Prayers Attract Blessings - Part 8 Date: 2013-08-11 Author: Vaijayantimala devi dasi Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev! This is in conclusion of the previous offerings wherein we were sharing the points from the class given by HG Devakinandan Prabhuji on the four prayers by Lord Brahmaji in Srimad Bhagavatam (3.9.22 through 25). So far we heard the following points. 1. Krishna is the only maintainer and well-wisher. 2. Introspection is the way to Krishna. 3. Sign and resign. 4. Facing harassment from vicious living entities. 5. Fear of fall-down. 6. Protection from the on-slaught of material affection. 7. Way to become attentive in spiritual life. 8. Smiling means encouragement. Herein we see the pastime of the demolition of Tripura by Lord Siva and how Lord Krishna removed his dejection by kindly giving him directions. Long, long ago in history, a demon known as Maya Danava, who was very expert in technical knowledge, reduced the reputation of Lord Siva. In that situation, Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, saved Lord Siva. When the demigods, who are always powerful by the mercy of Lord Krishna, fought with the asuras, the asuras were defeated, and therefore they took shelter of Maya Danava, the greatest of the demons. Maya Danava, the great leader of the demons, prepared three invisible residences and gave them to the demons. These dwellings resembled airplanes made of gold, silver and iron, and they contained uncommon paraphernalia. Because of these three dwellings the commanders of the demons remained invisible to the demigods. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the demons, remembering their former enmity, began to vanquish the three worlds—the upper, middle and lower planetary systems. Thereafter, when the demons had begun to destroy the higher planetary systems, the rulers of those planets went to Lord Siva, fully surrendered unto him. The most powerful and able Lord Siva reassured them and said, "Do not be afraid." He then fixed his arrows to his bow and released them toward the three residences, occupied by the demons. Attacked by Lord Siva's golden arrows, all the demoniac inhabitants of those three dwellings lost their lives and fell down. Then the great mystic Maya Danava dropped the demons into a nectarean well that he had created. When the dead bodies of the demons came in touch with the nectar, their bodies became invincible. Endowed with great strength, they got up like lightning penetrating clouds. Seeing this Lord Siva became morose and disappointed and on seeing Lord Siva very much aggrieved and disappointed, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vishnu, considered how to stop this nuisance created by Maya Danava and thus encourage Lord Siva. Then Lord Brahma became a calf and Lord Vishnu a cow, and at noon they entered the residences and drank all the nectar in the well. The demons could see the calf and cow, but because of the illusion created by the energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demons could not forbid them. The great mystic Maya Danava became aware that the calf and cow were drinking the nectar, and he could understand this to be the unseen power of providence Thereafter, Lord Krishna, by His own personal potency, equipped Lord Siva with all the necessary paraphernalia, such as a chariot, a charioteer, a flag, horses, elephants, a bow, a shield and arrows. When Lord Siva was fully equipped in this way, he set fire to all three residences of the demons and thus Lord Krishna removed the dejection of Lord Shiva by His directions. Maharaj said that it is our duty to encourage each other and he asked, What" does it hurt for us to smile at each other? We won't die. Instead because we don't smile at each other, we become vicious and that destroys our relationships." So let us start smiling and encouraging each other. Our heartfelt thanks to HG Devakinandan Prabhuji for these most valuable realizations on the four prayers of Lord Brahmaji and these prayers are the hallmark of a genuine devotee. Our thanks are also due to HG Gopalakrishnan Prabhuji from Chennai who has very kindly made available these recordings. Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev, Vaijayantimala devi dasi Abu Dhabi..