Radhe Krishna 24-11-2011
Bhaktha Prahalad was born as a son to Mother Leelavathi and Father Hiranyakashyapu. He had been initiated by his mother in the spiritual path. At the tender age of 3 years, Saint Narada became his Guru and blessed him with the Mantra “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”.
He had been taught by the Saint, “God indeed is to be worshipped all the time with all ones feelings without a care”. “Sarvada Sarvabhaavena Nishchintaihi Bhagavaaneva Bhajaneeyaha” – Narada Sutra-No.79.
Narada gave him the determination i.e. “Sarvada” that is all the time without any end, whether in conscious state or semi-conscious state; if a person remembers god in these two states then only can he be in the state of remembrance even during the unconscious state. How can one remember during the unconscious state?
In the unconscious state a person dies bodily to some extent (deep sleep state) but his sense organs are active. The prayer a person has done in the former two states continues in this third state. That is why it is said “Sarvada”- at all times, one should contemplate on god.
“Sarvabhaavena”- which means with all ones feelings and in all manners. By feeling is meant that by thought, word and deed (Trikarana) one should completely contemplate on god; all manners refer to the state of Duality. One should never feel high or low, success or defeat, whatever comes on the way is to be accepted and one should continue with one notion of “Devotion”.
“Nishchintaihi”- literally meaning without a worry, but in the context of the sutra it means without any care or restraint. It means pursue your Bhakti with abandon and fully immersed in your worship.
Generally people do penance with some expectation. The term expectation always leads to fear, failure and frustration. It is a known fact that everyone is manifested out of the Divine and finally has to merge in the Divine. Therefore in following Bhakti one should not expect something as a fruit. What one sows (the seed) accordingly one reaps. But because of expectation one fails to have perfection and concentration for the lord and this results in failure, frustration etc.
“Bhagavaaneva Bhajaneeyaha”-Without any second thought if one continues with penance on the Lord, one no doubt attains salvation.
By this way Saint Narada encouraged Prahalad in the Bhakti Marga, who (Prahladh) did not accept any mortal (his father Hiranyakashyapa) as Supreme. As a result his father sent him to Gurukul to make him learn to worship him (his father) as Supreme Lord of the 3 Lokas, where Hiranyakashyapa was being adored as God. As directed by Hiranyakashyapa, the Guru of the Gurukul taught Prahalad to worship his father but the attempt of the Guru turned futile, since the initiation of Narad Muni made Prahalad so strong he could not have a second thought to adore any mortal as Supreme.
Thus, his actions provoked Hiranyakashyapa and he made Prahalad undergo many trials. Each time he (Prahladh) escaped from the impending danger created by his father. But he strongly believed in the Veda Vakya of Narada Muni “Sarvada Sarvabhaavena Nishchintaihi Bhagavaaneva Bhajaneeyaha”, and followed contemplating and adoring the Supreme. This was like adding fuel to fire and made Hirayankashyapa seek the help of his sister Holika.
Who was Holika and how she got this name?
The term Holika is derived from the Sanskrit world Hola meaning grains. From Holika the word Holi is derived and this festival is celebrated in the month of Phalgun (Sanskrit word Phagwah) heralding the Hindu New Year. Holika was the aunt of Prahalad, who had been given a boon (which made her immune to the effects of fire) by the Supreme for her nine types of devotion (Nava-Vida Bhakti). Prahalad’s resistance angered his despot father who ordered that Prahald be placed on the lap of his aunt. But miraculously he escaped unscathed and the fire consumed Holika.
As a result Hirayankashyapa lost his temper and tortured his son in many ways and finally he ordered that Prahalad be thrown into the river. As per the direction, Prahalad was flung into the river. Three days passed but this time Prahalad did not return, due to which Hirayankashyapa felt pain that he had lost his son forever. Hirayankashyapa was still displeased and was worrying within his mind as to why his son had failed to accept him as Lord. Because of Prahalad’s resistance the son died at the hands of the father. Hirayankashyapa was deeply affected by his action against his son because of his true love and affection for the son and waited with hope for his son’s return to the palace. Fortunately when Hirayankashyapa found his son returning home, his joy knew no bounds and hugged his son on arrival and asked how he felt. But he still asked, “Do you accept me as the Lord of the Universe?”
