Bhagvatam: ONE MAY BE A BRÄHMANA IN TERMS OF HIS CULTURE AND FAMILY AND MAY BE EXPERT IN VEDIC KNOWLEDGE, BUT IF HE IS NOT A VAISHNAVA (PURE DEVOTEE OF LORD), HE CANNOT BE A GURU

Sri Sukadeva Gosvämi said: O King Parikshit, who are so charitably disposed, when Vrträsura (demon) was killed, all the presiding deities and everyone else in the three planetary systems was immediately pleased and free from trouble—everyone, that is, except Indra.

TRANSLATION

Thereafter, the demigods, the great saintly persons, the inhabitants of Pitrloka and Bhütaloka, the demons, the followers of the demigods, and also Lord Brahmä, Lord Shiva and the demigods subordinate to Indra all returned to their respective homes. While departing, however, no one spoke to Indra.

PURPORT

In this connection Srila Vishvanätha Chakravarti Thäkura comments:

Lord Brahmä, Lord Shiva and the other demigods returned to their respective abodes, but Indra did not, for he was disturbed at having killed Vrträsura, who was actually a brähmana. 

After killing Vrträsura, Indra went to the Mänasa-sarovara Lake to become free from sinful reactions. When he left the lake, he performed an ashvamedha-yajna and then returned to his own abode.

TRANSLATION

Mahäräja Parikshit inquired from Sukadeva Gosvämi: O great sage, what was the reason for Indra's unhappiness? I wish to hear about this. When he killed Vrträsura, all the demigods were extremely happy. Why, then, was Indra himself unhappy?

PURPORT

This, of course, is a very intelligent question. 

When a demon is killed, certainly all the demigods are happy. In this case, however, when all the demigods were happy because of Vrträsura's having been killed, Indra was unhappy. Why? 

IT MAY BE SUGGESTED THAT INDRA WAS UNHAPPY BECAUSE HE KNEW THAT HE HAD KILLED A GREAT DEVOTEE AND BRÄHMANA. VRTRÄSURA OUTWARDLY APPEARED TO BE A DEMON, BUT INWARDLY HE WAS A GREAT DEVOTEE AND THEREFORE A GREAT BRÄHMANA.

HEREIN IT IS CLEARLY INDICATED THAT A PERSON WHO IS NOT AT ALL DEMONIAC, SUCH AS PRAHLÄDA MAHÄRÄJA AND BALI MAHÄRÄJA, MAY OUTWARDLY BE A DEMON OR BE BORN IN A FAMILY OF DEMONS. 

Therefore in terms of real culture one should not be considered a demigod or demon simply according to birth. In his dealings while fighting with Indra, Vrträsura proved himself a great devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 

Furthermore, as soon as he finished fighting with Indra and was apparently killed, Vrträsura was transferred to Vaikunthaloka to become an associate of Sankarshana. Indra knew this, and therefore he was morose at having killed such a demon, who was actually a Vaishnava or brähmana.

A Vaishnava is already a brähmana, although a brähmana may not be a Vaishnava. The Padma Puräna says:

ONE MAY BE A BRÄHMANA IN TERMS OF HIS CULTURE AND FAMILY AND MAY BE EXPERT IN VEDIC KNOWLEDGE (MANTRA-TANTRA-VISHÄRADAM), BUT IF HE IS NOT A VAISHNAVA, HE CANNOT BE A GURU. 

This means that an expert brähmana may not be a Vaishnava, but a Vaishnava is already a brähmana. A millionaire may very easily possess hundreds and thousands of dollars, but a person with hundreds and thousands of dollars is not necessarily a millionaire. Vrträsura was a perfect Vaishnava, and therefore he was also a brähmana.

Bhagvat: BY ONCE CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF THE LORD, ONE CAN BE FREED FROM THE REACTIONS OF MORE SINS THAT HE CAN EVEN IMAGINE PERFORMING, 18th Aug

Bhagvat: BY ONCE CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF THE LORD, ONE CAN BE FREED FROM THE REACTIONS OF MORE SINS THAT HE CAN EVEN IMAGINE PERFORMING.     WHAT, THEN, IS TO BE SAID OF THOSE WHO CHANT THE HOLY NAME REGULARLY OR WORSHIP THE DEITY REGULARLY? FOR SUCH PURIFIED DEVOTEES, FREEDOM FROM SINFUL REACTION IS CERTAINLY ASSURED.

Sri Sukadeva Gosvämi answered: When all the great sages and demigods were disturbed by the extraordinary power of Vrträsura, they had assembled to ask Indra to kill him. Indra, however, being afraid of killing a brähmana, declined their request.

King Indra replied: When I killed Vishvarüpa, I received extensive sinful reactions, but I was favored by the women, land, trees and water, and therefore I was able to divide the sin among them. But now if I kill Vrträsura, another brähmana, how shall I free myself from the sinful reactions?

Sri Sukadeva Gosvämi said: Hearing this, the great sages replied to King Indra, "O King of heaven, all good fortune unto you. Do not fear. We shall perform an ashvamedha sacrifice to release you from any sin you may accrue by killing the brähmana."

The rshis continued: O King Indra, by performing an ashvamedha sacrifice and thereby pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the Supersoul, Lord Näräyana, the supreme controller, one can be relieved even of the sinful reactions for killing the entire world, not to speak of killing a demon like Vrträsura.

TRANSLATION

One who has killed a brähmana, one who has killed a cow or one who has killed his father, mother or spiritual master can be immediately freed from all sinful reactions simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Näräyana. Other sinful persons, such as dog-eaters and chandälas, who are less than shüdras, can also be freed in this way. But you are a devotee, and we shall help you by performing the great horse sacrifice. If you please Lord Näräyana in that way, why should you be afraid? You will be freed even if you kill the entire universe, including the brähmanas, not to speak of killing a disturbing demon like Vrträsura.

PURPORT

It is said in the Brhad-vishnu Puräna:

Also, in the Prema-vivarta by Jagadänanda Pandita it is said:

THIS MEANS THAT BY ONCE CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF THE LORD, ONE CAN BE FREED FROM THE REACTIONS OF MORE SINS THAT HE CAN EVEN IMAGINE PERFORMING.

The holy name is so spiritually potent that simply by chanting the holy name one can be freed from the reactions to all sinful activities.

WHAT, THEN, IS TO BE SAID OF THOSE WHO CHANT THE HOLY NAME REGULARLY OR WORSHIP THE DEITY REGULARLY? FOR SUCH PURIFIED DEVOTEES, FREEDOM FROM SINFUL REACTION IS CERTAINLY ASSURED.

THIS DOES NOT MEAN, HOWEVER, THAT ONE SHOULD INTENTIONALLY COMMIT SINFUL ACTS AND THINK HIMSELF FREE FROM THE REACTIONS BECAUSE HE IS CHANTING THE HOLY NAME.

Such a mentality is a most abominable offense at the lotus feet of the holy name.

Nämno baläd yasya hi päpa-buddhim: the Lord's holy name certainly has the potency to neutralize all sinful activities, but if one repeatedly and intentionally commits sins while chanting the holy name, he is most condemned.

These verses name the performers of various sinful deeds.

In the Manu-samhitä the following names are given.

A son begotten by a brähmana and born from the womb of a shüdra mother is called a pärashava or nishäda, a hunter accustomed to stealing.

A son begotten by a nishäda in the womb of a shüdra woman is called a pukkasa.

A child begotten by a kshatriya in the womb of the daughter of a shüdra is called an ugra.

A child begotten by a shüdra in the womb of the daughter of a kshatriya is called a kshattä.

A child begotten by a kshatriya in the womb of a lower-class woman is called a shväda, or dog-eater.

ALL SUCH OFFSPRING ARE CONSIDERED EXTREMELY SINFUL, BUT THE HOLY NAME OF THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD IS SO STRONG THAT ALL OF THEM CAN BE PURIFIED SIMPLY BY CHANTING THE HARE KRSHNA MANTRA.

The Hare Krshna movement offers everyone a chance to be purified, regardless of birth or family.

