Tag: devotee

Service to a devotee of Krishna saved King Nṛga

King Nṛga was very charitable, yet he had to suffer for a sin which he committed unintentionally. But King Nṛga was finally saved by Krishna because he had once done service to a devotee of Krishna.

King Nṛga’s sin

Once a cow which the king had given in charity to a brahmana by mistake came back to his herd and he gave the same cow to another brahmana as charity.

When the brahmana who had got the cow initially saw this, he became angry and upset. He wanted his cow back but the other brahmana was not willing to give the cow. They both began arguing with each other claiming the cow to be their own. They went to the king to resolve the dispute.

King offered them to take one hundred thousand cows instead of that one cow, but they refused and went away. King’s mistake was unintentional but still he incurred sin for taking the cow of the brahmana which he had already given in charity.

And when he died then he had to suffer for the sin which he committed. He got the body of a lizard.

King Nṛga as lizard rescued by Krishna

But fortunately, he became a lizard in Dwarka and was rescued by Krishna. As soon as Krishna touched his body, he got free from the sins. He got a beautiful golden body like the resident of a heaven.  Later a celestial plane came and took him to the higher abode.

Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that although he was suffering for his sins, he was able to get the darshan of Krishna because once he had helped a devotee by giving him charity to build the temple of Lord Krishna. He had also helped the devotee to get copies of Bhagavad Gita and Shrimad Bhagavatam. The devotee was happy and satisfied by king’s gesture. He blessed the king saying, “May you have darshan (audience) of the Supreme Lord.”

It was because of that devotee’s mercy that the King as lizard was able to get darshan of the Lord Krishna.

People perform pious activities with a desire to get some benefit. But while doing so, there is a possibility that someone may commit some mistake unintentionally. And for that one has to suffer. But the service to the Supreme Lord Krishna is so glorious that one does not have to worry about committing any mistake intentionally.

Krishna always protects his devotee

Service to Krishna never goes in vain. Even if someone does something little for the Lord, Lord notes it down and reciprocate with the devotee. Not just that Lord takes care of his devotee and protect him from all dangerous situations.

“In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.” Bhagavad Gita 2.40

King Nṛga did service to a devotee of Krishna and got saved by Krishna. Similarly, we will also be protected by Krishna when we remain under his shelter and continue serving him and his devotees.

A genuine devotee of Krishna while doing any service to Krishna, never expects anything in return. He just wants to serve the Lord; his only desire is to please the Lord. Even though the devotee does not desire anything from Krishna, he makes sure his devotee is never deprived of anything.

Three Reflections

• King Nṛga’s mistake was unintentional but still he incurred sin for taking the cow of the brahmana which he had already given in charity.
• King Nṛga did service to a devotee of Krishna and got saved by Krishna.
• Even though a devotee does not desire anything from Krishna, he makes sure his devotee is never deprived of anything.

Ask Yourself

• Have I done any service to Krishna or his devotees recently?

Action Item

• Donate something to Krishna on Janmashtami.

Two qualifications to understand the message of Bhagavad Gita

Ever wonder why even after reading Bhagavad Gita, people are not interested in dedicating their life to Krishna. The answer is given by Krishna himself in Bhagavad Gita. In the verse 4.3 of this book, Krishna says that to understand his message which he is giving in Bhagavad Gita one should be his friend and also his devotee. These are the two qualifications required to understand Bhagavad Gita.

Krishna spoke Gita to Arjuna, and even Dhritarashtra through Sanjaya came to know about the knowledge but still the blind king was not able to appreciate the knowledge. It was because he wasn’t a devotee of Krishna and never considered Krishna his friend.

In fact, he became more disturbed when at the end Sanjaya informs him that wherever Krishna is and wherever Arjuna is opulence, victory, extraordinary power and morality is guaranteed. Bhagavad Gita 18.78.

Any sane man after knowing Gita and knowing who Krishna is would have immediately given up all false notions and would have taken shelter of Krishna just like Arjuna.

Krishna spoke this great knowledge 5000 years ago and after that many people tried to share this with others. But there are people who may know all the 700 verses of Gita but are still not interested in Krishna. Why? The answer is simple – they have not developed friendly relationships with Krishna and have not decided to become a devotee of Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada knew this fact so the first thing he did was to make everyone a devotee of Krishna. In fact, the most important qualifications to share the knowledge of this great literature is to first be a devotee of Krishna. Intellectual rendition may attract people’s attention but may not transform people’s heart.

Knowing Gita from Srila Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada being a pure devotee of Krishna could easily comprehend the message which Krishna wanted to share with all the suffering souls of this world. And moreover, Prabhupada knew Krishna’s heart. He knew that Krishna wants everyone to get connected to him and come back to him.

Prabhupada worked on this mission. He dedicated his life in bringing people closer to Krishna and making them understand Krishna’s message as it is. This is why he wrote book Bhagavad Gita as it is.

Many so-called scholars to capitalize the popularity of Gita wrote commentary on Bhagavad Gita but added their own interpretation and so the original message of Krishna was lost.

But Prabhupada said to us what Krishna wanted to share with us. Those who heard him their heart got transformed and could understand their relationship with Krishna.  Prabhupada went to west and the western people after hearing Gita from Prabhupada gave their life to Krishna.

Today we see thousands and thousands of people chanting the names of Krishna all over the world, singing the glories of Krishna, worshipping Krishna in the temple selflessly.

This is because they have come to know that Krishna is the topmost reality, he is everyone’s friend, and the goal of all living beings is to become a devotee of Krishna.

With this understanding, knowing Gita becomes easy.  The message of Krishna penetrates our heart and love of Krishna manifests in it.

Three Reflections

• In Bhagavad Gita 4.3, Krishna says that to understand his message which he is giving, one should be his friend and also his devotee.
• There are people who may know all the 700 verses of Gita but are still not interested in Krishna.
• Those who heard from Srila Prabhupada, their heart got transformed and they could understand their relationship with Krishna. 

Ask Yourself

• Do I consider Krishna my true well-wishing friend?