Prahalad answered with bliss “O father I saw no difference earlier and none now and I had accepted the parents as the prime God. But the Supreme is the highest God to whom all should surrender. So I request you to surrender to Sri Hari and forego your ego”.
Hirayankashyapa agitated by his son’s answer questioned further. What experience did you have? What Knowledge did you attain?
Prahalad answered that the experience which one gains would be lost with one’s death. That which has been gained by one out of experience will not be called as Knowledge. Knowledge is the one, which is eternal, imperishable, and indestructible. It is that Supreme which exists in all atoms. It is formless and one with form. It cannot be gained out of experience but can be achieved out of interest and effort. To attain this one must have the equanimity of thought, word and deed. One should always cultivate love for others in action, should have compassion in words and a right notion by thought. Only such a person attains that Knowledge.
Hirayankashyapa finally questioned, “Does that Knowledge or Supreme exist here and in this pillar and can you show that Supreme?
Prahalad replied, “Yes father” and Hirayankashyapa struck the pillar with his mace and Nari Hari appeared from that and took away the life of Hirayankashyapa and enthroned Prahalad as Ruler of the kingdom. Finally Prahalad made a revelation, ‘My Knowledge ends with my salvation in the form of oneness (Nirguna).
So from the story of Prahalad one can learn how to reach Brahma-Padam with unity in thought, word and deed as well as to have Unity-Purity-Divinity.
In a nutshell, the Jiva, which overcomes the body consciousness, will attain liberation; the Jiva, which learns from experiences in life, realizes God is the Knowledge and the Jiva, which finally merges in God, attains Salvation that is Oneness. The state of oneness is Brahma Padam, after which no Knowledge exists.
With this I conclude and dedicate this work as service, at the Divine Feet of Beloved Bhagawan who made me an instrument to put together this Grantha.
“The End Of Knowledge Is Oneness - Brahma Padam”.
Chapter 9 - Bhakta Prahalad
He had been taught by the Saint, “God indeed is to be worshipped all the time with all ones feelings without a care”. “Sarvada Sarvabhaavena Nishchintaihi Bhagavaaneva Bhajaneeyaha” – Narada Sutra-No.79.
Narada gave him the determination i.e. “Sarvada” that is all the time without any end, whether in conscious state or semi-conscious state; if a person remembers god in these two states then only can he be in the state of remembrance even during the unconscious state. How can one remember during the unconscious state?
In the unconscious state a person dies bodily to some extent (deep sleep state) but his sense organs are active. The prayer a person has done in the former two states continues in this third state. That is why it is said “Sarvada”- at all times, one should contemplate on god.
“Sarvabhaavena”- which means with all ones feelings and in all manners. By feeling is meant that by thought, word and deed (Trikarana) one should completely contemplate on god; all manners refer to the state of Duality. One should never feel high or low, success or defeat, whatever comes on the way is to be accepted and one should continue with one notion of “Devotion”.
“Nishchintaihi”- literally meaning without a worry, but in the context of the sutra it means without any care or restraint. It means pursue your Bhakti with abandon and fully immersed in your worship.
Generally people do penance with some expectation. The term expectation always leads to fear, failure and frustration. It is a known fact that everyone is manifested out of the Divine and finally has to merge in the Divine. Therefore in following Bhakti one should not expect something as a fruit. What one sows (the seed) accordingly one reaps. But because of expectation one fails to have perfection and concentration for the lord and this results in failure, frustration etc.
“Bhagavaaneva Bhajaneeyaha”-Without any second thought if one continues with penance on the Lord, one no doubt attains salvation.