As confirmed in Srimad-Bhägavatam (2.4.18):

"Kirätas, Hünas, Ändhras, Pulindas, Pulkashas, Äbhiras, Sumbhas, Yavanas, members of the Khasa races, and even others addicted to sinful acts can be purified by taking shelter of devotees of the Lord, for He is the supreme power.

I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.”

Even such sinful persons can certainly all be purified if they chant the holy name of the Lord under the direction of a pure devotee.

Herein the sages encourage King Indra to kill Vrträsura even at the risk of brahma-hatyä, the killing of a brähmana, and they guarantee to release him from sinful reactions by performing an ashvamedha-yajna.

Such purposefully devised atonement, however, cannot relieve the performer of sinful acts.

This will be seen from the following verse.

Bhagvatam: EVEN BY A GLIMPSE OF THE CHANTING OF NÄRÄYANA'S NAME, ONE BECOMES FREE FROM ALL THE SINFUL REACTIONS,16th Aug

Bhagvatam: EVEN BY A GLIMPSE OF THE CHANTING OF NÄRÄYANA'S NAME, ONE BECOMES FREE FROM ALL THE SINFUL REACTIONS

TRANSLATION

O King Parikshit, subduer of enemies, the living spark then came forth from Vrträsura's body and returned home, back to Godhead. While all the demigods looked on, he entered the transcendental world to become an associate of Lord Sankarshana.

PURPORT

Srila Vishvanätha Chakravarti Thäkura explains that Indra, not Vrträsura, was actually killed.

He says that when Vrträsura swallowed King Indra and his carrier, the elephant, he thought, "Now I have killed Indra, and therefore there is no more need of fighting.

Now let me return home, back to Godhead.”

Thus he stopped all his bodily activities and became situated in trance.

Taking advantage of the silence of Vrträsura's body, Indra pierced the demon's abdomen, and because of Vrträsura's trance, Indra was able to come out.

Now, Vrträsura was in yoga-samadhi, and therefore although King Indra wanted to cut his throat, the demon's neck was so stiff that Indra's thunderbolt took 360 days to cut it to pieces.

Actually it was the body left by Vrträsura that was cut to pieces by Indra; Vrträsura himself was not killed.

In his original consciousness, Vrträsura returned home, back to Godhead, to become an associate of Lord Sankarshana.

Here the word alokam means the transcendental world, Vaikunthaloka, where Sankarshana eternally resides.

This chapter describes Indra's fear at having killed a brähmana (Vrträsura), and it also describes how he fled and was saved by the grace of Lord Vishnu.

When all the demigods requested Indra to kill Vrträsura, he refused because Vrträsura was a brähmana.

The demigods, however, encouraged Indra not to fear killing him because Indra was protected by the Näräyana-kavacha, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, Lord Näräyana.

Even by a glimpse of the chanting of Näräyana's name, one becomes free from all the sinful reactions of killing a woman, a cow or a brähmana.

The demigods advised Indra to perform an ashvamedha sacrifice, by which Näräyana would be pleased, for the performer of such a sacrifice is not implicated in sinful reactions even if he kills the entire universe.

Following this instruction from the demigods, King Indra fought Vrträsura, but when Vrträsura was killed, everyone was satisfied but King Indra, who knew Vrträsura's position.

This is the nature of a great personality.

Even if a great personality acquires some opulence, he is always ashamed and regretful if he acquires it illegally.

Indra could understand that he was certainly entangled by sinful reactions for killing a brähmana.

Indeed, he could see sinful reaction personified following him, and thus he fled here and there in fear, thinking of how to rid himself of his sins.

He went to Mänasa-sarovara, and there, under the protection of the goddess of fortune, he meditated for one thousand years.

During this time, Nahusha reigned over the heavenly planets as the representative of Indra.

Unfortunately, however, he was attracted by the beauty of Indra's wife, Sacidevi, and because of his sinful desire he had to accept the body of a serpent in his next life.

Indra later performed a great sacrifice with the help of exalted brähmanas and saints.

In this way he was released from the reactions of his sinful killing of a brähmana.

Bhagvatam: POWER OF MANTRA - BUT IF NOT UTTERED CORRECTLY, ENTIRE MEANING OF MANTRA CHANGES, 14th Aug

Bhagvatam: POWER OF MANTRA - BUT IF NOT UTTERED CORRECTLY, ENTIRE MEANING OF MANTRA CHANGES

TRANSLATION

After Vishvarüpa was killed, his father, Tvashtä, performed ritualistic ceremonies to kill Indra. He offered oblations in the sacrificial fire, saying, "O enemy of Indra, flourish to kill your enemy without delay."

PURPORT

There was some defect in Tvashtä's chanting of the mantra because he chanted it long instead of short, and therefore the meaning changed. Tvashtä intended to chant the word indra-shatro, meaning, "O enemy of Indra." 

In this mantra, the word indra is in the possessive case (shashthi), and the word indra-shatro is called a tat-purusha compound (tatpurusha-samäsa). Unfortunately, instead of chanting the mantra short, Tvashtä chanted it long, and its meaning changed from "the enemy of Indra" to "Indra, who is an enemy." Consequently instead of an enemy of Indra's, there emerged the body of Vrträsura, of whom Indra was the enemy.

Thereafter, from the southern side of the sacrificial fire known as Anvähärya came a fearful personality who looked like the destroyer of the entire creation at the end of the millennium.

Like arrows released in the four directions, the demon's body grew, day after day. Tall and blackish, he appeared like a burnt hill and was as lustrous as a bright array of clouds in the evening. The hair on the demon's body and his beard and moustache were the color of melted copper, and his eyes were piercing like the midday sun. He appeared unconquerable, as if holding the three worlds on the points of his blazing trident. 

Dancing and shouting with a loud voice, he made the entire surface of the earth tremble as if from an earthquake. As he yawned again and again, he seemed to be trying to swallow the whole sky with his mouth, which was as deep as a cave. He seemed to be licking up all the stars in the sky with his tongue and eating the entire universe with his long, sharp teeth. Seeing this gigantic demon, everyone, in great fear, ran here and there in all directions.

TRANSLATION

That very fearful demon, who was actually the son of Tvashtä, covered all the planetary systems by dint of austerity. Therefore he was named Vrtra, or one who covers everything.

PURPORT

In the Vedas it is said, sa imäû lokän ävrnot tad vrtrasya vrtratvam: because the demon covered all the planetary systems, his name was Vrträsura.

IF ONE IS ADVANCED IN KNOWLEDGE, HE MUST ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO SACRIFICE ANYTHING FOR A BETTER CAUSE, 15th Aug

Bhagvatam: IF ONE IS ADVANCED IN KNOWLEDGE, HE MUST ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO SACRIFICE ANYTHING FOR A BETTER CAUSE. AT THE PRESENT MOMENT THE ENTIRE WORLD IS IN A DANGEROUS POSITION UNDER THE SPELL OF A GODLESS CIVILIZATION. 

As described in this chapter, after Indra obtained the body of Dadhichi, a thunderbolt was prepared from Dadhichi's bones, and a fight took place between Vrträsura and the demigods.

Following the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demigods approached Dadhichi Muni and begged for his body. 

Dadhichi Muni, just to hear from the demigods about the principles of religion, jokingly refused to relinquish his body, but for higher purposes he thereafter agreed to give it up, for after death the body is usually eaten by low animals like dogs and jackals. Dadhichi Muni first merged his gross body made of five elements into the original stock of five elements and then engaged his soul at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 

Thus he gave up his gross body. With the help of Vishvakarmä, the demigods then prepared a thunderbolt from Dadhichi's bones. Armed with the thunderbolt weapon, they prepared themselves to fight and got up on the backs of elephants.

At the end of Satya-yuga and the beginning of Tretä-yuga, a great fight took place between the demigods and the asuras. Unable to tolerate the effulgence of the demigods, the asuras fled the battle, leaving Vrträsura, their commander in chief, to fight for himself. 

Vrträsura, however, seeing the demons fleeing, instructed them in the importance of fighting and dying in the battlefield. One who is victorious in battle gains material possessions, and one who dies in the battlefield attains a residence at once in the celestial heavens. In either way, the fighter benefits.

