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Home , Danava (Hinduism), Narada, Prahlada

Çré Ekadäsé Issue no:135 4th May 2020 The Devotional Service Of Maharaja

Three Invisible Residences The Devotional Service Of Srila Muni Prahlada Maharaja Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Thakura The Nature Of A Pure Devotee His Divine Grace The Most Glorious Person In The World A.C.Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

The Characteristics Of An Unalloyed Devotee Srila Narottam Das Thakura

Circulaton 29, 665 Issue no 135, Page — 2 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä

Three Invisible Residences is the source of that impersonal . Lord Srila Narada Muni is the origin of the transcendental bliss which great saintly persons perpetually seek., The principles of religion by which one can tru- Yet He, the Supreme Person, is your most dear ly understand the Supreme Personality of - friend and well-wisher and is intimately related head are called bhägavata-. Therefore, to you as the son of your maternal uncle. Indeed, this narration, which explains with these princi- He is always like your body and soul. Although ples, properly describes actual transcendence. He is worshipable, He acts as your servant and One who hears and chants this narration about sometimes as your spiritual master. Exalted per- the omnipotence of the Supreme Personality of sons like Lord and Lord can not Godhead, Visnu, is certainly liberated from ma- properly describe the Supreme Personality of terial bondage. Prahlada Maharaja was the best Godhead, Krishna. May the Lord, who is always among exalted devotees. Anyone who hears this worshiped as the protector of all devotees by narration concerning the activities of Prahlada great who observe vows of silence, med- Maharaja, the killing of , and itation, devotional service and renunciation, be the activities of the Supreme Personality of God- pleased with us. head, Nasimhadeva, with great attention, surely My dear King , long ago in histo- ascends to the transcendent spiritual world, ry, a known as Danava, who was where there is no anxiety. had expertise in technical knowledge, dispar- Narada Muni said: My dear Maharaja Yudhis- aged Lord Shiva. In that situation, Krishna, the thira, you and your brothers [the Pandavas] are Supreme Personality of Godhead, saved Lord extremely fortunate, for the Supreme Personality Shiva. of Godhead, Krishna, lives in your palace just like Maharaja Yudhisthira said: What was the an ordinary human being. Great saintly persons cause of the demon Maya Danava defaming know this very well, and therefore they repeat- Lord Shiva? How did Lord Krishna save Lord edly visit you here. The impersonal Brahman not Shiva and restore his good reputation? Kindly different from Krishna because Krishna Himself describe these incidents. Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya www.ibmedu.org nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 135, Page—3 Narada Muni said: Once, when the demigods, who are always empowered by the mercy of Lord Krishna, fought with the , the asuras were defeated. In that condition they took shelter of Maya Danava, the greatest of the . Maya Danava, the powerful leader of the de- mons, prepared three invisible flying vehicles for the demons. These dwellings were like air- planes made of gold, silver and iron, and they forbid them. The great mystic Maya Danava be- contained uncommon paraphernalia. My dear came aware that the calf and cow were drinking King Yudhisthira, because of these three dwell- the nectar, and he could understand this to be ings the commanders of the demons remained the unseen power of providence. Thus he spoke invisible to the demigods. Taking advantage to the demons, who were grievously lamenting. of this opportunity, the demons, remembering Maya Danava said: What has been destined their former enmity, began to attack the three by the Supreme Lord for oneself, for others, or worlds; the upper, middle and lower planetary for both oneself and others cannot be undone systems. Thereafter, when the demons had be- anywhere or by anyone, whether one be a demi- gun destroying the higher planetary systems, the god, a demon, a human being or anyone else. rulers of those planets went to Lord Shiva, fully surrendered unto him and said: Dear Lord, we Narada Muni continued: Thereafter, Lord demigods living in the three worlds are about to Krishna, by His own personal potency, consisting be vanquished. We are your followers. Kindly of religion, knowledge, renunciation, opulence, save us. austerity, education and activities, equipped The most powerful and able Lord Shiva reas- Lord Shiva with all the necessary paraphernalia, sured them and said, “Do not be afraid.” He then such as a chariot, a charioteer, a flag, horses, ele- fixed his arrows to his bow and released them phants, a bow, a shield and arrows. When Lord toward the three residences occupied by the Shiva was fully equipped in this way, he sat on demons. The arrows released by Lord Shiva ap- the chariot with his arrows and bow with the peared like fiery beams emanating from the sun intention of combating the demons. My dear globe and covered the three residential airplanes, King Yudhisthira, the most powerful Lord Shiva which could then no longer be seen. Attacked joined the arrows to his bow, and at noon he set by Lord Shiva’s golden arrows, all the demoniac fire to all three residences of the demons and inhabitants of those three dwellings lost their thus destroyed them. Seated in their airplanes lives and fell down. Then the great mystic Maya in the sky, the inhabitants of the higher planetary Danava dropped the demons into a nectarean systems beat many kettledrums. The demigods, well that he had created. When the dead bodies saints, Pitas, Siddhas and various great person- of the demons came in touch with the nectar, alities showered flowers on the head of Lord their bodies became invincible to thunderbolts. Shiva, wishing him all victory, and the Endowed with great strength, they got up like began to chant and dance with great pleasure. lightning penetrating clouds. O King Yudhisthira, thus Lord Shiva is known as Seeing Lord Shiva very aggrieved and disap- Tripurari, the annihilator of the three dwellings of pointed, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demons, because he burnt these dwellings Lord Visnu, considered how to stop this nuisance to ashes. Being worshiped by the demigods, created by Maya Danava. Then Lord Brahma headed by Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva returned to became a calf and Lord Visnu a cow, and at noon his own abode. The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, they entered the demons mystic residences and appeared as a human being, yet He performed drank all the nectar in the well. The demons many uncommon and wonderful pastimes by could see the calf and cow, but because of the His own potency. How can I say more about illusion created by the energy of the Supreme His activities than what has already been said by Personality of Godhead, the demons could not great saintly persons? Everyone can be purified www.ibmedu.org Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya Issue no 135, Page — 4 Top left 4 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä

