PLANET ISKCON
"Planet ISKCON" - 61 new articles
H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Saturday 20 August 2011--The Grateful Taste the Lord's Sweet Love--and--How to Be Joyful at Work?A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Saturday 20 August 2011 The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, and His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani are enjoying transcendental pastimes in the topmost planet of the spiritual world, Sri Goloka Vrindavan. They are beckoning us to rejoin them. (Click on photo to see a larger image.) Our Mission: To help everyone awaken their original Krishna consciousness, which is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss. Such a global awakening will, in one stroke, solve all the problems of the world society bringing in a new era of unprecedented peace and prosperity for all. May that day, which the world so desperately needs, come very soon. We request you to participate in this mission by reviving your dormant Krishna consciousness and assisting us in spreading this science all over the world. Dedicated with love to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master, and to you, our dear readers. Special Announcement: Connect With Other Members of this Course. Join this Conference: http://groups.google.com/group/sda_students Today's Thought: The Grateful Taste the Lord's Sweet Love. Uploaded from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA The basic problem plaguing and torturing the modern human society is that we lack gratitude. We do not know how to live gratefully. We do not feel duty bound to reciprocate with the unlimited kindness that Krishna or God is giving us at every minute. We have no qualms about taking as much sense gratification as want. But when it comes to giving back to that Supreme Person, who is supplying us everything, we either enviously deny His existence or pester Him with our material desires. Thus we live miserly lives of ingratitude. Note the connection between the word miser and the word miserable. It's our free choice to either live gratefully or ungratefully. The miserable ingrates have no one to blame except themselves. Those who live gratefully taste the Lord's sweet loving affection at every moment. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Open Your Heart to Krishna Completely and You Will Taste His Unlimited Loving Affection http://www.backtohome.com/images/Krishna/Gopal_Krishna.jpg Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: How to Be Joyful at Work? Your daily thoughts are always joyful. You have written how you spend your day in dedication to Krishna. How do we dedicate our mundane jobs to Krishna and be joyful doing this work every day? Your servant, Manish. Answer: Work Only for Krishna The way to transcendentalize your job is to spend every penny you earn for Krishna and not even one penny for sense gratification. This means that you must transform your home into a Krishna conscious ashram. In this way you will be working to maintain a Krishna's ashram, not a household which you consider to be yours. This means that you must have a nice Krishna conscious program in the morning and the evening in your home. Your entire home must be Krishnized in every room with transcendental artwork and transcendental literatures. The center of attraction in your home should be a beautiful Krishna altar always decorated with fresh flowers. All of your food must be offered on that altar before eating. No meat, fish, or eggs,. cigarettes or alcohol should be present in your home. You should be solidly fixed in chanting the Hare Krishna mantra at least 16 rounds daily along with strictly avoiding illicit sex, intoxication, meat eating, and gambling. If you are thus fixed in your devotional practice, you should take initiation from the bona fide spiritual master. At your office you should have a picture of Krishna prominently displayed at your desk to remind you who are working for. You should also have a copy of the Bhagavad-gita on your desk so that when there is a break you can read a verse. Have extra Gitas available for interested co-workers who see your Gita and have questions about it. Throughout the day always connect everything with Krishna. For example, when you drink some water remember that Krishna is the taste of the water. And then whatever extra funds you have should all be donated to those who are spreading Krishna consciousness all over the world. If you will follow the above guidelines sincerely, you will taste transcendental bliss even while you are working in a mundane atmosphere. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Transcendental Resources: Receive the Special Blessings of Krishna Now you too can render the greatest service to the suffering humanity and attract the all-auspicious blessings of Lord Sri Krishna upon yourself and your family by assisting our mission. Lectures and Kirtans in Audio and Video: Link to High Definition Videos Link to Over 1,000 Lecture Audios Lecture-Travel Schedule for 2011 http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/schedule Have Questions or Need Further Guidance? Check out the resources at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com or write Sankarshan Das Adhikari at: sda@backtohome.com Get your copy today of the world's greatest self-realization guide book, Bhagavad-gita As It Is available at:http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/store Know someone who could benefit from this? Forward it to them. Searchable archives of all of course material: http://www.sda-archives.com Receive Thought for the Day as an RSS feed: http://www.backtohome.com/rss.htm Unsubscribe or change your email address Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Daily_Thought Thought for the Day on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ultimate.Self.Realization Copyright 2005-2011 by Ultimate Self Realization.Com Distribution of this material is encouraged. Simply we request you to acknowledge where it is coming from with a link to our sign up page: http://www.backtohome.com Our records indicate that at requested to be enrolled to receive e-mails from the Ultimate Self Realization Course at: This request was made on: From the following IP address:  • Email to a friend •  •ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
"Bringing this overwhelming deluge of prema when He returned to Bengal from Jagannatha Puri on Lord Caitanya's order, Nitai has inundated the assembly of devotees. The fallen nondevotees did not drown, however, but remained floating on that ecstatic ocean." (Nitai Guna Mani by Srila Locana Dasa Thakura) By plunging in those waves brought about by Lord Nityananda, we can drown our full attention in the overwhelmingly sweet ocean of His darsana. • Email to a friend • •
Akrura das, Gita Coaching: SHARPEN YOUR LEADERSHIPManagers make things happen. Leaders make people happen. Managers grow money and buildings. Leaders grow people (who also give money and buildings). If a leader opens his heart to people, sincerely cares about them, and helps them succeed, many will give not only their money, but their hearts and lives to the mission of Krsna consciousness. Therefore, I believe that Devotee Care And Guidance is a spiritual and economic competitive advantage of ISKCON. And thus it deserves much more attention, time and energy.  • Email to a friend • •H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Tuesday, August 16th, 2011Skin  • Email to a friend • •H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Monday, August 15th, 2011Listen and Look  • Email to a friend • •H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Sunday, August 14th, 2011By the Way Girls Scream  • Email to a friend • •H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Saturday, August 13th, 2011Good In Vancouver  • Email to a friend • •H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Friday, August 12th, 2011Promotional Power  • Email to a friend • •Akrura das, Gita Coaching: APPRECIATIONYour appreciation for the service of your God-brothers is very much laudable. This is actually a devotee's business that everyone should appreciate the value of other devotees.  • Email to a friend • •Japa Group: Meaning Of The Sixteen Names PT.6
Krsna krsyate radhaya premna yamuna-tata-kananam lilaya lalitas-capi dhiraih krsna udahrtah By Her unsurpassed love, Radha charms He who performs wonderful lilas on the banks of the Yamuna. Therefore, those who are sober know Him as Krsna. Jiva Goswami  • Email to a friend • •New Vrndavan, USA: Janmastami schedule including Srila Prabhupada's Appearance Day Festival on Tuesday the 23rdHare Krishna. Here are the Schedules for this Weekend, including Janmastami on Monday and Srila Prabhupada’s Appearance Day on Tuesday. Schedules are subject to minor adjustments and changes, according to any unforeseen circumstances that might arise. On the Actual Janmastami, please bring your preparations to Sri Sri Radha-Vrindaban-Chandra’s Temple Pujari Room for offering upon the Altar. Your humble servant, Yugal Kishore Das Saturday Aug. 20th Schedule 5.00 Managala arati Sunday Aug. 21st Schedule 5.00 Managala arati Monday Aug. 22nd. the Actual Janmastami Schedule Janmastami schedule, includes fast till Midnight 5.00 Managala arati Tuesday Aug. 23rd Schedule for Srila Prabhupada’s Appearance Day 10 am to 12 pm – Offerings by Prabhupada disciples • Email to a friend • •Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Observance of JanmastamiDuring Janmastami (the time of Krsna's appearance in this world) one should observe a special service. >>> Ref. VedaBase => NoD 6: How to Discharge Devotional Service • Email to a friend • •Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: First Ripe Fig of the Year“Among trees I am the holy fig tree” Srimad Bhagvatam 11.16.21
Filed under: Cows and Environment         • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Shiva's Victory If you watch a boxing match, the assistants would help in taking out the boxer's gloves at the end of the fight. Similarly, Shiva, the greatest Vaisnava, assisted Krishna in taking out the skin/form of Nrsimhadeva after the killing of Hiranyakashipu. Just as a child runs away from the mother when forced to take out his clothes in order to take a bath, likely Shiva had to chase around Nrsimha. Lord Shiva then succeeded in ripping a part the skin of Nrsimhadeva, and the original Ksirodakasayi Vishnu form manifested. Lord Shiva then took with him the skin of Nrsimhadeva and ever since then, the skin of the lion (and not the skin of the tiger) became his seating place. This whole saga might seem confusing. And even to some strict vaisnavas; totally bogus. In actuality, we know that Lord Shiva is the best of all the devotees. Prahlada Maharaja could not rip a part the skin of Nrsimha. For such a small boy to do that would seem impractical. Therefore, Krishna chose Shiva to do the job. Fighting with Shiva is just another way for the Lord to enact His transcendental pastimes with His beloved devotees. He already fought with Jaya and Vijaya, who are His doorkeepers and who appeared as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu and now it's Lord Shiva's turn. Shiva's victory too does not displease Krishna, but the exact opposite takes place. Seeing the devotee glorified brings joy to the Lord.  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Spiritual Variegation
Bhisma, for example, preferred seeing Krishna as the strong and bold charioteer and ruler of Dwaraka. While the Gopis know Him to be their only worshipable Lord, without even to know of His opulence. In order to reconcile with the tricky boon granted by Lord Brahma and in order to scare the life out of the iniquitous Hiranyakasipu, Krishna assumed the form of Nrsimhadeva, who is ever so dear to those who enjoy the Lord in this 'ghastly' form.  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: The Lion Guardian
In Egypt, the most common sphinx, with the body of a lion and the head of a Pharaoh, represents the close relation between the monarch (the Pharaoh) and the Gods (the lions is closely associated with the sun-god: Ra)  And who can forget the popular depiction of lions are being valiant King of the Beast. This same perspective is embedded in Ancient Greek fables. Krishna confirmed this in the Bhagavad-gita (10.30); "among beasts I am the lion". Prabhupada commented on it further saying "of the many animals, the lion is the most powerful and ferocious". Hiranyakasipu's benediction was that: he cannot be killed by men neither beast, and Krishna appeared as a man-lion.  In China, lions (or commonly called 'Foo Dogs') serve as guard keepers to temple, imperial palaces, tombs, offices and the home of the government officials and of the wealthy. the lions are always in pairs; the male with a globe in his hand, and the lioness with a cub.
Lion gates reminds us immediately of the "Simha Dwaram" (Lion Gate) located in Jagannatha Puri.
This same symbolism is there in other parts of Asia
The throne for distinguished personalities (like the spiritual master), is also decorated with the head of the lion and is therefore called the 'simhasana' or the lion seat
 • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Worship of Nrsimha in Puri
...On the southern side, behind and above the twenty-two steps, is a Deity of Lord Nrsimhadeva. It is on the left as one goes up the steps toward the temple. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, His left side toward the Deity, offered obeisances to Lord Nrsimha as He proceeded toward the temple. He recited the following verses again and again while offering obeisances. "I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, Lord Nrsimhadeva. You are the giver of pleasure to Maharaja Prahlada, and Your nails cut the chest of Hiranyakasipu like a chisel cutting stone." This and the following verse are quoted from the Nrsimha Purana. "Lord Nrsimhadeva is here, and He is also there on the opposite side. Wherever I go, there I see Lord Nrsimhadeva. He is outside and within My heart. Therefore I take shelter of Lord Nrsimhadeva, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead." Having offered obeisances to Lord Nrsimhadeva, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited the temple of Lord Jagannatha. Then He returned to His residence, finished His noon duties and took His lunch. Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya lila 16:40-51  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Spreading the Moonlight Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.16 (Mayapur, February 23, 1976) Dayananda: Grasatam: "overpowered by other conditioned souls." Prabhupada: "Power"? "Other conditioned"? Grasatam? Grasatam means "taken over." Is it not? Devotee: Grasatam: "taken." Prabhupada: "Taken over." There is some word. Pranitah. [break] Dayananda: "O my Lordship, You are so kind upon the fallen souls. O the most powerful, insurmountable by anyone else, on account of my resultant action of activities, I have been put into the association of asuras, and therefore I am very much afraid of my condition of life within this material world. Of course, if You become very pleased upon me, I am waiting for that moment when You will call me to take shelter under Your lotus feet, which is the ultimate goal of life for being liberated from this conditional life." Prabhupada: trasto 'smy aham krpana-vatsala duhsahogra- samsara-cakra-kadanad grasatam pranitah baddhah sva-karmabhir usattama te 'nghri-mulam prito 'pavarga-saranam hvayase kada nu [SB 7.9.16] So Prahlada Maharaja was not afraid of the fierceful features of Lord Nrsimhadeva. He was not fearful. But question may be asked, "You are not afraid of anything? You are seeing so fierceful appearance, nrsimha-murti. Everyone is afraid. And even Lord Brahma; Lord Siva; goddess of fortune, Laksmi; and other demigods -- everyone is afraid of, but you say that 'I am not afraid of Your, this horrible feature.' " Naham bibhemy. This verse we have discussed, "I am not afraid." So the question may be that "If you are not afraid of this fearful appearance of Me, then that means you are not afraid of anything?" The answer is, "Yes, I am afraid. Yes, I am afraid." What is that? (sic:) Trasto 'ham aham krpana-vatsala duhsahogra-samsara-cakra-kadanad: "I am afraid of this material existence, not this, Your fearful..." This fearful appearance is fearful for the asuras, duskrtina. When Krsna comes, He has got two business: paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam [Bg. 4.8]. So those who are duskrtam or duskrtinah... These words are used in the Bhagavad-gita: na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante [Bg. 7.15]. So anyone who is in this material world, he is a duskrti. Krti means very meritorious. Krti yasya sa jivati. Meritorious, krti. But duskrti. Here in this material world there are many, many persons, very meritorious, big, big philosophers, scientists, politicians, very meritorious. But their merit is being used for sinful activities. Just like a thief. He has got merit, but his merit is being used for stealing. So that is called duskrti. And sukrtina, just the opposite is sukrtina. Sukrti means one is acting or utilizing his merit for sukrti. Sukrti means the way by which one can approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is called sukrti. Ajnata-sukrti. This temple means to give chance to the people in general, ajnata-sukrti. Anyone who will come to this temple where the Deity is there, and even by imitating others, if one offers obeisances to the Lord, that is taken into account. That is not useless, because Krsna says, mad-yajinah. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. This is Krsna's desire. He gives the four principles, that "Always think of Me," man-mana, "and become My devotee," mad-bhakta, mad-yaji, "worship Me," and mad-yajino Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru: [Bg. 18.65] "Just offer little obeisances. These four principles will deliver you from this bondage of material existence and," mam evaisyasi asamsaya, "without any doubt, you'll come back to Me." So, so simple thing. It is not at all difficult. This child, he can do this. Old man can do this. Learned man can do this, without any knowledge. Even an animal can do it. Very simple. Bhakti-yoga is very simple. Therefore, somehow or other, if somebody comes into the temple, and even by imitating one offers obeisances... We have seen so many people. Our devotees are offering obeisances. They also think that "It is the etiquette. Let me do that," by association. Therefore it is recommended, sadhu-sanga [Cc. Madhya 22.83]. Sadhu-sanga. Simply by association, one can be delivered. Samsara-cakra-kadanat. It is so nice thing. Unfortunately they'll not associate with sadhu. Sat-sanga chadi' kainu asate vilasa, te-karana lagila mora karma-bandha-phansa. Narottama dasa Thakura sings that "I have given up sadhu-sanga." Sat-sanga, sadhu-sanga. Satam-prasangat mama virya-samvido bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah. If you discuss message of Krsna amongst the sadhus, satam prasangat, then it becomes very palatable. Satam prasangat. Not professional or asadhu. Asadhu is condemned. Sanatana Gosvami has strictly forbidden. Avaisnava-mukhodgirnam putam-hari-kathamrtam, sravanam na kartavyam. He has strictly forbidden. Those who are not Vaisnavas, professional, for money's sake they recite Bhagavata, any, anything. They want money. Sometimes they may recite Bhagavatam. Sometimes they flatter you. Sometimes they read other book also. They want money. Such kind of association will not help you. Satam prasangat. That is the same thing, Narottama dasa, sat-sanga chadi' kainu asate vilasa, te karane lagila mora karma-bandha-phansa. This karma-bandha-phansa, the Sanskrit is samsara-cakra-kadana. The Bengali is karma-bandha-phansa, entanglement in work and resultant action of That is going on. The samsara-cakra means one after another. This life is going on, and we are creating the resultant action of our karma, and according to the process, we get another body. Tatha dehantara-praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati [Bg. 2.13]. You have to accept another body by the laws of nature. Prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah [Bg. 3.27]. Karanam guna-sango 'sya sad-asad-janma-yonisu [Bg. 13.22]. As you associate, so you get your next body. There are 8,400,000 different forms of body. Krsna says, tatha dehantara-praptih: "You'll get another body." He doesn't say that "You will get this body after..." Just like this Darwin's theory. They say, "After this body, this body. After this body, this body." That is when the evolution takes place in the lower species of life, nature's law. But when you come to the human form of life you have got your responsibility. Wherever you want, you can go. That is also stated in the Bhagavad-gita: yanti deva-vrata devan pitrn yanti pitr-vratah bhutejya yanti bhutani mad-yajino 'pi yanti mam [Bg. 9.25] Now you select where you want to go. If you want to go to the higher planetary system, you can go. Then take shelter of the demigods. Worship Indra, Candra, Varuna. They are trying to go to the moon planet, but one cannot go there unless he's qualified to go there. Deva-vratan. There is prescription how you can go to the Candraloka. In karma-kandiya vicara, fruitive activities, if one executes fruitive activities very nicely, he's promoted to the Candraloka. He gets there life for ten thousands of years, and he's given opportunity of drinking soma-rasa. So this is samsara-cakra, not that if you go to the higher planetary system you become happy. No. That is not possible. Krsna says, a-brahma-bhuvanal lokan punar avartino 'rjuna yad gatva na nivartante tad dhamam paramam Even if you go to the Brahmaloka, from down, Patala, up to Brahmaloka... You can go there if you want. Krsna is very, very kind. He has given you chance because you wanted to come here and enjoy material world. Krsna says, "All right, go." So beginning from Brahma down to the insignificant worm in the stool, they are coming down and going up, coming down. This is going on. This is called samsara-cakra, cycle of birth and death. That is going on perpetually. And they do not know what to do. You have to die. You get one form of life, enjoy it, either as human being or as hog, pig, cat, dog, or demigod. Whatever you wanted, you have got it, desire. Now enjoy. But after some time you have to die. But actually your position is not to die. You are eternal. Na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]. Destruction of this body does not mean your destruction. This is samsara-cakra. I am getting different opportunities, different bodies, to fulfill my material desires. This is going on. This is called samsara-cakra-kadanat. Prahlada Maharaja, a devotee, is afraid, very, very afraid. He is not afraid of the lion or the elephant or the tiger or the snake. No. He's not afraid of these. But he's afraid of this repetition of birth and death. That is called samsara-cakra. Is it not botheration? Any sane man will understand how much botheration it is. Just like I am now old man. There are so many inconveniences. And in this way every old man will die, and if he's fortunate enough, if he has done something, he may be promoted to the higher planetary system, or if he has tried for Krsna consciousness, he may go back to home, back to Godhead. So why one should bother here in this material world, changing body, one after another? This is called samsara-cakra-kada... So the ordinary person, they cannot understand what is the difficulty. As soon as I die I enter into the womb of a mother according to my karma. The mother may be a lady dog or lady pig or lady such and such, because the body will be manufactured within the womb of the mother. Karmana daiva-netrena jantor dehopapatti [SB 3.31.1]. Upapatti means getting one type of body. So that type of body is given by the mother, and the seed is given by the father. Yatha bijam yatha yoni. So we take a form. This is going on. So a devotee should be very very much afraid of this repetition of birth and death. Samsara... This is Prahlada Maharaja... To follow the footprints of Prahlada Maharaja, one should be very, very afraid. And the whole process of Vedic civlization, especially devotional service, is how to avoid this samsara-cakra-kadana. Everyone should be very, very afraid of. Foolish persons... "Where angels dare not, the fools rush in." They think, "What is that? I shall die." Now it has come to the stage that in your Western countries, if we say like this, that "Next life you may become a dog," university student, they say, "What is the wrong if I become a dog?" They are not afraid. They think, "If I become a dog, then I'll be free to have sex on the street without any restriction. This is the facility. Because being a human, I have got so much restriction, and if I become a dog, then there will be no restriction. I'll have... I'll be very free to have sex anywhere." So this is the education. In Hawaii, when I was lecturing, one student said, "No, what is the wrong, Swamiji, if I become a dog?" You see? Bah! So people have fallen so much. But we should not be like that. Those who have taken to Krsna consciousness... Of course, a Krsna conscious person is never afraid of any species of life -- provided there is Krsna consciousness continuing. That's all. That is wanted. We are not afraid of becoming a dog, provided I can remember Krsna. This is our position. Just like Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, kita janmaobi, iccha yadi tora. Bhaktivinoda Thakura said, "I don't mind if I am born as a kita, or an insect, but kindly give me the chance that I become an insect in the house of a devotee. Then I'll get chance again. Because a devotee will eat. I'll be able to take a little grain left by the devotee. That is my satisfaction." So a Vaisnava