The demigods replied: O exalted brähmana, pious persons like you, whose activities are praiseworthy, are very kind and affectionate to people in general. What can't such pious souls give for the benefit of others? They can give everything, including their bodies.

TRANSLATION

Those who are too self-interested beg something from others, not knowing of others' pain. But if the beggar knew the difficulty of the giver, he would not ask for anything. Similarly, he who is able to give charity does not know the beggar's difficulty, for otherwise he would not refuse to give the beggar anything he might want as charity.

PURPORT

This verse describes two people—one who gives charity and one who begs for it. 

A beggar should not ask charity from a person who is in difficulty. Similarly, one who is able to give charity should not deny a beggar. These are the moral instructions of the shästra. Chänakya Pandita says, san-nimitte varam tyägo vinäshe niyate sati: everything within this material world will be destroyed, and therefore one should use everything for good purposes. 

If one is advanced in knowledge, he must always be prepared to sacrifice anything for a better cause. At the present moment the entire world is in a dangerous position under the spell of a godless civilization. 

The Krshna consciousness movement needs many exalted, learned persons who will sacrifice their lives to revive God consciousness throughout the world. We therefore invite all men and women advanced in knowledge to join the Krshna consciousness movement and sacrifice their lives for the great cause of reviving the God consciousness of human society.

MAY THAT SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD PROTECT ME AT ALL TIMES WITH HIS EIGHT ARMS, 12th Aug

Bhagvatam: MAY THAT SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD PROTECT ME AT ALL TIMES WITH HIS EIGHT ARMS. THROUGH AHANGRAHOPÄSANÄ ONE DOES NOT BECOME GOD, BUT HE THINKS OF HIMSELF AS QUALITATIVELY ONE WITH THE SUPREME. HUMAN DUTY IS TO ALWAYS SEEK THE MERCY OF THE LORD IN ORDER TO BE PROTECTED BY HIM IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

TRANSLATION

The Supreme Lord, who sits on the back of the bird Garuda, touching him with His lotus feet, holds eight weapons—the conchshell, disc, shield, sword, club, arrows, bow and ropes.

May that Supreme Personality of Godhead protect me at all times with His eight arms.

He is all-powerful because He fully possesses the eight mystic powers [animä, laghimä, etc.]

PURPORT

Thinking oneself one with the Supreme is called ahangrahopäsanä.

Through ahangrahopäsanä one does not become God, but he thinks of himself as qualitatively one with the Supreme.

Understanding that as a spirit soul he is equal in quality to the supreme soul the way the water of a river is of the same nature as the water of the sea, one should meditate upon the Supreme Lord, as described in this verse, and seek His protection.

The living entities are always subordinate to the Supreme.

Consequently their duty is to always seek the mercy of the Lord in order to be protected by Him in all circumstances.

TRANSLATION

The Supreme indestructible Lord is ascertained through the performance of ritualistic sacrifices and is therefore known as Yajneshvara. In His incarnation as Lord Boar, He raised the planet earth from the water at the bottom of the universe and kept it on His pointed tusks. May that Lord protect me from rogues on the street. May Parashuräma protect me on the tops of mountains, and may the elder brother of Bharata, Lord Räma Chandra, along with His brother Lakshmana, protect me in foreign countries.

PURPORT

There are three Rämas. One Räma is Parashuräma (Jämadägnya), another Räma is Lord Räma Chandra, and a third Räma is Lord Balaräma. In this verse the words rämo'dri-küteshv atha indicate Lord Parashuräma. The brother of Bharata Mahäräja and Lakshmana is Lord Räma Chandra.

May Lord Näräyana protect me from unnecessarily following false religious systems and falling from my duties due to madness. May the Lord in His appearance as Nara protect me from unnecessary pride. May Lord Dattätreya, the master of all mystic power, protect me from falling while performing bhakti-yoga, and may Lord Kapila, the master of all good qualities, protect me from the material bondage of fruitive activities.

TRANSLATION

May Sanat-kumära protect me from lusty desires. As I begin some auspicious activity, may Lord Hayagriva protect me from being an offender by neglecting to offer respectful obeisances to the Supreme Lord. May Devarshi Närada protect me from committing offenses in worshiping the Deity, and may Lord Kürma, the tortoise, protect me from falling to the unlimited hellish planets.

PURPORT

Lusty desires are very strong in everyone, and they are the greatest impediment to the discharge of devotional service. Therefore those who are very much influenced by lusty desires are advised to take shelter of Sanat-kumära, the great brahmachäri devotee. 

Närada Muni, who is the guide for archana, is the author of the Närada Pancharätra, which prescribes the regulative principles for worshiping the Deity. 

Everyone engaged in Deity worship, whether at home or in the temple, should always seek the mercy of Devarshi Närada in order to avoid the thirty-two offenses while worshiping the Deity. These offenses in Deity worship are mentioned in The Nectar of Devotion.

Bhagvatam: HOW INDRA, THE KING OF HEAVEN, WAS VICTORIOUS OVER THE SOLDIERS OF THE DEMONS, USING THE SHIELD OF THE VISHNU MANTRA,11th Aug

Bhagvatam: HOW INDRA, THE KING OF HEAVEN, WAS VICTORIOUS OVER THE SOLDIERS OF THE DEMONS, USING THE SHIELD OF THE VISHNU MANTRA.

This chapter describes how Indra, the King of heaven, was victorious over the soldiers of the demons, and it also describes the shield of the Vishnu mantra.

To take protection from this shield, one must first touch kusha grass and wash one's mouth with ächamana-mantras. One should observe silence and then place the eight-syllable Vishnu mantra on the parts of his body and place the twelve-syllable mantra on his hands. 

The eight-syllable mantra is om namo näräyanäya. This mantra should be distributed all over the front and back of the body. The twelve-syllable mantra, which begins with the pranava, omkära, is om namo bhagavate väsudeväya. One syllable should be placed on each of the fingers and should be preceded by the pranava, omkära. 

Thereafter, one must chant om vishnave namam, which is a six-syllable mantra. One must progressively place the syllables of the mantra on the heart, the head, between the two eyebrows, on the shikhä and between the eyes, and then one should chant mam asträya phat and with this mantra protect himself from all directions. Nädevo devam archayet: one who has not risen to the level of a deva cannot chant this mantra. According to this direction of the shästra, one must think himself qualitatively nondifferent from the Supreme.

After finishing this dedication, one must offer a prayer to the eight-armed Lord Vishnu, who sits on the shoulders of Garudadeva. One also has to think of the fish incarnation, Vämana, Kürma, Nrsimha, Varäha, Parashuräma, Räma Chandra (the elder brother of Lakshmana). Nara-Näräyana, Dattätreya (an empowered incarnation), Kapila, Sanat-kumära, Hayagriva, Näradadeva (the incarnation of a devotee). Dhanvantari, Rshabhadeva, Yajna, Balaräma, Vyäsadeva, Buddhadeva and Keshava. 

One should also think of Govinda, the master of Vrndävana, and one should think of Näräyana, the master of the spiritual sky. One should think of Madhusüdana, Tridhämä, Mädhava, Hrshikesha, Padmanäbha, Janärdana, Dämodara and Vishveshvara, as well as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krshna Himself. 

After offering prayers to the Lord's personal expansions known as the svämsha and shaktyävesha-avatäras, one should pray to the weapons of Lord Näräyana, such as the Sudarshana, gadä, shankha, khadga and bow.

After explaining this process, Sukadeva Gosvämi told Mahäräja Parikshit how Vishvarüpa, the brother of Vrträsura, described the glories of the Näräyana-kavacha to Indra.

Bhagvatam: IF ONE IS ADVANCED IN THE SCIENCE OF KRSHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, REGARDLESS OF HIS POSITION IN HUMAN SOCIETY, HE MAY BECOME A SPIRITUAL MASTER, 10th Aug

Bhagvatam: IF ONE IS ADVANCED IN THE SCIENCE OF KRSHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, REGARDLESS OF HIS POSITION IN HUMAN SOCIETY, HE MAY BECOME A SPIRITUAL MASTER

TRANSLATION

The demigods continued: Do not fear criticism for being younger than us. Such etiquette does not apply in regard to Vedic mantras. Except in relationship to Vedic mantras, seniority is determined by age, but one may offer respectful obeisances even to a younger person who is advanced in chanting Vedic mantras. Therefore although you are junior in relationship to us, you may become our priest without hesitation.

