February 22nd, 1976

Srila Prabhupada is developing a heavy cold. Sometimes the mornings are damp
and foggy. Such weather has caused his chest to become full of mucus, making
his voice sound thick and muzzled. Still, he is walking in the morning and
giving class, although today he didn't say much.

In this morning's verse, Dayananda read out Srila Prabhupada's translation of a
beautiful detailed description by Prahlada Maharaja of the fierce appearance of
Lord Nrsimhadeva. "My Lord who is never conquered by anyone, certainly I am not
at all afraid of Your very ferocious mouth, tongue, bright eyes like the
sunshine, movement of Your eyebrows, very pinching sharp set of teeth, garland
of intestines, hands soaked with blood, fixed up high ears, Your tumultuous
sound which causes the elephants to go away to a distant place and Your nails
which are meant for killing Your enemies. Undoubtedly I am not afraid of them."

For a devotee like Prahlada, the Lord is never to be feared, even when He is in
an angry mood. Yet, Prabhupada said, devotees are afraid of living in the
material world. This is the essential difference between the devotees and
demons.

"Prahlada Maharaja will say that 'This fierceful attitude of Your Lordship is
not at all fearful to me, as it is fearful to me, this material existence.'
This material world is very, very fierceful to the devotees. They are very,
very much afraid of.

"This is the difference. Materialistic persons, they are thinking, 'This world
is very pleasing. We are enjoying. Eat, drink, be merry, and enjoy.' But the
devotees, they think, 'It is very, very fierceful. How soon we shall get out of
it?' My Guru Maharaja used to say that 'This material world is not fit for
living for any gentlemen.' He used to say, 'No gentleman can live here.' So
these things are not understood by the non-devotees, how much pinching this
material world is. Unless one becomes detestful of this material world, it is
to be understood that he has not yet entered in the spiritual understanding.

"This is the test of bhakti. If one has entered the domain of devotional
service, this material world will be not at all tasteful for him. Jagai and
Madhai were too much materialistic, woman-hunters, drunkards, meat-eaters....
So these things have become now common affairs. But it is very, very fearful
for the devotees.

"Therefore we say, 'No intoxication. No illicit sex. No meat-eating.' It is
very, very fearful. But they do not know it. They indulge in. The whole world
is going on on this platform. He does not know that he is creating a very, very
fierceful situation by indulging in these sinful activities."

- From the "A Transcendental Diary Vol 1" by HG Hari Sauri dasa





CHANT HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE AND BE HAPPY
Your humble servant
radhabhava gaur das


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