is not afraid of to becoming in the form of any species of life, provided he simply... That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's prayer, mama janmani janmanisvare bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi. Na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagadisa kamaye [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4]. A devotee does not aspire of being born in a very rich family or getting very nice wife and many controlling power, much controlling power. They do not want. Mama janmani... Neither a devotee wants (to) stop birth and death, because he has no desire. That is called akami. A devotee has no desire to fulfill. Therefore Caitanya-caritamrta kaj says, bhukti-mukti-siddhi-kami sakali 'asanta' krsna-bhakta niskama ataeva 'santa' [Cc. Madhya 19.149] Niskama, no desire. Anyabhilasita-sunyam [Brs. 1.1.11] -- this is devotee, no desire. "As You..." As Krsna likes. Simply how to take charge of serving the lotus feet of Krsna. Therefore Prahlada Maharaja says, prito 'pavarga-saranam hvayase kada nu: "My Lord, You are apavarga-saranam." This is very important word, apavarga. Pavarga and apavarga. Pa means just the opposite, and pavarga, here in this material world, we are in the pavarga. Pa means parisrama, laboring. Here you cannot get food without any labor. Just see. These laborers here, they have come. Whole day they are working. But if I say that "Why you are working so hard? Come here, live here, take little prasadam, and make progress in Krsna consciousness," nobody will come. Nobody will come. "No, no. I am very happy here." This is pa, parisrama. They... Sometimes we are accused that we're escaping labor, we are parasites, we are dependent on the society. We are not dependent on the society; we are dependent on Krsna. Yoga-ksemam vahamy aham [Bg. 9.22]. Krsna is supplying us this nice building, nice food, nice opportunity. Not only one -- we have got hundreds of buildings like that, without any labor. We are not working like these laborers. Just see. I went to your country with forty rupees, and now I have got forty crores of worth, property. So I did not work like them. (laughs) Yes. The people are bringing money. Krsna is sending money, daily one to five lakhs of rupees. So this is Krsna consciousness. Why one should work? Nayam deho deha-bhajam nrloke kastan kaman arhate vid-bhujam ye [SB 5.5.1]. Vid-bhujam, the stool-eaters, they will work hard. Human life is not meant for Take Krsna's shelter. Krsna will supply everything. Yoga-ksemam vahamy aham [Bg. 9.22]. Tesam nityabhiyuktanam yoga-ksemam vahamy. So this pa means working hard, parisrama. And pha means foam, phenam. If you work very hard... You have seen sometimes the horse. They are having foams in the mouth. So we have to work so hard in this material world that sometimes foam comes. Yes. We become thirsty. We require some drinking because the tongue becomes dry, the lips become dry, and sometimes, the pa, pha... And ba -- still, we are disappointed, vyarthata. And bha -- we are always fearful, bhaya. And ma -- after this, mrtyu, death. After so working hard, after always being fearful, being baffled and so on, so on, still, you cannot live here; you must die. This is called pavarga. In Sanskrit grammar, there are vargas: ka-varga, ca-varga, ta-varga, pa-varga. So pa-varga means pa, pha, ba, bha, ma. So material life means these five kinds of difficulties; at last -- death. Ma means mrtyu. But if you take shelter of Krsna, then you are saved. Therefore Krsna is described as apavarga-saranam. If one wants to nullify this pavarga, then he must take shelter of Krsna. Aham tvam sarva... Because we are working hard why? According to our sinful activities, we are put into the situation, working very hard. Without working, we cannot get our food. So Krsna is apavarga-saranam. If you want apavarga, if you want to nullify these five kinds of pa, pha, ba, bha, ma, then you must take shelter of Krsna. So Krsna is always kind, but when He sees that you are very eager to go to Krsna, He calls. He calls. Just like He explained to Arjuna, "My dear Arjuna, because you are My very dear friend," sarva-guhyatamam, "I am just disclosing the most confidential part of knowledge." Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja: [Bg. 18.66] "This is the most confidential part of knowledge. Don't be entangled with this pavarga. Take shelter of Me." So this is calling Arjuna. So Prahlada Maharaja expecting, "When the Lord will call me?" That is real mercy. You cannot call God, or Krsna, "Please come to me and save me." Krsna is not your servant; He does not agree to be your servant. But when He's pleased, He says, He calls you, "Please come and surrender unto Me." Therefore we must expect, "When the master will call me?" Don't try to see God, but act in such a way that God will call you, "Please come here." That is wanted. That is bhakti, not that "O God, please come. I will see you." Why God will come to see you? He is very busy. What you have done that you want to see God? If you say, "O Indira Gandhi, please come here. I'll see you," she will come? Be qualified, and she will see you. Similarly, don't try... This is not bhakti. Nacia nacia aire gopala.(?) No. Gopala is not anyone's servant that He'll come dancing and dancing. You be qualified, and He'll see you. He'll call you, "Yes, come back. Come back home, back to home, back to Godhead." Be qualified. (aside:) Why you are standing? Stand. Yes. So this is Prahlada Maharaja's instruction. Everyone should be anxious how Krsna will call him back to home, back to Godhead. And that is done, that is possible, when you are engaged in service. Otherwise it is not po... Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adah [Brs. 1.2.234]. You cannot ask God to come and He will see you. No. When you are sevonmukha, fully in service, sevonmukhe hi jihvadau... That service begins from jihva, from the tongue. Ta'ra madhye jihva ati, lobhamoy sudurmati, ta'ke jeta kothina samsare. Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, "It is very, very difficult to control the tongue." Therefore the tongue should be engaged in service of the Lord, beginning from the tongue. If you can control the tongue, then you can control your belly, then you can control your genital, and then you become jitendriya. So we have to become jitendriya. Indriya means the senses. They are given to us for material enjoyment, just like the hog is also given the tongue to taste stool. Not your tongue. Your tongue is meant for tasting prasadam, not stool. Your tongue is meant for chanting, not eating stool. So you have to control this. Then there will be possibility of getting the shelter of apavarga-saranam. The repetition of birth and death Everyone should be afraid of the samsara-cakra-kadanat. Then one may ask that... Then... Just like sometimes foolish persons, they say that "Krsna, God, has kept me in this way. According to His desire, I am now in this position because nothing can happen without His desire." This argument they say. That is another rascaldom. So Prahlada Maharaja clears, therefore, that baddhah sva-karmabhih: "It is not desired by You. I have created this situation." Baddhah sva-karmabhih. I have been put into this condition by my own work, sva-karmabhir. Baddhah sva-karmabhir usattama. You cannot overcome this resultant action of your karma. You must suffer. The same example: just like if you infect some contaminous disease, you must suffer, similarly, we are creating karma and we are suffering. Baddhah sva-karmabhih. My work. Sastra does not say that you steal. Nobody says. Neither sastra says, nor the moral codes say, nor the law, government law, say that "You can steal whatever you like." No. Everybody says... The government says, "Don't steal." The sastra, scriptures, they also say, "Don't drink. Don't steal. Don't do this. Don't." All forbidden. But I steal. So that is sva-karmabhih. There is forbidding everywhere, but still, I steal. Then whose fault it is? It is government's fault or my fault? If I kill, I'll be hanged. "Thou shall not kill." Lord Christ says, "Thou shall not kill." But if I kill, then I must suffer. But they say, give some false argument, "Lord Christ says, 'Thou shall not kill' and if I kill, Christ has taken the contract that whatever sinful activities we do, he will excuse." This is Christian document. They say that "Our Christ is so kind that whatever sinful activities we do, he will suffer for us." Is it not? This is Christian theory. Just see foolishness. "You do something, and I suffer for that." No. You have to suffer. You have done something wrong; you must suffer. This is the real philosophy, sva-karmabhih usattama te 'nghri-mulam pritah apavarga-saranam. So we are very much entangled in this material world. One should be very much afraid. Prahlada Maharaja says... Prahlada Maharaja was not afraid of Nrsimha-murti, but he is very much afraid of this material existence. It is really very, very fearful. People do not know the seriousness of material existence, and they continue and waste their, the chance, human being. Human form of life is a chance to rectify, but they do not care. Therefore the Krsna consciousness movement is so important. Everyone, door to door, a devotee has to go and teach them that "You are leading a very, very irresponsible life. Be responsible to your consciousness and be a devotee of Krsna. That will save you." Thank you very much. (end) >>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.16 -- Mayapur, February 23, 1976  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Demoniac-Disturbing & Disturbed Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.14 (Mayapur, February 21, 1976) Dayananda: What is it? Prabhupada: Ananda, pleasure. They are taking pleasure. Dayananda: Pleasure. Prabhupada: Yes. Dayananda: Nirvrtim... [break] translation: "My Lordship Nrsimhadeva, who can, therefore, stop Your anger? Now my father, Hiranyakasipu, the great demon, being killed, as the saintly persons take pleasure in the killing of the scorpion and the snake..." Prabhupada: What is the beginning? Tad yaccha? Hm? Tad yaccha. "Give up that anger." What you have written? Dayananda: It says, "Who can, therefore, stop Your anger?" Prabhupada: No, no. "Please, therefore, give up Your anger." Hrdayananda: "Please, therefore, give up your anger." Dayananda: Oh. "Please, therefore, stop your anger. Now my father, Hiranyakasipu, the great demon, being killed, as the saintly persons who take pleasure in the killing of the scorpion and the snake, similarly, all the saintly persons have achieved great satisfaction on account of the demon's death. Now they are confident of their happiness. They shall always remember about Your auspicious incarnation." Prabhupada: "Of Nrsimhadeva." tad yaccha manyum asuras ca hatas tvayadya modeta sadhur api vrscika-sarpa-hatya lokas ca nirvrtim itah pratiyanti sarve rupam nrsimha vibhayaya janah smaranti [SB 7.9.14] So Prahlada Maharaja is requesting Nrsimhadeva, "Now the business is finished. My father, the great demon, Hiranyakasipu..." He said, asuras ca hatas. He... Such a great Vaisnava, he is not calling Hiranyakasipu his father. And in other place also he addressed his father, na sadhu manye asura-varya. He never said, "My father." He said, "The greatest of the asuras." He was so bold. The father was such a great demon, and he was not addressing him as father, and the father was becoming more and more angry upon him. This indicates that a person who is a demon, not devotee, he's not worth calling a father. That sort of father should be avoided. Pita na sa syat. People are affectionate to father and mother, and they hesitate how to give up... Especially boys give up the company of family, father and mother, take to Krsna consciousness. But here, in the sastra, it is said, if the father is demon or a mother is demon or a friend is demon or a family member is demon, they should not be accepted as relative. Pita na sa syaj janani na sa syad gurur na sa syat. Even guru. If you have accepted somebody as guru but he's a demon, he should be rejected immediately, immediately. Just like in India there is a system of jata-guru, the guru by caste. By familywise, they become guru. One family is attached to another guru family by hereditary rules, the sons after sons accepting guru, the other party, and there is regular business. So such kind of guru is not wanted. Sri Jiva Gosvami has recommended that laukika-guru... This is laukika-guru. Parityagena adhyatmika paramarthika, guru accepted. Guru has to be accepted who is actually paramarthika, advanced in spiritual knowledge, not the formality. That is recommended by Jiva Gosvami. Parityagena. Parityaga vidhiyate. Sastra says, "If the guru does not know the right thing, he can be given up." So what is the right thing? Right thing is to become devotee. First of all the sastric injunction is that anyone who is not a devotee, he cannot become guru. He cannot become guru. Avaisnava, he cannot become guru. He must be a Vaisnava. Then he... Sat-karma-nipuno vipro mantra-tantra-visaradah. A brahmana, born in a brahmana family, not brahmana but in a brahmana family, or even brahmana, because qualified, sat-karma-nipunah... Brahmana has six kinds of livelihood, sat-karma. Pathana pathana yajana yajana dana-pratigraha. A brahmana, well qualified, he must be a very learned scholar, pathana. And he must be able to make his disciple also very learned. Pathana pathana. He must worship the Deity, yajana yajana. And he should worship for others also, yajana yajana. Dana-pratigraha: he should accept charity from disciples and others, and again distribute it. Dana-pratigraha. A brahmana is supposed to be..., always remain a beggar. Even if he gets lakhs and lakhs of rupees, he spends it for Krsna consciousness. That is the sign of brahmana. So even such brahmana, if he's not Vaisnava, then he cannot become a guru. Avaisnava. sat-karma-nipuna-vipro mantra-tantra-visaradah avaisnavo gurur na sa syat... And sad-vaisnava svapaco guruh. If a person is born in the low-grade family and has become a Vaisnava, he becomes guru. This is sastric injunction, and that is the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, that "You become a guru." He does not say, "Because you are brahmana or a ksatriya, you become guru. No. "Every one of you, become a guru." How? Yare dekha tare kaha krsna-upadesa: [Cc. Madhya 7.128] You simply learn the science of Krsna and teach it; then you become guru. So because this Hiranyakasipu was not a Vaisnava, so Prahlada Maharaja declined to call him, address him, as father. No. This is pita na syat... "He is not my father." So he is addressing that tad yaccha manyum: "Now my Lord, Nrsimhadeva, You have not cause to become angry, because the person upon whom You are so angry, that asura, my father, Hiranyakasipu, is now killed. So business is finished." So the question may be that... Lord Nrsimhadeva may ask that "I have killed your father, so your relative may be unhappy? Therefore I'm angry. Why they are angry upon...? They're unhappy. I have killed a demon." So Prahlada Maharaja says, "No, no, no. That is not the case. Nobody is unhappy. Nobody is unhappy. By killing my father Hiranyakasipu, I am not unhappy and nobody is unhappy." Tad yaccha manyum asuras ca hatas tvaya daya: "By You, by Your grace..." "So if you are not happy, why?" Now, modeta sadhur api vrscika-sarpa-hatya: "Why they should be unhappy? Because the sadhu, a saintly person does not like that anyone should be killed, even an ant." That is sadhu. A sadhu does not want to kill even an ant. But in the case of vrscika-sarpa-hatya, they are happy. They are happy. Vrscika, scorpion, and sarpa... So long, long ago, sometimes in the year 1933 in this Caitanya Math, there was a big snake came out in my front. I was taking bath. So everyone was looking what to do. So Guru Maharaja was on the upstair. He immediately ordered, "Kill him." So it was killed. So at that time, 1933, I was newcomer. So I thought, "How that? Guru Maharaja ordered this snake to be killed?" I was little surprised. But later on, when I saw this verse, I was very glad. Modeta sadhur api vrscika-sarpa-hatya [SB 7.9.14]. It remained a doubt, "How Guru Maharaja ordered a snake to be killed?" But when I read this verse I was very much pleased, that these creatures, or creatures like the snake, they should not be shown any mercy. No. And Canakya Pandita said there are two kinds of cruel creatures. One kind is a sarpah krurah. The snake is very cruel. Sarpah krurah, khalah krurah. And khala, a person who has awakened the quality like snake... Then there is no fault. Why a snake is called so cruel? Because unnecessarily they bite. If somebody commits some offense unto you, if you bite me, that is reasonable. But I have no fault, but you are biting me. The vrscika, scorpion, and snake, they do that, without any offense. A man is passing, an animal is passing -- unnecessarily it bites, without offense. A man is sleeping -- it bites. Therefore they are very dangerous. Similarly, there are men also like the snake -- without any fault, they bite, without any fault. If I do something faulty, you can punish me, bite. But without any fault, if you bite me... So therefore Canakya Pandita says, sarpah krurah-khalah krurah sarpat kruratarah khalah. Such person is called khala, envious, jealous. So there are two living creatures. One is snake, and one is jealous or envious person. So Canakya Pandita said, sarpat kruratarah khalah: "This man, envious man, is more dangerous than the snake. Than the snake." Why? He's a human being. Yes, because he's human being and he has got developed consciousness and he has practiced to use the developed consciousness for becoming jealous, He's more dangerous than the snake. So therefore he concludes, mantrausadhi-vasah sarpah khalah kena nivaryate. The snake, although by nature he is so..., still, he can be controlled by mantra and some herbs. In India they still do that. But this khalah, the person jealous, he cannot be pacified any means. Therefore he's more dangerous than the snake. A person who has become jealous and envious, he cannot be controlled either by mantra or by bribe or this or that. No. Sarpat kruratarah khalah. So Prahlada Maharaja said, "My Lord, nobody is unhappy, even the saintly person. Saintly person, we common man, we may be unhappy -- 'Oh, my father is killed' -- or my mother may be unhappy that 'My husband is killed.' But be sure, my father was a khalah. Unnecessarily he was envious of Your Lordship, so he was more dangerous than the snake and the scorpion. Therefore by killing him You have satisfied everyone, even one is saintly person. So there is no question of becoming angry still. By this action everyone is happy, so don't consider any other. You become now pacified." Tad yaccha manyum asuras ca hatas tvayadya modeta sadhur api vrscika-sarpa-hatya [SB 7.9.14]. "But still may be others, unhappy, may not be your family, because you were also tortured, but others that are killed, such a demon, big, powerful..." So Prahlada Maharaja said, lokas ca nirvrtim itah: "Everyone is satisfied, even the higher planets, the demigods and everyone." Nirvrtim itah pratiyanti: "They are waiting only just to see You pacified." Sarve rupam nrsimha. "But is not this form very fearful to anyone? You may not be afraid of, others?" Prahlada Maharaja assures, "No, no. Nobody is fearful. This fearful appearance of Your Lordship is very pleasing to the devotees because as soon as they are in fearful condition, they will remember Your this Nrsimha form and they will be out of that. It is so pleasing." Just like we..., ito nrsimha, tato nrsimha yato yato yami... So our only shelter is Nrsimhadeva. This world is very, very dangerous. Padam padam yad vipadam [SB 10.14.58]. In very step there is danger. Every step there is envious creatures. You cannot live here peacefully. Duhkhalayam asasvatam [Bg. 8.15]. Krsna says. It is a place simply for suffering, and that also not permanent. You cannot make any comprise that "All right, it is suffering. That's all right. Still, I shall stay here." No, that is also not possible. Asasvatam. You have to die. Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi-duhkha-dosanudarsanam [Bg. 13.9]. You cannot solve these problems, miserable condition. Ultimately you have to die. So people do not understand. Therefore they are called mudhas. They are simply making arrangement how to become happy. It is not possible to become happy here. That's a fact. But still they are. Therefore they are called mudhas, rascals. Which will never be possible, and they are trying for that. You see, whole world is trying to be happy. They are discovering so many technological arts, but they are dying. They cannot. They have invented horseless carriage, having very, I mean to say, speedy carriages, but there are so many dangers. Every moment the life can go, the motor accident. It is happening in the Western country. So whatever you do for the advancement of material civilization, you are one side increasing more danger. If you did not discover these aeroplane and motorcar, then death would not have been so easier. You could live at least for some days. But because you have discovered some facilities, your death is also very become near. So this is prakrti. You are trying to solve the problem in one way, and the problem is becoming more dangerous and difficult by the laws of nature. That these rascals cannot find even. They continually working. There is a verse in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, pasyann api na pasyati. They are so big rascals that pasyann api na pasyati: even they are seeing every moment that "All our endeavors are being baffled," still, they'll try for it. They'll try for it, again and again. Punah punas carvita-carvananam [SB 7.5.30]. These things are... Punah punah, again and again, chewing the chewed, this is their business. Therefore they are called mudhas. The mudhas, they do not find that "All our attempt..." Therefore the sastra advises, "You simply make one attempt, how to advance in Krsna consciousness. Otherwise you are not..." Only one thing. That chance you cannot get in other form of life, that a cat, dog, you do not get this. And what is that? Tasyaiva hetoh prayateta kovido na labhyate yad bhramatam upary adhah [SB 1.5.18]. By the laws of nature you are getting different types of body in different planets, in different situation and so on, so on, eight million, four hun... You are loitering in this way, but you could not get Krsna consciousness. Now here is the chance, human form of life, and the Krsna consciousness movement is there. Take it seriously. Tasyaiva hetoh prayeteta kovidah. If you are actually intelligent -- kovido means very intelligent -- then you take. You must. Krsna yei bhaje sei bada catura: "Anyone who takes to Krsna consciousness, he's first-class intelligent person." All other: fools, rascals. You can call them. There is no harm. They are actually fools and rascal, who has not taken. And it is not our manufactured word. Krsna said, na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah [Bg. 7.15]. Anyone who is not surrendered to Krsna, anyone who is not Krsna conscious, he is rascal, he's sinful, he's lowest of the mankind, he has no knowledge, he's gone to hell. This is our conclusion. Sometimes they come to fight us tlat "Sir, you said such a great man, 'rascal.' " But we must say, "Yes, he is a rascal. Where is his greatness?" Harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-guna [SB 5.18.12]. Anyone who is not Krsna conscious, he cannot be a great man. This is our conclusion. There is no question. Immediately, as soon as you see he's against Krsna, or he does not know Krsna, then he's a rascal, That's all. na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah mayayapahrtajnana asuri-bhavam... [Bg. 7.15] So this Hiranyakasipu was a great rascal. So he is killed. Everybody is happy. So this is the position. Prahlada Maharaja is requesting Lord Nrsimhadeva, "Now everyone is happy, so kindly be peaceful." Hare Krsna. Thank you. (end) >>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.14 -- Mayapur, February 21, 1976  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Divinity, Demon & Devotees Nrsimha Caturdasi Lecture (27 May 1972, Los Angeles) So one day, Hiranyakasipu... After all, he was his son. Affection was there. So one day, Hiranyakasipu asked the boy, prahradanucyatam tata svadhitam kincid uttamam kalenaitavatayusman yad asiksad guror bhavan [SB 7.5.22] So he asked his son, "My dear son, what you have learned? The best thing, what you have learned from your teachers, so you kindly let me know." So Prahlada Maharaja informed that "I have learned like this." What is that? 