Friday, February 19, 2021

Bhagvatam: IF A GOVERNMENT WORSHIPS THE BRÄHMANAS, THE COWS AND KRSHNA, IT IS NEVER DEFEATED ANYWHERE; OTHERWISE IT MUST ALWAYS BE DEFEATED AND CONDEMNED EVERYWHERE,9th Aug

Bhagvatam: IF A GOVERNMENT WORSHIPS THE BRÄHMANAS, THE COWS AND KRSHNA, IT IS NEVER DEFEATED ANYWHERE; OTHERWISE IT MUST ALWAYS BE DEFEATED AND CONDEMNED EVERYWHERE.


TRANSLATION
Because of their firm determination to follow the instructions of Sukrächärya, his disciples, the demons, are now unconcerned about the demigods. In fact, kings or others who have determined faith in the mercy of brähmanas, cows and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krshna, and who always worship these three are always strong in their position.

PURPORT
From the instructions of Lord Brahmä it is understood that everyone should very faithfully worship the brähmanas, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the cows.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead is go-brähmana-hitäya ca: He is always very kind to cows and brähmanas.

Therefore one who worships Govinda must satisfy Him by worshiping the brähmanas and cows.

If a government worships the brähmanas, the cows and Krshna, Govinda, it is never defeated anywhere; otherwise it must always be defeated and condemned everywhere.

At the present moment, all over the world, governments have no respect for brähmanas, cows and Govinda, and consequently there are chaotic conditions all over the world.

In summary, although the demigods were very powerful in material opulence, the demons defeated them in battle because the demigods had behaved disrespectfully toward a brähmana, Brhaspati, who was their spiritual master.


TRANSLATION
O demigods, I (Lord Brahma) instruct you to approach Vishvarüpa, the son of Tvashtä, and accept him as your guru. He is a pure and very powerful brähmana undergoing austerity and penances. Pleased by your worship, he will fulfill your desires, provided that you tolerate his being inclined to side with the demons.

PURPORT

Lord Brahmä advised the demigods to accept the son of Tvashtä as their spiritual master although he was always inclined toward the benefit of the asuras.
Srila Sukadeva Gosvämi continued: Thus advised by Lord Brahmä and relieved of their anxiety, all the demigods went to the sage Vishvarüpa, the son of Tvashtä. My dear King, they embraced him and spoke as follows.
The demigods said: Beloved Vishvarüpa, may there be all good fortune for you. We, the demigods, have come to your äshrama as your guests. Please try to fulfill our desires according to the time, since we are on the level of your parents.
O brähmana, the highest duty of a son, even though he has sons of his own, is to serve his parents, and what to speak of a son who is a brahmachäri?

TRANSLATION
The ächärya, the spiritual master who teaches all the Vedic knowledge and gives initiation by offering the sacred thread, is the personification of all the Vedas. Similarly, a father personifies Lord Brahmä; a brother, King Indra; a mother, the planet earth; and a sister, mercy. A guest personifies religious principles, an invited guest personifies the demigod Agni, and all living entities personify Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

PURPORT
According to the moral instructions of Chänakya Pandita, ätmavat sarva-bhüteshu: one should observe all living entities to be on the same level as oneself. This means that no one should be neglected as inferior; because Paramätmä is seated in everyone's body, everyone should be respected as a temple of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This verse describes the different ways in which one should respect a guru, a father, a brother, a sister, a guest and so on.