PURPORT

It is said, vrddhatvam vayasä vinä: one may be senior without being advanced in age. Even if one is not old, one gains seniority if he is senior in knowledge. Vishvarüpa was junior in relationship to the demigods because he was their nephew, but the demigods wanted to accept him as their priest, and therefore he would have to accept obeisances from them. 

The demigods explained that this should not be a cause for hesitation; he could become their priest because he was advanced in Vedic knowledge. Similarly, Chänakya Pandita advises, nichäd apy uttamam jnänam: one may accept education from a member of a lower social order. The brähmanas, the members of the most elevated varna, are teachers, but a person in a lower family, such as a family of kshatriyas, vaishyas or even shüdras, may be accepted as a teacher if he has knowledge. Sri Chaitanya Mahäprabhu approved of this when He expressed this opinion before Rämänanda Räya (Cc. Madhya 8.128):

It does not matter whether one is a brähmana, shüdra, grhastha or sannyäsi. These are all material designations. A spiritually advanced person has nothing to do with such designations. Therefore, if one is advanced in the science of Krshna consciousness, regardless of his position in human society, he may become a spiritual master.

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.

Bhagvatam: LORD BRAHMÄ POINTED OUT TO THE DEMIGODS THAT BY THE STRENGTH OF THE GURU ONE CAN BECOME MOST POWERFUL WITHIN THIS WORLD, AND BY THE DISPLEASURE OF THE GURU ONE CAN LOSE EVERYTHING ,8th Aug

Bhagvatam: LORD BRAHMÄ POINTED OUT TO THE DEMIGODS THAT BY THE STRENGTH OF THE GURU ONE CAN BECOME MOST POWERFUL WITHIN THIS WORLD, AND BY THE DISPLEASURE OF THE GURU ONE CAN LOSE EVERYTHING.

TRANSLATION

Because of your misbehavior toward Brhaspati, you have been defeated by the demons. My dear demigods, since the demons were weak, having been defeated by you several times, how else could you, who were so advanced in opulence, be defeated by them?

PURPORT

The devas are celebrated for fighting with the asuras perpetually. In such fights the asuras were always defeated, but this time the demigods were defeated. Why? The reason, as stated here, was that they had offended their spiritual master. Their impudent disrespect of their spiritual master was the cause of their defeat by the demons. As stated in the shästras, when one disrespects a respectable superior, one loses his longevity and the results of his pious activities, and in this way one is degraded.

TRANSLATION

O Indra, your enemies, the demons, were extremely weak because of their disrespect toward Sukrächärya, but since they have now worshiped Sukrächärya with great devotion, they have again become powerful. By their devotion to Sukrächärya, they have increased their strength so much that now they are even able to easily seize my abode from me.

PURPORT

Lord Brahmä wanted to point out to the demigods that by the strength of the guru one can become most powerful within this world, and by the displeasure of the guru one can lose everything. This is confirmed by the song of Vishvanätha Chakravarti Thäkura:

"By the mercy of the spiritual master one is benedicted by the mercy of Krshna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement." Although the demons are insignificant in comparison to Lord Brahmä, because of the strength of their guru they were so powerful that they could even seize Brahmaloka from Lord Brahmä. We therefore pray to the spiritual master:

By the mercy of the guru, even a dumb man can become the greatest orator, and even a lame man can cross mountains. As advised by Lord Brahmä, one should remember this shästric injunction if one desires success in his life.

Bhagvatam: PEOPLE MUST TAKE TO KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS TO UNDERSTAND THE AIM OF LIFE, TO UNDERSTAND GOD, AND TO FULFILL THE HUMAN MISSION, 5th Aug

Bhagvatam: PEOPLE MUST TAKE TO KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS TO UNDERSTAND THE AIM OF LIFE, TO UNDERSTAND GOD, AND TO FULFILL THE HUMAN MISSION

TRANSLATION

Leaders who have fallen into ignorance and who mislead people by directing them to the path of destruction [as described in the previous verse] are, in effect, boarding a stone boat, and so too are those who blindly follow them. A stone boat would be unable to float and would sink in the water with its passengers. Similarly, those who mislead people go to hell, and their followers go with them.

PURPORT

As stated in the Vedic literature (Bhäg. 11.20.17):

We, the conditioned souls, have fallen in the ocean of nescience, but the human body fortunately provides us a good opportunity to cross the ocean because the human body is like a very good boat.

When directed by a spiritual master acting as the captain, the boat can very easily cross the ocean.

Furthermore, the boat is helped across by favorable winds, which are the instructions of Vedic knowledge.

If one does not take advantage of all these facilities to cross the ocean of nescience, he is certainly committing suicide.

One who boards a boat made of stone is doomed.

To be elevated to the stage of perfection, humanity must first give up false leaders who present boats of stone.

All of human society is in such a dangerous position that to be rescued it must abide by the standard instructions of the Vedas.

The cream of these instructions appears in the form of Bhagavad-gitä.

One should not take shelter of any other instructions, for Bhagavad-gitä gives direct instructions on how to fulfill the aim of human life.

Lord Sri Krshna therefore says, sarva-dharmän parityajya mäm ekam sharanam vraja: "Give up all other processes of religion and simply surrender to Me.”

Even if one does not accept Lord Krshna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, His instructions are so exalted and beneficial for humanity that if one follows His instructions one will be saved.

Otherwise one will be cheated by unauthorized meditation and gymnastic methods of yoga.

Thus one will board a boat of stone, which will sink and drown all its passengers.

Unfortunately, although the American people are extremely eager to get out of materialistic chaos, they are sometimes found to patronize the makers of stone boats.

That will not help them.

They must take the proper boat offered by Krshna in the form of the Krshna consciousness movement.

Then they will be easily saved.

In this regard Srila Vishvanätha Chakravarti Thäkura comments: 

If society is guided by political diplomacy, with one nation maneuvering against another, it will certainly sink like a stone boat.

Political maneuvering and diplomacy will not save human society.

People must take to Krshna consciousness to understand the aim of life, to understand God, and to fulfill the human mission.

Bhagvatam: ONE SHOULD FULLY SURRENDER UNTO THE SPIRITUAL MASTER, AND WITH SERVICE (SEVAYÄ) ONE SHOULD APPROACH HIM FOR FURTHER SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT,6th Aug

Bhagvatam: ONE SHOULD FULLY SURRENDER UNTO THE SPIRITUAL MASTER, AND WITH SERVICE (SEVAYÄ) ONE SHOULD APPROACH HIM FOR FURTHER SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT.

TRANSLATION

King Indra said: Therefore with great frankness and without duplicity I shall now bow my head at the lotus feet of Brhaspati, the spiritual master of the demigods. Because he is in the mode of goodness, he is fully aware of all knowledge and is the best of the brähmanas. Now I shall touch his lotus feet and offer my obeisances unto him to try to satisfy him.

PURPORT

Coming to his senses, King Indra realized that he was not a very sincere disciple of his spiritual master, Brhaspati.

Therefore he decided that henceforward he would be nishatha, nonduplicitous.

Nishatham shirshna-tac-caranam sprshan: he decided to touch his head to the feet of his spiritual master.

From this example, we should learn this principle enunciated by Vishvanätha Chakravarti Thäkura:

"By the mercy of the spiritual master one is benedicted by the mercy of Krshna.

Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement.”

A disciple should never be a hypocrite or be unfaithful to his spiritual master.

In Srimad-Bhägavatam (11.17.27), the spiritual master is also called ächärya.

Ächäryam mäm vijäniyän: the Supreme Personality of Godhead says that one should respect the spiritual master, accepting him as the Lord Himself.

Nävamanyeta karhicit: one should not disrespect the ächärya at any time.

Na martya-buddhyäsüyeta: one should never think the ächärya an ordinary person.