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 [SB 7.5.23-24] Tan manye 'dhitam uttamam: one who is engaged in the matter of hearing about Visnu, sravanam kirtanam visnoh. We are engaged in hearing and talking and chanting about so many things non-Visnu. Just like you'll find thousands of, millions of different types of magazines sold in your country, in all countries. Some of the magazines are sex literature, some cinema literature, some this literature, that... So many different types. There is one paper I have seen, "Diabetes Literature." There are many patients of diabetes, so they have formed a society, "Diabetic Society." I have seen it. (laughter) And there are many diabetic patients, they are being hoaxed, that "You pay two dollars per year, and you get all information how to protect yourself from diabetes disease." So in America two dollars is nothing, but it is collecting millions and millions of dollars, Diabetic Society. Diabetic magazine. So that sort of hearing and chanting is not needed. We are not interested in all these magazines, because we are followers of Prahlada Maharaja. He's our acarya. He's guru. Prahlada Maharaja's guru is Narada, and Narada is also our guru. Narada is guru of Vyasadeva. So we are a branch, but the original guru is Narada, Brahma-sampradaya. So Prahlada Maharaja is also a disciple of Narada Muni. So he teaches that sravanam kirtanam visnoh [SB 7.5.23]. We have to hear and talk and chant about Visnu. Sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam. To remember Him always, to worship His lotus feet, pada-sevanam. Arcanam, temple worship, to keep the Deity nicely worshiped, offer foodstuff, arati, this is called arcanam. Vandanam, offering prayers. Just like we offer prayer, govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami **. These are prayers. There are so many prayers. Kesava-dhrta buddha-sarira, kesava-dhrta narahari-rupa. These are all prayers. This is also part of devotional service. sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam... [SB 7.5.23] Arcanam vandanam dasyam. To be always in service of the Lord, dasyam; sakhyam, to make friendship with Him, to consider Krsna as your friend. He says... Even if I do not say that He's my friend, He says, "I am friend of everyone." Suhrdam sarva-bhutanam [Bg. 5.29]. He's friend of everyone. We don't want His friendship, but He wants our friendship. He wants us to go back to home, Godhead; we don't want. So He is more anxious to take us, exactly like the father is more affectionate than the son. That's a fact. So He's the supreme father. So He wants that we may be happy, and therefore He comes to show us. He sends His representative, son. He leaves behind Him books so that we may go back to home, back to Godhead. So, sakhyam. He's always sitting with me, within my heart. I am in the heart, and Paramatma is also within the heart as friend to give me advice that "Why you are bothering in this material world? Please come back to home, back to Me." This is going on. Sakhyam atma-nivedanam. Atma-nivedanam means fully surrendered. So there are examples of devotees who, sarvatma-nivedanam. Just like Bali Maharaja. He gave everything to Krsna, even his body, everything, whatever, his kingdom, money, everything. So Prahlada Maharaja says, iti pumsarpita visnau bhaktis cen nava-laksana. All these items means hearing. Hearing about Visnu, chanting about Krsna, giving everything to Visnu, offering prayers to Visnu, offering arcana, temple worship, Visnu. In this way Prahlada Maharaja summarizes that "Anyone who is doing like this, everything about Visnu..." iti pumsarpita visnau bhaktis cen nava-laksana, "this nine kinds of different devotional services," kriyeta bhagavatay addha, "directly to the Supreme Personality of Godhead," tan manye 'dhitam uttamam, "I think he is the best learned man in the world. He is the most learned." Tan manye 'dhitam. "He has studied everything very nicely." Actually, that is the fact. Jnana, knowledge Knowledge means to know Krsna, God, and the Vedic injunction is, yasmin vijnate sarvam evam vijnatam bhavanti. If you understand the Supreme Lord, then you understand everything. You haven't got to study differently different subject matters. Just like we sometimes talk of science, of astronomy, economics, politics. We talk sometimes. But we are not going to, or we didn't study all the subject matter separately. But in course of our studying Krsna consciousness, we know something of everything. So Prahlada Maharaja says, tan manye adhitam uttamam: "One who is engaged in these nine kinds of devotional services directly..." So Prahlada Maharaja recommends, kriyeta bhagavaty addha tan manye 'dhitam uttamam. nisamyaitat suta-vaco hiranyakasipus tada guru-putram cedam rusa prasphuritadharah As soon as he heard, "Oh, what this nonsense boy is speaking?" he became so angry that sphuritadharah. When one becomes angry, his lips vi..., I mean to say, jumps. What is called? Quiver, yes. So he became so angry that it is said, sphuritadharah. (He) immediately called his teacher. He's king... Because he thought, "The rascal teachers, they have taught him like this. I have entrusted the boy to the teachers, to brahmanas, and they have taught this Krsna consciousness. So call him. Otherwise, how is that this small boy, five years old only, he's talking just like a great saint? So call his teacher!" brahma-bandho kim etat te vipaksam srayatasata asaram grahito balo mam anadrtya durmate Hiranyakasipu became bitterest enemy of Visnu because his brother Hiranyaksa, he was killed by Visnu taking the shape of Varaha. You know the story. Since then, Hiranyakasipu was bitterest enemy. "Oh, He has, Visnu has killed my brother. So He is my greatest enemy." So he won't hear anything about Visnu. Any Visnu devotee, he will punish him, even his own son. That was his policy. So he immediately called him, the teachers, and addressed him, brahma-bandho kim etat te vipaksam srayatasata asaram grahito balo mam anadrtya durmate So here... Teachers are generally brahmanas. Not generally. To become teacher is the business of the brahmanas. Brahmana means they have got six kinds of... Everyone must have livelihood. This material world is that you must work; otherwise you cannot get your livelihood. That is the law, whatever you may be. So the brahmanas' means of livelihood, six things: pathana pathana yajana yajana dana pratigraha. Pathana means he must be a very learned scholar, study the Vedic literature, and must teach others also. That is brahmana's business. And in that way, whatever the disciples bring, that is his income. No salary, no contract, that "If you pay me hundred dollars or five hundred dollars weekly, then I can teach you." No. There is no such contract. Teaching is free. It is the business of a brahmana to give free education to everyone. Now, it is the... Just like in our institution, I am your teacher, but there is no such contract that you have to pay me. But you pay me more than anything. So pathana pathana, that is the means of livelihood of brahmana. And ksatriya, they are kings. They can levy tax of the citizens because they are giving protection from being hurt by others. Ksatriya means one who gives protection (to) a man being hurt by others. That is the real root meaning. Ksatriya. And vaisya means they should, krsi-goraksya-vanijyam, they should engage themselves in producing foodstuff, foodgrains, krsi, protect cows. Especially goraksya. As the king is meant for giving protection to the man, similarly, a vaisya is supposed to give protection to the cows, or they keep cows and produce milk products. They are vaisya. And sudra, simply service. So these are the different types of employment of different kinds of social order. And a king, the king has to see that everyone is employed. Not that hundreds of people are unemployed, and government has to give welfare, subsidy. Not like that. The king's duty is that everyone is independently earning his livelihood. That is king's duty. So here the teachers are addressed here brahma-bandho. Brahma-bandho means a person who is born by a brahmana father but is not acting as a brahmana. He's called brahma-bandho, dvija-bandhu. Dvija-bandhu, one who is born of a, actually born of a brahmana father, but he's not acting as a brahmana. So Hiranyakasipu addressed the teachers brahma-bandho, not brahmana. "Because you are untrustworthy. I gave you, I entrusted you with my son to be taught, and you have taught him this Krsna consciousness. So against my will..." He says practically, brahma-bandho kim etat te vipaksam srayatasata: "I entrusted my child for being educated by you, and you have instigated him to speak in favor of my enemy, Visnu? Visnu is my enemy. How is that?" Asaram grahito balo mam anadrtya durmate. "This rascal boy, he does not care for me, and he has learned this Krsna consciousness, and you have taught him. How is that?" santi hy asadhavo loke durmaitras chadma-vesinah tesam udety agham kale rogah patakinam iva "So I think these demigods who are followers of Visnu, they are coming in disguise and poisoning my son by teaching Krsna consciousness, and you did not take care of him. So what is this?" Then the teachers replied, na mat-pranitam na para-pranitam suto vadaty esa tavendra-satro naisargikiyam matir asya rajan niyaccha manyum kad adah sma ma nah They said, "My dear King, don't think we have taught him like this. It is not... I know, it is not our duty to teach him against your will. But his Krsna consciousness is not due to our teaching; neither somebody is coming in disguise and teaching him." Na mat-pranitam na para-pranitam. "He is neither taught by us, nor by anyone else." Suto vadaty esa tavendra-satro. Indra-satro. The enemy... The Hiranyakasipu is the enemy of the demigods; therefore he is addressed as Indra-satro. As he addressed the brahmana, brahma-bandho, so they retaliated also, that "You are enemy of the demigods." Naisargikiyam, "By nature he is doing that. We try to forbid him. We try to stop him chanting Hare Krsna, but still he's doing." Matir asya rajan niyaccha manyum kad adah sma ma. "You don't be angry upon us. We never did it." So... "He is, by his own nature he chants, he preaches, he's doing all this." gurunaivam pratiprokto bhuya ahasurah sutam na ced guru-mukhiyam te kuto 'bhadrasati matih Then he again asked his son, "Now I understand that your teacher has not taught you all these things. You rascal, where you have learned all this Krsna consciousness?" (laughter) Abhadra. Kuto abhadrasati matih: "Wherefrom you got this rascal wisdom? Tell me." So this is the position, you see. Even father becomes enemy. Now, Prahlada Maharaja is replying. Prahlada Maharaja is replying, matir na krsne paratah svato va mitho 'bhipadyeta grha-vratanam adanta-gobhir visatam tamisram punah punas carvita-carvananam [SB 7.5.30] "My dear father, don't be afraid. It is not a thing to be taught." Matir na krsne. "Nobody can become Krsna conscious," matir na krsne parato, "being taught by others," matir na krsne paratah svato va, "or by mental speculation or thinking oneself," mitho 'bhipadyeta, "or by making conference meeting, religious meeting, conference." No. Three things. One thing is to learn Krsna consciousness by speculative method, self-realization. Just like so many people are very much interested that "Why shall I go to a guru? I can realize myself. I shall meditate." So that is called svatah. And paratah means by others' instruction. And mitho, mitho means by assembly. So who? Now, grha-vratanam. If one is grha-vrata... There are two things: grhastha and grha-vrata, or grhamedhi. "So those who are grha-vrata..." because he is pointing out his father's position, that he's grha-vrata. He has no other business. He simply wants to get money, hiranya. Hiranya means gold, and kasipu, a nice apartment. That's all. So he says that grha-vratanam, "If one makes it his point to remain in a comfortable home life, for him, either by speculation or by teaching or by meeting, he'll never develop Krsna consciousness." Grha-vratanam. Then what is their position? Now, adanta-gobhir visatam tamisram: "They are unable to control their senses, and as such, they are entering into the darkest region of material existence." Punah punas carvita-carvananam: [SB 7.5.30] "Their only business is chewing the chewed." They have no other ways. Grha-vratanam, those who want to be happy materially, actually they are chewing the chewed. Material happiness means sex life, ultimate, utmost, topmost happiness. So people are simply trying to, how to utilize this sex life in so many ways, in pictures and in... I do not wish to discuss. In dancing, in club, in so many ways. Because they cannot control the senses. The same thing, same thing, the same sex life in different way. Sometimes a naked dance, sometimes in this way, sometimes in that way. Therefore it is called punah punas carvita-carvananam. I have heard that some people go to Florida and they spend fifty thousand dollars per week for organizing naked dance. So naked woman he has seen so many times, but still he spends more money to see it in a different way. That is called punah punas carvita-carvananam [SB 7.5.30], "chewing the chewed." So persons who are too much attached to sense gratification, and they have made it their conclusion that "We shall be happy within our family life or this social life..." Vidyapati sings, tatala saikate vari-bindu sama suto-mita-ramani-samaj(?). Our society means... Society, friendship, and love. There must be woman, must be children, suto-mita-ramani-samaje. So there is some pleasure, undoubtedly. Otherwise, why people are working so hard to stick to this position? Vidyapati sings that tatala saikate vari-bindu sama suto-mita-ramani-samaj(?). There is undoubtedly some pleasure, but that pleasure is so insignificant that it can be compared: a drop of water on the desert. Desert, if you want to utilize desert to make it a garden or productive field, you have to pour water. The whole ocean water you have to pour there. Now, if somebody says, "All right, you want water. Now take this one drop water," then what it will do? Similarly, our heart is hankering after so many things. We are hankering... Actually we are hankering after Krsna, but we do not know. We are trying to satisfy our hankering in so many ways in material life. Actually we are hankering after Krsna. Just like a small child, it is crying. It cannot express, but it is wanting the mother's breast feeding. So you cannot stop him crying unless it is transferred to the mother. Similarly, actually we love Krsna. That is a fact. Because we love Krsna... Therefore you, who did not hear even the name of Krsna, say, four or five years ago, why you after so much Krsna? This is the proof, that actually we are after Krsna. This Krsna consciousness movement is being accepted in Western countries by the younger generation. Why? Because every one of us, we love Krsna. But it is now covered by maya. We have to simply take out the covering, maya; then we are Krsna conscious. That is explained in the Caitanya-caritamrta, nitya-siddha krsna-bhakti 'sadhya' kabhu naya sravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya That Krsna consciousness is not an artificial thing, that we are making some propaganda on Krsna consciousness, publishing some books, magazines, and our preachers are going place to place. No, there are so many propaganda is going on. But they are not so effective. And our, what means we have got to make propaganda? We simply make this propaganda, "Please chant Hare Krsna." That's all. Of course, we do sincerely. So if we propagate sincerely and seriously, as Caitanya Mahaprabhu has ordered, yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna' upadesa... [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. We must be sincere. Then, if we canvass, "Please chant Hare Krsna," it will be effective. It will be effective. The business is not very serious or very difficult. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna'... "Anyone you meet, you simply request him about hearing about Krsna." So... But if one is so much covered by materialistic enjoyment, it takes little time. It takes little time. Otherwise, automatically there is love for Krsna, and sravanadi-suddha-citte... Therefore Prahlada Maharaja says, sravanam. If we hear about Krsna constantly, through realized souls, not professional -- if we hear, satam prasangan mama virya-samvido [SB 3.25.25] -- then automatically, our dormant Krsna consciousness come out. So Prahlada Maharaja says, therefore, that "Those who are determined to become happy within this material world, they cannot be raised to Krsna consciousness either by personal teaching or by making conference or by mental speculation." That is not possible, because he is determined. So our duty is that we should know that in the materialistic way of life we shall never be happy. This is called knowledge. And vairagya. So this vairagya and knowledge is not so easy. Prahlada Maharaja says, adanta-gobhir visatam tamisram: it is not possible. That means he assures his father, "Don't be worried. You will never be Krsna conscious. (laughter) Because your only aim is to stick to home and money and women. Therefore rest assured, you'll not be ... It is not that a person like you will be raised to Krsna consciousness." Then? How you have done? The next question should be: Why they are sticking to this materialistic way of life? That is answered by Prahlada, na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum [SB 7.5.31]. "These persons, those who are so much materially attached, they do not know the ultimate goal of life is Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu." That is actually the ultimate goal of life. We are here in this material world, forgetting Krsna, to enjoy, to lord it over the material nature. Everyone is trying to become the lord, master of material... That is struggle. Nobody can become lord or master of this material world. But that struggle to become master, they are taking it happiness. They are taking it happiness. That is the nature of persons who are influenced by the modes of passion. They'll work hard, and that will, they will take it is very good, pleasing. Because they do not know that the... Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum durasaya ye bahir-artha-maninah [SB 7.5.31]. They are hoping against hope to become happy within this material world. That is the whole history. Take the history, any history, modern history. There are so many empires: the Roman Empire, the Carthaginian Empire, the Greek Empire, the British Empire recently, Hitler's Nazism, and so many. For some time they become very powerful. Just like Hiranyakasipu, he's now very powerful. He's thinking, "Nobody can..." Now today he'll be killed. Kesava-dhrta narahari rupa is coming. So this demonic civilization will never be successful. That's a fact. But they are so fool, they do not see even historical evidences. So many empires failed. The Roman Empire failed, the British Empire failed. Still, somebody is trying to create another empire, another, different empire. Just like your President Nixon, he's trying to influence all other nations under his control. Why? Of course, I should not speak all these things. There may be criticism. But that is the way, going on. That is the way. We can understand. We can understand politics, economics, everything, but we do not bother about. But our aim is that this way of life, to increase materially happiness, it will never be successful. That is our conclusion. We are not fools that we have given up everything for advance in Krsna consciousness. Because we know that this, this way we shall never be happy. It is not possible. That is explained by Prahlada Maharaja. These rascal people who are so much materially attached... Krsna also says in the Bhagavad-gita, bhogaisvarya-prasaktanam tayapahrta-cetasam vyavasayatmika buddhih samadhau na nigacchati [Bg. 2.44] Those who are too much attached, bhoga, material enjoyment, aisvarya, material opulence ... Bhogaisvarya-prasaktanam tayapahrta-cetasam. Persons whose heart has been misled by this kind of civilization, they cannot take to Krsna consciousness. Therefore to become too much materially opulent is a disqualification for attaining Krsna consciousness. It is a disqualification. Because they don't care. Just like in our temple, not very rich men, they are coming, because they (say,) "What is this nonsense, Krsna consciousness? We have got everything. These boys, they haven't got to eat anything; therefore they are chanting Hare Krsna on the street. That's all." They think like that. "They're needy. All right, they are needy. Give them some money." That's all. They don't like to take anything from us because the same business, matir na krsne paratah svato va. They'll never understand, because their aim is grha-vratanam. They want to be happy... Although they are seeing there is no happiness, they never can be happy, still... This is called punah punas carvita-carvananam [SB 7.5.30], chewing the chewed. One, the sugarcane, is chewed by somebody. It is thrown away. And if somebody else comes and chew it again, what juice he will have it? So punah punas carvita... Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum [SB 7.5.31]. Durasaya ye durasaya visaya vasi (reads Sanskrit commentary) tantraya karanam te hi visnum na viduh. Tatra hetu svasminn eva arthe purusartha yesam tesam gatim gramyam. Na tu te 'pi guru pati syat visnu jnasyasi tatra bhak bahir visaye bahavo yesam te bahir arthas tann eva guru tena mantra silam yesam te. So one who is fixed up in this conclusion, that "We shall become happy with this materialistic way of life," they cannot take to Krsna consciousness. And they do not know also that our ultimate goal of life is Krsna, Visnu. Then why it is so? Now, andha yathandhair upaniyamanas te 'pisa-tantryam uru-damni baddhah [SB 7.5.31]. They have become blind. They are blind themselves, and they are also led by blind leaders. The leaders, at the present moment, leaders, they say that "Why you are going to church? Why you are going to temple? If you want your bread..." Just like in Christian religion you go to church, "O God, give us our daily bread." But the atheist class, they are propagating, "For bread, why you are going to church? You make industry, you make business, and you get bread." But actually... We were just talking that there are so many unemployment. Our Karandhara prabhu was... No. Who was talking? Syamasundara. Syamasundara said that the computer... What is called, computer? It can do thousands of men's business. So they have discovered this machine. That means thousands of men will be unemployed. That is actually happening in your country due to so many machines. Now, take for example, formerly... You have seen the picture, Krsna, Vrndavana picture, Krsna's father transferring Krsna. They were going on bullock carts, no motorcar. You have seen the picture. So formerly, transport was bullock carts. The cows and the bulls, the bulls were employed for agricultural purpose, for drawing the carts. So there was no necessity of motorcar. Now you have got motor, motor-tractor. You don't want the bullocks. Therefore kill them. How you can utilize them? Therefore you must have slaughterhouse to kill them. And as soon as you kill them, then you have to eat them. So this is the, I mean to say, entanglement. If you kill, then you become responsible for being killed. The subtle laws... Therefore, without knowing our ultimate goal of life is Visnu, na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum... [SB 7.5.31]. That is our interest. The human form of life is offered by nature after so much evolutionary process. Just to understand Visnu, God, this is the only business. But instead of attending our real business, we are trying to be happy in other ways. Then you can say that "If we are engaged in real business, then how the economic question will be solved? We have to work." That's all right, you work. But work simple. Why you have invented so much botheration? Work is there. If you have cows and if you have got land, then you till the land, get grains, and there is milk, there is fruit, there is flower. Anywhere, you can live peacefully. Whole economic question is solved. And because we have forgotten, we have missed the real point, that our life is meant for God-realization. We are simply increasing botheration. Punah punas carvita. Adanta-gobhir visatam tamisram. Andha yathandhair upaniyamanah. The leaders are blind; we are also blind. So they are advising that "If you want to solve your economic problem, why you are going to church? Why you are going to temple? Come here, increase business, industry. Take loan and start business." That's all. This is going on. But actually, the more we are trying to mislead this people... Because they are thinking it is all right. They are... That the social condition is becoming more and more grave. That's a fact. We are trying to solve one problem, but many other problems are coming because we do not know what is the ultimate goal of life. Because we are missing the real point. Therefore Prahlada Maharaja said, na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum durasaya ye bahir-artha-maninah [SB 7.5.31]. These rascals, they are thinking that by so-called economic development, by exploiting material resources, we shall be happy. That is not possible. The best example your country has given. You have exploited the material resources, and other countries are also following, but where is the happiness? Instead of happiness, there is "hippyness." (laughter) So still, they have no eyes to see that "Where we are going?" Adanta-gobhir visatam tamisram punah punas carvita-carvananam [SB 7.5.30]. Because we cannot control our senses, we are driving, we are being pushed towards the darkest region of material existence, very hard to leave. Darkest region means that we are going to become animals next life. Because this is animalistic civilization. Nature gave us the opportunity to realize God, but God-realization is meant for human being. The human being, if he does not realize God, he's simply engaged in animalistic way of life -- eating, sleeping, mating -- then nature will call, "All right, sir, again become animal." Punar musiko bhava: "Again become a mouse." You know this story? Punar musiko bhava. There is a story. There is a very nice story. One rat, mouse, he came to a saintly person. Everyone comes to saintly person for some blessing, you see. Real blessing they don't want. Some material blessing. Real blessing, Krsna, they don't want. If you give him some blessing that "You become very rich man and..." These... they'll be very much pleased. are all very well, this. So this mouse also came and begged the saintly person, "Sir, I am in difficulty. If you give me some blessing?" "What is that?" "The cat chases after me always. I'm very unhappy." "So what do you want?" "Now, if you make me a cat, then I can get relief from this." "All right, you become cat." So he became cat. So after few days, again he comes. "Sir, again I am in trouble." "What is that?" "The dog is chasing me." (laughter) Don't laugh, hear seriously. "Dog is chasing me." "All right, then, what do you want?" "Now, make me a tiger." "All right, you become a tiger." So when he became a tiger he was staring on the saintly person like this. So he asked, "Why you are staring upon me? You want to eat me?" "Yes." So he again curses, punar musiko bhava: "Again you become mouse. Again you become mouse." So that is our position. We are advanced in civilization. Now we want to kill God. So we are again going to be uncivilized, to remain in the forest and to remain naked. Actually, they are practicing that: nature's life. So again they are going to be aborigines. And that is being practiced. They are going to the forest, they remain naked. So actually, punar musiko bhava: "Again become mouse." Civilized human being means God conscious, happy life, no trouble, no enviousness, everything happy, no hard labor. Why hard labor? Everything is there. You just employ your little intelligence, you get sufficient food by grains, by fruits, by flowers, milk. There is no difficulty if we remain in our own way. So that is the difficulty, that we do not know that our ultimate goal of life is God-realization. Then God has got all arrangement. You cannot produce fruits and grains in factory. They are given by God. Why? That "You eat them and be Krsna conscious, chant Hare Krsna." But we don't want that. We want slaughterhouse, unnecessarily. Actually, if you go to the store... There are so many stores. How many stores are selling only meat? It is not possible. Ninety-nine percent fruits, vegetables, grains you are taking, and maybe a little percentage of meat. So why you cannot give up this little percentage? If you think that meat is very palatable, why don't you live on meat? Russia is also trying like that. That has become the fashion. In Moscow, it was very difficult to find out nice grains. With great difficulty Syamasundara used to spend two hours daily to secure these things. So this is the problem. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum durassaya ye bahir-artha maninah [SB 7.5.31]. They are trying to be happy by the arrangement of these material activities. Andha yathandhair upaniyamanas te 'pisa-tantryam. They do not know that the material nature is so strong that you cannot get out of it unless you are prepared to suffer more and more. If you take to natural life and live peacefully and take to Krsna consciousness, that is your real life. And if you simply increase botheration and problems, then you'll have to suffer. That is the position of modern civilization. Actually, superficially we see that material advancement of material science, people have got so many machines, so many facilities. But actually, they are in trouble. Just like I gave you one example: the computer machine. It can work for thousands of men. So thousands of men means the thousands of men must be unemployed. And especially in your country, they are taking advantage of this machine because the salary is If you want to pay to the worker, a big, big salary. So they want to save. They are taking machine, and they think they will save money, so many workers. But the workers are becoming unemployed. The government has to give them welfare. The government will tax. That's all. (laughter.) Government will not give money, welfare, from government's pocket. The government will increase your taxation. So you are..., you stop payment by importing some machine, now you have to pay that money to the government. This is called entanglement. This is a crude example. I don't say that you stop all this business, but the material world is like that. You want to solve something; instead of solving, you'll create so many problems. This is material life. Because our life is not meant for solving problems and creating problems. Our life is meant for understanding God. Then everything is all right. But that you have given up. na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum durasaya ye bahir-artha-maninah andha yathandhair upaniyamanas te 'pisa-tantryam uru-damni baddhah [SB 7.5.31] They do not know that you cannot go an inch beyond the stringent laws of material nature. That is not possible. Then the next question is that how... People are not interested in Krsna consciousness, and then, they are misled by blind leaders. So how, what is the solution? That is Prahlada Maharaja saying, naisam matis tavad urukramanghrim sprsaty anarthapagamo yad-arthah mahiyasam pada-rajo-'bhisekam niskincananam na vrnita yavat [SB 7.5.32] Therefore one has to take shelter of a pure devotee. That is the only solution. He says, naisam matis tavad urukramangrhim. The beginning was that "They are not interested in Krsna consciousness." Then how to become Krsna conscious if that is the solution? Then Prahlada Maharaja says, naisam matis tavad: "So long one does not approach a pure devotee," mahiyasam niskincananam, "great personalities, who has no more any material interest," niskincana, "and takes the dust of his lotus feet on the head..." Naisam matis tavad urukramanghrim: "So long one does not approach such personality, there is no possibility of becoming Krsna conscious." Naisam matis tavad urukramanghrim. As soon as one approaches the pure devotee and takes the dust of his lotus feet and puts it on his head, immediately, anartha apagamah, he'll be freed from all this nonsense. That means he'll forget this idea that "Materially we can advance." This is the process. So we have to approach a niskincana, who has nothing to do with this material world. His only ambition is to serve more Krsna. And if somebody approaches him and takes the dust of his lotus feet, then he can understand. Mahiyasam pada-rajo-'bhisekam niskincananam na vrnita yavat. (aside:) Our time is over? All right. So in this way Prahlada Maharaja talked with his father, and the father became more angry. Instead of taking the lesson ... Murkhaya upadesa hi prakopaya na santaye. If you teach lesson to a foolish person, he'll be simply angry. He'll not take your lesson. How it is so? Payah-panam bhujanganam kevalam visa-vardhanam. If you keep a snake and if you want to make friendly behavior with him, that, "My dear snake, don't bite any more. I'll give you milk and banana. You eat here and stay here nicely," he'll not... His poison will increase, and one day he will... There is a story in the Hitopadesa: one day, one... The same thing. So payah-panam bhujanganam kevalam visa-vardhanam. So these are lessons, stories. So his father, Hiranyakasipu, became more and more angry. So one day... Because after all, son and father... The son was simple boy. So one day he said, "Prahlada, I shall now kill you. I shall see how your Krsna saves you." So immediately, Prahlada was seeing to the pillars of the hall. He was king. So Hiranyakasipu asked him, "Is your God, Krsna, in the pillar?" He said, "Yes, sir. Yes, my father, He is there." So immediately, with anger he broke the pillar and Nrsimhadeva came out. Now we can honor Him. (end) >>> Ref. VedaBase => Nrsimha-caturdasi Lord Nrsimhadeva's Appearance Day -- Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.22-34 -- Los Angeles, May 27, 1972  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Sri Nrsimha Palana Prarthana by His Grace Kusakrata Dasa Dedication Sri Sri Nrsimhadevesa palana prarthana stavam gurave Prabhupadaya Gauravenarpayamy aham To my spiritual master His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada this Sri Nrsimha Palana Prarthana is respectfully dedicated Text 1 Koti koti vadanah prapalakam Koti koti vadanah khalantakam koti koti vadanah Nrsimhakam koti koti vadanas to santu tam Millions and millions of obeisances to the protector of the devotees. Millions and millions of obeisances to the killer of the demons! Millions and millions of obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead! Millions and millions of obeisances to Lord Narasimha! Text 2 Jayati Narahari-nakha kamala dalakah jayati Narahari mukha sasi vara ganah jayati Narahari-rava vara kala paro jayati Narahari karuna rasa varidhih Glory to the lotus petals of Lord Nrsimha's claws! Glory to the moons of Lord Nrsimha's face! Glory to the music of Lord Nrsimha's roar! Glory to the nectar ocean of Lord Nrsimha's mercy Text 3 Jayati jayati jayati jayati jayati jayati jayati jayati jayati jayati jayati jayati jayati jayati jayati jayati jayati jayati jayati Nrharih Glory, glory , glory, glory, glory, glory, glory , glory , glory glory , glory, glory, glory, glory, glory , glory , glory glory , glory to Lord Nrsimha Text 4 Pradya puspam Narasimha paduke pranamaya murdhna Narasimha paduke prapathya stotram Narasimha paduke prayami raksam Narasimha paduke Offering a flower, bowing my head , and reciting prayers, I take shelter of Lord Nrsimha's lotus feet. Text 5 Nrsimha he he Narasimha pahi mam Nrsimha Prahlada prapala pahi mam itiva rodimi muhur muhur muhuh Nrsimhadevam saranam prayamy aham "Nrsimha, Nrsimha! Save me ! Nrsimha! O protector of Prahlada! Save me! Crying out again and again and again, I take shelter of Lord Nrsimha." Text 6 Sad dhiranyakasipucca mandire daitya rakta sarid ali vahanam agrakam krtavate krudha pura narakesarina anamamy aham I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha who angrily created a flowing river of demon's blood in Hiranyakasipu's beautiful palace text 7 Sri Nrkesarinam ugra damstrakam tiksna drstim iha krodha silanam hani kara nakharam prapalakam bhakta parsva sthitam anato smy aham I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha the protector who ,with sharp eyes, terrible fangs, an angry nature, and dangerous claws ,stands by His devotees side. text 8 ditija pati rana vara smarana parama karanam vrajapati suta madhura smita kamalam iha numah Let us glorify the charming lotus smile that appeared on Lord Krsna's face when He remembered His battle with Hiranyakasipu text 9 Ugrograksam bhity adhyaksam daityesanam himsa karam prahladartham tv avirbhutam simhesesam vande nityam Again and again I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha, the terrible eyed, frightening judge that came to protect Prahlada and kill the demons. text 10 pranamito smi sukhena muhur muhuh parama saj jana bhiti pramar jananam ajita vajra baliny asurorasi vara nrkesarino nakha karsanam Again and again I happily offer my respectful obeisances to the great scratches Lord Nrsimha's claws made on the demon's chest, a chest stronger than invincible thunderbolts, and scratches that brushed away the fears of the saintly devotees text 11 Ugrogrograh komalatmatvam eva yo bhaktanam pati himsa pradata te jah purnah daitya bhitih paras tam devesesam sri nrsimham namami I offer my respectful obeisances to powerful splendid Lord Nrsimha , who terrifies the demons and who is violent and ferocious so that the gentle may be gentle text 12-13 patu vama iha sri nrkesari patu daksina diso nrkesari patu patu purato nrkesari patu pascima diso nrkesari patv adho para paro nrkesari patu tupari paro nrkesari patu sarva disi sri nrkesari patu patu hrdaye nrkesari May Lord Nrsimha protect me from the front. May Lord Nrsimha protect me from the back. May Lord Nrsimha protect me from the right. May Lord Nrsimha protect me from the left. May Lord Nrsimha protect me from above. May Lord Nrsimha protect me from below. May Lord Nrsimha protect me from within my heart. Text 14 Anisavadam ku matim nanasa yo paresa vadam tu nakhair lilekha yah khalorasi sri patir adi puruso nrsimhadevo jayatam sudhisvarah All glories to Lord Nrsimha , the supremely glorious Personality of Godhead, the king of all philosophers. Writing with His nails on a demon's chest. He refuted the philosophy of the atheists. Text 15 marsty anistaristograugham paty adyaivesanghry abjaptam bhaktam dhiram saukhyad yas tam sri sri simhesesesam naumi I glorify Lord Nrsimha , who crushes a host of calamities and happily protects, even now, the saintly devotees that take shelter of His lotus feet. Text 16 pahi pahi pahi pahi pahi pahi pahi mam pahi pahi pahi pahi pahi pahi pahi mam pahi pahi pahi pahi pahi pahi pahi mam pahi pahi pahi pahi sri nrsimha pahi mam O Lord Nrsimha, please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Please protect me! Text 17 Simhah kruddhah kevalam bhakta parsve smakam caivam sainya vrndam tv itidam daityan ghoran bhasamanan bruve ham mudha mrtyum gacchathadyaiva turnam To the demons who say among themselves: "The devotees have only a ferocious lion, and we have many great armies." I say, "Fools, you are about to be smashed into pieces". Text 18 ma bhayam kuru sakhe suresvarat sri nrsimha varado gato parah kruddha drsti paramena kopato bhasmasat kuruta eva daityakam Friend, don't be afraid of the demons. Lord Nrsimha, will burn them to ashes with His angry glance. Text 19 dipa dhupa kusumaih samarcaye pahi pahi parameti prarthaye divya murtim atulam ca sevaye Sri-nrsimha-saranam samapnuve I worship Lord Nrsimha with incense, lamps, and flowers. Calling out "Save me! Save me! I appeal to Lord Nrsimha. I serve Lord Nrsimha's splendid transcendental form. I take shelter of Lord Nrsimha… Text 20 yatana gana karah kurupinir janma mrtyu karanah su duhkhite mamake manasi papa vasana adya khandayatu sri nrkesari May Lord Nrsimha rip into pieces the sinful desires in my unhappy heart, desires that brought me only pain, desires that brought me only death and birth. Text 21 jaya narahari-deva jaya karuna suhrdaya jaya ditija-nilayaka jaya sad amita sukhaka O Lord Nrsimha, glory to You! O merciful hearted Lord, glory to you! O killer of the demons, glory to You! O limitless happiness of the devotees, glory to you! Text 22 Sri Nrsimha karuna pramanaka karakani para sundarany aho bhakta vrnda para saukhykany aho sonitakta nakharani naumy aham Let me praise the beautiful blood anointed claws that bring happiness to the devotees and prove that Lord Nrsimha is very kind and merciful. Text 23 prana-sankata ihaiva bhu-tale dvesi-sainya-nicaye pade pade he nrsimha karunarnavesvara palako bhava mameti prarthaye O Nrsimha, O ocean of mercy, please become my protector in this dangerous world where armies of enemies attack me at every step. Text 24 daitya sancaya prakopa karanam krsna bhakta jana sannidhih kalau he nrsimha bhagavan prapahi nah pahi palana prayojana janan Now it is the Kali Yuga. Now the very sight of the devotee fills the non-devotees with anger. O Lord Nrsimha, now we need your protection. Please protect us. Text 25 pahi pahi narasimha devate tavakojjvalita nama kirtanan nama karana prakopa kampita daiyakebhya iha vaisnavan hi nah O Lord Nrsimha, please protect us, who always chant your glories, from the demons that tremble with anger when they hear Your holy name. Text 26 jayati nara harer vakso marakata su kupatesah jayati nara harer divyan nakha caya mani sulesah Glory to the regal sapphire gates of Lord Nrsimha's chest! Glory to the glistening jewel spears of Lord Nrsimha's claws! Text 27 Nrsimha nama rajani patisah kalau rajanyam jayati pradipah sri krsna bhaktarthaka kara seva coresvaresogra bhayadi karah Glory to the splendid moon of Lord Nrsimha, who illuminate the dark night of Kali Yuga and frightens away the many thieves that would rob the devotees of their wealth of pious deeds. Text 28 jayati naraharir dipo parama parama adyadyah ditisuta para kopokti smita iha para devesah Glory to Lord Nrsimha, greater than the greatest, the first of the first, the master of the demigods, the glorious Supreme Personality of Godhead, who smiles when He hears the arrogant challenge of Hiranyakasipu. Text 29 sura ripu yuddha samaya pratiksah vilasita netro jayati nrsimhah Glory to Lord Nrsimha, who with glistening eyes patiently waits for the right moment to leap on they who would attack His devotees. Text 30 vistirna tiksna nakhy ugro man mano dvaram isvarah vilasan nayanambhojah patu sri narakesari His sharp claws extended and His lotus eyes glistening, may Lord Nrsimha stand guard, carefully watching the entrance of my thoughts Text 31 paty nah parama kopa lasitam Sri Nrsimha nayanbja yugmakam sundarojjvlita damstra bhusitam sri Nrsimha su smitam prapatu nah May Lord Nrsimha's lotus eyes, glittering with unbridled anger, be our protection. May Lord Nrsimha's smile, decorated with beautiful glistening fangs, be our protection. Text 32 Sri Sri Narasimha netrambuja yugmam saukyojjvalitam su yatnair avatan nah May Lord Narasimha's lotus eyes, blossoming with happiness, keep watch over us. Text 33 sena samuhan ksapayantu satravo tulyam karisyanti param kadapi na ekasya tiksnasya nakhasya lasite nrsimha deva kara pallavesvare Let our enemies assemble their armies. They will never be a match for even one of the claws on Lord Nrsimha's glorious lotus hands Text 34 kirtayama tava kirti gitikah kirtayama paripalanam sada he nrsimha paripahi pahi nah pahi pahi paripahi pahi nah O Lord Nrsimha, every day we sing Your glories and pray that You protect us. Please protect us. Please protect us. Text 35 apat samayo sti bhity agra idanim agaccha Nrsimha agaccha Nrsimha Now is our moment of danger. Please quickly come. O Lord Nrsimha please quickly come. Text 36 Sri Nrsimha iha palayisyati nityasah karuna katarantarah ity aho parama santi prapitah sambhavami iah vaisnava vayam Our heart are peaceful. We have no worries. We are confident that Lord Nrsimha will always protect us Text 37 satravah prati disiha ghoraka apad avali su dukha karana he Nrsimha krpayavrajesvara pahi pahi pahi pahi pahi nah We are surrounded on all sides. In a moment a thousand dangers will come crushing down on us, O Lord Nrsimha please quickly come and defend us. Text 38 Sri nrsimha caranambuje vare sundare vilasite manohare su smitah sukhantaratmana malati kusumam arpayamy aham Smiling and my heart filled with happiness, I place a jasmine flower at Lord Nrsimha's beautiful lotus feet. Text 39 vedah putanjali yutah stutva punah punah punah sirsanata vinitaka vag isvaresvaresvarah vindanti na kadapy aho simam pramodakavaleh sri sri nrsimha lasita padabja kirti samhateh Praying again and again, their hands folded and their heads humbly bowed, the eloquent Vedas cannot find the end of the blissful glories of Lord Nrsimha's glorious lotus feet Text 40 Sesah satair mukhair iha vag isvaresvaresvaraih asrsti kala kirtanah stutva punah punah punah vindaty aho kadapi na simam pramodakavaleh sri sri Nrsimha lasita padabja kirti samhateh Since the beginning of creation chanting again and again and again with His thousands of eloquent mouths, Lord Sesa cannot find the end of the blissful glories of Lord Nrsimha's glorious lotus feet Text 41 Sri Sri Nrsimhah para modako sti nah Sri Sri Nrsimhah para mandiro sti nah sri sri Nrsimhah para pranado sti nah sri sri Nrsimha para palako sti nah Lord Nrsimha is our happiness. Lord Nrsimha is our place of worship. Lord Nrsimha is our life and soul. Lord Nrsimha is our protector Text 42 Sri Sri Nrsimhasi priyas tvam eva nah Sri Sri Nrsimha tvam asisvaro si nah Sri Sri Nrsimhasi prapalano hi nah Sri Sri Nrsimha dvisa tapano si nah Lord Nrsimha we love You. You are our Lord, our friend, and our protector. You are the great danger that stops our enemies Text 43 svajana yuyustu ditija nrsamsah svajana krpalur jayati Nrsimhah All glories to Lord Nrsimha, who is soft and gentle to His devotees, but hard and cruel to whoever attacks His devotees. Text 44 Sri Sri Nrsimha na kadapy aho bhavad ity evam ugrasura loka mandalah siksa paro vakti punah punah punah prapsyaty aho vismayam adyam eva te Again and again the demons argue that Lord Nrsimha does not exist. Ah what a surprise awaits them. Text 45 jayati Narahari sita nakhara Kamala kulakam svajana sthagitam amalam svajana ripu vikasitam All glories to Lord Nrsimha's sharp lotus claws, retracted for His devotees, and fully extended for His devotee's enemies. Text 46 naraharir akhiladrstah sita nakhara su pathojam svajana kula yuyustunam purata iha dadatisam Unseen Lord Narasimha places His sharp lotus claws before anyone who attacks His devotees. Text 47 kriyeta palo narasimha dattah su punya panyena parena kena amanyamanair iha tena nityam kriyeta palo param eva bhaktaih What is the price to purchase Lord Narsimha's protection? Without thinking, the devotees pay that price moment after moment. Text 48 so pi balah kanane krdatiha so'pi raja kanane kasate hi so pi devo divya loke prabhate so pi simhah kesa kirtir nakhograh He is a boy playing in a forest. He is a king exiled in a forest. He is a deva in the world of the devas. He is a lion with a glorious mane and razor claws. Text 49 anisavada bhupati yuyutsu bala palakam punah punah punah punah nrsimham anamamy aham Again and again I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha, the protector of a boy that defied the king of atheists. Text 50 nrhari jana yuyutso he vimrsa hrdi tavaivam kam matim ahaha nrsimhesa sita nakhara kulam dhatte O attacker of Lord Nrsimha's devotees, please stop for a minute and consider. What kind of thought do Lord Nrsimha's claws place in your heart? Text 51 napatsu tv upadosto 'smity evam param adya ma ma ma vada vada pasya simhesesa nakham tvam Don't say you weren't warned. With your own eyes you can see Lord Nrsimha's claws. Text 52 vilasita kesi vilasita netrah naraharir iso vati vara savan Glorious with a splendid mane and glistening eyes, Lord Nrsimha carefully protects His cubs. Text 53-54 lasita nayana pathojah smita para para pathojah hrdaya parama pathojah karuna kasita pathojah kara yuga vara pathojas carana yugala pathojah nakhara kulaka pathojo jayati naraharir devah All glories to Lord Nrsimha, His glistening eyes a lotus flower, His smile a lotus flower, His heart a lotus flower, His compassion a lotus flower, His hands and feet lotus flowers, and His claws lotus flowers. Text 55 man natho narasimhah mandapatya tulo sti so piso vraja dhamni kridaty asura hanta My Lord Nrsimha is the same as Nanda's son. He plays in Vraja and He also rips apart a host of demons. Text 56 srijaty aho ko vraja putra prabhava simanam ihaiva loke rudhnati kah tan muni mina kurma simhesa jyotir avatara janma Who can place limits on the prince of Vraja? Who can stop Him from being a sage, or a fish, or a turtle, or a lion, or a formless blaze of light? Text 57 he citrakara nipunah kurudhvam citram vicitram param adya yatra prahlada palartha nrsimha lilah smaran sukhena smayate vrajesah O painters, paint for us a picture showing Lord Krsna smiling as He remembers His pastimes of becoming a lion and saving Prahlada. Text 58 asura kulisa varsanaih svajana kamala varsanih narahari paramoccocca prahasanam atulam jiyat All glories to Lord Nrsimha's loud laughter, which is like a shower of lotus flowers for the devotees and a monsoon of lightening bolts for the demons. Text 59 daitya vrnda tavakastra vrndam apasyatiha nasam sri Nrsimhadeva tiksna san nakhavali kulesu O demons your weapons will all wilt before Lord Nrsimha's claws. Text 60 kamsa hantar hiranyaksa hantar ravana nasaka hiranyakasipor hantar runddhi satrun mama prabho O killer of Kamsa, O killer of Ravana, O killer of Hiranyaksa, O killer of Hiranyakasipu, please stop my enemies. Text 61 he vrajavani kula prapalaka yodhyika pura prapalaka hare he hiranyakasipu prakirtita putra palaka prapahi pahi nah O protector of Vraja, o protector of Ayodhya. O protector of glorious Prahlada, please protect us. Text 62 yah pura sikhisa kesi so dhuna su kesaro hi yah pura su venu hastah so dhuna nakhi janartham He who wears a peacock feather is His hair now has a graceful mane. He who holds a bamboo flute in His hand now has graceful claws to defend His devotees. Text 63 akarnayeta ditija nipuna vidaghdha viro hiranyakasipuh sahasa yuyodha tam tu tathapi narasimha vapur jaghana sugrair lasan nakha kulair amito jasaiva kim kim kimartham asuranugatam prayatha ma murkhatam vrajatha buddhi varesvaresah asmat suhrttvam iha gacchatha sampraptam vai sri sri Nrsimha nakharam param asrayeta O demons please hear my words .Powerful Hiranyakasipu fought very heroically, but in the end Lord Nrsimha defeated him. You cannot defeat Him. Why stay there on the other side? Don't be foolish. Join us here. Take shelter of Lord Nrsimha's claws. Text 64 Caitanya nrsimha pathoja nakhesaih chinddhiha kalim su- karunyat kali kale O Caitanya Nrsimha please be kind .With Your lotus claws please rip apart the continual strife that rules this time of Kali. Text 65 trasitam ditija bhupatim sad Dhiranyakasipum muhuh pasyate vilasataksina srimate nrharaye namah I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha whose glistening eyes are focused on the frightened Hiranyakasipu Text 66 apramey karuna varabhyam, kapa Khelana vilasitabhyam sri Nrsimha nayanambujabhyam anamami paramadarena I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha's lotus eyes ,glistening with limitless anger, compassion, and playfulness. Text 67 tad dhiranyakasipugra yatnaka vrnda vrnda nikhile su nisphale lasa hasa kulakam nato smy aham sri nrsimha mukha nalinim sukham I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha's lotus mouth, blossoming into loud laughter to mock Hiranyakasipu's hopeless struggle to save himself Text 68 Khala hiranyakasipu bhaya pradam para balam vara nrsimha bhujaka yugalam asmi mamitah I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha's powerful arms, which fill Hiranyakasipu with fear. Text 69 Visva loka jati desam sundara vilasi patram Sri Nrsimhadeva nabhi pankajam varam namami I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha's charming ,beautiful petal lotus navel, the place where the universe was born Text 70 Sri brahmesagnindra suryapah somadyaih vandyam sri sri sri sri simhesasanghry abjam I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha's lotus feet, before which Brahma, Siva, Agni ,Indra, Surya, Varuna, Candra and all the demigods respectfully bow Text 71 Prahlada mutisa hladam pranamami sri sri narasimha karnambujam adyam I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha's lotus ears, happy to hear the prayers of Prahlada Text 72 Nitya daitya loka Vrinda rodha