Action Item

• Hear at least one lecture of Srila Prabhupada on Bhagavad Gita per week.

Everyone is a devotee of Krishna | Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.36

• Srimad Bhagavatam Class: SB 11.3.36
• Chapter Name: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
• Venue: Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata
• Day/Date: Saturday,31^st May 2025
• Speaker: HG Surabhi Mataji (ACBSP)

About HG Surabhi Mataji (ACBSP)

HG Surabhi Mataji (ACBSP) is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada. She was born in Australia. From the age of 13, she had curiosity to know about God. And she was asking such questions about the Lord in her school. But no one was able to give a proper answer to her.  Mataji would think that if this universe exists and functions properly then there must be a God who is doing all this. When she was 20 years old, she came to London to for studies. In 1971, she was fortunate to meet Hare Krishna devotees. From them she was able to get answer to all her questions about God. She came to know God is blackish in complexion, have curly hairs and he looks very beautiful. Later, she got initiated by Srila Prabhupada. She has taken up many services in Iskcon. She has been doing Book distribution service, cooking service, giving care to the devotees and currently travelling all over the world preaching the message of Krishna Consciousness.

In today’s Srimad Bhagavatam Class,  HG Surabhi Mataji (ACBSP) said that “Everyone is a devotee of Krishna” and those who are not yet devotees of Krishna will eventually become a devotee of Krishna. It is just a matter of time. Mataji was speaking on SB 11.3.36.

SB 11.3.36

naitan mano viśati vāg uta cakṣur ātmā
prāṇendriyāṇi ca yathānalam arciṣaḥ svāḥ
śabdo ’pi bodhaka-niṣedhatayātma-mūlam
arthoktam āha yad-ṛte na niṣedha-siddhiḥ

Translation

“Neither the mind nor the faculties of speech, sight, intelligence, the life air or any of the senses are capable of penetrating that Supreme Truth, any more than small sparks can affect the original fire from which they are generated. Not even the authoritative language of the Vedas can perfectly describe the Supreme Truth, since the Vedas themselves disclaim the possibility that the Truth can be expressed by words. But through indirect reference the Vedic sound does serve as evidence of the Supreme Truth, since without the existence of that Supreme Truth the various restrictions found in the Vedas would have no ultimate purpose.”

Important points from the purport of the verse SB 11.3.36

• The quantity of heat and light in the original fire is always superior to the quantity found in the insignificant sparks.
• The minute living entities, being aṁśaḥ, or sparks of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can never equal the Supreme Godhead in the quantity of their potency.
• Because the Personality of Godhead has supreme seeing power, hearing power, touching power, smelling power and tasting power, the living entities in a limited sense can also see, hear, touch, smell and taste, by the mercy of Hṛṣīkeśa. This idea is expressed in the Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad (4.4.18)

Below article is based on the class given by HG Surabhi Mataji (ACBSP)

We do not want Krishna to be God

We have to remember that Krishna is always reminding us who we really are.  Just like maya devi is reminding us that we are not the Supreme Personality of Godhead. For example, we are walking on the street and are hit by a stone, and we have black eye then we know we are not God.

Krishna steals butter and dances with the gopis, but if we steal something police will catch us. Krishna steals butter and when mother Yashoda comes he hides, sometimes behind Balarama. When Yashoda comes and asks who did it, he says I did not do so, Balarama did it.  And then he shows his reflection and says he has stolen butter. Krishna begins rubbing his eyes thinking that I will be in trouble.

Mother Yashoda would embrace him and say, “You are the sweetest little child.”  

These are beautiful pastimes of Krishna, and we can’t imitate it. If we do so, we will be in trouble. Only Krishna can do these things. We have chosen to come to this world because we do not want Krishna to be God, we want to be God.

Understand we are not God & give everything to him

Even as devotees we can find that there will be some moment in a day when we think we are God. Krishna says, “If you want to become God, then its ok. You go and try to be what I am.” And so, he makes this world for us. He sends maya devi. And maya devi, put obstacles everywhere to show us that we are not God.

When we come to the point of being totally frustrated with material world, then we understand we are not God, and we surrender to God. And to get to that point, we have to understand that no one is our real friends.

Everyone is a devotee of Krishna. Some know and have become like us. Some have not become devotees of Krishna because they have not got kicks of maya. In this world, maya devi is there to give us kicks. We can’t enjoy here. Even if we try to enjoy, we can’t. Even the richest person can’t enjoy, if he is not Krishna Conscious.

Steve Jobs at Hare Krishna Temple

For example, Steve Jobs became big but later Krishna took everything away from him. Lord took everything through disease. When I see my grandchildren fighting for toys, I ask, “When you were born were you born with toys?” And they say, “No.” I say, “If not then how you can say that this toy belongs to you?”

Steve Jobs came with nothing in this world and later acquired a lot. At the time of death, he said, “When I was young, I had nothing.” He used to walk from one side of New York to another to get a meal at the Hare Krishna mandir. He remembered this at the time of death.

The prasadam he ate once a week at the temple, he was able to carry that memory with him but not the riches he had acquired. And after his death there was also dispute related to his property, there were court cases. So, better to give everything before death else you will have to come again to settle.

So, better give all riches to Krishna.

I do not have home or wealth, so what I will give to my 5 children and 9 grandchildren? Materially nothing. I have given my life to Krishna; I can give it to them. When my children used to be asked what your mother does. They would say she does “Hare Krishna” and they would tell about Govindas. When I am not then Govindas also helps them to remember Krishna. The supreme purpose of life is to help others remember Krishna.

This is what Srila Prabhupada did. He made us all understand that we all are devotee of Krishna.

Prabhupada most successful businessman

In America it is said Srila Prabhupada is most successful businessman. No one came from another country to the USA and did so much. Today there are temples and devotees are distributing thousands of books. Prabhupada is more famous than anyone else. And his legacy is still going on even after he has left this world.