By this way Saint Narada encouraged Prahalad in the Bhakti Marga, who (Prahladh) did not accept any mortal (his father Hiranyakashyapa) as Supreme. As a result his father sent him to Gurukul to make him learn to worship him (his father) as Supreme Lord of the 3 Lokas, where Hiranyakashyapa was being adored as God. As directed by Hiranyakashyapa, the Guru of the Gurukul taught Prahalad to worship his father but the attempt of the Guru turned futile, since the initiation of Narad Muni made Prahalad so strong he could not have a second thought to adore any mortal as Supreme.
Thus, his actions provoked Hiranyakashyapa and he made Prahalad undergo many trials. Each time he (Prahladh) escaped from the impending danger created by his father. But he strongly believed in the Veda Vakya of Narada Muni “Sarvada Sarvabhaavena Nishchintaihi Bhagavaaneva Bhajaneeyaha”, and followed contemplating and adoring the Supreme. This was like adding fuel to fire and made Hirayankashyapa seek the help of his sister Holika.
Who was Holika and how she got this name?
The term Holika is derived from the Sanskrit world Hola meaning grains. From Holika the word Holi is derived and this festival is celebrated in the month of Phalgun (Sanskrit word Phagwah) heralding the Hindu New Year. Holika was the aunt of Prahalad, who had been given a boon (which made her immune to the effects of fire) by the Supreme for her nine types of devotion (Nava-Vida Bhakti). Prahalad’s resistance angered his despot father who ordered that Prahald be placed on the lap of his aunt. But miraculously he escaped unscathed and the fire consumed Holika.
As a result Hirayankashyapa lost his temper and tortured his son in many ways and finally he ordered that Prahalad be thrown into the river. As per the direction, Prahalad was flung into the river. Three days passed but this time Prahalad did not return, due to which Hirayankashyapa felt pain that he had lost his son forever. Hirayankashyapa was still displeased and was worrying within his mind as to why his son had failed to accept him as Lord. Because of Prahalad’s resistance the son died at the hands of the father. Hirayankashyapa was deeply affected by his action against his son because of his true love and affection for the son and waited with hope for his son’s return to the palace. Fortunately when Hirayankashyapa found his son returning home, his joy knew no bounds and hugged his son on arrival and asked how he felt. But he still asked, “Do you accept me as the Lord of the Universe?”
Prahalad answered with bliss “O father I saw no difference earlier and none now and I had accepted the parents as the prime God. But the Supreme is the highest God to whom all should surrender. So I request you to surrender to Sri Hari and forego your ego”.
Hirayankashyapa agitated by his son’s answer questioned further. What experience did you have? What Knowledge did you attain?
Prahalad answered that the experience which one gains would be lost with one’s death. That which has been gained by one out of experience will not be called as Knowledge. Knowledge is the one, which is eternal, imperishable, and indestructible. It is that Supreme which exists in all atoms. It is formless and one with form. It cannot be gained out of experience but can be achieved out of interest and effort. To attain this one must have the equanimity of thought, word and deed. One should always cultivate love for others in action, should have compassion in words and a right notion by thought. Only such a person attains that Knowledge.
Hirayankashyapa finally questioned, “Does that Knowledge or Supreme exist here and in this pillar and can you show that Supreme?
Prahalad replied, “Yes father” and Hirayankashyapa struck the pillar with his mace and Nari Hari appeared from that and took away the life of Hirayankashyapa and enthroned Prahalad as Ruler of the kingdom. Finally Prahalad made a revelation, ‘My Knowledge ends with my salvation in the form of oneness (Nirguna).
So from the story of Prahalad one can learn how to reach Brahma-Padam with unity in thought, word and deed as well as to have Unity-Purity-Divinity.
In a nutshell, the Jiva, which overcomes the body consciousness, will attain liberation; the Jiva, which learns from experiences in life, realizes God is the Knowledge and the Jiva, which finally merges in God, attains Salvation that is Oneness. The state of oneness is Brahma Padam, after which no Knowledge exists.
With this I conclude and dedicate this work as service, at the Divine Feet of Beloved Bhagawan who made me an instrument to put together this Grantha.
“The End Of Knowledge Is Oneness - Brahma Padam”.
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