vrinda karanayai anamamy aham sukhena sri nrsimha vasanayai I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha's will ,the obstacle that thwarts the demons at every step Text 73 vande sada su viryavat prahlada lasitasanam sri sri nrsimhadevata krodambujesvaresvaram I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha's lotus lap ,the sitting place He affectionately gave to courageous Prahlada Text 74 bhayali paramaugha svaloka paripalah nrsimha vara lilah sadaiva pranamami I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha's pastimes, which protect His devotees from every fear Text 75 Sri nrsimhadevam adya naumy aham punah punah Sri Nrsimhadevam arcaye punah punah punah sri nrsimhadevam adaya kirtaya punah punah sri nrsimhadevam asraya punah punah punah Again and again I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha. Again and again I worship Him. Again and again I chant His glories. Again and again I take shelter of Him. Text 76 divyam mukha kona leham su vilasam sri sri nrharisa jihvam pranamami I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha's lotus tongue, which playfully licks the corner of His mouth Text 77 ghoram kali pida bhaktali parasam sri sri nrharisa kopam pranamami I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha's anger ,which brings hope to devotees suffering the troubles of Kali yuga Text 78 Loka mohanandhakara vesta sriya bhakta vrnda pala karim anamamy aham pade pade sri sri nrsimhadeva kirtim ugram I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha's glories ,which protect the devotees from the dangerous darkness of illusion that surrounds them in this troubled world. Text 79 hiranyakasipugra camu pranasanebhyah nrsimha bhujakebhyah nato smi sukhito smi I happily offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha's many arms, which crushed the attack of Hirayankasipu's angry soldiers Text 80 yuyutsu yatna daityja dharam param vilasitam nrsimha pani pankajam namamy aham pade pade At every step I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha's lotus hand, which gracefully and playfully caught the frantically struggling Hiranyakasipu Text 81 Svajana samuha pranaya parabhyah nrhari matibhyah su pranamito smi I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha's thoughts, filled with love for His devotees Text 82 lokali pitarau dvau ananadau paramesau sri laksmi narasimhau anandad abhivande I happily offer my respectful obeisances to glorious Sri Sri Laksmi Nrsimha, the blissful mother and farther of the worlds Text 83 srutvasura hasa vakyam tv avataram cakre ya ihaiva vande nrharim tam I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha who hearing an atheist's mocking challenge, suddenly appeared in this world Text 84 vande visva vrnda tatam bhakta vrnda pala karam veda karam adya moksa karam eva narasimham I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha, the father of the worlds, the protector of the devotees, the author of the Vedas, the giver of liberation. Text 85 narasimha narasimha tvam rajas tamah ku pasan janma mrtyu loka bandhan chindhi chindhi chindhi chindhi O Lord Nrsimha ,please cut cut cut cut the ropes of passion and ignorance that bind me to this world of birth and death Text 86 bhakta vrnda kantakali loka khanda nakhy aho sri nrsimha devatesta lasita para vijiyat All glories to Lord Nrsimha, whose claws scratch anyone who becomes a thorn troubling His devotees Text 87 Yatha nagena paksisas cakrida tv asurena yah tasmai sri narasimhaya pranamami muhur muhauh Again and again I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha, who played with Hiranyakasipu as Garuda plays with a snake Text 88 Ajita mana daityanam vismaya karanam param Sri Nrsimham aham vande bhakta palana karanam I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Nrsimha, who catches the demons by surprise, demons that think themselves all powerful and invincible Text 89 tusnim bhava srnu jagaj jaya kalpanesa khandya para na na na ma vada vada tvam murtir mano bala para kila tasya sa tvam dhrtva nakhaih pratapanam prakarisyatiha Please be quiet and listen. Your plan to conquer the world will be thwarted. No , no, no. Don't argue, He has a form you cannot imagine , and He will catch you by surprise and hold you in His claws. Text 90 nirmanchanena hi bhajami nrsimhadevam puspesvarair iha nrsimham alankaromi sankirtayami satatam narasimhadevam seve sada vilasitam narasimhadevam I offer arati to Lord Nrsimha .I decorate Lord Nrsimha with the kings of flowers. I recite prayers to Lord Nrsimha. I serve Lord Nrsimha.. Text 91 Nrsimha vartam srnu sadarena srutvasya vartam tava kalpanam hi tyaksyasy aho santata kalpanam tvam tyaksyasy aho santata kalpanam tvam Please listen to the story of Lord Nrsimha. When you hear it you will change your plans Text 92 svajana parama palarthah jayati naraharir devah svajana parama palarthah jayati naraharir devah All glories to effulgent Lord Nrsimha, who will always stay by the Vaisnavas side and protect them from every danger! All glories to effulgent Lord Nrsimha! Text 93 su vaisnava prapida ku marma phala jatim abodhya sukhito bhud dhiranyakasipuh sah Hiranyakasipu was confident and happy unaware what was to come from torturing a Vaisnava Text 94 Sri Sri nrsimhas tanu palano stu nah sri sri nrsimho hrdi palano stu nah sri sri nrsimho mati palano stu nah sri sri nrsimho ruci palano stu nah May Lord Nrsimha guard our bodies. May Lord Nrsimha guard our hearts. May Lord Nrsimha guard our thoughts May Lord Nrsimha guard our desires Text 96-97 Sri-nrsimhadevata punar bhavat prapatu nah sri-nrsimhadevata prapidanat prapatu nah sri nrsimhadevata bramavaleh prapatu nah sri nrsimhadevata sva mohanaat prapatu nah May Lord Nrsimha rescue us from another birth May Lord Nrsimha rescue us from the troubles born from our past deeds May Lord Nrsimha rescue us from illusions. May Lord Nrsimha rescue us from mistakes Sri Nrsimhadevatesa vismrteh prapatu nah Sri Nrsimhadevata virodhanat prapatu nah Sri Nrsimhadevata parakramat prapatu nah Sri Nrsimhadevata ku kamanat prapatu nah May Lord Nrsimha rescue us from forgetfulness of Him May Lord Nrsimha rescue us from the obstacles that stop our devotional service May Lord Nrsimha rescue us from others attacks May Lord Nrsimha rescue us from material desires Text 98-99 Sri Nrsimhadevata dinadike prapatu nah sri Nrsimhadevata prabhatake prapatu nah sri Nrsimhadevata dinardhake prapatu nah sri Nrsimhadevata dinantake praptu nah May Lord Nrsimha guard us at sunrise May Lord Nrsimha guard us in the morning May Lord Nrsimha guard us in the afternoon May Lord Nrsimha guard us at sunset Sri Nrsimhadevata pradosake prapatu nah Sri Nrsimhadevata nisitha prapatu nah Sri Nrsimhadevata pade pade prapatu nah Sri Nrsimhadevata ksane ksane prapatu nah May Lord Nrsimha guard us in the evening May Lord Nrsimha guard us in the middle of the night May Lord Nrsimha guard us at every step May Lord Nrsimha guard us at every moment Text 100 Sri Nrsimhadevata sva karmani prapatu nah Sri Nrsimhadevata su bhojane prapatu nah sri Nrsimhadevata sva nidrite prapatu nah sri nrsimhadevatesa kirtane prapatu nah May Lord Nrsimha guard us in our daily chores May Lord Narasimha guard us when we eat May Lord Nrsimha guard us when we sleep May Lord Nrsimha guard us when we chant His glories Text 101 Sri nrsimhadevata parakramat prapatu nah sri nrsimhadevatapad avalau prapatu nah sri nrsimhadevata ksane ksane prapatu nah sri nrsimha isvararthakapadi prapatu nah May Lord Nrsimha guard us when we are unexpectedly attacked. May Lord Nrsimha guard us in this world filled with dangers May Lord Nrsimha guard us at every moment. May Lord Nrsimha guard us when we take risks for His sake. Text 102 Sri Nrsimha lasi netra padmini prapatu nah sri nrsimha sugra san nakhavali praptu nah sri nrsimha palanartha karna eva patu nah sri nrsimha hastako ri dharakah prapatu nah May Lord Nrsimha's glistening eyes keep watch over us May Lord Nrsimha's sharp claws be ready to protect us May Lord Nrsimha's ears listen for our enemies May Lord Nrsimha hands catch our enemies Text 103 Sri Nrsimha pada pankajam saranyam astu nah sri nrsimha pada pankajam bhajartham astu nah sri nrsimha pada pankajam su gitam astu nah sri nrsimha pada pankajam hridisvaro stu nah May Lord Nrsimha's lotusfeet be our shelter. May Lord Nrsimha's lotusfeet be the object of our service. May Lord Nrsimha's lotusfeet lotusfeet be glorified in our songs. May Lord Nrsimha's lotusfeet be comfortable in our hearts Text 104 Sri Krsno narasimha rupa dharanah pranadhikatmastu nah Sri Krsno narasimha rupa dharano dhynantaratmastu nah Sri Krsno narasimha rupa dharano nityatma maitryo stu nah Sri Krsno narasimha rupa dharanah padabja sthapyo stu nah May Lord Krsna who appeared as Narasimha, be more dear than life to us. May Lord Krsna who appeared as Narasimha, always stay in our thoughts. May Lord Krsna who appeared as Narasimha, always be our friend and well-wisher. May Lord Krsna who appeared as Narasimha, give us a place at His Lotusfeet. Text 105 Sri Krsno narasimha rupa dharanah karunyavan astu nah Sri Krsno narasimha rupa dharanah premarthakatmastu nah Sri Krsno narasimha rupa dharano gehatma datastu nah Sri Krsno narasimha rupa dharanah samsara tratastu nah May Lord Krsna who appeared as Narasimha, always be kind to us. May Lord Krsna who appeared as Narasimha, always be the object of our love. May Lord Krsna who appeared as Narasimha. Take us home with Him. May Lord Krsna who appeared as Narasimha, take us from this world of birth and death Text 106 Sri Krsno narasimha rupa dharanah smerananatmstu nah Sri Krsno narasimha rupa dharanah prahladitatmastu nah Sri Krsno narasimha rupa dharanah seva prahlado stu nah Sri Krsno narasimha rupa dharano nityatma natho stu nah May Lord Krsna, who appeared as Nrsimha smile on us May Lord Krsna ,who appeared as Nrsimha be pleased with us May Lord Krsna ,who appeared as Nrsimha, be happy to accept, the service we offer Him. May Lord Krsna ,who appeared as Narasimha allow us to serve Him forever. Text 107 Sri Krsno Narasimha rupa dharano dhyanantaratmasu nah Sri Krsna Narasimha rupa dharanah prahlada karo stu nah Sri Krsno Narasimha rupa dharano lila vilaso stu nah Sri Krsno Narasimha rupa dharano nityatma premastu nah May Lord Krsna who appeared as Nrsimha always stay in our thoughts. May Lord Krsna who appeared as Nrsimha be our happiness. May Lord Krsna who appeared as Nrsimha play with us. May Lord Krsna who appeared as Nrsimha allow us to love Him always. Text 108 Sri Krsno Narasimha rupa dharano nityam prapalo stu nah Sri Krsno Narasimha rupa dharano nityam prapalo stu nah Sri Krsno Narasimha rupa dharano nityam prapalo stu nah Sri Krsno Narasimha rupa dharano nityam prapalo stu nah May Lord Krsna who appeared as Nrsimha always protect us May Lord Krsna who appeared as Nrsimha always protect us May Lord Krsna who appeared as Nrsimha always protect us May Lord Krsna who appeared as Nrsimha always protect us  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: To the Lord's Weapons
To the Chakra chakram yugantanala-tigma-nemi bhramat samantad bhagavat-prayuktam dandagdhi dandagdhy ari-sainyam ashu kaksham yatha vata-sakho hutashaha Set into motion by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and wandering in all the four directions, the disc of the Supreme Lord has sharp edges as destructive as the fire of devastation at the end of the millennium. As a blazing fire burns dry grass to ashes with the assistance of the breeze, may the Sudarshana chakra burn our enemies to ashes. To the Club gade 'shani-sparshana-visphulinge nishpindhi nishpindhy ajita-priyasi kushmanda-vainayaka-yaksha-raksho bhuta-grahamsh churnaya churnayarin O club in the hand of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, you produce sparks of fire as powerful as thunderbolts, and you are extremely dear to the Lord. I am also His servant. Therefore kindly help me pound to pieces the evil living beings known as Kushmandas, Vainayakas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Bhutas and Grahas. Please pulverize them. To the Conchshell tvam yatudhana-pramatha-preta-matri pishacha-vipragraha-ghora-drishtin darendra vidravaya krishna-purito bhima-svano 'rer hridayani kampayan O best of the conchshells, O Panchajanya in the hands of the Lord, you are always filled with the breath of Lord Krishna. Therefore you create a fearful sound vibration that causes trembling in the hearts of enemies like the Rakshasas, Pramatha ghosts, Pretas, Matas, Pishachas and brahmana ghosts with fearful eyes.  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Nrsimha appears from a Shiva-linga There was a very dear, parama bhagavata devotee of Vishnu names Viswaksena. He was traveling throughout the world. Once, feeling tired, he sat down in a forest. There was a village close by. The son of the village chief happened to come by. Seeing the brahmana Viswaksena, he said, "I am the son of the village chief. I have a very bad headache today so I cannot offer worship to my ista, Shivaji. So I request you, please offer worship to Shivaji today on my behalf." Viswaksena said, "I am a Vishnu-bhakta, I am a dear devotee of Vishnu. I offer worship to Krishna and His forms such as Vishnu, Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. I never offer worship to demigods. I never offer worship to anyone else. You may go elsewhere." The son of the village chief became angry and drew his sword, "if you do not obey me, if you do not worship my ista, Shiva, on my behalf, then I will cut off your head." In order to save himself from death, Viswaksena said, "Yes, yes. I will worship. I will worship." He thought to himself that Shiva is Rudradev, the incarnation of ignorance, tamo-guna. As Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 9.9.7: The material world exists predominately in the mode of ignorance. Therefore Lord Shiva is compared here to the longitude and latitude of the entire universe, which resembles a cloth woven of threads extending for both its length and breadth. Rudra is the incarnation of tamo-guna and Nrisinghadev is the killer of the demons, in whom tamo-guna is predominating. So Viswaksena thought, "I must worship Nrisinghadev in the Shiva murti to kill this person's tamo-guna." So uttering the mantra "sri nrsimhaya namah" – "I offer my obeisances to Lord Nrsimhadeva" – he offered flower to the Shiva deity. When the son of the village chief heard him chant the mantra he got angry and drew out his sword to cut off his head, "What are you doing? You are uttering Nrisingha mantra? You are not worshiping my ista, Shiva!" When that person drew his sword to cut off Viswaksena's head, immediately Nrisinghadev appeared from the Shiva murti and cut off the head of that person and all of his family members. All were finished. So where is the difference between Shiva and Vishnu? This shiva-linga that Nrisingha came out of is still there in South India. It is known as linga-sphota. You may go and see it. - Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja, Sri Krishna Kathamrita; "Lord Shiva, The Greatest Vaishnava – Part One" (No.7) www.gopaljiu.org  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Hiranyakashipu Studies the Ugra Form The Ugra Nrsimha Dhyana Srimad Bhagavatam 7.8.19-22 mimamsamanasya samutthito 'grato nrsimha-rupas tad alam bhayanakam pratapta-camikara-canda-locanam sphurat sata-kesara-jrmbhitananam ksuranta-jihvam bhrukuti-mukholbanam stabdhordhva-karnam giri-kandaradbhuta- vyttasya-nasam hanu-bheda-bhisanam divi-sprat kayam adirgha-pivara- grivoru-vaksah-sthalam alpa-madhyamam candramsu-gaurais churitam tanuruhair visvag bhujanika-satam nakhayudham durasadam sarva-nijetarayudha- praveka-vidravita-daitya-danavam  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: The Appearance of Nrsimhadeva in Mayapur
On the 24th of March, 1984, at 12:20 a.m., thirty-five dacoits armed with weapons and bombs attacked Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir. They harassed the devotees and treated them with derision. But the greatest shock came when the dacoits decided to steal the Deities of Srila Prabhupada and Srimati Radharani. Fearlessly, the devotees challenged the attackers. How could they see Srila Prabhupada and Srimati Radharani carried away? Shots were fired, a few dacoits fell, and their plans were foiled. Srila Prabhupada was rescued, but that beautiful form of Srimati Radharani would no longer grace the main altar. This incident really disturbed the minds of the devotees. Those involved in management were especially concerned to make some permanent solution. This was not the first time the devotees had faced violence and harassment in Mayapur. Bhavananda Dasa, who was the co-director of ISKCON Mayapur, suggested that Lord Nrisimhadeva be installed. When the dacoits had threatened devotees at the Yoga-Pitha, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura and his son Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura had promptly installed Sri Sri Laksmi-Nrisimhadeva. There had been no further disturbances. Other devotees in Mayapur were not so keen to follow so closely in these footsteps. The pujari must be a naisthika-brahmacari (celibate from birth), and the worship of Lord Nrisimhadeva must be very strict and regulated. Who would be prepared to worship Him? Despite such hesitancy, Bhavananda Dasa was enthusiastic to bring Lord Nrisimhadeva to Mayapur. He asked Bhaktisiddhanta Dasa and myself to draw some sketches. One day quite spontaneously he said that the Deity's legs should be bent, ready to jump, He should be looking around ferociously, His fingers should be curled, and flames should be coming from His head. I sketched a Deity in this mood. The devotees liked it, and Pankajanghri Dasa agreed to worship Him. Radhapada Dasa, a wealthy devotee from Calcutta, offered to sponsor the sculpting and installing of the Deity. It seemed Lord Nrisimhadeva's appearance in ISKCON Mayapur would be a simple, straight-forward affair. Radhapada Dasa promptly gave Rs. 130,000, and it was accepted that the Deity would be ready for installation in three months. I left for South India to get things organized. By Krishna's grace I soon found a very famous sthapati. A sthapati not only sculpts Deities; he is also expert in temple architecture and engineering. The man was very obliging until I mentioned that the Deity we wanted carved was Ugra-Nrisimha. He emphatically refused to make such a Deity. I approached many Deity sculptors, but the answer was always the same: No. I had made a number of trips between Mayapur and South India, six months had passed, but Lord Nrisimhadeva had not yet manifested in His Deity form. Radhapada Dasa was very anxious to see Lord Nrisimhadeva installed in Mayapur. He asked me to visit the original sthapati I had seen and once again plead our case. This time the sculptor was a little more congenial and offered to read me a chapter from the Silpa-Sastra (a Vedic scripture on sculpture and temple architecture) that deals with the different forms of Deities. He read aloud some verses describing Lord Nrisimhadeva. A series of verses described His flamelike mane, His searching glance, and his knees bent with one foot forward ready to jump from the pillar. When he read this I was amazed. This was exactly what we wanted. I showed him the sketch I had done. He was impressed and offered to draw an outline based on the scriptural description, which we could use as a guide for sculpting the Deity. He reminded me, though, that he would not carve the form himself. It took him a week to complete the sketch, and it was very impressive. I returned to Mayapur and showed the sketch to the temple authorities. Everyone wanted this same sthapati to carve the Deity. Once again I was sent back to South India to try to convince him. I went straight to the house of the sthapati. I was feeling very anxious. What could I do but pray to Lord Nrisimhadeva to be merciful and agree to manifest Himself in our temple in Sri Mayapur Dhama? I had hardly said two sentences when the man very matter-of-factly said he would carve the Deity. The story of how he came to this decision is interesting. The sthapati had approached his guru, the Sankaracharya of Kanchipuram, about our request. His guru's immediate reply was, "Don't do it. Your family will be destroyed." But then, after a moment's reflection, he asked, "Who has asked you to carve this Deity?" When he heard that it was the Hare Krsna people from Navadvipa, he become very concerned. "They want Ugra-Nrisimha? Are they aware of the implications of sculpting and installing Ugra-Nrisimha? Such Deities were carved over 3,000 years ago by very elevated sthapatis. There is a place on the way to Mysore where a very ferocious Ugra-Nrisimha is installed. The demon Hiranyakasipu is torn open on His lap and his intestines are spilling out all over the altar. Once the standard of worship there was very high. There was an elephant procession and festival every day. But gradually the worship declined. Today that place is like a ghost town. The whole village is deserted. No one can live there peacefully. Is that what they want for their project?" The sthapati replied, "They are very insistent. They are constantly coming to talk to me about the Deity. Apparently they have some problem with dacoits." Handing his guru a sketch of the Deity, he said, "This is the Deity they want." His guru took the sketch and looked at it knowingly. "Ah, this is ugra category," he said, "but a Deity in this particular mood is called Sthanu-Nrisimha. He doesn't exist on this planet. Even the demigods in the heavenly planets don't worship a form like this. Yes, this Deity belongs to the ugra category. Ugra means ferocious, very angry. There are nine forms within this category. They are all very fierce. The one they want is Sthanu-Nrisimha: stepping out of the pillar. No. Don't carve this Deity. It will not be auspicious for you. I will talk with you about this later." A few nights later the sthapati had a dream. In the dream his guru came to him and said, "For them you can carve Sthanu-Nrisimha." The next morning he received a hand-delivered letter from Kanchipuram. The letter was from the Sankaracharya and gave some instructions regarding temple renovations. There was a footnote at the bottom. It read, "For ISKCON you can carve Sthanu-Nrisimha." The sthapati showed me the letter and said, "I have my guru's blessings. I will carve your Deity." I was overwhelmed with joy. I gave him an advance payment and asked him how much time it would take to carve the Deity. He said the Deity would be ready for installation within six months. I returned to Mayapur. After four peaceful months in the holy Dhama, I decided to go to South India and purchase the heavy brass paraphernalia required for Nrisimhadeva worship and then collect the Deity. The trip was well organized and trouble-free until I visited the sthapati. I explained to him that all the paraphernalia required for the worship had been purchased and that I had come to collect the Deity. He looked at me as if I'd lost my senses and exclaimed, "What Deity? I haven't even found the suitable stone!" I couldn't believe my ears. "But you told me He would be ready in six months," I exclaimed. "I will keep my promise," he said. "Six months after I find the stone the Deity will be ready for installation." His reply was emphatic, but I just couldn't understand or accept the delay. In frustration I challenged him, "There's big slabs of stone all over South India. What's the problem?" He looked at me the way a teacher would view a slow student and said very deliberately, "I am not making a grinding mortar, I am making a Deity. The scriptures tell us that only a stone that has life can be used to make a Vishnu Deity. When you hit seven points of the stone slab and each makes the sound mentioned in the scriptures, then that stone may be suitable. But there is a second test to indicate whether the stone is living stone. There is a bug that eats granite. If it eats from one side of the stone to the other and leaves a complete trail visible behind it, then the second test of living stone has been passed. That stone is living stone, and expression can manifest from it. Only from such a slab can I carve your Nrisimhadeva. Such stone speaks poetry. All features of a Deity sculpted from such stone will be fully expressive and beautiful. Please be patient. I've been searching sincerely for your six-feet slab." I was amazed and a little anxious. The devotees in Mayapur were expecting the arrival of the Deity soon. How was I going to explain the "living stone" search to them? Maybe they would decide to make Nrisimhadeva from marble. I decided to try to lighten the subject by discussing the Prahlada Maharaja murti with the sthapati. "Please forgive me, but I forgot to tell you last time I came that we also want a Prahlada murti. We want to worship Prahlada-Nrisimhadeva. What do you think?" "I don't think that will be possible," the sthapati replied matter-of-factly. I looked at him incredulously, not sure what to say. He smiled and continued, "You want everything done exactly according to the scriptures. Your Nrisimhadeva will be four feet high. Comparatively speaking, that will make Prahlada Maharaja the size of an amoeba." "But we want Prahlada Maharaja one foot high," I interrupted. "Fine," the sthapati replied, "but that means your Nrisimhadeva will have to be about 120 feet high." We began to argue back and forth about Prahlada Maharaja's form. Finally the sthapati sighed in resignation and agreed to make Prahlada Maharaja one foot tall. At least I now had something positive to report when I returned to Mayapur. After two months I returned to South India. There had been no developments. I shuttled back and forth from Mayapur to South India every thirty or forty days. Finally our stone was found, and the sthapati became a transformed man. For over a week he hardly spent any time at home. Hour after hour, day after day, he just sat staring at the slab. He had chalk in hand but didn't draw anything. He refused to allow his laborers to do anything besides remove the excess stone to make the slab rectangular. The next time I visited him, he had made a sketch on the stone. That was all. I was worried. The Mayapur managers were becoming impatient. "Are you sure this Deity will be finished in six months?" I asked in desperation. "Don't worry. The work will be done," he replied. I returned to Mayapur, only to be sent back to South India to check on some details of the Deity. I found the sthapati carving the form himself with intense care and dedication. At that stage the stone had gone and the shape had come. The sthapati had just started on the armlets. He took two weeks to carve them. All the features were so refined and delicate. I was impressed and very happy. It took the sthapati a little over twelve months to finish the Deity. When he completed the work he didn't immediately inform me but decided to visit some friends for a few days. It was the monsoon season, there were few visitors, and he felt it safe to lock up Lord Nrisimhadeva securely in his thatched shed. Two days later his neighbors ran to inform him that the thatched shed was on fire. There was heavy rain and everything was wet, but the coconut-tree roof had caught fire. He ran to the scene to find Nrisimhadeva untouched but the shed burned to ashes. Immediately he phoned me, "Please come and take your Deity. He's burning everything. He's made it clear He wants to go NOW!" Enthusiastically I traveled to South India, hired a truck, and half-filled it with sand. I arrived at the sthapati's studio thinking this final stage would be relatively simple. I had foolishly forgotten that Lord Nrisimhadeva is a very heavy personality: He weighed one ton! After two or three hours we managed to lift the Deity safely from the shed onto the truck. To travel across the border safely, we also needed police permission, along with signed papers from the Central Sales Tax Department, the Archeological Director, and the Art Emporium Directorate in Tamil Nadu. All the officers demanded to see the Deity before signing the necessary papers. Once they took darshan of Lord Nrisimhadeva, they all become very obliging and efficient. We had all the necessary papers in hand within twenty-four hours—a miracle given the usual quagmire of bureaucracy found in government offices in India. The trip back to Mayapur was also amazingly trouble-free and peaceful. Our protector was certainly present with us. Usually the sthapati comes on the day of the installation ceremony, goes into the Deity room, and carves the eyes of the Deity. This is called netra-nimilanam (opening the eyes). It was an exceptional case that our Nrisimhadeva's sthapati had already carved the eyes. He had not only carved the eyes; he had also done the prana-pratistha (installing the life force), a little puja and an arati. I am sure that is why all the papers were prepared so obligingly, and transporting the Supreme Lord was so easy. He was already present. And who would dare say no to Lord Nrisimhadeva? The installation of Lord Nrisimhadeva was very simple and lasted three days: from the 28th to the 30th of July, 1986.I remember feeling apprehensive that perhaps the installation was too simple. The grave warnings of the Sankaracarya of Kanchipuram had deeply impressed me. But my mind was soon appeased by an awareness of loud, dynamic kirtan. Sankirtana-yajna, the only true opulence of Kali Yuga, was dominating the scene. I felt enlivened and satisfied. Lord Nrisimhadeva, the protector of the sankirtana mission, had finally decided to manifest at Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir. Mayapur.com: Based on a talk with H.G. Atmatattva Dasadhikari  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Krishna's Wrath