So, never forget Srila Prabhupada. Today only 700 disciples of Prabhupada are left in this world. Almost daily, weekly or monthly one of his disciples are passing away. Devotees say that you speak about Prabhupada, and we feel Prabhupada is here.

Take care of Prabhupada’s disciples

While Prabhupada’s disciples are here I want you to take care of them. Because one day no one will be left.

Once in Mayapur, I had gone and there was no place for us to stay, there was no care for us. So, I decided to do something. I made arrangements so that there is a bus or cab to take them from Kolkata airport to Mayapur temple, there is a place for them to stay, prasadam arrangement is there, they get medicines on time. For this, funds were needed and within one hour I was able to arrange for the funds. Later I informed GBC what I am doing. Now the system has been established to take care of Prabhupada’s disciples.

I can walk for miles, but it is difficult for me to get up once I sit down. And I am just 75 years old. But there are disciples of Prabhupada who are more than 80 years old now. HG Jananivas prabhu is going to be 83 years old. Some do not have a place to live. We should find where every one of them are and should look after them. If they do not have money, then sponsor them. Because when they leave the world, we will miss the opportunity. Don’t wait till only one is left.

Don’t chant & sing Hare Krishna Mahamantra incorrectly

Mataji made everyone say the Hare Krishna Mahamantra the way we say while chanting our rounds. After everyone chanted the Mahamantra.

Mataji made the following observation about pronouncing the Mahamantra incorrectly.   

I observe that devotees, especially while doing kirtan pronounce the word incorrectly. For example, instead of Rama they say Ramo, instead of Krishna they say Krishno.

When once Prabhupada heard “Hare Ramo” then he told to my godbrother HH Vishnujan Swami that who is “Hare Ramo.” Prabhupada further said that this will destroy the movement.

In Brisbane one lady asked me, “Which mantra is correct, the one which I know and chant or the one which is currently going on.” I said the one that you know is correct.  Some say because of Bengali accent, pronunciation is different. But Prabhupada was Bengali, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura was Bengali. So, how did they chant?

This is becoming plague – chanting in an incorrect way.

Think for whom you are chanting

While singing or chanting think for whom you are doing so. If you are not doing correctly then you are doing for yourself.  My name is Surabhi and if someone calls me Surabho, I will not like it.

If you go to the spiritual world and say Krishno or Ramo then Krishna and Balarama will say what they are saying is wrong. They will ask us to go down and learn correctly the Mahamantra and then come back to the spiritual world. So, don’t miss the chance.

In Mayapur, a devotee was singing Ramo. He has millions of followers on you tube. I called him near Prabhupada deity and told him that Ramo is incorrect and since you have millions of followers then everyone will chant incorrectly. He said that I know this is incorrect but since it fits to my tune so I chant Ramo.

Media can be best in distributing Krishna Consciousness and can be enemy also, if we do it in wrong way.

Srila Prabhupada said do not change anything, not even a comma nor a dot and especially not the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

Please help me to spread Prabhupada’s movement, we want the whole world to know about Krishna.

What should be the qualification of the speaker of Srimad Bhagavatam?|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.4.2

Have you ever wondered that what should be the qualification of the speaker of Srimad Bhagavatam?

These days we see there are many professional reciters of Srimad Bhagavatam. They may have the ability to sing the verses of Bhagavatam in a poetic way but if they are not the devotees of the Lord then their recitation is of not much value. 

We generally see that such professional reciters like to speak a lot about Krishna’s rasa lila which is given in the tenth canto.

These professional reciters do not show much interest in the first nine cantos and eleventh and twelfth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam. But they passionately speak about Krishna’s pastimes with gopis of Vrindavan which is given in the tenth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam.

They present it as if it’s like a boy and girl relationship which we see in this world. The gullible audience likes such stories.

But such recitation does not transform the heart of the speaker and the audience. This is why we see so many people know the rasa lila pastime of Krishna, but they never become sincere devotees of Krishna.

After hearing Bhagavatam from professional reciters people continue with their mundane life. They do not develop any taste in chanting the names of Krishna and they do not develop any desire to dedicate their life to Krishna. 

On the other hand, we see that when people hear Srimad Bhagavatam from pure devotees then their heart automatically develops love for Krishna.  And they immediately give up all mundane attachment and get attached to the lotus feet of Krishna.

Two examples

For example, Parikshit Maharaj, relished Srimad Bhagavatam from Sukhadev Goswami continuously for 7 days and 7 nights.  He gave up all worldly attachments and remained absorbed in Krishna Consciousness.

Recently, we have seen that thousands of people dedicated their lives to Krishna after hearing Srimad Bhagavatam from Srila Prabhupada.

Conclusion

So, we should always hear Srimad Bhagavatam from pure devotees of Krishna. In fact, the qualification of the speaker of Srimad Bhagavatam is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam itself. First qualification is that he should be a devotee of Krishna. And second qualification is that he should have heard Srimad Bhagavatam from a devotee of Krishna. Both are equally important.

For example, the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya chose Suta Goswami to speak about Srimad Bhagavatam because Suta Goswami had directly heard Srimad Bhagavatam from Sukadeva Goswami and also, he was a pure devotee of Krishna.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.4.2

śaunaka uvāca

sūta sūta mahā-bhāga

vada no vadatāṁ vara

kathāṁ bhāgavatīṁ puṇyāṁ

yad āha bhagavāñ chukaḥ

Śaunaka said: O Sūta Gosvāmī, you are the most fortunate and respected of all those who can speak and recite. Please relate the pious message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which was spoken by the great and powerful sage Śukadeva Gosvāmī.

Do It and You will give your heart to Krishna

• Read Srila Prabhupada’s commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam daily for at least 30 minutes.
• Hear Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad Bhagavatam lectures.
• When possible, visit Iskcon temple and attend morning Srimad Bhagavatam Class.

How a devotee of Krishna lives fearlessly

A sincere devotee of Krishna is never disturbed by any kinds of sufferings and lives always fearlessly.  We will never find any instance in the Vedic scriptures where a devotee was fearful of any material situation.