Familiarity sometimes breeds contempt, but one should be very careful in one's dealings with the ächärya.

Agädha-dhishanam dvijam: the ächärya is a perfect brähmana and has unlimited intelligence in guiding the activities of his disciple.

Therefore Krshna advises in Bhagavad-gitä (4.34):

"Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.”

One should fully surrender unto the spiritual master, and with service (sevayä) one should approach him for further spiritual enlightenment.

Bhagvatam : LORD KRSNA ESPECIALLY SELECTED ARJUNA FOR INSTRUCTION IN SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE BECAUSE ARJUNA HAPPENED TO BE A GREAT DEVOTEE AND CONFIDENTIAL FRIEND,3rd Aug

Bhagvatam :   LORD KRSNA ESPECIALLY SELECTED ARJUNA FOR INSTRUCTION IN SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE BECAUSE ARJUNA HAPPENED TO BE A GREAT DEVOTEE AND CONFIDENTIAL FRIEND.    SIMILARLY, GREAT PERSONALITIES ALSO SPEAK TO THE ADVANCED, NOT TO SHÜDRAS, VAISYAS OR UNINTELLIGENT MEN.

TRANSLATION

My dear sir, it appears that the influence of your great spiritual knowledge is hidden. Factually you are bereft of all material association and fully absorbed in the thought of the Supreme. Consequently you are unlimitedly advanced in spiritual knowledge. Please tell me why you are wandering around like a dullard. O great, saintly person, you have spoken words approved by the yogic process, but it is not possible for us to understand what you have said. Therefore kindly explain it.

PURPORT

Saintly people like Jada Bharata do not speak ordinary words.

Whatever they say is approved by great yogis and those advanced in spiritual life.

That is the difference between ordinary people and saintly people.

THE LISTENER MUST ALSO BE ADVANCED TO UNDERSTAND THE WORDS OF SUCH EXALTED, SPIRITUALLY ADVANCED PEOPLE AS JADA BHARATA.

BHAGAVAD-GITÄ WAS SPOKEN TO ARJUNA, NOT TO OTHERS.

LORD KRSNA ESPECIALLY SELECTED ARJUNA FOR INSTRUCTION IN SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE BECAUSE ARJUNA HAPPENED TO BE A GREAT DEVOTEE AND CONFIDENTIAL FRIEND.

SIMILARLY, GREAT PERSONALITIES ALSO SPEAK TO THE ADVANCED, NOT TO SHÜDRAS, VAISYAS, OR UNINTELLIGENT MEN.

Sometimes it is very risky to give great philosophical instructions to ordinary people, but Sri Chaitanya Mahäprabhu, for the benefit of the fallen souls of Kali-yuga, has given us a very nice instrument, the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra.

The general mass of people, although shüdras and less, can be purified by chanting this Hare Krsna mantra.

Then they can understand the exalted philosophical statements of Bhagavad-gitä and Srimad-Bhägavatam.

Our Krsna consciousness movement has therefore adopted the chanting of the Hare Krsna mahä-mantra for the general masses.

When people gradually become purified, they are instructed in the lessons of Bhagavad-gitä and Srimad-Bhägavatam.

Materialistic people like stri, shüdra and dvija-bandhu cannot understand words of spiritual advancement, yet one can take to the shelter of a Vaisnava, for he knows the art of enlightening even shüdras in the highly elevated subject matter spoken in Bhagavad-gitä and Srimad-Bhägavatam.

At the present moment, high government officials are ignorant of the values of life, and when saintly persons endeavor to broadcast the Vedic knowledge, the so-called executives do not offer their respectful obeisances, 2nd Aug

Bhagvatam :   At the present moment, high government officials are ignorant of the values of life, and when saintly persons endeavor to broadcast the Vedic knowledge, the so-called executives do not offer their respectful obeisances but try to obstruct the spiritual propaganda.    Thus one can say that the former kingly government was like heaven and that the present government is like hell.

TRANSLATION

Sukadeva Gosvämi continued: O best of the Pändu dynasty [Mahäräja Pariksit], the King of the Sindhu and Sauvira states [Mahäräja Rahügana] had great faith in discussions of the Absolute Truth. Being thus qualified, he heard from Jada Bharata that philosophical presentation which is approved by all scriptures on the mystic yoga process and which slackens the knot in the heart. His material conception of himself as a king was thus destroyed. He immediately descended from his palanquin and fell flat on the ground with his head at the lotus feet of Jada Bharata in such a way that he might be excused for his insulting words against the great brähmana. He then prayed as follows.

PURPORT

In Bhagavad-gitä (4.2) Lord Krsna says:

"This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost."

Through the disciplic succession the royal order was on the same platform as great saintly persons (räja-rsis).

Formerly they could understand the philosophy of life and knew how to train the citizens to come to the same standard.

In other words, they knew how to deliver the citizens from the entanglement of birth and death.

When Mahäräja Dasaratha ruled Ayodhyä, the great sage Visvämitra once came to him to take away Lord Rämachandra and Laksmana to the forest to kill a demon.

When the saintly person Visvämitra came to the court of Mahäräja Dasaratha, the King, in order to receive the saintly person, asked him, aihistam yat tat punar janma jayäya.

He asked the sage whether everything was going on well in his endeavor to conquer the repetition of birth and death.

The whole process of Vedic civilization is based on this point.

We must know how to conquer the repetition of birth and death.

Mahäräja Rahügana also knew the purpose of life; therefore when Jada Bharata put the philosophy of life before him, he immediately appreciated it.

This is the foundation of Vedic society.

Learned scholars, brähmanas, saintly persons and sages who were fully aware of the Vedic purpose advised the royal order how to benefit the general masses, and by their cooperation, the general masses were benefited.

Therefore everything was successful.

Mahäräja Rahügana attained this perfection of understanding the value of human life; therefore he regretted his insulting words to Jada Bharata, and he immediately descended from his palanquin and fell down at the lotus feet of Jada Bharata in order to be excused and to hear from him further about the values of life known as brahma jijnäsä (inquiry into the Absolute Truth).

At the present moment, high government officials are ignorant of the values of life, and when saintly persons endeavor to broadcast the Vedic knowledge, the so-called executives do not offer their respectful obeisances but try to obstruct the spiritual propaganda.

Thus one can say that the former kingly government was like heaven and that the present government is like hell.

BHAGVAT HOW LORD, PLEASED WITH BALI,  ASSURED BALI OF THE HEAVENLY PLANET SUTALA, WHICH IS HUNDREDS OF TIMES BETTER THAN HEAVEN, WITH NO ANXIETIES, NO OLD AGE & DISEASE, 31ST  JULY

TRANSLATION

(LORD ASSURED BALI) UNTIL BALI MAHARAJA ACHIEVES THE POSITION OF KING OF HEAVEN, HE SHALL LIVE ON THE PLANET SUTALA, WHICH WAS MADE BY VISHVAKARMA ACCORDING TO MY ORDER. BECAUSE IT IS ESPECIALLY PROTECTED BY ME, IT IS FREE FROM MENTAL AND BODILY MISERIES, FATIGUE, DIZZINESS, DEFEAT AND ALL OTHER DISTURBANCES. BALI MAHARAJA, YOU MAY NOW GO LIVE THERE PEACEFULLY.

PURPORT

Vishvakarma is the engineer or architect for the palatial buildings in the heavenly planets. Therefore, since he was engaged to construct the residential quarters of Bali Maharaja, the buildings and palaces on the planet Sutala must at least equal those on the heavenly planets. A further advantage of this place designed for Bali Maharaja was that he would not be disturbed by any outward calamity. Moreover, he would not be disturbed by mental or bodily miseries. These are all extraordinary features of the planet Sutala, where Bali Maharaja would live.

In the Vedic literatures we find descriptions of many different planets where there are many, many palaces, hundreds and thousands of times better than those of which we have experience on this planet earth. When we speak of palaces, this naturally includes the idea of great cities and towns. Unfortunately, when modern scientists try to explore other planets they see nothing but rocks and sand. Of course, they may go on their frivolous excursions, but the students of the Vedic literature will never believe them or give them any credit for exploring other planets.