by His activities, simply by hearing about them that the Pandavas were no less fortunate than from the right source. Prahlada. Narada asserted that the Pandavas — Srimad-Bhagavatam (BhagavataPurana) » Canto 7 : The Science were as good as Prahlada Maharaja because of God » Chapter 10.Prahlada, the Best Among Exalted Devotees: Verses although Lord Narsimhadeva appeared for 45-70. Prahlada, the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His original form as Krishna was always living The Nature Of A Pure Devotee with the Pandavas. Although, because of the His Divine Grace influence of Krishna's yogamaya, the Pandavas, A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada could not assimilate their fortunate position, every saintly person, including the great sage yüyaà nå-loke bata bhüri-bhägä Narada, could understand it well, and therefore lokaà punänä munayo 'bhiyanti they regularly visited the palace of blessed Ma- yeñäà gåhän ävasatéti säkñäd haraja Yudhisthira. güòhaà paraà brahma manuñya-liìgam Any pure devotee who is constantly conscious of Krishna is naturally very fortunate. The word After hearing about the activities of Prahlada nåloke, meaning "within the material world," in- dicates that before the Pandavas there had been Maharaja, a pure devotee should be very anx- many devotees, such as the descendants of the ious to follow in his footsteps. However, such a Yadu dynasty and Vasistha, Marici, , devotee might be disappointed, thinking that not Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva, who were all ex- everyone can come to the standard of Prahlada tremely fortunate. The Pandavas, however, were Maharaja. This is the nature of a pure devotee; better than all of them because Krishna Himself he always thinks himself to be the lowest, to be constantly remained with them. Narada Muni incompetent and unqualified. Thus after hearing therefore specifically mentioned that within this the narration of Prahlada Maharaja's wonderful material world (nå-loke) the Pandavas were the activities, Maharaja Yudhisthira, who was on the most fortunate. same standard of devotional service as Prahlada, — Srimad-Bhagavatam (BhagavataPurana) » Canto 7 : The Science might have been thinking of his own humble of God » Chapter 10.Prahlada, the Best Among Exalted Devotees: Verses position. However, Narada Muni, could under- 45-70, Purport. stand Maharaja Yudhisthira's mind, and there- fore he promptly encouraged him by saying Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya www.ibmedu.org nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 135, Page—5

of all material contamination and desire, as if he The Devotional Service Of had been thoroughly cleansed. Therefore he at Prahlada Maharaja once became transcendentally situated, and all Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura the symptoms of ecstasy became manifest in his body. His heart brimmed with , and his eyes Regarding the devotional service of Prahlada welled with tears, and thus he was able to com- Maharaja, Narada Muni narrates his characteristics pletely capture the lotus feet of the Lord within to Yudhisthira Maharaja in the following verses the core of his heart. Prahlada Maharaja fixed his of Çrémad Bhägavatam (7.4.36, 38, and 41): mind and vision upon Lord Narsimhadeva with “Who could list the innumerable transcendental full attention and entered complete trance.” qualities of Prahlada Maharaja? He had unflinch- —Purport to Sri Caitanya Bhägavata » Adi Khanda » Chapter 16 » Verse ing faith in Vasudeva, Lord Krishna [the son of 135. His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Gosvämé Maharaja; Vasudeva], and unalloyed devotion to Him. His Vrajaraja Press » Translated by Bhumipati Däsa attachment to Lord Krishna was natural because of his previous devotional service. Although his The Most Glorious Person In The World good qualities cannot be properly chronicled, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura they prove that he was a great soul [mahätmä]. Prahlada Maharaja was always absorbed in The swan-like devotees who are expert in thought of Krishna. Thus, due to perpetually discriminating between matter and spirit are the remaining in the supremely reciprocative Lord’s most glorious persons in the world. Only the embrace, he could not understand how his bodily devotees are truly learned, because they have necessities, such as sitting, walking, eating, lying surpassed the ocean of material illusion. Only down, drinking and talking, were being automat- the devotees are endowed with spiritual qualities, ically performed. Sometimes, feeling the touch because they have attained the platform of pure of the Lord’s lotus hands, he became spiritually goodness, surpassing the three modes of mate- jubilant and remained silent, his hairs standing rial nature (goodness, passion, and ignorance). on end and tears streaming from his half-closed Only the devotees are happy, because they have eyes because of his love for the Lord.” The Çré- attained the transcendental felicity of Vraja, which mad Bhägavatam (7.9.6-7) further states: “By far surpasses the dualistic happiness and distress the touch of Lord Narsimhadeva’s hand on his of the material world. Only the devotees are head, Prahlada Maharaja was completely freed fearless, because they have become the inhabi- www.ibmedu.org Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya Issue no 135, Page — 6 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä

tants of , surpassing material time, which Just as a fish out of water feels great distress takes everything away and promises an uncertain and perishes, similarly the purified devotee feels future. May the devotees live forever and bring distressed without . As a cataka bird benefit to the unfortunate persons here who are drinks only rain water as it falls from the sky, sim- tortured by maya, who gives them her audience, ilarly unalloyed devotees relish only love of God. associates with them, and converses with them. — An excerpt from the Bhajanämåtaà commentary » Bhaktivinoda Väné maranda-bhramara jena cakora-candrikä tena Vaibhäva » Published by Éçvaradäsa. pati-bratä janera yena pati anyatra nä cale mana jena daridrera dhana The Characteristics Of An Unalloyed Devotee ei-mata prema--réti Srila Narottam Das Thakura rädhä-kåñëa karoì dhyäna swapane nä bala äna Just as a bumblebee is attracted and attached prema binä äna nähi cäìu to honey, a cakora bird to the nectar emanating jügala-kiçora-prema lakña-bäëa jena hema from the moon, a chaste wife to her husband, ärati-piréti-rase dhyäïa and a poor man to wealth and opulence, simi- larly the minds of pure devotees are constantly The pure devotees always meditate on Rad- absorbed in the loving service of and ha and Krishna. They do not speak about any Krishna. other topics even in their dreams. They hanker for nothing except loving service to the Divine viñaya garala-maya tähe mäna sükha-caya Youthful Couple. Their loving sentiments towards se nä sükha düùkha kari mäna Radha and Krishna are like gold refined a million gobinda-biñaya-rasa saìga kara täìra däsa times. Therefore, O my mind, please constantly prema-bhakti kari jäna meditate on Radha and Krishna as your only lovable object. O my mind, material enjoyments are full of poison, but you consider them pleasing. Do jala binü jena ména düùkha päya äyü héna not think of them as a source of happiness, but prema binü sei-mata bhakta understand them as the source of distress. Be cätaka jalada-gati e-mati ekänta-räti completely absorbed in thought of Govinda, jäne jei sei anürakta associate with His devotees and conclude that loving devotional service to Him is the goal of life.

Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya www.ibmedu.org nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 135, Page—7

narottama däsa kahe sadä mora präëa dahe madhye madhye äche düñöa dåñöi kari haya rüñöa hena bhakta-saìga nä päiyä güëake biguëa kari mäne abhägyera nähi ora michäja-hailü bhora gobinda-bimükha-jane sphürti nahe hena dhane düùkha rahe antare jägiyä laukika kariyä saba jäne Narottama däsa says, “My soul constantly burns Sometimes the impious and wicked become without the association of pure devotees. There angry seeing the dealings of devotees. They is no end to my misfortune as I am absorbed accept their qualities as faults. The plenitude of in misconceptions about pure bhakti to Radha loving devotional service does not manifest in Krishna, and my heart is completely devoid of the hearts of those who are averse to Govinda devotion being filled with the distress of material because they consider this wealth as material. absorption.” — Çré Prema Bhakti-candrikä » Çréla Narottamadäsa Öhäkura » Pub- ajïäna abhägyä jata nähi laya sata-mata lished by Ishavara Das. ahaìkare nä jäne äpanä abhimäné bhakti-héna jaga-mäjhe sei déna båthä tära açeña bhäbanä !! Sri Sri Gaurchandra Jayati !! The demons who are overwhelmed with ISKCON nescience do not take to the path of devotion. Mahavidyalaya Such persons are full of false ego, pride and in- is a branch of International Society for Krishna Consciousness numerable futile desires. They are most fallen in Founder-Äcärya: His Divine Grace this world and are ever deprived of devotional A.C. BhaktiVedanta Swami Prabhupada service. Editor Brajsunder Das ära saba parihari parama éçwara Copy Editor mana kari prema-äça Isha Prakash Das

eka-braja-räja-püra gobinda rasika-bara Editor, karaha sadäi abhiläña Vrajsevika Dasi Assistance O my mind, abandon everything and , with a Rasa Manjari Devi Dasi desire to attain love of God, serve the Supreme Hari Lila Devi Dasi Controller, Lord Hari. Make the service of Gov- Quotations from the books, letters, and lectures of inda, the reservoir of all pleasure in Braja, your His Divine Grace A.C. BhaktiVedanta Swami Prabhupada only yearning. ©BhaktiVedanta Book Trust International. ©All the paintings are copyrights of their respective artists.

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