But if we are not Krishna conscious then in this world we will always be in a disturbed state. In spite of our power and position, we will live in fear. Whether we are in the house or out of the house we will be in fear.

Many of us think that we are safe and secure inside the house but what happens when earth starts shaking? Do we remain inside the house? At the time of earthquake house is the most unsafe place to be in. But suppose that the earthquake is accompanied by heavy rain and lightening then where will we go? We will then not be secure in the house and also outside the house. 

Is there any place in this world where we are safe? The answer is no.

This is why Srimad Bhagavatam says that in this world there are dangers at every step – padam padam yad vipidam, Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.58.

No one can protect us in this world. Even those who loves us the most cannot save us from danger.

A father and a mother cannot protect their child. In fact they can’t even protect themselves.

Even the best doctor and the best medicine cannot save a patient. A boat in the ocean cannot save a drowning man. We all know that Titanic which was said be an unsinkable ship sank in its first voyage.

From womb to tomb uncertainty, anxiety and fear accompany us like a shadow. 

The unwanted suffering

We fear suffering. But suffering comes to us whether we like it or not. 

But when suffering comes, we have a tendency to blame others. We feel that the entire world is conspiring against us. And it is true also that we suffer because of others. But if we study the life of great devotees then we will find that they never blamed anyone for their suffering even though it was very clear that others where inflicting pain upon them.

For example, Prahlada never blamed his father, Hiranyakasipu, who was torturing him mentally and physically and was employing cruel means to kill him. Prahlada said, “I am suffering because of my own activities.” Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.16

Now, how many of us accept that we are the cause of our own misfortune?

We may be suffering now not because the Lord wants us to suffer but because we had indulged in certain prohibitory activities in the past, which is considered sinful by the Vedic scriptures.

Like a prisoner in this world

As long as we are in this world and as long as we have not got purified of all our sins, we will suffer. This material world is compared to a prison house. Just like in a prison, the inmates cannot be peaceful, similarly, in this material world we cannot be peaceful.

A prisoner cannot complain that why he is not happy in the prison house.  

Similarly, we the spiritual beings who have been exiled from the spiritual world and sent to this material world, which is just like a prison house should not expect that we can enjoy here.

Krishna in Bhagavad Gita 8.15 very clearly says that this world is duhkhalayam asasvatam– temporary and miserable. 

The good news – we can live fearlessly.

However the good news is that we are not condemned to suffer forever in this world. There is a solution to all our miseries.

Sometimes seeing the good conduct of a prisoner, the jail authorities may recommend the constitutional authority to reduce his sentence or even recommend to set him free.

Similarly, we the residents of this world also have the chance to get freedom from all the miseries.

The jail authorities of this world may be heartless, biased or corrupt, but the Supreme Lord is unbiased and our best well-wisher.

He has the complete authority over this world and is always eager to take us back to His abode where there are no miseries. And once we return to our eternal home, we will never come back to this world. Free from all sufferings we will live there fearlessly.

“From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place. But one who attains to My abode, O son of Kuntī, never takes birth again.” Bhagavad Gita 8.16

Now, we do not have to wait to go to the abode of Krishna to live a fear free happy life.

Even in this world, if we always remain under the shelter of Krishna we will attain freedom from all suffering and can life without any fear. 

Showing compassion upon you and me, Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita, “Come to me, I will free you from all sins and you can then live fearlessly”.

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” Bhagavad Gita 18.66

How Krishna helps devotee to live fearlessly

In fact, once we enthrone Krishna in our hearts then we can live happily and fearlessly forever, even in this world.  

In fact, a devotee of Krishna lives fearlessly even in this world because Krishna personally and proactively protect his devotee.

Srimad Bhagavatam informs us that if one takes shelter of the Supreme Lord completely then the merciful Lord helps him to navigate through all the dangers which torments us in this world.

“For those who have accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murāri, the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoof-print. Their goal is paraṁ padam, Vaikuṇṭha, the place where there are no material miseries, not the place where there is danger at every step.”  Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.58

Always absorbed in Krishna

Great devotee, Prahlada says that he is not afraid of material life because he always meditates on the Supreme Lord which gives him unlimited bliss. But he is concerned about those people who try to enjoy this world and forget to take shelter of the Supreme Lord. Such persons are condemned to suffer.

“O best of the great personalities, I am not at all afraid of material existence, for wherever I stay I am fully absorbed in thoughts of Your glories and activities. My concern is only for the fools and rascals who are making elaborate plans for material happiness and maintaining their families, societies and countries. I am simply concerned with love for them.” Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.43

A devotee of Krishna lives fearlessly because the Supreme Lord is always with him.

So, if we too want to live fearlessly then we should follow the footsteps of devotees like Prahlada and always remain under the shelter of Krishna, the Supreme Lord.  If we fail to do so, then we will have to face the consequences.

Importance of devotee association

In the purport of Srimad Bhagavatam 4.12.37, Srila Prabhupada writes about the importance of devotee association, “Without the association of devotees, one cannot advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Therefore, we have established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Factually, whoever lives in this society automatically develops Kṛṣṇa consciousness.”  

Srila Prabhupada in his Bhativedanta purports and lectures have highlighted about the need of devotee association many times.  Association plays a vital role in shaping our destiny. It is said that we are sum total of the people we associate with.

How association affects us?

Let us pause for few minutes and reflect on our life especially on the qualities which we have and we appreciate and the qualities which we have but we do not like and want to give it up. Now let us try to figure out how did we develop these qualities. Some of our qualities are from our childhood days and some we acquired in later part of our life either in school or college or from somewhere else. In almost all the cases we will find that the good or bad qualities which we have, we inculcated from others.  

For example, no one learns to smoke or drink liquor from the womb of his or her mother. Ask any smoker or drunkard and he will tell you that he imitated someone, or he was somehow convinced by others to indulge in it.  Similarly, if you appreciate some good quality in others and if you go and ask them about it, he will tell you that he got inspired by someone and so started applying it in his life.  