TRANSLATION

GOD SAID “O BALI MAHARAJA [INDRASENA], NOW YOU MAY GO TO THE PLANET SUTALA, WHICH IS DESIRED EVEN BY THE DEMIGODS. LIVE THERE PEACEFULLY, SURROUNDED BY YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. ALL GOOD FORTUNE UNTO YOU.”

PURPORT

BALI MAHARAJA WAS TRANSFERRED FROM THE HEAVENLY PLANET TO THE PLANET SUTALA, WHICH IS HUNDREDS OF TIMES BETTER THAN HEAVEN, as indicated by the words svargibhim prarthyam. 

WHEN THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD DEPRIVES HIS DEVOTEE OF MATERIAL OPULENCES, THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE LORD PUTS HIM INTO POVERTY; RATHER, THE LORD PROMOTES HIM TO A HIGHER POSITION. THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD DID NOT ASK BALI MAHARAJA TO SEPARATE FROM HIS FAMILY; INSTEAD, THE LORD ALLOWED HIM TO STAY WITH HIS FAMILY MEMBERS (jnatibhim parivaritam).

TRANSLATION

GOD SAID TO BALI “ON THE PLANET SUTALA, NOT EVEN THE PREDOMINATING DEITIES OF OTHER PLANETS, WHAT TO SPEAK OF ORDINARY PEOPLE, WILL BE ABLE TO CONQUER YOU. AS FAR AS THE DEMONS ARE CONCERNED, IF THEY TRANSGRESS YOUR RULE, MY DISC WILL KILL THEM.”

TRANSLATION

“O GREAT HERO, I SHALL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU AND GIVE YOU PROTECTION IN ALL RESPECTS ALONG WITH YOUR ASSOCIATES AND PARAPHERNALIA. MOREOVER, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO SEE ME THERE.”

TRANSLATION

“BECAUSE THERE YOU WILL SEE MY SUPREME PROWESS, YOUR MATERIALISTIC IDEAS AND ANXIETIES THAT HAVE ARISEN FROM YOUR ASSOCIATION WITH THE DEMONS AND DANAVAS WILL IMMEDIATELY BE VANQUISHED.”

PURPORT

THE LORD ASSURED BALI MAHARAJA OF ALL PROTECTION, AND FINALLY THE LORD ASSURED HIM OF PROTECTION FROM THE EFFECTS OF BAD ASSOCIATION WITH THE DEMONS. BALI MAHARAJA CERTAINLY BECAME AN EXALTED DEVOTEE, BUT HE WAS SOMEWHAT ANXIOUS BECAUSE HIS ASSOCIATION WAS NOT PURELY DEVOTIONAL. THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD THEREFORE ASSURED HIM THAT HIS DEMONIAC MENTALITY WOULD BE ANNIHILATED. IN OTHER WORDS, BY THE ASSOCIATION OF DEVOTEES, THE DEMONIAC MENTALITY IS VANQUISHED.

BHAGVAT IF A HUMAN BEING IS BORN IN AN ARISTOCRATIC FAMILY, IF HE PERFORMS WONDERFUL ACTIVITIES, IF HE IS YOUTHFUL, IF HE HAS PERSONAL BEAUTY, A GOOD EDUCATION AND GOOD WEALTH, AND IF HE IS NONETHELESS NOT PROUD OF HIS OPULENCES, IT IS TO BE UNDERSTOOD THAT HE IS ESPECIALLY FAVORED BY THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, 29TH JULY

TRANSLATION

IF A HUMAN BEING IS BORN IN AN ARISTOCRATIC FAMILY OR A HIGHER STATUS OF LIFE, IF HE PERFORMS WONDERFUL ACTIVITIES, IF HE IS YOUTHFUL, IF HE HAS PERSONAL BEAUTY, A GOOD EDUCATION AND GOOD WEALTH, AND IF HE IS NONETHELESS NOT PROUD OF HIS OPULENCES, IT IS TO BE UNDERSTOOD THAT HE IS ESPECIALLY FAVORED BY THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD.

PURPORT

WHEN IN SPITE OF POSSESSING ALL THESE OPULENCES A PERSON IS NOT PROUD, THIS MEANS THAT HE IS FULLY AWARE THAT ALL HIS OPULENCES ARE DUE TO THE MERCY OF THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD. HE THEREFORE ENGAGES ALL HIS POSSESSIONS IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD. A DEVOTEE KNOWS VERY WELL THAT EVERYTHING, EVEN HIS BODY, BELONGS TO THE SUPREME LORD. 

IF ONE LIVES PERFECTLY IN SUCH KRSHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, IT IS TO BE UNDERSTOOD THAT HE IS ESPECIALLY FAVORED BY THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD. THE CONCLUSION IS THAT ONE'S BEING DEPRIVED OF HIS WEALTH IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED THE SPECIAL MERCY OF THE LORD. IF ONE CONTINUES IN HIS OPULENT POSITION BUT DOES NOT BECOME UNNECESSARILY PROUD, FALSELY THINKING THAT HE IS THE PROPRIETOR OF EVERYTHING, THIS IS THE LORD'S SPECIAL MERCY.

TRANSLATION

ALTHOUGH ARISTOCRATIC BIRTH AND OTHER SUCH OPULENCES ARE IMPEDIMENTS TO ADVANCEMENT IN DEVOTIONAL SERVICE BECAUSE THEY ARE CAUSES OF FALSE PRESTIGE AND PRIDE, THESE OPULENCES NEVER DISTURB A PURE DEVOTEE OF THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD.

PURPORT

DEVOTEES LIKE DHRUVA MAHARAJA, WHO WAS GIVEN UNLIMITED MATERIAL OPULENCE, HAVE THE SPECIAL MERCY OF THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD. ONCE KUVERA WANTED TO GIVE DHRUVA MAHARAJA A BENEDICTION, BUT ALTHOUGH DHRUVA MAHARAJA COULD HAVE ASKED HIM FOR ANY AMOUNT OF MATERIAL OPULENCE, HE INSTEAD BEGGED KUVERA THAT HE MIGHT CONTINUE HIS DEVOTIONAL SERVICE TO THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD. 

WHEN A DEVOTEE IS FIXED IN HIS DEVOTIONAL SERVICE, THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE LORD TO DEPRIVE HIM OF HIS MATERIAL OPULENCES. 

The Supreme Personality of Godhead never takes away material opulences achieved because of devotional service, although He sometimes takes away opulences achieved by pious activities. He does this to make a devotee prideless or put him in a better position in devotional service. If a special devotee is meant for preaching but does not give up his family life or material opulences to take to the service of the Lord, the Lord surely takes away his material opulences and establishes him in devotional service. Thus the pure devotee becomes fully engaged in propagating Krshna consciousness.

Bhagvatam:- If one desires all opulences, his duty is to daily worship Lord Vishnu with His wife, Lakshmi. With great devotion one should worship Him according to the above-mentioned process. Lord Vishnu and the goddess of fortune are an immensely powerful combination, 2nd Sept

Bhagvatam:- If one desires all opulences, his duty is to daily worship Lord Vishnu with His wife, Lakshmi. Lord Vishnu and the goddess of fortune are an immensely powerful combination. They are the bestowers of all benedictions and the sources of all good fortune. Therefore the duty of everyone is to worship Lakshmi-Näräyana.

TRANSLATION

[After profusely offering obeisances unto Lord Vishnu, the devotee should offer respectful obeisances unto mother Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, and pray as follows.]

O wife of Lord Vishnu, O internal energy of Lord Vishnu, you are as good as Lord Vishnu Himself, for you have all of His qualities and opulences.

O goddess of fortune, please be kind to me. O mother of the entire world, I offer my respectful obeisances unto you.

PURPORT

The Lord has multifarious potencies (paräsya shaktir vividhaiva shrüyate).

Since mother Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, is the Lord's very precious potency, she is addressed here as mahä-mäye.

The word mäyä means shakti.

Lord Vishnu, the Supreme, cannot exhibit His power everywhere without His principal energy.

