Tripura. But the asuras were resuscitated by the fountain of life. We will be meditating always. But the memories from the past seem to be strengthened by the worldly matters to distract us.
Lord Siva was disturbed that the asuras were not killed. A yogi would be melancholic because the memories were not overcome and the gunas were insurmountable. In such a situation, God's grace will save like Lord Vishnu rescued Lord Siva.
Lord Vishnu in cow's form made the fountain of life disappear. Cow is symbolic of sattva or calmness. Such people can't be bothered by worldly matters. With sattva guna they will transcend the gunas.
With sattva guna one can establish himself in meditation. As soon as Lord Vishnu in cow's form drank the elixir from the fountain of life, asuras were weakened. As sattva or calmness matures, the past memories will no longer be tormenting.
Lord Siva was given bow and arrows from Lord Vishnu. A yogi in meditation receives God's grace. As soon as he launched the arrows, Tripuras got annihilated and the asuras were vanquished. As a yogi in meditation concentrates, the gunas are overcome and the memories recede. This is salvation.
Lord Siva's three eyes are sun, moon and agni. They represent creation, sustenance and destruction of the universe. The third eye is the eye of knowledge. When Lord Siva opens it the world will devolve. When the eye of knowledge is opened, the visible universe will disappear and the truth will be discerned.
The Tripuras could also be understood as representing the three states: wakeful, dreaming sleep and deep sleep. Whoever overcomes these three and turns into witnesses of them, he will have surmounted Tripuras.
Narada said"Dharma Raja, you are keenly listening to the escapades of Lord Vishnu. Let me know, what else you want to know".
Dharma Raja asked which dharmas and rituals need to be adopted to gain devotion.
Rituals - The form of Dharma
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Body is given so that we can perform dharma. In this body there is kurukshetra or mind. This is where the everlasting fight between good and bad is launched. This is where man should achieve progress. It is dharma that helps us to progress.
People who follow their own dharma can't experience progress. They won't have peace. Nor happiness. The implementation of dharma is dependent on their mental states. This is where one man is different from another. This is what had led to the four varnas and their dharma.
Chanakya said in Artha Saastra that the four varnas mentioned in Vedas engender progress by promulgating that each varna should follow its dharma. Hence everyone should protect dharma. It is in the protection of dharma that a society's superiority is known.
Whoever causes harm to dharma will be vanquished by dharma. Whoever protects dharma will be protected by it. Hence for the progress of all jivas, dharma is supreme. Everyone should follow dharma. Because of dharma, kings attain kingdoms, rich get wealth, others enjoy pleasures. There are many such advantages. But ignoring dharma will definitely result in sorrow.
Maha Bharata said"Because of the dharma kingdom, wealth and pleasures are obtained. Without it there is only sorrow".
"Dharma Raja, Lord is the basis for dharma. Only by dharma will the mind be at peace".
There are many kinds of dharma man can perform. Cleanliness and hygiene apply to the body. Truth, non-violence and celibacy apply to mind. Restraint and tolerance apply to the senses. Dharma purifies the mind, just as agni or fire separates gold from dregs.
Yagnavalkya Smruti said "Every one should follow the dharma assigned to them by the scripture wholeheartedly."
"King Pareekshit, Narada is telling Dharma Raja the dharma to be performed by the women" said Suka Brahma on the bank of river Ganga.
Dharma of Women
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A woman attains salvation by following dharma and serving her husband. She has to be satisfied with serving her husband. By serving it is not meant just bodily comforts.
Not only service to the husband but women are expected to live amicably. Some wives expect their husband to live as per their conditions. That won't be considered as service to husband. Some women say"I did so much service to you. So can't I blame you once?"
Arguments will only hurt.
Besides amiableness, wives have to follow husbands' principles. They should be affectionate to the husband's relatives. Some women enormously love their husbands. But they show hatred for their relatives. Husbands compromise on such things. That doesn't mean husbands are not emotionally wounded. Wives should be affectionate with husbands' relatives which will expand into loving the Lord and his devotees.
Women should take care of cleanliness and decorate their homes within the means. It is not advisable that women spend more than their husbands' earnings.
Women should be obedient, speak softly, and never lie. If women lie then then they lose their moral right to question their husbands or children when they lie. Narada was telling Dharma Raja that when women follow these, they would be like Lakshmi Devi who cohabits with Lord Narayana in Vaikuntha.
Dharma of Men
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Men should follow dharma in four stages of life: bachelor, houeseholder, renouncer and ascetic.
A bachelor should respect the guru and be obedient to him. He should do what is good for the guru. He should chant the mantra with which a guru initiates him. He should listen attentively to guru's teachings.
The bachelor should salute the guru as he enters and leaves the guru's presence. He should eat moderately. He should not engage in talk with women. Women are like agni. Man is like a pot of ghee. Bachelors should not use perfume. They should follow the guru's teaching.
Man should be free from anger and rage. He should shed egotism. He must give up pompousness and pride.
Scripture said"With patience one should overcome rage, and with obedience one should surmount pride".
Man should not be addicted to the pleasures of the world.
Charaka Samhita says"Men aspiring for longevity, should not consort with women."