So, it is important that we choose our association very carefully. Not just people around us but things around us also affects our psyche. How things affect our consciousness is very well explained by Mother Sita. She tells the following story to her husband, Lord Rama, when they were wandering in the forest during the exile period.

Sage becomes a killer

There was a sage who was doing severe penance in the forest. Indra, the king of heaven, became worried that he may lose his kingdom to the sage. He wanted to somehow stop the sage from doing penance. So, one day fearful Indra went to the forest dressed as a soldier to meet the austere sage. He was carrying a sword with him. When he met the sage, he bowed down to him and requested him to guard his sword till he returns back from some urgent work.

The sage promised to keep the sword safe. The sage had given his word to properly take care of the sword. So, the sage always carried the sword with him. When he would go to pluck the flowers and fruits, he carried the sword. While doing penance also he was cautious to take care of the sword. 

Sword impact on sage’s life

Slowly the sage started developing cruel nature.  He started using his sword to cut tree branches and plants for flowers and fruits.  Not just that slowly he started even attacking and killing animals with the sword.  Gradually, he became extremely cruel.  Everyone started fearing him. Innocent animals would flee in fear seeing him.

Other sages doing penance in the forest left that place and went somewhere else. He lost all his accumulated piety and became a cruel person. Needless to say, Indra never came back to take back his sword.  The sage who had great destination became a ruthless killer just by associating with the sword. He went to hell after death.

These stories are there in our scriptures to help us understand the consequences of wrong association in our life. Whether it’s the people we associate with or the things we associate with, we have to be very careful. Just by associating with the sword the sage lost all his saintly qualities. So, we have to be careful not only with the people we associate with but with also the things we associate with. 

Associate with gadgets carefully

These days everyone carries a mobile. It has become a necessity but if we do not use it carefully, we will be in great trouble.  Just like weapon of mass destruction can create havoc on earth similarly mobile if not used righteously can create havoc in our life.  

Mobile addiction has become so common these days. Just like the sage who always carried the sword with him, we too have mobile with us 24 hours a day.  When we sleep, our mobile also lies with us on the bed. Even in bathroom we carry mobile.  

Our mobile has high speed internet connection and so with this little gadget we can see anything and can do anything. We can waste tonnes of time on mobile browsing social medias, watching videos or playing games. This will surely degrade our consciousness and take us away from Krishna.

So, it is advisable to use gadgets carefully, only when we need them. And most importantly not do anything with it which takes us away from Krishna.

Association of exalted devotees give exalted destination

If we study the life of great spiritual personalities, we find that they were very careful as how they spent their time and with whom they spent their time. Not even a single moment they wasted.

First, they would give up the association of non-devotees and the things which may hamper their devotional journey.  And then they would make sure that they only associated with sincere devotees of Krishna.

Just as the sun rays can immediately dispel all darkness, similarly, association of sincere devotees can enlighten our heart.

In Srimad Bhagavatam sage Narada underlines the importance of associating with exalted devotees while narrating his life story to his disciple, sage Vyasdeva. The revered sage says that his life got totally transformed when he got an opportunity to associate with the great devotees of Lord Krishna for four months.

By serving these great personalities, Narada who was in his previous life, son of a maidservant, developed transcendental qualities.  

Chaitanya Charitamrita 22.54 says that one achieves complete success in life if one gets an opportunity to associate with a devotee of Krishna even for a moment.

‘sādhu-saṅga’, ‘sādhu-saṅga’ — sarva-śāstre kaya
lava-mātra sādhu-saṅge sarva-siddhi haya

“The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment’s association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.

Great future

From the statements of the scriptures and sages, we understand that those who want Krishna always associate with those people and with those things that can give them Krishna.   Srila Prabhupada established Iskcon, so that genuine seekers can associate with each other and encourage each other to practice devotion to Krishna.  

Srimad Bhagavatam 4.12.37 tells the destination of those who associate only with the devotees of Krishna.

“Persons who are peaceful, equipoised, cleansed and purified, and who know the art of pleasing all other living entities, keep friendship only with devotees of the Lord; they alone can very easily achieve the perfection of going back home, back to Godhead.”

As we discussed earlier we are sum total of five people we associate with. So if we want to become a sincere devotee then we should seek association of sincere devotees. If we do so we will have a great future.

We should try our best to surround ourselves with those devotees who are sincerely practicing Krishna consciousness 24 hours a day. In their association we will develop taste for devotional life, will become a dear devotee of Krishna and will attain love of Krishna.

Narada Muni’s search for greatest devotee of Lord Vishnu

Once sage Narada got a question that who is the greatest devotee of Lord Vishnu. He thought, “Instead of finding myself let me ask Lord Vishnu.”

Also, in his mind he was thinking that “since I am always chanting the name Narayana on my vina, so my beloved Lord will surely tell that I am his greatest devotee.” But he wanted to hear this directly from the Lord. So, Narada went to Lord Vishnu and prayerfully asked, “My dear Lord, can you please tell me who is your greatest devotee?”

Lord Vishnu reveals the answer

Narada was desperately waiting for the answer.  Lord Vishnu looked at Narada, smiled a little and said, “My dear son, a farmer residing on earth is my best devotee.”

The celestial sage could not believe what he heard, “How can this be possible? On my lips and in my heart, there is always the name of Narayana. What this fortunate farmer is doing that I am not doing? He could not resist himself and blurted out, “Dear Lord, can you please tell me what devotion he performs that you consider him the best?”

Lord Vishnu understood what is going on in Narada’s heart. So, he said, “Instead of me telling you about his devotional activities. Why don’t you go to his house and see for yourself what he is doing?”

Farmer’s devotion

Narada agreed with the Lord. He took the address and immediately flew with a lightning speed and reached the house of the farmer. He wanted to eagerly see the best devotee of Lord Vishnu in the entire creation. Instead of directly going and asking farmer about his activities, he thought because a devotee never likes to hear his glorification so let me hide myself and see his activities.