It is said, shakti shaktimän abheda: the power and the powerful are identical.

Therefore mother Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, is the constant companion of Lord Vishnu; they remain together constantly.

One cannot keep Lakshmi in one's home without Lord Vishnu.

To think that one can do so is very dangerous.

To keep Lakshmi, or the riches of the Lord, without the service of the Lord is always dangerous, for then Lakshmi becomes the illusory energy.

With Lord Vishnu, however, Lakshmi is the spiritual energy.

TRANSLATION

"My Lord Vishnu, full in six opulences, You are the best of all enjoyers and the most powerful. O husband of mother Lakshmi, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, who are accompanied by many associates, such as Vishvaksena. I offer all the paraphernalia for worshiping You." One should chant this mantra every day with great attention while worshiping Lord Vishnu with all paraphernalia, such as water for washing His feet, hands and mouth and water for His bath. One must offer Him various presentations for His worship, such as garments, a sacred thread, ornaments, scents, flowers, incense and lamps.

PURPORT

This mantra is very important. Anyone engaged in Deity worship should chant this mantra, as quoted above, beginning with om namo bhagavate mahä-purushäya.

TRANSLATION

Sukadeva Gosvämi continued: After worshiping the Lord with all the paraphernalia mentioned above, one should chant the following mantra while offering twelve oblations of ghee on the sacred fire: om namo bhagavate mahä-purushäya mahävibhüti-pataye svähä.

TRANSLATION

If one desires all opulences, his duty is to daily worship Lord Vishnu with His wife, Lakshmi. With great devotion one should worship Him according to the above-mentioned process. Lord Vishnu and the goddess of fortune are an immensely powerful combination. They are the bestowers of all benedictions and the sources of all good fortune. Therefore the duty of everyone is to worship Lakshmi-Näräyana.

PURPORT

Lakshmi-Näräyana—Lord Vishnu and mother Lakshmi—are always situated in everyone's heart (ishvaram sarva-bhütänäm hrd-deshe 'rjuna tishthati). However, because nondevotees do not realize that Lord Vishnu stays with His eternal consort, Lakshmi, within the hearts of all living entities, they are not endowed with the opulence of Lord Vishnu. 

Unscrupulous men sometimes address a poor man as daridra-näräyana, or "poor Näräyana." 

This is most unscientific. Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi are always situated in everyone's heart, but this does not mean that everyone is Näräyana, especially not those in poverty. This is a most abominable term to use in connection with Näräyana. Näräyana never becomes poor, and therefore He can never be called daridra-näräyana. Näräyana is certainly situated in everyone's heart, but He is neither poor nor rich. Only unscrupulous persons who do not know the opulence of Näräyana try to afflict Him with poverty.

BHAGVAT GOD SAID: “MY DEAR LORD BRAHMA, BECAUSE OF MATERIAL OPULENCE A FOOLISH PERSON BECOMES DULL-WITTED AND MAD , 28TH JULY

BHAGVAT GOD SAID: “MY DEAR LORD BRAHMA, BECAUSE OF MATERIAL OPULENCE A FOOLISH PERSON BECOMES DULL-WITTED AND MAD. THUS HE HAS NO RESPECT FOR ANYONE WITHIN THE THREE WORLDS AND DEFIES EVEN MY AUTHORITY. TO SUCH A PERSON I SHOW SPECIAL FAVOR BY FIRST TAKING AWAY ALL HIS POSSESSIONS”, 28TH JULY

TRANSLATION

THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD SAID: MY DEAR LORD BRAHMA, BECAUSE OF MATERIAL OPULENCE A FOOLISH PERSON BECOMES DULL-WITTED AND MAD. THUS HE HAS NO RESPECT FOR ANYONE WITHIN THE THREE WORLDS AND DEFIES EVEN MY AUTHORITY. TO SUCH A PERSON I SHOW SPECIAL FAVOR BY FIRST TAKING AWAY ALL HIS POSSESSIONS.

PURPORT

A CIVILIZATION THAT HAS BECOME GODLESS BECAUSE OF MATERIAL ADVANCEMENT IN OPULENCE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. BECAUSE OF GREAT OPULENCE, A MATERIALIST BECOMES SO PROUD THAT HE HAS NO REGARD FOR ANYONE AND EVEN REFUSES TO ACCEPT THE AUTHORITY OF THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD. THE RESULT OF SUCH A MENTALITY IS CERTAINLY VERY DANGEROUS. TO SHOW SPECIAL FAVOR, THE LORD SOMETIMES MAKES AN EXAMPLE OF SOMEONE LIKE BALI MAHARAJA, WHO WAS NOW BEREFT OF ALL HIS POSSESSIONS.

TRANSLATION

WHILE ROTATING IN THE CYCLE OF BIRTH AND DEATH AGAIN AND AGAIN IN DIFFERENT SPECIES BECAUSE OF HIS OWN FRUITIVE ACTIVITIES, THE DEPENDENT LIVING ENTITY, BY GOOD FORTUNE, MAY HAPPEN TO BECOME A HUMAN BEING. THIS HUMAN BIRTH IS VERY RARELY OBTAINED.

PURPORT

THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD IS FULLY INDEPENDENT. THUS IT IS NOT ALWAYS A FACT THAT A LIVING BEING'S LOSS OF ALL OPULENCE IS A SIGN OF THE SUPREME LORD'S MERCY UPON HIM. THE LORD CAN ACT ANY WAY HE LIKES. HE MAY TAKE AWAY ONE'S OPULENCE, OR HE MAY NOT. THERE ARE VARIETIES OF FORMS OF LIFE, AND THE LORD TREATS THEM ACCORDING TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES, AS HE CHOOSES. GENERALLY IT IS TO BE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE HUMAN FORM OF LIFE IS ONE OF GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.

"THE LIVING ENTITY IN MATERIAL NATURE FOLLOWS THE WAYS OF LIFE, ENJOYING THE THREE MODES OF NATURE. THIS IS DUE TO HIS ASSOCIATION WITH THAT MATERIAL NATURE. THUS HE MEETS WITH GOOD AND EVIL AMONGST VARIOUS SPECIES." (BG. 13.22) AFTER THUS ROTATING THROUGH MANY, MANY FORMS OF LIFE IN THE CYCLE OF BIRTH AND DEATH, THE LIVING BEING GETS A CHANCE FOR A HUMAN FORM. THEREFORE EVERY HUMAN BEING, ESPECIALLY ONE BELONGING TO A CIVILIZED NATION OR CULTURE, MUST BE EXTREMELY RESPONSIBLE IN HIS ACTIVITIES. 

HE SHOULD NOT RISK DEGRADATION IN THE NEXT LIFE. BECAUSE THE BODY WILL CHANGE (tatha dehantara-praptir), WE SHOULD BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL. TO SEE TO THE PROPER USE OF LIFE IS THE PURPOSE OF KRSHNA CONSCIOUSNESS. THE FOOLISH LIVING ENTITY DECLARES FREEDOM FROM ALL CONTROL, BUT FACTUALLY HE IS NOT FREE; HE IS FULLY UNDER THE CONTROL OF MATERIAL NATURE. HE MUST THEREFORE BE MOST CAREFUL AND RESPONSIBLE IN THE ACTIVITIES OF HIS LIFE.

BHAGVAT EVERY DEVOTEE IN KRSHNA CONSCIOUSNESS SHOULD ALWAYS BE AFRAID OF THE COMMON MAN ENGAGED IN PURSUING MATERIAL PROSPERITY. SUCH A PERSON IS DESCRIBED AS PRAMATTA, A MADMAN CHASING THE WILL-O'-THE-WISP  25TH JULY

TRANSLATION

Only by providence have I been forcibly brought under Your lotus feet and deprived of all my opulence. Because of the illusion created by temporary opulence, people in general, who live under material conditions, facing accidental death at every moment, do not understand that this life is temporary. Only by providence have I been saved from that condition.

PURPORT

Bali Maharaja appreciated the actions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, although all the members of the demoniac families except Prahlada Maharaja and Bali Maharaja considered Vishnu their eternal traditional enemy. As described by Bali Maharaja, Lord Vishnu was actually not the enemy of the family but the best friend of the family. 