A man following these alone can know about paramatma. Whatever he does, it should not cause negative consequences to him and others.
Brahma Vaivarta Purana said"There is no relative like dharma. Nor is there wealth like dharma."
Conversation Between Prahlada and Ajagara
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Narada was telling Dharma Raja about the conversation between Pahlada and a rishi called Ajagara regarding the attributes of an ascetic. An ascetic should show excitement for acquiring knowledge. He should not stay in a village for more than a day. He should be free from desires. He should cover his private parts only with cloth. He should beg for his food. He should not be homebound. He should love all life and remain peaceful at all times.
An ascetic should see self in all. He should only listen or read about self. He should give up argumentation and pseudo logic. He only will turn into a sanyasi by renouncing everything.
Once Prahlada went on a trip with his entourage. He went to all lokas. On the bank of river Kaveri he saw a rishi lying on the ground. Prahlada wondered if he was an ascetic.
Prahlada approached the rishi and touched his feet. He then asked"Mahatma, you have a robust body. A pleasure seeker only can have a body like you. One needs to be rich to maintain a body like yours. Wealth is acquired by karma. But without trying for wealth, how did you acquire this robust body?"
"Prahlada, I was caught in the karmic cycles and was born many times partaking in worldly matters and seeking pleasure. I was born from several wombs and eventually was born as a human. Realizing that even in human life karma is engendering sorrow, I took up the path of renunciation".
"I realized that jiva's true nature is sat-chit-ananda. I found that karma causes bondage. I learnt from experience that pleasures are impermanent. One who thinks without self-realization, pleasures will grant happiness, is like searching for water in a mirage."
"I found out that wealth and desires are meaningless. I saw many rich people who couldn't control their senses. They lose sleep in safe-guarding their wealth."
"Not only the rich, but also the mighty ones are suffering. They fear rulers, thieves, enemies, relatives, mendicants. So one is better off renouncing wealth and might."
"Thus, I have developed dispassion and satisfaction. There are two gurus because of whom I am able to live happily. One is a honey bee and the other is a snake called Ajagara."
"Prahlada, I am satisfied with whatever I have. If I get clothes, I will wear them. I eat anything that is given as alms. I don't crave foods of particular taste. I don't beg for something I don't have and don't need. I won't feel sorrow for losing anything".
"I don't blame others. Nor do I seek help from others. I don't regret that I am a pauper. On the other hand, I don't live with complete free-will. I remain in the bliss of self" said the rishi and left.
Dharma Raja then asked"Narada, how can householders like me attain asceticism and then salvation?"
Dharma of Householder
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A householder should perform household duties, serve mahatmas and dedicate the fruit of all karma to Vasudeva. He should seek the company of devotees. He should listen to tales about the Lord. He should realize that sons, friends, and wives are impermanent like a dream. He should seek things only when need arises. He should maintain interest in worldly matters, yet remain dispassionate in his mind.
He should strive for an income that is sufficient for his needs. One who seeks wealth more than he needs is a thief. He should treat animals like his own children. He should share his meal with other jivas. He should not be under the delusion that all he sees is his. He should be satisfied with whatever he owns. He should eat moderately and serve guests.
Some men kill their fathers and gurus for the sake of money. At the same time, they will lay their lives down for the sake of their wives. Even such men, if partook in the service of guests, will attain Parameswara.
One who renounces the body that is composed of flesh and bones, and turns into ash one day, and strives for self-realization will be immortal. Serving food to the unfortunate and dispossessed is better than yagna. Jivas should be satisfied with food. Householders should go on pilgrimage during leisure time. And conduct poojas to god's idols.
On holidays they should spend more time in pooja. Or else they should go to temples. They should do rituals, self study and penance. They should not be violent. They should not misinterpret scripture. They should be satisfied all the time with dispassion.
With shoes worn on the feet, one is not afraid to step on stones and thorns. One who is satisfied with what he has will receive auspicious results in all endeavors.
One who is a slave to the senses will lose knowledge; his penance will weaken; his fame will be gone; and he will turn decrepit.
Man seeking pleasure with private organs and tongue, is like a canine guarding his body. There is no end to greed. For as long as one lives, greed won't end. The efforts made to satisfy greed in the end will give sorrow.
When wishes are renounced, curiosity for worldly matters will subside. When desires are renounced, hatred will end. Covetousness will end when one realizes that unlimited wealth won't give happiness. With wisdom sorrow and desire will be overcome. By serving ascetics, pompousness will end. With devotion to guru, one will attain everything he needs.
"Dharma Raja,one who treats a guru, who taught him everything he knows, like his equal, will not attain salvation no matter how hard he tries. It is useless like an elephant taking a bath only to spread dirt on its body with its trunk"
"Yudhistara, you are a fortunate soul. The embodiment of salvation is in your home in the form of Lord Krishna" said Narada.
"The Brahman who is sought by ascetics with hard work is in your home as a relative, brother-in-law, Self, divine, guru" said Narada.
Sree Suka said,"King Pareekshit, after listening to Narada, Dharma Raja worshiped Sri Krishna and experienced bliss".
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