SB 7.4.33
nodvigna-citto vyasaneṣu niḥspṛhaḥ
śruteṣu dṛṣṭeṣu guṇeṣv avastu-dṛk
dāntendriya-prāṇa-śarīra-dhīḥ sadā
praśānta-kāmo rahitāsuro ’suraḥ
śruteṣu dṛṣṭeṣu guṇeṣv avastu-dṛk
dāntendriya-prāṇa-śarīra-dhīḥ sadā
praśānta-kāmo rahitāsuro ’suraḥ
Although Prahlāda Mahārāja was born in a family of asuras, he himself was not an asura but a great devotee of Lord Viṣṇu. Unlike the other asuras, he was never envious of Vaiṣṇavas. He was not agitated when put into danger, and he was neither directly nor indirectly interested in the fruitive activities described in the Vedas. Indeed, he considered everything material to be useless, and therefore he was completely devoid of material desires. He always controlled his senses and life air, and being of steady intelligence and determination, he subdued all lusty desires.
Develop character
Qualities of Sri Prahlada Maharaja are being summarized here. By studying them carefully we can truly understand what is a vaishnava. We may read volumes and volumes of philosophy memorize many teachings and even have the power to speak in such a way that people are mesmerized. In these few verses of SB it is clear what is expected of us. What are the characteristicss that we must sincerely strive to live by in our lives.As CM has spoken one cannot really understand Krishna or how to love Krishna even by studying scrutinizingly all the various scriptures, but one can understand by observing the life of a pure devotee. Mahajan yen agatah- this is the path of perfection to follow in the footsteps of Mahajanas. Because this is the culmination of the essence of philosophy. This is where all the philosophy is trying to bring us to achieve - these personal qualities. These do not necessarily come by getting a position- temple president, counselor sankirtan leader, GBC , guru anything but you will not necessarily adopt those qualities by having a position- it is these characteristics that attract and please Krishna.They are not easily achieved. In fact if we study these verses describing Prahlada Maharaja it is very difficult but yet we must strive, pray , do our sadhana, study scriptures with the aim of developing these qualities. Narada Muni tells the qualities of Prahalada. He was completely cultured as a qualified Brahamana. SP has told us that this movement is especially meant to create a class of true brahmanas and for one who is a vaishnava all the real essential qualities of a brahamana are there even if he may not be performing all the activities of a brahmana.
We must be determined to develop these qualities
Having very good character and determined to understand the absolute truth, having a learning, yearning, eagerness determination to understand the absolute truth. In school for most people- if they want to do well there has to be a determination to understand the subjects.When we read the books when we come to the classes, it should not just be because we are supposed to, it should not simply be for social purposes, to catch extra rest. We come to class with a determination to understand the absolute truth, if you are determined then you will be awake. To be determined means willing to fight all obstacles- that is the quality of determination.
Prahlada Maharaj's Qualities
"He had full control of senses and mind and he was kind to everyone"
It explains his relationship with others.How and all of these qualities can only take place in a person who is not envious or at least the beginning stages of not acting out of the influences of envy that may be lurking within our hearts.
To respectable persons PM acted like a menial servant.
Very interesting- he is the fav son of the king, usually some in that posn is naturally very proud. But he was willing to serve them in any way- menial servant does not discriminate between high, low, prestigious or something people would criticize you if you do. Menial servant means that you will do whatever to please that person.
"To those who were poor,PM was like their father"
- very profound- a father doesn't just give something in charity- a father really cares- if your child is sick- does he say here is some medicine.A father really cares wit his heart for the welfare- extend himself and make sacrifices. PM saw every poor suffering person as his own son. He himself was only 5 years old.
This was the standard of his devotion. Practically everyone who was poor was old enough to be his father-
but he was seeing them as his own children- why because he had something help them to serve them.