He saw that the farmer got up early in the morning. As he got up, he folded his palms and chanted the name Narayana.  He then began his morning duties. Till afternoon he was busy in his household work and then he had gone to his farm. In the afternoon, just before taking lunch, he folded his palms and chanted the name Narayana and again he got busy with his work. And in the night just before sleeping, he again chanted the name Narayana.

Narada was perturbed, “The farmer took the name “Narayana” only three times but he takes the name Narayana every moment but the Supreme Lord considered farmer to be his greatest devotee.”

Lord Vishnu explains why farmer’s devotion is best

He immediately went to the abode of Lord Narayana. The Supreme Lord understood why Narada is here.

Before Narada could say anything, Lord said, “Dear Narada, I have a small work for you. Will you please do it?”

Narada said, “You do not have to ask me. Just order me.”

The Lord said, “Can you please bring me a pot of water which is filled up to brim?”

Narada said, “sure, my Lord.” As he was about to leave to fetch water, the Lord said, “But one important thing you have to remember. Make sure that not even a single drop falls down from the pot. If it happens, I will not accept the water.”

Narada nodded his head and left to bring the water. Finally, he brought the pot completely filled with water. Also he had made sure that not even a single drop falls down.

Lord Vishnu appreciated the effort of his dear devotee and thanked him. He then asked, “Now tell me, when you were bringing water for me and making sure that not even a drop falls down then how many times you chanted my name?”

Narada was speechless.   He realized that he did not chant the name of “Narayana” even once while doing this service.

Lord continued, “The farmer was busy whole day but from his busy schedule he found time to take my name. Is it true or not?”

Narada who was feeling embarrassed nodded his head in affirmation.

Lord further said, “so now tell me who is my greatest devotee?”

The celestial sage got answer to his question that who is the greatest devotee of Lord Vishnu.

So, 3-minute bhakti is sufficient?

One of my friends told me this story when in college I was trying to convince him to practice Krishna consciousness. When I heard this story, I did not have any answer. Because the story looks so nice.

According to this story there is no need to always chant the name of God. We just need to focus on our work and 3 time in a day – morning, afternoon and evening – we should just chant the names of God.

As devotees we chant 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra daily which takes around 2 hours. Then we do mangal arati, Narasimha arati, Tulasi Arati, chant Siksastakam prayers and read or hear Srimad Bhagavatam for an hour a day. So, we spend almost 5 hours in the morning in prayers and during the day too we are supposed to always be conscious of Krishna and if we have any extra time then we should utilize it in practicing and propagating Krishna Consciousness. 

But if we follow the footsteps of the farmer then it means that in a day, we have to chant the name of Krishna just 3 times which will at max take 3 minutes. So, 3 minutes of chanting will make us too the greatest devotee of Krishna!

What is the truth of this story?

I asked this question to devotees. They heard it but did not have the answer. However, one senior devotee told me that story is very interesting, but can you please tell that this story is from which scriptures. Does it appear in any of the four Vedas or 18 puranas or in Ramayana and in any other literature written by Vaisnava acharyas.

I had no answer because I had forgotten to ask the reference from my friend. Later I read about this story at many places and by other persons too but no one has given me reference of this story.

So, now the question is if this story is not mentioned in any of the scriptures then can we not say that this story is false? Here the question to Lord Vishnu is who is his greatest devotee. This is not an ordinary question. Answer to this question is so important for our spiritual life. So, if such an important story is not mentioned in any of the scriptures and by any great Vaisnava acharyas, so it seems that this story is not authentic.

I do not claim that I know all the scriptures, so if you know the source of this story then please do let me know in the comment section.

Also, this story of farmer is not in line with the teachings of the scriptures and the sages.

Examples of great devotee of Lord from scriptures

In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna himself explicates the activities of his pure devotees.

Krishna says, “Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.” Bhagavad Gita 9.14

Krishna is saying that his pure devotees always chant his glories. 

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Siksastakam Verse 3 says

“One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.”

Again Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is saying to constantly chant the holy name, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

In Ramayana we see that the monkey warriors while constructing the mammoth bridge, Ram Setu, were not just writing the name of Lord Rama on the stones but were constantly chanting the names of Lord Rama while doing their work.

Srimad Bhagavatam tells the story of Ambarish Maharaj who was an emperor and a great devotee of the Supreme Lord. As a ruler of the world, he was extremely busy but still he was constantly engaged in practicing devotion to God.

Great devotees of Lord work hard but also

So, from the examples given in the scriptures and by analysing the life of the pure devotees of Lord we can say that they were always engaged in chanting and singing the glories of the Lord. And they did their work very seriously too. It was not that they were lazy and gave up their duties but while doing their duty they always chanted the name of the Lord.

Once a person had a query that why Krishna is so much concerned about Arjuna. Krishna said that it is because Arjuna always keeps on calling his name. To prove that he took the person to Arjuna’s bedside. Although Arjuna was sleeping at that time but with each breath, he was calling the name of Krishna.

In Vrindavana also we see that Mother Yashoda and other gopis while churning the butter keeps in singing the songs which glorifies Lord Krishna.

And if we see the life of sage Narada, we find that still he constantly chants the name of Narayana on his vina. I think that if the farmer story was true then Narada would have stopped constantly chanting the names of Narayana.

Krishna explains the purpose of human life in Bhagavad Gita

In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna personally explains the purpose of human life. He says that the purpose of human life is to become his devotee and come back to him.

But the first question which will strike anyone’s mind is that what is the need to become a devote of Krishna? It is because Krishna is our Supreme Father, and we all are his children. It is comprehensively explained in the Vedic scriptures. So, the holy scriptures say that the purpose of our life i.e. human life is to rise above material consciousness and become Krishna Conscious and return back to the kingdom of Krishna. If we are not doing so and are caught up in only material activities, then we are wasting our human life.

Different living entities in this world

Scriptures explain that there are 2 kinds of living entities in this world – eternally liberated and eternally conditioned. Eternally liberated living beings are in the spiritual world and eternally conditioned living beings are in this material world.