The principle of this friendship has already been stated. Yasyaham anugrhnami harishye tad-dhanam shanaim: the Lord bestows special favor upon His devotee by taking away all his material opulences. Bali Maharaja appreciated this behavior by the Lord. Therefore he said, daivena nitam prasabham tyajita-shrim: "It is to bring me to the right platform of eternal life that You have put me into these circumstances."

ACTUALLY, EVERYONE SHOULD FEAR THE SO-CALLED SOCIETY, FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE FOR WHICH HE WORKS SO HARD ALL DAY AND NIGHT. 

AS INDICATED BY BALI MAHARAJA BY THE WORDS JANAD BHITAM, EVERY DEVOTEE IN KRSHNA CONSCIOUSNESS SHOULD ALWAYS BE AFRAID OF THE COMMON MAN ENGAGED IN PURSUING MATERIAL PROSPERITY. SUCH A PERSON IS DESCRIBED AS PRAMATTA, A MADMAN CHASING THE WILL-O'-THE-WISP. 

SUCH MEN DO NOT KNOW THAT AFTER A HARD STRUGGLE FOR LIFE ONE MUST CHANGE HIS BODY, WITH NO CERTAINTY OF WHAT KIND OF BODY HE WILL RECEIVE NEXT. THOSE WHO ARE COMPLETELY ESTABLISHED IN KRSHNA CONSCIOUS PHILOSOPHY AND WHO THEREFORE UNDERSTAND THE AIM OF LIFE WILL NEVER TAKE TO THE ACTIVITIES OF THE MATERIALISTIC DOG RACE. 

BUT IF A SINCERE DEVOTEE SOMEHOW DOES FALL DOWN, THE LORD CORRECTS HIM AND SAVES HIM FROM GLIDING DOWN TO THE DARKEST REGION OF HELLISH LIFE.

THE MATERIALISTIC WAY OF LIFE IS NOTHING BUT THE REPEATED CHEWING OF THAT WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN CHEWED. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO PROFIT IN SUCH A LIFE, PEOPLE ARE ENAMORED OF IT BECAUSE OF UNCONTROLLED SENSES. Nünam pramattam kurute vikarma. 

BECAUSE OF UNCONTROLLED SENSES, PEOPLE FULLY ENGAGE IN SINFUL ACTIVITIES BY WHICH THEY GET A BODY FULL OF SUFFERING. BALI MAHARAJA APPRECIATED HOW THE LORD HAD SAVED HIM FROM SUCH A BEWILDERED LIFE OF IGNORANCE. HE THEREFORE SAID THAT HIS INTELLIGENCE HAD BEEN STUNNED. Stabdha-matir na budhyate. 

HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD FAVORS HIS DEVOTEES BY FORCIBLY STOPPING THEIR MATERIALISTIC ACTIVITIES.

BHAGVAT,  THE FALSE PRESTIGE OF THINKING "I AM VERY RICH, AND I POSSESS SUCH VAST PROPERTY" IS ANOTHER SIDE OF MATERIAL LIFE. EVERYTHING BELONGS TO THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, AND NO ONE ELSE POSSESSES ANYTHING. THIS IS THE REAL FACT 24th July

TRANSLATION

No one can surpass the time representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead by material power, by the counsel of ministers, by intelligence, by diplomacy, by fortresses, by mystic mantras, by drugs, by herbs or by any other means.

TRANSLATION

Previously, being empowered by providence, you defeated a great number of such followers of Lord Vishnu. But today those same followers, having defeated us, are roaring in jubilation like lions.

PURPORT

Bhagavad-gita mentions five causes of defeat or victory. Of these five, daiva (providence) is the most powerful (na ca daivat param balam). Bali Maharaja knew the secret of how he had formerly been victorious because providence was in his favor. Now, since that same providence was not in his favor, there was no possibility of his victory. Thus he very intelligently forbade his associates to fight.

TRANSLATION

Unless providence is in our favor, we shall not be able to gain victory. Therefore we must wait for that favorable time when our defeating them will be possible.

TRANSLATION

Shukadeva Gosvami continued: O King, in accordance with the order of their master, Bali Maharaja, all the chiefs of the demons and the Daityas entered the lower regions of the universe, to which they were driven by the soldiers of Vishnu.

TRANSLATION

Thereafter, on the day of soma-pana, after the sacrifice was finished, Garuda, king of the birds, understanding the desire of his master, arrested Bali Maharaja with the ropes of Varuna.

PURPORT

Garuda, the constant companion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, knows the confidential part of the Lord's desire. Bali Maharaja's tolerance and devotion were undoubtedly super excellent. Garuda arrested Bali Maharaja to show the entire universe the greatness of the King's tolerance.

TRANSLATION

Because you have been unable to give charity according to your promise, the rule is that you should go down to live in the hellish planets. Therefore, in accordance with the order of Shukracharya, your spiritual master, now go down and live there.

PURPORT

It is said:

"DEVOTEES SOLELY ENGAGED IN THE DEVOTIONAL SERVICE OF THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, NARAYANA, NEVER FEAR ANY CONDITION OF LIFE. FOR THEM THE HEAVENLY PLANETS, LIBERATION AND THE HELLISH PLANETS ARE ALL THE SAME, FOR SUCH DEVOTEES ARE INTERESTED ONLY IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD." (Bhag. 6.17.28) 

A DEVOTEE ENGAGED IN THE SERVICE OF NARAYANA IS ALWAYS IN EQUILIBRIUM. A DEVOTEE ACTUALLY LIVES TRANSCENDENTALLY. ALTHOUGH HE MAY APPEAR TO HAVE GONE TO HELL OR HEAVEN, HE DOES NOT LIVE IN EITHER PLACE; RATHER, HE ALWAYS LIVES IN VAIKUNTHHA (sa gunan samatityaitan brahma-bhüyaya kalpate). VAMANADEVA ASKED BALI MAHARAJA TO GO TO THE HELLISH PLANETS, APPARENTLY JUST TO SHOW THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE HOW TOLERANT HE WAS, AND BALI MAHARAJA DID NOT HESITATE TO CARRY OUT THE ORDER. A DEVOTEE DOES NOT LIVE ALONE. 

OF COURSE, EVERYONE LIVES WITH THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, BUT BECAUSE THE DEVOTEE IS ENGAGED IN HIS SERVICE, HE ACTUALLY DOES NOT LIVE IN ANY MATERIAL CONDITION. Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, kitha janma hao yatha tuya dasa. THUS HE PRAYS TO TAKE BIRTH AS AN INSIGNIFICANT INSECT IN THE ASSOCIATION OF DEVOTEES. BECAUSE DEVOTEES ARE ENGAGED IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD, ANYONE WHO LIVES WITH THEM ALSO LIVES IN VAIKUNTHHA.

TRANSLATION

Being falsely proud of your possessions, you promised to give Me land, but you could not fulfill your promise. Therefore, because your promise was false, you must live for a few years in hellish life.

PURPORT

THE FALSE PRESTIGE OF THINKING "I AM VERY RICH, AND I POSSESS SUCH VAST PROPERTY" IS ANOTHER SIDE OF MATERIAL LIFE. EVERYTHING BELONGS TO THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, AND NO ONE ELSE POSSESSES ANYTHING. THIS IS THE REAL FACT. Ishavasyam idam samam yat kinca jagatyam jagat. Bali Maharaja was undoubtedly the most exalted devotee, whereas previously he had maintained a misunderstanding due to false prestige. 

BY THE SUPREME WILL OF THE LORD, HE NOW HAD TO GO TO THE HELLISH PLANETS, BUT BECAUSE HE WENT THERE BY THE ORDER OF THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, HE LIVED THERE MORE OPULENTLY THAN ONE COULD EXPECT TO LIVE IN THE PLANETS OF HEAVEN. A DEVOTEE ALWAYS LIVES WITH THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, ENGAGING IN HIS SERVICE, AND THEREFORE HE IS ALWAYS TRANSCENDENTAL TO HELLISH OR HEAVENLY RESIDENCES.