Its not just about money. Its about respect also.We read about SP when he was living in the bowery- ghetto of Manhattan island. There were people who were really really poor, not only poor economically but poor in every sense of morality. They were alcoholics, drug addicts, sleeping on the roads and nothing due to their addictions they lost everything they had- completely totally rejected by the whole society.
Srila Prabhupada's example- gave people a sense of dignity and value
SP had less money than they did. He had practically nothing but yet, he was intoxicated with Krishna's love- he would walk among them he always showed respect, honor them. He was the only person who gave them respect or honor. They would open the door for him to reciprocate with him. they would not do that for anyone. He was giving them a sense of dignity- when you give someone a sense of dignity you are actually giving them the strength to give up their bad habits and improve themselves. Just give them money you are not really helping them very much. Because the medicine, money, food is not going to give them the strength to overcome their suffering. But if you give them a sense of dignity then you can give them a sense that their life has a value, there is something in me that is good- I don't see it, nobody sees it, but this person sees it so it must be there. That gives the strength to overcome so many obstacles, to come out of Maya and attain Krishna. PS was like a father. PM 5 years old was also like a father. He respected everyone, he gave honor and dignity to everyone- How is that possible?
SP's giving dignity to them was different from how modern psychiatry and psychology view dignity, self worth
From a psychological perspective you can analyse how it is very vital for encouraging a person who is a depressed condition. But PM< SP and the great souls are seeing from a different perspective. vidya vinaya.... samadarsinah. They are seeing the ultimate good in every living being, Brahaman, cow , elephant, cow or dog eater- they are seeing beyond the external dress- body and mind are dresses. Body outer clothes mind is like the underwear. But the soul is the person.Now you may or may not like a person's clothes, you may not like the underwear, but its the person that is important. Every living being, whatever designation they maybe- they are part of God-they are sat cit ananda - they are our brothers sisters, Krishna is our father- everyone is pure. There is love of God there everywhere. If someone sees that in you- sees Godliness in You, see godliness in you, divine love in you. That person can really encourage you and also empower you,. In the psychology, psychiatry and various new methods to deal with mental problems, there is a sense of giving a sense of self worth- giving them the comfort that I am important, I am valuable. In this world there are so many situations that can be depressive to a person's mind. There is a movement of self care- self value, but when that is only on the material plane. It can make you feel better, But it can also inflate your false ego and give you an illusory sense of your value. But SP, PM and these great souls they are not just trying to pump our depressed ego- they are trying to give us knowledge of who we really our, what we really our what our real value is and if you understand your value according to their perspective then you cannot think I have real value and they don't.
Modern systems could bring you to I have value but others don't, I am better than you. But here we understand who we really are and we understand everybody's essence is full of bliss, of inconceivable value. Sometimes SP compares the soul just and infinitesimal part of Krishna vibhu to a spark or rays of the sun.
Bringing the soul to its real glory by bringing it closer to Krishna
From the perspective of a spark what is the significance of a spark so tiny so small anu very little cannot illuminate very much. The farther the spark is away from the fire the less it glows the less value it has. But when that spark comes closer to the Lotus Feet of Srimati Radharani who is the source of all love and devotion then that spark glows brighter and brighter. When that spark is very close to Sri Sri RG then it can generate a light that can illuminate the entire universe- that little spark.
In actually trying to give a person their real value, we convince them that you are spirit soul , part and parcel of Krishna pure love in your heart, unlimited joy in your heart. Theoretically that can make a person feel nice. Real inner fulfillment has to go beyond the theoretical.
But if we convince people of this concept, of this truth and bring them closer to the Lotus feet of Sri Sri RG then their real sense of , that little infinitesimal soul starts glowing brighter and brighter and its divine virtues become more and more manifest In the spiritual world we find , although there are unlimited jivatmas.- rats alone in mumbai are countless, what to speak of the humans and the mosquitoes, microbes and cockroaches, how many jivatmas are there? Could human intelligence could create a number to estimate the number of jivatmas in the cosmic manifestation- unfathomable. This is just the prison.