Eternally conditioned living entities are divided into 2 types – moving and non-moving. Trees for example remain fixed in one place so are categorized as non-moving living entities.**

**Here it should be noted that our ancient Hindu scriptures since time immemorial have clearly categorized ‘trees’ as living entities. Renowned scientist Jagdish Chandra Bose scientifically demonstrated this fact.

Moving entities are divided into 3 categorizes – those that can walk on land (human beings), swim in water (fish) and fly in sky (birds). Out of millions and trillions of living entities found on land, human beings comprise a small portion. Out of these small portions most of them are ignorant about spiritual life. In fact, there is no difference between the lives of these spiritually dead people and that of an animal. Both of these living entities are only bothered about eating, sleeping, mating and defending.

Righteous and unrighteous  

Those fortunate human beings who believe in the scriptures and the existence of God are called righteous or religious. And those who do not accept the authority of God are called unrighteous or irreligious Righteous follows the laws of God given in the holy scriptures and unrighteous live whimsically and do not abide by the guidelines of the scriptures.

Among righteous also not everyone is able to understand the Supreme Lord. Few come to know about him and understand the purpose of life. Jnanis, the empiric philosophers, and the Yogis also try their best to know the Absolute Truth.

Ultimate purpose of Jnana Yoga and Ashtanga yoga?

But in Bhagavad Gita, Krishna clearly says that unless one surrenders to him it is not possible to know him. Because we can understand Krishna, the Supreme Absolute, only by the mercy of Krishna.

Jnanis ultimate come to the conclusion that he has to surrender to the Supreme Lord.

“After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” Bhagavad Gita 7.19

Yogis also try hard to get out of the material concept of life by ceasing from all material activities. But the ultimate purpose of yoga is to know Krishna, understand Krishna and meditate upon Krishna.

Krishna confirms this in Bhagavad Gita 6.47.

“And of all yogīs, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself and renders transcendental loving service to Me – he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion.”

The best yogi is that who always thinks about Krishna, meditates on Krishna and does everything for Krishna.

So, the ultimate purpose of Jnana Yoga and Astanga Yoga is to know Krishna.

Devotee of Krishna understands the real purpose of life

Such a fortunate devotee understands that his real constitutional position is to constantly serve the Supreme Lord. Knowing this he completely engages his mind, body and senses in the service of the Lord. He dedicates his life for the pleasure of the Lord and has only one aspiration i.e. to become a humble servant of Krishna.

The fortunate devotees of Krishna are free from all material desires. He does not lament about the past or hanker for the future. He utilizes all his time and energy in serving Krishna sincerely. So, he is free from all material miseries and is always peaceful. Srimad Bhagavatam glorifies such an exalted devotee:

Muktanam api siddhanam

narayana – parayanah

sudurlabhah prasantatma

kotisv api mahamune

“O great sage, out of many millions of liberated persons and persons who have achieved success in mystic yoga, one who is completely devoted to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and who is filled with peace is very hard to find.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 6.14.5)

Activities of a pure devotee

How do exalted devotees of Krishna spend their time? This is explained in Bhagavad Gita 9.14 by Krishna

“Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.”

These are the activities of pure or best devotees of Krishna. They are not interested in any mundane activity and they do not discuss politics, movies, football or cricket match.

Srila Prabhupada aptly says, “The mahātmā cannot be manufactured by rubber-stamping an ordinary man. His symptoms are described here: a mahātmā is always engaged in chanting the glories of the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead. He has no other business. He is always engaged in the glorification of the Lord.”

Another quality of a devotee of Krishna is that he never thinks he is the best devotee or doing sufficient for Krishna. He always thinks that he is fallen and begs Krishna for mercy so that he can serve him more.

So, next time if you meet anyone at anyplace, it could be Vrindavan also, and he says that he is an exalted devotee of Krishna then first try to see how he spends his entire day and also entire night. Is he always engaged in chanting the names of Krishna and discussing pastimes about Krishna? If not then we know the answer.

Makes other devotees of Krishna

Also, a pure devotee of Krishna feels great pain when he sees others are suffering. He knows that people suffer because they have forgotten Krishna. So, he tries his best to give Krishna to others. Srila Prabhupada was happily living in Radha Damodara temple of Vrindavan. But he could not tolerate other’s suffering.

He had great compassion for all living entities of the world. So, he dedicated his life in spreading Krishna Consciousness all over the world.  Such a devotee who makes other devotees of Krishna is very dear to Krishna. Bhagavad Gita 18.68-69

Conclusion

So, in conclusion we can say that the ultimate purpose of human life as per Bhagavad Gita is to become a pure devotee of Krishna. Even those who practice Jjnana yoga or Astanga yoga finally understands this. So, we should best utilize our human life and practice Krishna consciousness seriously without any material motive.

Why Prahlada prayed to Narasimhadeva to forgive Hiranyakasipu?

After Hiranyakasipu was annihilated by the Supreme Lord, Prahlada prayed to Narasimhadeva to forgive Hiranyakasipu. Hiranyakasipu , the cruel demon, had tried his best to torture and kill Prahlada who was just five years old. Prahlada was his son but still the demon despised him. But Prahlada whose heart was pure because he always meditated on the lotus feet of Lord Vshnu had no ill feelings towards him. He always wanted good for the demon. Prahlad knew that Hiranyakasipu has indulged in many sinful activities. He has committed severe atrocities against the devotees of the Lord and had also desired to kill the Lord. For this he will have to suffer terribly. Prahlada, a kind-hearted soul, felt great compassion for him. He did not want the atrocious emperor to rot in hell. And so Prahlada earnestly prayed to Narasimhadeva to forgive Hiranyakasipu.

Why Hiranyakashipu wanted to kill Prahlada?

Hiranyakasipu wanted to kill Lord Vishnu and become God. For that he did severe austerities and got benediction from Brahma which made him an extremely powerful ruler in this universe. Foolishly, Hiranyakasipu started believing that he has become more powerful than Lord Vishnu. He forced people to worship him and not Vishnu. He was such a cruel king that out of fear everyone obeyed him. But his own son Prahlada refused to accept him as God. Instead, he said that Lord Vishnu is the Supreme Lord.

