The glories of Bhakta Prahlada [from www.iskcondc.org]

[Jahnava Nitai Das]

[ From the weekly newsletter published by www.iskcondc.org ]

 

When Hiranyakasipu, the demoniac father of Prahlada, had decided to

personally kill him, he strongly chastised him with many insulting words.

However, the acaryas have revealed that at the time, by the mercy of

Goddess Saraswati, he actually glorified his son. Hiranyakasipu calls him

'durvinita' or impudent. But the Sanskrit term can also be broken into,

'duh' (miseries as in the material world), 'vi' (specifically) and 'nita'

(bought in). Hiranyakasipu also calls him 'mandatman' meaning 'stupid fool

'. However 'manda-atman' also means 'those who are spiritual slow.'

Unknowingly Hiranyakasipu revealed the real reason for the advent of

Prahlada - to relieve the miseries of the spiritually weak entities in the

material world by giving them Krishna consciousness. The life and

instructions of Prahlada, reveal the inner most aspects of pure devotional

service and how it is conducted.

 

Devotional service is completely independent

********************************************

Prahlada took birth in a family of demons. His father was a greatly

atheistic person who abhorred the name of Lord Vishnu. Even at the young

age of five, Prahlada became fully absorbed in meditating on the Lord. He

showed that bhakti or devotional service is independent of any material

considerations like family lineage, caste, race, birth, age or any

material circumstances. While there may be factors that are conducive to

devotional service, they are by no means essential, since bhakti is

supremely independent.

 

Mercy of a devotee

******************

When Prahlada instructed his young classmates in the process of devotional

service, they wondered where he got this knowledge from. At this time

Prahlada reveals that he heard these instructions from the great sage

Narada while still in the womb of his mother. Devotion is thus the

property of a devotee and can only be given by him. However the mercy of a

devotee in itself is not enough. One has to make a conscious effort to

receive that mercy by accepting and acting on the instructions. While both

Prahlada and his mother had received these instructions from Narada Muni,

Prahlada assimilated them into his life, while his mother quickly forgot

them once she got back into the association of her atheistic husband.

 

Dealings with materialistic persons

***********************************

When speaking with his father or with his teacher, Prahlada would discuss

devotional service them in a general way. At one point when his teachers

specifically inquired about the source of his knowledge, he tells them of

the reasons why one may perceive some one as a friend and another as an

enemy. Later when his father made the same inquiry, Prahlada discussed the

plight of men too engrossed in materialistic activity. It may seem that

Prahlada was avoiding the question, but in reality he was explaining the

reasons why they would not be able to grasp the answer even if he gave it.

He thus bought forth the qualities fundamental for making spiritual

progress, getting beyond the material conception of life. He also showed

that one must protect the intimate details of devotional service for

people who are envious of the Lord. However when the classmates of

Prahlada inquired, he understood that though they were non-devotees, they

were innocent and non-envious, and so he readily revealed the details of

his experience with Narada Muni.

 

The reactions of Hiranyakasipu towards his son also reveals how worldly

men will react to devotees. Initially he is amused, contemptuously

dismissing the devotion of his son to some passing 'bad' influence. Then

he becomes angry at the obstinacy of his son and finally when he discovers

that he is unable to harm Prahlada, the anger turns into deadly fear.

Since Hiranyakasipu was an avowed atheist, the fear culminated in his

death. But to one not so fixed in materialism, the anger could also give

way to respect, emulation and glorification.

 

Qualities of Prahlada

*********************

Prahlada is described as being humble, obedient, respectful, gentle and

compassionate. Even though he understood that his father was demoniac, he

gave him full respect worthy of a father. He followed the instructions of

his teachers in studying the various arts of politics and economic, even

though he had no interest in these mundane subjects. Even when he

disagreed, he did so with great humility and respect. He showed that

becoming a devotee naturally enhances all good qualities of a person. His

compassion for his father grew in proportion to the atrocities that he

perpetrated, so much so that finally all he would ask from Lord

Narasimhadeva was mercy for his father.

 

Completely dependant on the Lord's mercy

****************************************

Prahlada never specifically asked the Lord for protection, even when he

was being tormented by his father in so many ways. He simply continued

doing what he always did, meditating on the Lord. He exemplified the

attitude of a devotee, naturally expecting the mercy of the Lord, in any

way and form, in any situation, whether it is favorable or not.

 

In the final moments of the pastime Lord Narasimhadeva having killed

Hiranyakasipu wanted to grant Prahlada a boon. However, Prahlada at this

time is confused and hurt, He says that, 'You are naturally my master, and

I am naturally Your servant. We have no other relationship.'

 

Prahlada thus revealed the highest form of relationship between a devotee

and the Lord. The devotee has no other desire but to render service to the

Lord, and accepts what ever the Lord gives, be it good or bad, as His

mercy.

 

When Krishna protects.

*********************

Hiranyakasipu was the ruler of the entire universe. He was so feared that

just by seeing the movements of his eyebrows great demigods would termble.

Yet with all his strength, his army, his mystical powers he could not harm

Prahlada, who was under the protection of Krishna. On the other hand,

Hiranyakasipu himself had made all plans for immortality. By performing

severe austerities he had secured boons from Lord Brahma that all but made

his death impossible. Yet when the time came, Krishna killed him with

great ease.

 

Prahlada thus showed that 'Rakhe Krishna mare ke mare Krishna rakhe ke.'

He whom Krishna protects, no one can kill, but if Krsna wants to kill

someone, no one can give him protection.

 

Nine processes of devotional service explained by Prahlada

************************************************

 

SB 7.5.23-24

sri-prahrada uvaca

sravanam kirtanam visnoh

smaranam pada-sevanam

arcanam vandanam dasyam

sakhyam atma-nivedanam

 

iti pumsarpita visnau

bhaktis cen nava-laksana

kriyeta bhagavaty addha

tan manye 'dhitam uttamam

 

TRANSLATION

Prahlada Maharaja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy

name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Visnu,

remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord

respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers

to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one's best friend,

and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the

body, mind and words) -- these nine processes are accepted as pure

devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Krsna

through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned

person, for he has acquired complete knowledge.