People in prisons are small % of society. How many are there in Goloka Vrindavan- Vrindavan, svetadvipa, dwarka and Mathura, Unlimited vaikuntha planets. How many living entities Yet because each jiva's heart is so close to Krishna due to love, he can make everyone feel, I love only you. My full affection is just for you and that doesn't give you a superior complex over others?You are not envious when you see Krishna loving others? why doesn't one feel envious when one sees Krishna someone else more- bec they are so totally satisfied by Krishna's love for me.When they see Krishna loving someone else it makes them more thrilled gives them happiness. So yes the closer the soul comes to Krishna the real value of the soul is brought out. A real father who is trying to help the poor- is not only giving them some physical symptomatic relief but gives them the knowledge of who they are and brings them closer and closer the Krishna.
Therefore Lord CM is given the instruction - that we should all perform the highest welfare work for human society to bring people closer to Krishna- to feed and nourish people on the spiritual platform- our physical and emotional welfare work is connected to the needs of the soul People are hungry give them food- they are hungry again- give them prasad they will be hungry again but in the process of eating you have brought them closer to Krishna awakening them to their full glory.
If you can heal a person's sickness but put them in an environment where their souls are being awakened - burned out little spark laying in the dry sand no light in it, if you can somehow bring them closer to the Lotus feet of Radha Krishna then that type of philanthrophy is para upkara. Ceto darapana- prime benediction for humanity at large, is Krishna who has descended in his name with all of His fullness His opulence.He has manifested in His Name.
Therefore the greatest strength charity we can offer to another with real care real love is to bring people closer to Krishna by inducing them to take shelter of the Holy Name.Hare Krsna Radha and Krishna We can be close to Krishna in every situation and allow that little soul in our heart to blaze with love and all good qualities and the Holy Name is something we cna take shelter of Krishna at all places and all times.
This was Prahlada Maharaja- although he was a Little 5 yr old boy- he cared for everyone as a father not just poor in wealth but poor in heart. In the Bible Jesus said "Blessed are the poor in heart"- those who have humble hearts - who realize that nothing is mine everything is the property of God.the more we realize that the more we come closer to God.
To His equals, PM he was attached like a sympathetic brother.
To other vaishnavas who are equal- not just a friend- we should have friendships ,
How can devotees be attached to one another?
Developing attachment on that level- Mayawadis are again any type of attachment- devotees also we read so much about vairagya we get the idea we should be detached from everything everyone. But in Vaishnava Society, PM his is attached to his equals but not to exploit them, not for his sense gratification - he is attached because he knows that they are his brothers and sisters. They are Krishna's children and he is attached to serving them with love. that is how we should try to cultivate relationships with all of our peers- attachment to serving them with love.
RG explain the 6 loving exchanges- to be attached to those exchanges with each other is very good- its the symptoms of a Mahajana. He considered his teachers, that means siksa Guru's spiritual masters, SP said he treated his older God brother's as good as the SPG- His teachers, Gurus and older God brothers.
How was he able to do this?
He was completely free of unnatural pride
- why unnatural? In spiritual life there is natural pride- based on truth- to be proud of Krishna is natural pride- to be proud of other vaishnavas for the good things they do bec they are empowered by Krishna. If you are proud of Krishna, will you not be spontaneously be proud of anything Krishna does thru someone else. When we glorify Krishna and show our pride in Krishna- this is our GOD. When we read about SP our hearts should swell with pride- pride in SP. We see anybody serving nicely, being empowered we should be swelling with pride- how my God brother or somebody else's disciples how they are empowered by Krishna nd the Parampara to do wonderful things. This is natural pride. - focussed on Krishna.
False pride- we put ourselves in the center. Natural pride in Guru, Krishna and Vaishnavas unifies us. Helps us to transcend all ency and disputes. Unnatural pride- creates disunity, creates envy, destroys our humility. Natural pride increases our humility- when our pride is with Krishna and others in the center it makes us humble. When our pride is with us in the center it makes egotistical, arrogant
