Teachings of Bhakta Prahlad

[Guest guest]

Dear Members

My Pranam to all, When I was reading Bhagbatam in original, I enjoyed so much,

I also felt I should share this beutifull Satsanga of Prahlad,

Since my english is not sufficient to Translate from the original, therefore

I am copying from the book of Concise SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM by Swami

Venkatesananda; with hope list members will find useful to read.

Namaste.

Raju

 

Book Seven Chapter 6:

One day when the teacher was away and he had been invited by his schoolmates

to join them in play, Prahrada said to them: Friends, this human life is

extremely precious. Therefore one should cultivate devotion to God and the

virtues that are conducive to God-realisation, even from childhood. In fact,

man has no other duty in this world. Just as we get unhappiness without our

striving for it, we shall also get happiness in this world without effort. by

the force of our past karma. One should not therefore waste one's energies in

seeking happiness, which in any case does not lead to the supreme security of

the Lord's lotus feet. One should, while the body is still vigorous, strive to

reach the Lord's feet.

How fleeting life is here ! Even if a man lives for a hundred years, half of

it is spent in bed. Of the remaining fifty, twenty is wasted in childish play

and adolescent diversions. Yet another twenty is occupied by senility. The

short span that remains after all this is wasted by ignorant man in useless

pursuits of pleasure, which only create greater anxiety and a sense of

insecurity.

Yet, friends, the problems of the ignorant man are insurmountable ! Since his

senses are not controlled he is unable to turn away from the objects of

pleasure which he considers indispensable to him, from his wife and children

who appear to him to be his only security and hope, and from his possessions

to which he ignorantly clings. He has come to regard sex and the palate as the

sources of pleasure; how can he understand their real nature? Even when pains,

failures and frustrations stare him in the face he does not awaken to their

true origin-lust for pleasure-which he therefore does not easily give up. On

the contrary he endeavours to amass more wealth, often by robbing others of

theirs, although he knows it to be sin.

One who is caught in the snare of diversity (I, You, he) who therefore

differentiates between his possessions and others'. and who constantly

endeavours to increase his at he expense of others, cannot attain self-

realisation, though he be learned. The company of such people should be

avoided by all means, On the other hand, God realisation does not demand much

exertion because God is omnipresent! It demands association with the holy ones

and compassion and friendliness for all.

It is from them that we learn the truth which opens our eyes and which enables

us to realise that the universe is an appearance and the Lord alone is real.

In fact, it was on account of my association with Narada that I attained this

wisdom.