This infuriated the demon. “How can my own son disobey me? If my own son will refuse to accept me as God, then eventually my citizens will stop worshipping me as God. Either Prahlada has to accept me as God, or he should be killed.”

Prahlada refused to follow this ungodly order. And so, the king employed all means to kill Prahlada who was just five years old at that time. He subjected Prahlada to severe physical and mental torture. He tried to burn him alive with the help of his sister Holika, poisoned him, attacked him with lethal weapons, threw him from the top of the mountain.

But the powerful demon whom even the demigods feared failed to instil fear in the heart of the little child. Prahlad had firm faith that Lord Vishnu will protect him. The Supreme Lord always protects those who seeks his protection. The Supreme Lord never fails to give shelter to the surrendered souls. The Lord protected him from all the atrocities. Hiranyakasipu badly failed in his mission of becoming God. And eventually Lord Vishnu killed him in the form of Lord Narasimhadeva.

Prahlada pleads Narasimhadeva to free Hiranyakasipu of all the sins

Prahlada had all the reasons to hate his father. He should have danced in joy seeing the dead body of his father who wanted him dead. But Prahlada’s heart was free of all the vices. He did not abhor the demon – hate the sin, not the sinner. He knew that Hiranyakasipu had committed so many sins that he was destined to suffer in hell forever. He feared the fate of the demon. Prahlada knew the Lord is merciful, but he also knew the gravity of sin committed by his sinful father.

So, he decided to beg the Lord to forgive his father. With folded hands he stood in front of the most ferocious incarnation of the Supreme Lord and prayed, “O Supreme Lord, I know my father has committed unpardonable sins, but I beseech you to forgive him and free him from all the sins.”  Srimad Bhagavatam 7.10.15-17

Lord Narasimhadev purifies Hiranyakasipu 

Lord Narasimhadev had just ripped apart the chest of the vicious demon. In utter anger the Lord had pulled out Hiranyakasipu’s intestine and wore it as a garland.  He was now sitting on the same throne which once the demon thought belonged to him.

The half-man-half-lion Lord saw innocent Prahlada standing in front of him. He looked into the eyes of his little devotee. He smiled gently. Prahlada’s prayerful words gave joy to the Lord. He spoke lovingly, “My dear child, your father has already been purified just by the touch of My body at the time of his death.”  Śrimad Bhagavatam 7.10.22. Little Prahlada felt relieved.

Read: Why to always pray to Lord Narasimhadeva for protection?

Lord’s punishment is blessing in disguise. Just like the rays of the sun purifies a filthy place similarly Lord’s mere touch or glance burns all the sins of a great sinner. So, Śrī Īśopaniṣad describes the Supreme Lord as śuddham (antiseptic). Srila Prabhupada explains, “He [Supreme Lord] is antiseptic in the sense that even an impure thing can become purified just by touching Him.”  

Devotees of the Supreme Lord are most merciful

Devotees of the Lord show great compassion towards all living beings. They understand Lord’s heart – Lord does not want even a sinner to suffer.  Lord wants everyone to become pure and come back to him. So, the devotees always pray to the Lord to free everyone from their sins and forgive everyone for their mistakes.

Srila Prabhupada explains, “..the devotees of the Lord are more kind than the Lord because they understand the purpose of the Lord. Consequently, they undertake all kinds of risks, even to the point of approaching ignorant men to try to engage them in the acts of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which are absolutely necessary for the human being.”  Bhagavad Gita 3.29 Purport

Devotees suffer when they see other’s suffering. They want everyone to reunite with God. In fact, they are ready to suffer for the sins of others. The supreme Lord had appeared to show mercy upon Prahlad. Prahlad would have prayed only for himself. He could have asked anything from the Lord. Lord owns, controls and maintains everything of this world. So, the Lord could have fulfilled any desire of Prahlada who was very dear to him.

But Prahlada wanted nothing for himself. He was satisfied. He was free from all the miseries of this miserable world. He did not fear hell, he did not long for heaven because in any situation he was always happy as he always meditated on Lord Vishnu. Srimad Bhagavatam 6.17.28 describes the characteristics of a pure devotee like Prahlada, “Devotees solely engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, never fear any condition of life. For them the heavenly planets, liberation and the hellish planets are all the same, for such devotees are interested only in the service of the Lord.”

Pure devotees pray for everyone’s deliverance

However, the pure devotees of the Lord have one desire. And the desire is to see everyone happy. They want to deliver every suffering soul For this they are ready to take any risk.

Prahlada, the foremost devotee, expressed his heart’s desire to Lord Narasimhadeva.

“My dear Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, I see that there are many saintly persons indeed, but they are interested only in their own deliverance. Not caring for the big cities and towns, they go to the Himālayas or the forest to meditate with vows of silence [mauna-vrata]. They are not interested in delivering others. As for me, however, I do not wish to be liberated alone, leaving aside all these poor fools and rascals. I know that without Kṛṣṇa consciousness, without taking shelter of Your lotus feet, one cannot be happy. Therefore I wish to bring them back to shelter at Your lotus feet.”

Prahlada not just prayed to Narasimhadeva to forgive Hiranyakasipu, the demon but he was praying for you and me too. We all are suffering because we have committed many sins knowingly and unknowingly. Pure devotees like Prahlad are so kind that they are begging Lord for our deliverance.

Chaitanya Charitamrita tells about Vasudeva Dutta who was compassionate like Prahlada. He was a great devotee of Lord Krishna and wanted no one to suffer.  He would always pray to Lord Chaitanya to free all the people of this material world from all the sins which is the cause of all the sufferings. In fact, Vasudev Datta Thakura was willing to suffer for the sinful activities of all the people of the world so that Lord Chaitanya forgives them and delivers them. Śrī Caitanya-Caritāmṛta Adi 10.42.

Lord Chaitanya was so pleased with him. He embraced Vasudev Datta and said, “You are none other than Prahlada.”

A man is known by the company he keeps