It is arguable that if Nrsimha is the form of Krishna's wrath, why didn't He assume this same man-lion form when Indra poured down heavy rains to torment the Vraja vasis and also when the Gopis were harrased by the demon Sankhacuda. Sivarama Swami answers this question... Krishna doesn't just necessarily assume forms according to the particular mood He is in. The mood also has to be in harmony with the pastime He is performing. If Krishna would have taken up the form of Nrsimhadeva to chastise Indra in front of the Vraja vasis, where would be the wonder of lifting the Govardhana hill? It won't be existing at all. Krishna was angry at Indra, but He still maintained His original form of a cowherd boy. This was conducive to the pleasure of the Vraja vasis. And afterall Nrsimhadeva is within Krishna, along with all the other incarnations of Krishna. The same thing with Sankhacuda. Krishna chased him and also killed him. If Krishna assumed the form of Nrsimhadeva, the Gopis would have been very much fearful of Nrsimha! They are already petrified by the ghastly form of the demon, what to speak of the form of a fiery lion! This balance always has to be kept. The balance of having a proper rasa, having a proper mood of devotion. Otherwise there will be rasabhasa. Conflicting moods. Sankhacuda and Hiranyakashipu were killed. But Indra is a devotee in heart. He did display the conduct of a demon, but Krishna doesn't kill His devotees. He does kill the devotee's demoniac mentality, and Krishna did this to Indra by lifting the Govardhana hill.  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Kavaca Capsules If you notice, most of the Kavaca mantras actually contain the holy name. This holy name is actually the most potent. There are no rules, no need of initiation, no need of proper qualifications or even the need of hearing it from a guru when it comes to the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. That is why it is the 'Great Mantra' (Maha Mantra). So the holy name is actually the potency. Putting on Kavacas on the body would have the same benefit as putting on the holy name of the Lord on the body. The mantra present in the Nrsimha kavaca capsule that one can obtain from Mayapur contains the Nrsimha Maha Mantra :- ugram viram maha-visnum jvalantam sarvato mukham nrsimham bhisanam bhadram mrtyor mrtyum namamay aham I bow down to Lord Nrsimha who is ferocious and heroic like Lord Vishnu. He is burning from every side. He is terrific, auspicious and death personified. It is stated in the scriptures that this mantra is the essence of all kavaca mantras. Inside the kavaca (capsule) is the above mantra written on a piece of bark from a botch tree. There is also a tulasi leaf which has been offered at the lotus feet of Lord Nrsimhadeva. After worshipping Lord Nrsimhadeva with sixteen upacaras, the pujari performs a procedure that is called prana-pratistha, i.e, he calls the Lord to reside in the kavaca. He then worships the kavaca. Before wearing this sacred, protective shield, you should place it before a picture of your spiritual master, perform guru-puja to your spiritual master and take his permission to wear the kavaca. Men can wear the kavaca around the neck or on the upper right arm and ladies can wear it around the neck or on the upped left arm. the kavaca may be worn in all circumstances-at any time or in any place.  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Struggle Between the Atheist and the Theist Nrsimha Caturdasi Lecture (5 May 1974, Mumbai) So this is very instructive struggle between the atheist and the theist. This story of Prahlada Maharaja is eternally true. There is always a struggle between the atheist and the theist. If a person becomes God conscious, Krsna conscious, so he will find many enemies. Because the world is full of demons. What to speak of the devotee of Krsna, even Krsna, when He personally came, He had to kill so many demons. There was His maternal uncle, His mother's brother, very keenly related. Still, he wanted to kill Krsna. As soon as any son was born to Devaki, immediately he killed, because he did not know who will be Krsna. The prediction was that the eighth child of his sister will kill Kamsa. So he began to kill all the children. At last, Krsna came. But he could not kill Krsna. He was killed by Krsna. So nobody can kill God. The demons, godless society, they simply want to kill God. But actually, God is never killed, but the demon is killed by God. That is the law of nature. This is the instruction from Prahlada Maharaja's life. We can understand that as it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita, mrtyuh sarva-haras caham [Bg. 10.34]. In the Bhagavad-gita it is said that "I am also death in the shape of taking away everything, whatever you possess." We are very much proud of possessing material things, material acquisition, but when Krsna comes... Just like Maharaja, Prahlada Maharaja saw Hiranyakasipu. His father also saw Nrsimhadeva. This Hiranyakasipu was very clever as the materialists, scientists, are very clever. Cleverly they are inventing so many things. What is the idea? The idea is "We shall live forever and enjoy sense gratification more and more." This is called atheistic advancement of civilization. So Hiranyakasipu was typical materialist. Hiranya means gold, and kasipu means soft bed, cushion. So materialist persons, they are very much fond of gold and enjoying sex. That is their business. So Hiranyakasipu is the typical example of this materialistic person. And Prahlada Maharaja, prakrsta-rupena ahlada. Ahlada means transcendental bliss. Ananda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhavitabhih [Bs. 5.37]. Living entities' real identification is prahlada, blissfulness. But on account of material association, we are in miserable condition of life. So... (aside:) Stop these children. So this Hiranyakasipu wanted to become immortal, and he underwent penances, severe penances, so much so, the whole universe became trembled. So that Brahma, Lord Brahma, had to come to pacify him, "What do you want?" So he wanted to become immortal. Lord Brahma said that "Although I have got very long duration of life,..." The duration of life of Brahmaji is stated in the Bhagavad-gita, sahasra-yuga-paryantam arhad yad brahmano viduh [Bg. 8.17]. Sahasra-yuga, one group of yugas-Satya, Treta, Dvapara, Kali -- it becomes about forty-three lakhs of years. And multiply these forty-three lakhs of years by one thousand, that duration of time is Brahma's twelve hours, one day. Sahasra-yuga-paryantam arhad yad brahmano viduh. So that Brahma who lives for millions of trillions of years -- still, he has to die. Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi-duhkha-dosanu-darsanam [Bg. 13.9]. Wherever you go within this material world, either in the Brahmaloka or in the Patala-loka, you have to die. That is the problem. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, "Real problem is janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi, birth, death, old age and disease." Just try to... So Hiranyakasipu wanted to solve these in a materialstic way, but that is not possible. So in a negative way he wanted that "I shall not die on the (indistinct). His eternal servant. So he remains a humble servant of Krsna. Therefore he has no danger. Even if he has danger, he will be saved. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati [Bg. 9.31]. Kaunteya pratijanihi: "Arjuna, you can declare it all over the world that anyone who has taken shelter at My lotus feet, become devotee, he will never be vanquisher." Aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah [Bg. 18.66]. So these are the assurances. But the atheist class of men like Hiranyakasipu cannot understand this. That is the defect. They challenge always God. The dissension between the father and the son was that the son was believer in God, Krsna, and the father was not. So at the end the father saw what is God in the form of death. At that time he could not save him. So that is the difference between theist and atheist. The atheist always challenges, "Where is God? Can you show me?" Well, you will see. Not now. Just at the maturation of your all sinful activities, when death will come, you will see Him. This is going on. So it is very instructive lesson, Prahlada Maharaja. Now it is getting late. Otherwise, I would have recited some of the verses recited by Sri Prahlada Maharaja. Prahlada Maharaja is one of our gurus. There are twelve gurus, or mahajana. svayambhur naradah sambhuh kaumarah kapilo manuh prahlado janako bhismo balir vaiyasakhir vayam [SB 6.3.20] Actually, if we want to make progress in spiritual life, we have to follow the mahajanas, the great personalities. They are mentioned in the sastras. Without father and mother, he became manifest. Therefore his name is Svayambhu. Without father and mother, he became manifest. Therefore his name is Svayambhu. Of course, his father is Narayana, but not in the usual way. Therefore his name is Svayambhu. Narada. Narada Muni is also one of the mahajanas. And Sambhu, Lord Siva. Kapila, Kapiladeva, the son of Devahuti. Svayambhur naradah sambhuh kapilo manuh [SB 6.3.20]. And Prahlada Maharaja. Prahlada Maharaja is our guru in the disciplic succession. So mahajano yena gatah sa panthah [Cc. Madhya 17.186]. Dharmasya tattvam nihitam guhayam mahajano yena gatah sa panthah. We cannot chalk out what is the path of religion. It is very difficult to find out because there are many different scriptures and there are many philosophers. Nasau munir yasya matam na bhinnam. Each philosopher has got different opinion. So how to get real path of religious way? That is recommended in the sastra that mahajano yena gatah sa panthah [Cc. Madhya 17.186]. You have to follow the footsteps of great personalities. And Prahlada Maharaja is one of them. So Prahlada Maharaja was born in a demon's family. His father was a demon. Prahlada Maharaja used to address his father as Asura-varya, "the best of the demons." You have seen... He was patting his son, "My dear son, do like this, do like that. Tell me what you have learned the best thing." So Prahlada Maharaja said, tat sadhu manye 'sura-varya dehinam. He didn't, never said, "My dear father." "My dear the best of the demons." Tat sadhu manye. "I think that is very nice." What is that? Hitvatma-patam grham andha-kupam vanam gato yad dharim asrayeta [SB 7.5.5]. "That this worldly life, materialistic life, is self-killing just like a dark well. So one should give it up and go to the forest and take shelter of Krsna. That is the best way of life." So his father became very angry. So the atheist and the theist, they will never agree. But theist also never will submit to the atheist. This is the principle. Prahlada Maharaja was put into so many troubles by his father, but he never forgot chanting namo bhagavate vasudevaya namah. He never forgot. So we should take lessons from this story that even in dangerous position, we should not be forgetful of Krsna. Krsna will save us. It is said in the Bhagavad-gita, yam labdhva caparam labham manyate nadhikam tatah yasmin sthite gurunapi duhkhena na vicalyate [Bg. 6.20-23] Krsna consciousness is so nice that if one gets Krsna consciousness, yam labdhva caparam labham, aparam labham, any other benefit or gain is never considered. This is so nice. We are hankering after getting this, that, this, that, this, that, so many things. Dehi, dehi, dehi, dehi. But as soon as you get Krsna consciousness, you will be satisfied. As Dhruva Maharaja said, svamin krtartho 'smi varam na yace [Cc. Madhya 22.42]. Just like Prahlada Maharaja. He was offered all benediction: "My dear Prahlada, whatever you like, you can ask." He never asked anything. But he was so kind. That is the example of a Vaisnava son in the family. Despite so much troubles given by his father, still, he begged from Narasimhadeva, "My Lord, my father has committed so many offenses. Kindly give him liberation." He did not ask anything for himself. So Narahari, Nrsimhadeva, immediately said, "Why do you speak of your father? Your father's father, his father, fourteen generations -- all liberated because a son like you is in this family." So this is the benefit. If a son becomes a pure Vaisnava, devotee, he can deliver fourteen generation. That is a special prerogative because he is born in a certain family. So what we can give service to the family, nation, materially? If we become devotee, we can give best service to the nation, to the family, to the humanity. That is the philosophy. So our Krsna consciousness movement is preaching this philosophy that "You take to Krsna consciousness; your life will be perfect." And the method is very simple. It can be..., there is no secrecy. Just like this evening I was talking with a boy. He has got a mantra, very secret. But we say have no secret mantra. Our mantra, Hare Krsna, is open to everyone. Why it should be secret? If by chanting Hare Krsna mantra we can approach God, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, why it should remain secret? It should be distributed like anything so that everyone can go. So there is no secrecy. A secret mantra we don't approve. It must be very open. There is no secret. The sastra never says that mantra can be secret. harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha [Cc. Adi 17.21] In this age of Kali... Kali means the age of quarrel, age of misunderstanding, age of disagreement. So in this age it is very difficult to come to the right conclusion by philosophy and other methods. Therefore in the sastra it has been openly declared, harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha [Cc. Adi 17.21] Three times. Three times means yajna-dana-tapah-kriya. There are many other things: meditation, sacrifices, worship in the temple. So in this age all these things are impossible to be performed, but even a child can chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra. That is proved here. Whenever there is Hare Krsna maha-mantra, even the child can take part, old man can take part. So this is the only method for God realization. There is no expenditure, but the gain is very, very great. That was the teaching of Sri Prahlada Maharaja, and we are following his footsteps. Let us stick to his principle, mahajano yena gatah sa panthah [Cc. Madhya 17.186], and thus become more and more advanced in Krsna consciousness. Thank you very much. (end) >>> Ref. VedaBase => Nrsimha-caturdasi Lord Nrsimhadeva's Appearance Day -- Bombay, May 5, 1974  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Lord Nrisimha: Protector of Devotees
By Aja Govinda Dasa, Back to Godhead magazine, Nov/Dec 2007 One of the most awe-inspiring of Lord Krishna's forms is Sri Nrisimhadeva, His half-man, half-lion incarnation. Lord Nrisimha descended to protect His devotee Sri Prahlada Maharaja from the atheistic king Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada's father. The Boy Saint Prahlada Sri Prahlada Maharaja was a devotee of Lord Krishna from birth, having acquired knowledge of devotional service in the womb. Once, during the absence of Hiranyakashipu, his enemies the demigods, servants of the Supreme Lord responsible for universal management, kidnapped his wife to kill her embryo. They feared that the embryo might later develop into another terrible enemy. Srila Narada Muni rescued the mother and child after convincing the demigods that the boy to be born was an exalted devotee of Lord Krishna. While still in the womb during his mother's stay at Narada Muni's ashram, Prahlada overheard Narada's transcendental discussions on the glories of the Lord and became fearless, fully surrendered to the infallible shelter of Lord Krishna. Later, though only a child of five years, he had firm faith in the Lord's protection and invoked this same pure devotion to the Lord in the hearts of his schoolmates at the atheistic school of Sukracharya, the guru of the daityas, or atheistic descendents of Diti. Enraged at his son's undeviating devotion to his worst enemy—Lord Vishnu, the four-handed form of Lord Krishna—Hiranyakashipu sentenced Prahlada to death. Hiranyakashipu's henchmen tried everything to kill Prahlada. He was starved, poisoned, cursed by spells, beaten by fiends, stomped by elephants, encaged among virulent pythons, hurled from mountain peaks, and attacked with stones, fires, and blizzards. Despite all of Hiranyakashipu's attempts, Prahlada remained untouched, and the evil king's anger grew. Hiranyakashipu's Plans to Become God Hiranyakashipu's enmity toward Lord Vishnu had begun when the Lord in His form as a giant boar had slain Hiranyakashipu's twin brother, Hiranyaksha, who had upset the earth's equilibrium by greedily mining for gold. Upon the death of his brother, Hiranyakashipu had charged Lord Vishnu with partiality toward the demigods: "The Supreme Personality of Godhead has given up His natural tendency of equality toward the demons and demigods. Although He is the Supreme Person, now, influenced by maya [illusion], He has assumed the form of a boar to please His devotees, the demigods, just as a restless child leans toward someone." Factually the Lord is never partial to anyone: samo 'ham sarva-bhuteshu na me dveshyo 'sti na priyah (Bhagavad-gita 9.29). He simply reciprocates with every living entity in accordance with the living entities' desires. Lord Sri Krishna instructs in the Bhagavad-gita (5.11): ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham mama vartmanuvartante manushyam partha sarvashah "As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pritha." Thus the Lord appears as death for the atheist and as the loving savior for His devotee. And He Himself is beyond any material affinity. To take revenge for his brother's death, the mighty daitya Hiranyakashipu vowed to satisfy his brother's soul with Vishnu's blood. In his quest for immortality and the power to defeat Vishnu, he performed humanly impossible penances through which he acquired boons from Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. Hiranyakashipu thought he could become God by his own austerity and penance. He foolishly concluded that since Lord Vishnu was favoring the demigods, He must also be an ordinary conditioned living entity (influenced by partiality and hatred) who became God by austerities. This mentality is characteristic of Mayavadi philosophers, who maintain that every soul is God deluded by maya and that once the illusion is dispelled, the soul once again realizes its identity with God. This theory, however, is unacceptable when we consider the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Krishna's supremacy, as He states in the Bhagavad-gita (9.10): mayadhyakshena prakritih suyate sa-caracaram hetunanena kaunteya jagad viparivartate "This material nature, which is one of My energies, is working under My direction, O son of Kunti, producing all moving and nonmoving beings. Under its rule this manifestation is created and annihilated again and again." The material energy, maya, is one of the many potencies of the Supreme Lord. Since maya is completely submissive to the Lord, there is no possibility of the Supreme Absolute Lord being overpowered by its influence. The living entities, however, being minute parts of the Lord, can be deluded. The Mayavada theory that after liberation the soul merges with God is refuted in the Bhagavad-gita (15.7, 2.12), where Krishna declares all jiva souls to be His parts eternally, remaining always distinct individuals. The Mayavadis also assert that the highest conception of God is of the transcendental, impersonal, and all-pervading nirguna-brahma (Absolute Truth devoid of quality, attribute, or form), which assumes a material conditioned body like ours whenever it descends to this world. Thus for the Mayavadis, Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna are saguna-brahma, Brahman with attributes and form, which to them means material illusory entanglement, for they just cannot imagine transcendence with qualities and form. Frustrated with the suffering caused by the material body, the impersonalist philosophers conceive of transcendence and liberation as free from qualities and attributes. The Lord, however, clearly defies this notion: avyaktam vyaktim apannah manyante mam abuddhayah param bhavam ajananto mamavyayam anuttamam "Unintelligent men, who do not know Me perfectly, think that I, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, was impersonal before and have now assumed this personality. Due to their small knowledge, they do not know My higher nature, which is imperishable and supreme." (Bhagavad-gita 7.24) Thus from the Bhagavad-gita we learn that Lord Krishna never worked to achieve Godhood. He is eternally the Supreme Absolute Truth, and the individual souls are eternally His parts. Nrisimhadeva Kills Hiranyakashipu Just as the Mayavadis maintain the false theory that by enough penance a soul can become God, Hiranyakashipu considered that he could achieve immortal dominance over all and vanquish Lord Vishnu with his own prowess. But Prahlada challenged his power. The arrogant Hiranyakashipu cursed him and inquired, "Where do you obtain the power to defy my supremacy?" "The source of my strength is Lord Vishnu," replied the fearless Prahlada. "He is the source of everyone's strength, including yours." To hear that his strength was the grace of Vishnu, his worst enemy, was the greatest insult for Hiranyakashipu, who challenged Prahlada, "O most unfortunate Prahlada, you have always described an all-pervading supreme controller beyond me. If He is everywhere, then why is He not present before me in this pillar? If he does not appear from this pillar, then today your head will be severed with my sword." With these words, Hiranyakashipu struck his fist at the pillar, from which emanated a sound that seemed to crack the covering of the universe. To prove true the statement of His devotee Prahlada, the Supreme Lord appeared from the pillar in a form never seen before, a form neither man nor lion, the form of Sri Nrisimhadeva. Though Hiranyakashipu looked like a moth entering a fire when he attacked Lord Nrisimha, he ridiculously thought he would be able to defeat the Lord just as he had conquered all his other enemies. Long before, when his brother had been slain, this same Hiranyakashipu had angrily rushed to the Lord's residence with a trident. The Lord had then disappeared and entered Hiranyakashipu's nostril. Unable to find the Him, Hiranyakashipu had considered that God was dead. Now Hiranyakashipu confronted the Lord, who played with him as a cat plays with a mouse. When the sun began to set, Lord Nrisimha lifted Hiranyakashipu onto His lap and dug His nails into Hiranyakashipu's torso. The daitya cried out, "Alas, my chest, which is being ripped open by Nrisimhadeva at this moment, is the same chest that broke the tusks of Airavata, Indra's elephant. It is the same chest that stayed free of scars despite being struck by Lord Shiva's ax." (Nrisimha Purana 44.30) Nrisimhadeva ripped open the stonelike chest of Hiranyakashipu with His diamondlike nails. The Lord wore the intestines of the king as His victory garland, and to convince the demigods of Hiranyakashipu's death, the Lord tore out the daitya's heart. As another aspect of His divine play, the Lord was suddenly surprised to see that Hiranyakashipu's body had disappeared. When He shook His hands, however, the torn pieces of Hiranyakashipu's body fell out of His nails onto the ground. (Nrisimha Purana 44.32–35) From this we understand that Hiranyakashipu was an insignificant insect compared to the transcendental lion Lord Nrisimha. As Jayadeva Goswami confirms: tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-shringam dalita-hiranyakashipu-tanu-bhringam keshava dhrita-narahari-rupa jaya jagadisha hare "O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half man, half lion! All glories to You! Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one's fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasplike demon Hiranyakashipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands." Lord Nrisimha destroyed Hiranyakashipu without violating the boons granted by Lord Brahma, who had blessed Hiranyakashipu to not be killed: inside or outside any residence (the Lord killed him in the doorway) during the day or night (the Lord killed him at twilight) on the ground or in the sky (the Lord killed him on His own lap) by any human being or animal (Lord Nrisimha is half man, half lion) by any demigod, demon, or great snake (the Lord is beyond any of these categories) by any weapon or any entity, living or nonliving (Lord Nrisimha pierced thedaitya with his nails, which are not considered weapons and are neither living nor dead) Finally, Hiranyakashipu was not be killed by any living being created by Brahma or not created by Brahma. Hiranyakashipu was cautious to ensure that he would also not be killed by Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, and Lord Vishnu, the three presiding deities of the universe (the only three living entities within the universe not created by Brahma). Lord Nrisimha is a lila-avatara, or pastime incarnation of Lord Krishna, and is not of the category of Brahma, Shiva, or Vishnu, who are the three guna-avataras,or deities in charge of the three modes of material nature. Hiranyakashipu, the universal tyrant, wished to reverse the system of piety. He wanted the impious to be rewarded and the pious to be punished. Thus upon the death of Hiranyakashipu, all the demigods and inhabitants of various planets offered their prayers to Lord Nrisimha, expressing their gratitude for the Lord's slaying the daitya, who had usurped all their riches, wives, and shares of sacrificial offerings. Only Prahlada Maharaja, however, could pacify with loving prayers the transcendental wrath of Lord Nrisimha, who is prepared to even appear as half-man, half-lion for the sake of His pure devotees. Lord Nrisimha was overjoyed upon beholding the firm faith of Prahlada, and He repeatedly requested him to ask for a boon. But the utmost compassionate Prahlada, who was more concerned for the welfare of others, only requested the Lord to liberate his demoniac father. The Supreme Lord guaranteed the liberation of twenty-one generations of Prahlada's dynasty.  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: A Summary of Prahlada's Prayers
Srila Prabhupada's summary of Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9 (Prahlada Pacifies Lord Nrsimhadeva with Prayers) After Hiranyakasipu was killed, the Lord continued to be very angry, and the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, could not pacify Him. Even mother Laksmi, the goddess of fortune, the constant companion of Narayaṇa, could not dare come before Lord Nrsimhadeva. Then Lord Brahma asked Prahlada Maharaja to go forward and pacify the Lord's anger. Prahlada Maharaja, being confident of the affection of his master, Lord Nrsimhadeva, was not afraid at all. He very gravely appeared before the Lord's lotus feet and offered Him respectful obeisances. Lord Nrsimhadeva, being very much affectionate toward Prahlada Maharaja, put His hand on Prahlada's head, and because of being personally touched by the Lord, Prahlada Maharaja immediately achieved brahma-jnana, spiritual knowledge. Thus he offered his prayers to the Lord in full spiritual knowledge and full devotional ecstasy. The instructions given by Prahlada Maharaja in the form of his prayers are as follows. Prahlzda said, "I am not proud of being able to offer prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I simply take shelter of the mercy of the Lord, for without devotion one cannot appease Him. One cannot please the Supreme Personality of Godhead simply by dint of high parentage or great opulence, learning, austerity, penance or mystic power. Indeed, these are never pleasing to the Supreme Lord, for nothing can please Him but pure devotional service. Even if a nondevotee is a brahmana qualified with the twelve brahminical symptoms, he cannot be very dear to the Lord, whereas if a person born in a family of dog-eaters is a devotee, the Lord can accept his prayers. The Lord does not need anyone's prayers, but if a devotee offers his prayers to the Lord, the devotee benefits greatly. Ignorant persons born in low families, therefore, can sincerely offer heartfelt prayers to the Lord, and the Lord will accept them. As soon as one offers his prayers to the Lord, he is immediately situated on the Brahman platform. Lord Nrsimhadeva appeared for the benefit of all human society, not only for Prahlada's personal benefit. The fierce form of Lord Nrsimhadeva may appear most awful to a nondevotee, but to the devotee the Lord is always affectionate as He is in other forms. Conditioned life in the material world is actually extremely fearful; indeed, a devotee is not afraid of anything else. Fear of material existence is due to false ego. Therefore the ultimate goal of life for every living entity is to attain the position of being servant of the servant of the Lord. The miserable condition of the living entities in the material world can be remedied only by the mercy of the Lord. Although there are so-called material protectors like Lord Brahma and the other demigods, or even one's own father, they are unable to do anything if one is neglected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, one who has fully taken shelter of the Lord's lotus feet can be saved from the onslaught of material nature. Therefore every living entity should be unattracted by material so-called happiness and should take shelter of the Lord by all means. That is the mission of human life. To be attracted by sense gratification is simply foolish. Whether one is a devotee of the Lord or is a nondevotee does not depend upon one's birth in a high or low family. Even Lord Brahma and the goddess of fortune cannot achieve the full favor of the Lord, whereas a devotee can very easily attain such devotional service. The Lord's mercy is bestowed equally upon everyone, regardless of whether one is high or low. Because Prahlada Maharaja was blessed by Narada Muni, Prahlada became a great devotee. The Lord always saves the devotee from impersonalists and voidists. The Lord is present in everyone's heart as the Supersoul to give the living being protection and all benefits. Thus the Lord acts sometimes as the killer and sometimes as the protector. One should not accuse the Lord for any discrepancies. It is His plan that we see varieties of life within this material world. All of them are ultimately His mercy. Although the entire cosmic manifestation is nondifferent, the material world is nonetheless different from the spiritual world. Only by the mercy of the Supreme Lord can one understand how the wonderful material nature acts. For example, although Lord Brahma appeared from the lotus seat that had grown from the abdomen of Garbhodakasayi Visnu, he could not understand what to do after his appearance. He was attacked by two demons, Madhu and Kaitabha, who took away Vedic knowledge, but the Lord killed them and entrusted to Lord Brahma the Vedic knowledge. Thus the Lord appears in every millennium in the societies of demigods, human beings, animals, saints and aquatics. All such incarnations are meant to protect the devotees and kill the demons, but this killing and protecting does not reflect any sense of partiality on the part of the Supreme Lord. The conditioned soul is always attracted by the external energy. Therefore he is subjected to lust and greed, and he suffers under the conditions of material nature. The Lord's causeless mercy toward His devotee is the only means by which to get out of material existence. Anyone engaged in glorifying the Lord's activities is always unafraid of this material world, whereas one who cannot glorify the Lord in that way is subjected to all lamentation. Those interested in silently worshiping the Lord in solitary places may be eligible for liberation themselves, but a pure devotee is always aggrieved to see others suffering. Therefore, not caring for his own liberation, he always engages in preaching by glorifying the Lord. Prahlada Maharaja, therefore, had tried to deliver his class friends by preaching and had never remained silent. Although being silent, observing austerities and penances, learning the Vedic literature, undergoing ritualistic ceremonies, living in a solitary place and performing japa and transcendental meditation are approved means of liberation, they are meant for nondevotees or for cheaters who want to live at the expense of others. A pure devotee, however, being freed from all such deceptive activities, is able to see the Lord face to face. The atomic theory of the composition of the cosmic manifestation is not factual. The Lord is the cause of everything, and therefore He is the cause of this creation. One should therefore always engage in devotional service by offering respectful obeisances to the Lord, offering prayers, working for the Lord, worshiping the Lord in the temple, always remembering the Lord and always hearing about His transcendental activities. Without these six kinds of activity, one cannot attain to devotional service. Prahlada Maharaja thus offered his prayers to the Supreme Lord, begging His mercy at every step. Lord Nrsimhadeva was pacified by Prahlada Maharaja's prayers and wanted to give him benedictions by which Prahlada could procure all kinds of material facilities. PPrahlada Maharaja, however, was not misled by material facilities. Rather, he wanted to remain always a servant of the servant of the Lord.  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Raise an Eyebrow
It is indeed hard to grasp such an image of God. Even if you skim through the Krsna Book, most of the pastimes are of Krishna killing demons! But this 'killing' is much different. Just as a father would lovingly embrace his child and also slap that same child due to some mischief, similarly Krishna performs His transcendental pastimes accordingly out of this same love. In essence, only a devotee will be able to understand the Lord. A materialists will not be able to handle such a "wicked" image of The All-Attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead. Based on the answer of Sivarama Swami  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Prahlada's Devotion for Krishna
Prahlada's ista-devata is Krishna. Narada muni, his spiritual master, also take Krishna to be his ista-devata. Krishna appeared to Prahlada in the most suitable form of Sri Nrsimhadeva. When asked by his father about what he had learned in school, Prahlada said, matir na krsne paratah svato va, "Inclination toward Krishna is never aroused in persons too addicted to sense gratification and materialistic life." Sukadeva Goswami told Pariksit Maharaja that Prahlada had an attachment for the son of Vasudeva (Krishna): vasudeve bhagavati yasya naisargiki ratih; and further, krsna-graha-grhitatma, "He was fully absorbed in thought of Krishna, who affected his consciousness like an astrological influence"; and yet again, govinda-parirambhitah, "He was embraced by Govinda (and thus oblivious to the normal functions of life)." It is also mentioned in Srimad-Bhagavatam that Pariksit Maharaja would "be patient like Bali Maharaja and a staunch devotee of Krishna, like Prahlada," (dhrtya bali-samah krsne prahrada iva sad-grahah). Finally, the Prahlada/Nrsimha lila is described as a narration about Krishna: esa brahmanya-devasya krsnasya ca mahatmanah, the narration of a pure devotee of Krishna.  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Sri Nrsimha Kavaca (of Prahlada) One of the most notable prayers for protection is the Sri Nrsimha Kavaca. There are two known Nrsimha Kavacas. One is from the Trailokya Vijay, between Narada Muni and Lord Brahma. And the other is this one, from Prahlada Maharaja (in the Brahmananda Purana). nrisimha-kavacham vakshye prahladenoditam puraa sarva-raksha-karam punyam sarvopadrava-naashanam I shall now recite the Narasimha-kavacha, formerly spoken by Prahlada Maharaja. It is most pious, vanquishes all kinds of impediments, and provides one all protection. sarva-sampat-karam chaiva svarga-moksha-pradaayakam dhyaatva nrisimham devesham hema-sinhaasana sthitamah It bestows upon one all opulences and can give one elevation to the heavenly planets or liberation. One should meditate on Lord Narasimha, Lord of the universe, seated upon a golden throne. vivritasyam tri-nayanam sharad-indu-sama-prabham lakshmyaalingita-vaamaangam vibhuutibhi rupaashritam His mouth is wide open, He has three eyes, and He is as radiant as the autumn moon. He is embraced by Lakshmi devi on his left side, and His form is the shelter of all opulences, both material and spiritual. chatur-bhujam komalaangam svarna-kundala-shobhitam saroja-shobitoraskam ratna-keyuura-mudritam tapta-kaanchana-sankasham pita-nirmala-vasasam indradi-sura-maulishthaha sphuran manikya-diptibhih He is dressed in a spotless yellow garment, which exactly resembles molten gold. He is the original cause of existence, beyond the mundane sphere, for the great demigods headed by Indra. He appears bedecked with rubies which are blazingly effulgent. virajita-pada-dvandvam shankha-chakradi-hetibhihi garutmata cha vinayat stuyamanam mudanvitam His two feet are very attractive, and He is armed with various weapons such as the conch, disc, etc. Garuda joyfully offers prayers with great reverence. sva-hrit-kamalasamvaasam kritvaa tu kavacham pathet nrisimho me shirah patu loka-rakshartha-sambhavaha Having seated Lord Narasimhadeva upon the lotus of one's heart, one should recite the following mantra: "May Lord Nrisimha, who protects all the planetary systems, protect my head." sarvago 'pi stambha vasaha phalam me rakshatu dhvanim nrisimho me drishau paatu soma-suryagni-lochanaha Although the Lord is all-pervading, He hid Himself within a pillar. May He protect my speech and the results of my activities. May Lord Narasimha, whose eyes are the sun, and fire, protect my eyes. smritam me patu nriharih muni-vaarya-stuti-priyaha nasam me simha-nasas tu mukham lakshmi-mukha-priyaha May Lord Nrihari, who is pleased by the prayers offered by the best of sages, protect my memory. May He who has the nose of a lion protect my nose, and may He whose face is very dear to the goddess of fortune protect my mouth. sarva-vidyadhipaha patu nrisimho rasanam mama vaktram patv indu-vadanam sada prahlaada-vanditaha May Lord Narasimha, who is the knower of all sciences, protect my sense of taste. May He whose face is beautiful as the full moon and who is offered prayers by Prahlada Maharaja protect my face. Nrisimha patu me kantham skandhau bhu-bhrid ananta krit divyastra-shobhita-bhujaha nrisimhah patu me bhujaha May Lord Narasimha protect my throat. He is the sustainer of the earth and the performer of unlimitedly wonderful activities. May He protect my shoulders. His arms are resplendent with transcendental weapons. May He protect my shoulders. karau me deva-varado nrisimhah patu sarvataha hridayam yogi-sadhyash cha nivasam patu me harih May the Lord, who bestows benedictions upon the demigods, protect my hands, and may He protect me from all sides. May He who is achieved by the perfect yogis protect my heart, and may Lord Hari protect my dwelling place. madhyam patu hiranyaksha vaksha-kukshi-vidaranaha nabhim me patu nriharihi sva-nabhi-brahma-samstutaha May He who ripped apart the chest and abdomen of the great demon HiraNyaaksha protect my waist, and may Lord Nrihari protect my navel. He is offered prayers by Lord Brahmaa, who has sprung from his own navel. brahmanda-kotayah katyam yasyasau patu me katim guhyam me patu guhyanam mantranam guhya-rupa-drik May He on whose hips rest all the universes protect my hips. May the Lord protect my private parts. He is the knower of all mantras and all mysteries, but He Himself is not visible. uru manobhavah patu januni nara-ruupa-drik janghe patu dhara-dhara harta yo 'sau nri-keshari May He who is the original Cupid protect my thighs. May He who exhibits a human-like form protect my knees. May the remover of the burden of the earth, who appears in a form which is half-man and half-lion, protect my calves. sura-rajya-pradah patu padau me nriharishvarah sahasra-shirsha-purushaha patu me sarvashas tanum May the bestower of heavenly opulence protect my feet. He is the Supreme Controller in the form of a man and lion combined. May the thousand-headed Supreme enjoyer protect my body from all sides and in all respects. mahograh purvatah patu maha-viragrajo 'ghnitaha maha-vishnur dakshine tu maha-jvalas tu nairritaha May that most ferocious personality protect me from the east. May He who is superior to the greatest heroes protect me from the southeast, which is presided over by Agni. May the Supreme Vishnu protect me from the south, and may that person of blazing luster protect me from the southwest. pashchime patu sarvesho dishi me sarvatomukhaha nrisimhah patu vayavyam saumyam bhushana-vigrahaha May the Lord of everything protect me from the west. His faces are everywhere, so please may He protect me from this direction. May Lord Narasimha protect me from the northwest, which is predominated by Vaayu, and may He whose form is in itself the supreme ornament protect me from the north, where Soma resides. ishanyam patu bhadro me sarva-mangala-dayakaha samsara-bhayatah patu mrityor mrityur nrikeshari May the all-auspicious Lord, who Himself bestows all-auspiciousness, protect from the northeast, the direction of the sun-god, and may He who is death personified protect me from fear of the rotation of birth and death in this material world. idam nrisimha-kavacham prahlada-mukha-manditam bhaktiman yah pathenaityam sarva-papaih pramuchyate This Narasimha-kavacha has been ornamented by issuing from the mouth of Prahlada Maharaja. A devotee who reads this becomes freed from all sins. putravan dhanavan loke dirghayur upajayate kamayate yam yam kamam tam tam prapnoty asamshayam Whatever one desires in this world he can attain without doubt. One can have wealth, many sons, and a long life. sarvatra jayam apnoti sarvatra vijayii bhavet bhumyantariksha-divyanam grahanam vini varanam He becomes victorious who desires victory, and indeed becomes a conqueror. He wards off the influence of all planets, earthly, heavenly, and everything in between. vrishchikoraga-sambhuta vishhapaharanam param brahma-rakshasa-yakshanam durotsarana-karanam This is the supreme remedy for the poisonous effects of serpents and scorpions, and Brahma-raakshasa ghosts and Yakshas are driven far away. bhuje va tala-patre va kavacham likhitam shubham kara-mule dhritam yena sidhyeyuh karma-siddhayaha One may write this most auspicious prayer on his arm, or inscribe it on a palm-leaf and attach it to his wrist, and all his activities will become perfect. devasura-manushyeshhu svam svam eva jayam labhet eka-sandhyam tri-sandhyam va yah pathen niyato naraha One who regularly chants this prayer, whether once or thrice (daily), he becomes victorious whether among demigods, demons, or human beings. sarva-mangala-mangalyam bhuktim muktim cha vindati dva-trimshati-sahasrani pathet shuddhatmanam nrinam kavachasyasya mantrasya mantra-siddhih-prajayate anena mantra-rajena kritva bhasmabhir mantranam This Kavacha-mantra is the king of all mantras. One attains by it what would be attained by anointing oneself with ashes and chanting all other mantras. tilakam vinyased yas tu tasya graha-bhayam haret tri-varam japamanas tu dattam varyabhimantrya cha Having marked ones body with tilaka, taking achamana with water, and reciting this mantra three times, one will find that the fear of all inauspicious planets is removed. prasayed yo naro mantram nrisimha-dhyanam acharet tasya rogah pranashyanti ye cha syuh kukshi-sambhavaha That person who recites this mantra, meditating upon Lord Narasimhadeva, has all of his diseases vanquished, including those of the abdomen. garjantam garjayantam nija-bhuja-patalam sphotayantam hatantam rupyantam tapayantam divi bhuvi ditiyam kshepayantam kshipantam krandantam roshayantam dishi dishi satantam samharantam bharantam vikshantam purnayantam kara-nikara-shatair divya-simham namami Lord Narasimha roars loudly and causes others to roar. With His multitudes of arms He tears the demons asunder and kills them in this way. He is always seeking out and tormenting the demonic descendants of Diti, both on this earth planet and in the higher planets, and He throws them down and scatters them. He cries with great anger as He destroys the demons in all directions, yet with His unlimited hands He sustains, protects, and nourishes the cosmic manifestation. I offer my respectful obeisances to the Lord, who has assumed the form of a transcendental lion. iti shri brahmanda-purane prahladoktam shri nrisimha-kavacham sampurnam Thus ends the Narasimha-kavacha as it is described by Prahlada Maharaja in the Brahmanda Purana.  • Email to a friend • •Nrsimhadeva.com: Let the Calamities Come Again and Again From the diaries of Indradyumna Swami Volume 4, Chapter 26 November 21, 2002 – December 06, 2002 As the auspicious month of Kartika drew to a close in Vrindavan, Craig asked me if there were other holy places in India that we could visit. I told him that there are countless holy places in India, but generally Vaisnavas congregate at three: Vrindavan, Mayapur, and Jagannath Puri. These tirthas are particularly dear to devotees because the Supreme Lord performed His transcendental pastimes in all three in different ages. Craig also inquired about Ahovalam, the appearance place of Lord Nrsimhadeva, the half man, half lion incarnation of the Lord who appeared millions of years ago to protect His dear devotee, Prahlad Maharaja. Craig had taken a liking to Lord Nrsimhadeva, avidly reading the seventh canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam in which His pastimes are described. He even bought a large silver ring of Lord Nrsimhadeva in Vrindavan's bazaar. "Ahovalam is in south India," I explained. "We may not have time to go there this trip. I suggest we go to Jagannath Puri for a few days and then to Mayapur." Craig approved of the idea, and the morning after Kartika ended we packed our bags for the trip. Planning to return to Vrindavan, we left behind all non-essentials. As our group of six devotees set out by taxi for Delhi to catch the flight to Bhubaneshwar, I saw Craig looking intensely at his Nrsimha ring. "I'd never leave this behind," he said. "It's going with me everywhere." I was happy to see his blossoming faith in Lord Nrsimhadeva, and I said, "No doubt the Lord is present in that ring. In our ISKCON movement we chant a prayer daily to Lord Nrsimhadeva, part of which is: 'ito nrsimhah parato nrsimho yato yato yami tato nrsimhah.'" "What does it mean?" Craig asked. "It means Lord Nrsimhadeva is all-pervading – within and without everything. He manifests to protect His devotees. The Srimad- Bhagavatam explains that in this material world there is danger at every step." "Yes," said Craig, "that's the reason I'm wearing His ring." Our flight arrived in Bhubaneshwar in the early afternoon. Vrindavan had been getting cooler day by day, so we were pleasantly surprised by the tropical breezes of Orissa. I also noted that the pace of life seemed a little slower. I attributed that either to the nature of the people, or simply the fact that Kartika in Vrindavan is always hectic, with thousands of pilgrims seeking Radha and Krsna's mercy. We hired two taxis at the airport and embarked on the 50km, scenic drive to Puri. Myself, Dharmatma prabhu and Craig shared a car, while Radhe Syama das and two other devotees traveled in another vehicle. The land was lush and green and full of palm trees swaying in the light wind. Crystal clear lakes and ponds dotted the landscape. As our taxi sped through the countryside, I again meditated on Craig's attraction to Lord Nrsimhadeva. He had only recently become seriously interested in Krsna consciousness, but like many devotees had quickly become attracted to this particular form of the Lord. I recalled one of Srila Prabhupada's purports in which he explains how devotees develop such attraction: "The transcendental holy name of the Lord may be heard and chanted accordingly to the attraction of the devotee. One may chant the holy name of Lord Krsna, or one may chant the holy name of Lord Rama or Nrsimhadeva. The Lord has innumerable forms and names, and devotees may meditate upon a particular form and chant the holy name according to his attraction." [Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.23-24] Suddenly, the idyllic atmosphere was shattered by Dharmatma screaming, "Watch out!" As I looked out the front window I saw a motorcycle hurtling towards us. The rider, adjusting something on the machine, was unaware that he had crossed into our lane. Instinctively I started loudly chanting Hare Krsna, and saw an expression of horror on the man's face as he looked up at the last moment before crashing head-on into our car. I closed my eyes upon impact and cringed at the sound of crunching metal and shattering glass. Bracing myself for the rider's body – or his motorcycle – to come crashing through the windshield, as often happens in high-speed accidents, I held tightly to the seat, expecting the car might also swerve into the ditch on the side of the road. But upon opening my eyes, I was astonished to see that our vehicle had stopped in its tracks. Suddenly we heard the motorcycle, which by the sheer force of the impact had been sent flying over our car, land in the road behind us. A split second later the rider's body came crashing down onto the roof of our car and on to the road. We quickly jumped out and saw the crumpled motorcycle and the rider lying critically wounded, blood gushing from his head. The damage to the front of the taxi was significant. However, the worst was still to come. In India, whenever there is a serious road accident in which people are injured, the driver of the vehicle perceived to be at fault is afforded no mercy by local people. He is often dragged from his vehicle and beaten to death on the spot, the passengers not uncommonly suffering a similar fate. The vehicle is then looted and torched. Within moments, a crowd of villagers had encircled our car. The driver had already fled, so their attention fell on us. My first thought was to protect my Deities, who were in a silver-colored case next to me on the seat. I saw several people already eyeing the fancy container. Grabbing the case, I opened the door and slowly got out. As I did so, Dharmatma and Craig emerged from the other side of the car and immediately attended to the injured motorcyclist. By assessing his wounds, they gained the sympathy of much of the crowd. No doubt the fact that we were all dressed as sadhus also worked in our favor. Nevertheless, the situation remained tense as several villagers agitated to attack us, with some approaching me yelling loudly and pushing me backwards. In my mind I began praying to Lord Nrsimhadeva and within moments the agitators stopped harassing me. As I passed Dharmatma I told him I was going to wait by the entrance to a nearby building. Should things flare up again, I suggested he and Craig join me and we would hide inside. With my Deities in hand I slowly moved towards the building, while Craig went behind the car just as some men were succeeding in breaking open the lock on the trunk. Seizing the moment, Craig reached in and removed our luggage. By this time the crowd were on our side, as they could see that Dharmatma was endeavoring to get the wounded motorcyclist to a hospital. Tension completely subsided with the arrival of the police, at which point Dharmatma and Craig made their way to the entrance to the building. Unnoticed by the villagers, we went inside. The building was a telephone exchange, and I immediately asked the one and only operator to call us a taxi. Not speaking a word of English, he stared back at me blankly. At that moment, one of the agitators from the crowd tried to force his way into the building, but was pushed back by several workers. We were getting a little nervous when suddenly, as if by the Lord's arrangement, a sadhu appeared at the entrance, his face composed and peaceful. Walking into the building, he put his hands up in a such a way as to reassure us, and proceeded to stay with us for over an hour. I finally communicated with the operator to call for a car to take us on to Puri, and when it arrived we cautiously emerged from the building as the sadhu scanned the crowd, his stern look keeping any trouble at bay. As we waited for the taxi to depart, the sadhu noticed the small pouch I keep around my neck containing my Nrsimha salagram sila. Almost mystically, he concluded the Lord was inside and asked for darsan. As I unzipped the pouch, the Lord's gaping mouth and fierce countenance were revealed, and the sadhu bowed his head in appreciation while offering prayers to the Lord. Then with his arms raised to the sky, he indicated with his eyes that it was the Lord alone who protected us from certain injury, or even death. By the mercy of Lord Nrsimhadeva, we had miraculously survived a major collision and a hostile group of villagers. As we drove away, I saw Craig looking at his own representation of Lord Nrsimhadeva – his ring. Meditating deeply on the ring, he turned and said, "I'll never, ever take off this ring. Lord Nrsimhadeva protected us!" Despite the seriousness of the occasion, the underlying feeling Craig was left with was one of gratitude to the Lord. At first, I felt uneasy that Craig had to go through such a terrible ordeal. He told me later it was the only automobile accident in which he'd been involved. Why did it have to happen during his trip to India, when I was trying so hard to impress upon him the wonderful life of Krsna consciousness? No doubt it was part of the Lord's plan. Some of the most important lessons in spiritual life are sobering. I had thought that the Lord was being particularly kind to Craig during his initial steps in Krsna consciousness – and it was now apparent that from the beginning Craig is learning to take shelter of the Lord in both happiness and distress. As we had discussed earlier that day, the Lord is everywhere, within and without. Indeed, even tragedy helps bring us closer to His lotus feet. vipadah santu tah sasvat tatra tatra jagad-guro bhavato darsanam yat syad apunar bhava-darsanam "I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths." [Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.25]  • Email to a friend • •New Vrndavan, USA: Offered With Love and Devotionby Gaura Nataraja Dasa In New Vrindavan we get a lot of visitors from near and far. Recently one such group of students came from Virginia. They were very open minded and nice. They first toured the Palace and then they came down to the community garden, 40 in number and 3 teachers accompanying them. H.G.Tapopunja explained about the perils of modern agriculture and how it is causing cancer and other health problems. He explained that when food is grown naturally with natural manure like cow dung it is very healthy and is also good karma. This when offered to Krishna with love is the most precious offering and one can remain healthy both materially and spiritually. They also danced to some nice Hare Krishna melodies by H.G.Kripamoya prabhu. After the tour of the temple they were having dinner at Govinda’s snack bar. As they were having dinner I explained to the Reverend, the teacher accompanying them, that this delicious prasadam is prepared cleanly without onion and garlic. It is cooked by a devotee of Krishna after taking bath and praying for everyone's well-being, food being the life of all. I told him that most of the vegetables used that day were grown here. Finally it is offered to Krishna with love and devotion and then eaten. As I told this he was so enthused that he asked me to go to every table and explain this to the students. The students were so fascinated by this explanation and the fact that food the very form of sustenance could have such a deep meaning. As the students heard this they mentioned that they began to understand what it really means to pray before eating. Most of the students then began to converse and said they would try their best to remember God before they eat. Hare Krishna!!!!!!!!!! • Email to a friend • •H.H. Jayadvaita Swami: Open Vyasa-puja book for 2011 online and in the mailThe 2011 Open Vyasa-puja Book is printed and in the mail. You can also download a pdf copy right now from http://www.sptributes.com. The book consists of offerings to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada by his disciples. In a separate posting I’ll express my thanks to all involved. For now, I just want to let you know quickly that the book is online. • Email to a friend • •H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: All Kalashes have now been sponsored.Regarding our Kalash sponsorhip offer for Janmastami, kindly note that all the remaining Kalashes have been taken. However, if you would to make a special contribution for Janmastami, you are welcome to do so at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/donate Thank you for your devotional service, Sankarshan Das Adhikari • Email to a friend • •ISKCON News.com: Good News Is No News
• Email to a friend • •ISKCON News.com: Lose Weight And Improve Heart Health Naturally by Walking
• Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1973 August 19: "You should know by now if you break one of the four regulative principles then you cannot advance. There is no use in writing to me that you are doing something sinful and then you continue to do it on some plea. Stop sinful life and be Krishna Conscious, that's all."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1971 August 19: "You can live strictly and make advancement in Krishna Consciousness by chanting and reading the books. There is no question of your fall down. Chant sixteen rounds regularly and no power in all three worlds will make you fall down."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1968 August 19: "Please ask all the devotees to wait and in the meantime, enjoy chanting Hare Krishna. The chanting of Hare Krishna is our main business, that is real initiation. And as you are all following my instruction, in that matter, the initiator is already there."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1968 August 19: "I am serious about starting a press as soon as possible. There is no other alternative, we must have a good press. It is the biggest mrdanga, recognized by my Guru Maharaja, so let us start it as soon as possible."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1968 August 19: "I have no objection if you go there. But wherever you may go, the point should be that our main business is service to Krishna and awkward circumstances may happen anywhere but we should be able to hold up to all such circumstances and steadfastly go on with our business of service to Krishna."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1968 August 19: "All of you should take care of this poor girl. She has left her parents and she is unmarried, no husband. Of course, she is not poor, because she has got so many God-brothers, and sisters, and above all Krsna. In spite of that, we should care about her health. That is our duty."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1969 August 19: "In ordinary administration the Temple Presidents may consult amongst themselves and make certain general procedures by mutual agreement. But when there is some more important factor, that must be referred to me."  • Email to a friend • •ISKCON News.com: New Courses Offered by Mayapur Institute
• Email to a friend • •ISKCON News.com: Africa Ranks High on BBT Agenda
• Email to a friend • •H.H. Sivarama Swami: The importance and benefit of following Janmastami vrata and other vows
• Email to a friend • •Mukunda Charan das, SA: The Independence Of The Living Entity‘The living entity can see only when the Lord sees, the living entity can smell only when the Lord smells, and so on. The idea is that the living entity cannot do anything independently. He can simply think of doing something independently, but he cannot act independently. This independence in thinking is there by the grace of the Lord, but the thinking can be given shape by the grace of the Lord, and therefore the common saying is that ‘Man proposes, God disposes’. ‘The whole explanation is on the absolute dependence of the living entities and the absolute independence of the Supreme Lord’ – SB 2.10.20 Purport Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: absolute independence of the supreme lord, how the living entity functions, independence, independence of the living entity, the living entity         • Email to a friend • •Japa Group: Meaning Of The Sixteen Names PT.5
Krsna krtvaranye sarah-srestham kantayanumatas-taya akrsya sarva-tirthani taj-jnanat krsna iryate In order to please Sri Radha, Krsna manifested the most wonderful lake (Syama-kunda) in Vrndavana. He then called all the holy rivers to fill it. He is thus known as Krsna. Jiva Goswami  • Email to a friend • •ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
"Lord Jagannatha is an ocean of mercy and as beautiful as a row of blackish rain clouds. He is the storehouse of bliss for Laksmi and Sarasvati, and His face resembles a spotless fullblown lotus. The best of demigods and sages worship Him, and the Upanisads sing His glories. May that Jagannatha Swami be the object of my vision." (Sri Jagannathastakam)
May His darsana indeed be the constant object of our vision.
• Email to a friend • •Vraja Kishor, JP: The Upside Down Banyan Tree – Gita 15.2Overview Image by Beneteau Sailor via Flickr The Bhagavad Gita gradually examined all different spiritual paths, explaining how they are interconnected and how they all culminate in the yoga of devotion – bhakti-yoga: the most potent path of spiritual awakening. All paths of spirituality support and facilitate the central path: bhakti yoga. Chapter 12In the 12th chapter Kṛṣṇa noted that the path of gaining accurate knowledge is a particularly crucial support enabling bhakti-yoga. Therefore the 13th chapter onwards discuss the paths of knowledge (jñāna). The knowledge that we gain by studying these chapters gives us a solid foundation from which we can more truly engage in the yoga of divine love, bhakti-yoga. Chapter 13In the 13th chapter Kṛṣṇa explained that knowledge consists of three components: the knower, the known, and the process of knowing. In the course of describing these three in detail, Kṛṣṇa said that the knower (the "soul") becomes enmeshed within the known (the "world" or the "body"). This is a very important point, the soul that is enmeshed in the body becomes diverted into selfish pursuits and cannot express true divine love. So it is essential to know more about what binds the soul into the body. Knowing that we can unbind the soul from its entanglement in the body and its world – and thus become freed from selfish concepts and attain a condition in which true divine love becomes feasible. Chapter 14Therefore, in the 14th chapter, Kṛṣṇa explained the force which entices the soul to enmesh herself in the body and which holds her therein. This force is the "three modes" – the three ways that matter entices spirit, and thus binds spirit within it. After describing some details about these modes, Kṛṣṇa explains that there is a reality that is free from the modes, and the soul must strive to attain it. Chapter 15Now, the 15th chapter is all about explaining how to cut through the bonds tied around the soul by the three modes, which keep her enmeshed in its illusion of self-centeredness. The Upside-Down Banyan Tree IThe chapter begins by painting a picture of a tree, and will then talk about how to cut this tree down. This tree is a Banyan tree. Banyan's a huge trees that live for thousands of years because they keep putting down new roots. The first thing we hear about this tree is that it's upside down! "ūrdhva-mūlam adhaḥ-śākham" – "Upward roots, downward branches." It's not initially clear why it's upside down, but 2 verses later Kṛṣṇa explains it is upside down because it is not the real form of the tree – it is a reflection. When you look at a tree standing on the other shore of a clean lake, in the lake will be an upside-down reflection of the tree. The next thing we hear about the tree is that it's famous. It is not an allegory Kṛṣṇa is making up for the first time in the Gita, it is a famous allegory that has been spoken about many times before in the Veda (prāhur). This analogy, in other words, has been presented in scripture before – and Kṛṣṇa is repeating it here in the Gita. Then we hear that the tree is both aśvatthaḿ and avyayam - it is both temporary and eternal. In other words it appears to be eternal, but it is eternally changing form and shape, and the form that it is in today will be gone tomorrow. Therefore any specific version of the tree is temporary, although the tree itself always exists in some version. The fourth thing we learn about the tree is that the Vedic Hymns are its leaves. Leaves carry out photosynthesis and thus bring energy and life to the tree. So Vedic Hymns allow this upside down tree to flourish and grow. The fifth thing we hear is that knowledge of this tree = knowledge of the veda. In other words the Veda is meant for clearly knowing what this tree is. The Upside Down Banyan Tree IIEverything so far was just from the first verse of the 15th chapter. Now let's see what the second verse tells us. 6) The branches go up and down. (adhaś cordhvaḿ prasṛtās tasya śākhā) 7) It is nourished by the three modes. (guṇa-pravṛddhā)
9) It also has additional roots going downward. (adhaś ca mūlāny anusantatāni ) 10) Those roots are tied to the Earth, and the actions humans perform there. (karmānubandhīni manuṣya-loke) It is a custom in many languages and cultures to withhold the name of the subject until after the descriptive have been given. In English generally we do just the opposite, so reading Sanskrit can get confusing. But I am getting used to it from (a) reading Sanskrit stuff for a while and (b) getting familiar with Japanese. In this case, as is usual in Sanskrit – we don't know what this tree is for a while, first we hear descriptions of its branches, roots etc. But when we hear # 8 we finally understand what this upside down tree really is – and what it is all about. When we hear that the tree produces the sense objects (form, sound, smell, touch, and taste) we know that the tree is the sensorial world, a.k.a. the "material world" a.k.a. the thing that the soul is enmeshed in. Now the whole thing makes sense. The tree is upside down. The root of the tree is at the top – because the root of the universe is Brahma – the original creator of things, and Brahman – the ingredients supplied by the transcendental Godhead with which Brahma creates. That is the root that is at the top of everything. Now it makes sense why the tree is both eternal and temporary – because the material world is constantly changing shape. Constant = eternal, changing = temporary. The material world is a tree that is constantly changing. This is also interesting about the Vedic Hymns. The Vedic hyms cause the tree to grow. And the Vedas are meant for knowing the tree. The tree is the material world. Thus the Vedas themselves are not "spiritual." They are "religious." That is, they teach us how to best enjoy the tree, and by following their advice we cause the tree to be healthy and enjoyable. A very small portion adjunct the Vedas is actually "spiritual" this is the Upandishads, the Vedanta Sutra, and the Puranas particularly Srimad Bhagavatam. Even more spiritual than these Vedic adjuncts are the words of the Six Goswamis. Branches going up and down.The root of the tree is Brahma, the topmost living being in the universe. Some branches move away from this root, downward. Others curve upwards and move towards it. These branches are all the 8,400,000 species of life in the universe. The branches curving upwards are the religious and spiritually progressive human beings, also the higher life forms who are counted as demigods and semidemigods and goddesses. The branches curving downward are the animals, fish and insects. You and I live on this tree, and we transmigrate from one lifetime to the next sometimes moving into higher branches sometimes into lower branches. Constantly changing location on the constantly changing tree. Nourished by the Three ModesEvery tree needs water and light. The light comes in through the Vedic hyms acting as leaves. The water comes in through the modes of nature. In other words the modes of nature bring vitality to this tree. How can the tree be constantly changing? That takes a lot of energy, a lot of vitality. Where does the power to constantly change come from – it comes from the three modes. We have already discussed these three modes in some detail in the 14th chapter. Buds are the sense objectsThe material world exists to provide an experience desired by the mentally unstable soul. This experience requires objects to be experienced. Thus the tree produces those objects. Involved in the experience of objects are also the instruments of experience – the senses – as well as the result of the experience, some variety of pleasure or pain. So the small branches of the tree are the senses that our body possesses. The buds are the objects these senses hold / perceive. The buds become fruits that are either bitter or sweet – this is allegorical to the way the senses perceive sense objects and derive attraction or disgust, pleasure or pain as a result. Additional RootsWhat makes the Banyan tree so special is that it has more than one root system. It has a central root, but it keeps dropping new roots from its extending branches and this becomes nearly eternal and gigantic. In the allegory of the banyan tree as the material world – the allegorical tree also has secondary roots. Thus the cause of the material world is not just Brahma who built it, or Vishnu who supplied the ingredients. The cause is equally something else – which is all the secondary roots. Let's hear more about the secondary roots to figure out the other cause of the world's existing… Roots tied to human activity on earthThese secondary roots drop downward towards earth, where they dig into the activities that human beings perform here. This is the other cause of the universe – our desires! Our fruitive activities – our desire to enjoy things for ourselves. This is what our mental instability really is – and this the cause of our being in the upside-down version of the tree. Doing fruitive work to change our future takes a lot of effort. This effort nourishes the secondary roots which keeps the tree alive. If we stopped these selfish activities, the tree would die.         • Email to a friend • •Dandavats.com: The Signs of Change
He makes a song of the names 'Hare,' 'Krsna' and 'Rama,' and by giving it to the mass of people destroys all obstacles such as sorrow, delusion, greed, and suffering. He grants devotional service to the multitude of devotees who are eager for the shelter of Lord Krsna's lotus feet • Email to a friend • •Gouranga TV: Ratha Yatra Evening at the Vedic Village ISKCON Melbourne 2011Ratha Yatra Evening at the Vedic Village ISKCON Melbourne 2011 • Email to a friend • •Dandavats.com: Bhaktivedanta Manor NewsletterRadha Mohan das: Dear prabhus Please find attached the latest Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter, in PDF format • Email to a friend • •Akrura das, Gita Coaching: LACK OF TIME OR PURPOSESome people I coach come to me and say they have time management challenges.  • Email to a friend • •Akrura das, Gita Coaching: SELF-IMPOSEDI find that most obstacles to our happiness and success in any area are self-imposed.  • Email to a friend • •Akrura das, Gita Coaching: EXTRAORDINARY RESULTSKrsna's Mercy + Great Thinking + Great Action = Extraordinary Results  • Email to a friend • •Dandavats.com: They're back! The Hare Krishna's return to Croome in a Bank Holiday spectacularPress Release: More than two decades after they sold Croome Court, the Hare Krishna's are back for a festival which celebrates their time at Croome and their continuing relationship with the National Trust • Email to a friend • •Kurma dasa, AU: Cooking Retreat with Kurma at Krishna Valley 16-18 September 2011Spring is approaching here in Australia, and the favourable weather will add a lightness to our step. What better way to celebrate the new season than with a cookery adventure 'far from the madding crowd'.
Here's a group photo taken at our 2010 Spring Bhakti Yoga Cooking Retreat. Veda Priya (kneeling, far left) and husband Keshava (standing second from right) are full-time residents on the farm. Assisted by Manigriva (at the back, in yellow) and Gandiva (in white hat, back, fifth from right), they co-ordinate the day-to-day running of the farm.
For those of you that haven't heard of this event, Krishna Valley is in country Victoria, surrounded by State Forest. And if you don't know your geography, the 200 acres of beautiful rolling countryside is a couple hours outside of Melbourne, Australia.
The yoga of cooking is the theme of the retreat. There's lots to learn, lots to eat, and great company. Here's Jacqui, sister-in-law of Keshava, Lauren and her mother Lynn.
Many retreats are held here, such as Vedic Astrology. Great accomodation facilities make it a real haven. And did I mention the spiritual food?
There are still some vacancies, so don't delay if you want to come. Here's the details: Bhakti Yoga Cookery Retreat, Hare Krishna Valley, Bambra, Victoria, Friday Evening, Saturday, Sunday 16, 17, 18 September 2011 A weekend of cooking, learning and eating! Bookings/enquiries call Veda 0405 577 453.
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Its buds are the sense-objects. (viṣaya-pravālāḥ)
By Indradyumna Swami
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