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Dear Prabhujis and Matajis,

Hare Krishna. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

 

What is normally seen as 'good' from a spiritual perspective is seen by common people as 'bad' from a material perspective and vice-versa. It is this incompatibility of perception that is becoming a challenge for people in general to accept the spiritual way of life whole-heartedly. However, great personalities with clear vision into the reality of life always want to show to the people by personal example on how to develop the vision to see the reality and shun the transient nature of this world.

 

Parikshit Maharaj did not counteract the curse of the brahmana boy even though he was powerful enough to do that. The mundane perspective is always to counteract the injustice rendered to us because in this world, the more you bend down, the more people will knock us down. So at some point we have to retaliate. This is the commonly accepted philosophy. So the general argument is, "Why did Parikshit Maharaj not counteract?" However devotional service does not teach us to counteract indiscriminately. Learned and saintly people appreciate when one controls his anger and forgives the wrong-doings of the offender, because that is the way to advance in devotional service. When we take this stand of controling the urges, unknowingly we do good to the world because our character which is exhibited in the form of our actions (and reactions to other's actions) has an imperceptible impact on others and has the potency to mold their nature in the same way. That is why we read and hear all the incidents from revealed scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam, so that one day our nature and thinking process will get aligned in the 'bhagavata' direction.

 

When Parikshit Maharaj submitted his intention to accept the curse and fast, the saints and sages assembled there congratulated him for the astounding decision. A normal being cannot take such a stand especially when faced with the curse of death. Somehow or other we will try to escape the punishment. This is because we are naturally afraid of death. But Bhagavatam is for those who are not afraid of death. Those who conduct their life in the lines of Bhagavatam are called 'bhagavadiyas' and they want to make their life as well as their death as a meaningful and useful contribution for generations to come. Our life can be meaningful only when we use it in the service of Krishna and His devotees and save the suffering souls. Our death can be meaningful only when we can think of the Supreme Lord Krishna in our last moment. When we do not know when is our last moment, how can we think of Krishna (accepting the fact that in our current state we cannot think of Krishna 24 hours) at our last moment? So taking this predicament into consideration, Parikshit Maharaj thought that the brahmana boy's curse is a blessing in disguise, because he now knows exactly when his last moment will be, a boon that is never given to ordinary beings. Parikshit Maharaj did not want to lose this golden opportunity and the saints too agreed to his proposal. Srimad Bhagavatam 1.19.19 says beautifully thus:

 

 

"All the great sages who were assembled there also praised the decision of Maharaja Parikshit and they expressed their approval by saying, "Very good." Naturally the sages are inclined to do good to common men, for they have all the qualitative powers of the Supreme Lord. Therefore they were very much pleased to see Maharaja Parikshit, a devotee of the Lord, and they spoke as follows."

 

The saints are prajaa-anugraha - always doing good for the living beings. They are sheela-saaraa - qualitatively powerful and guna-abhirupam - possessing all the beautiful qualities of the Supreme Lord. Because they had all the godly qualities, their approval is as good as Krishna's approval. They envisaged that if a king like Parikshit Maharaj can show to the world the perfect way to leave the body, then the sane people will follow that path. Srila Prabhupada writes very beautifully in his transcendental purport: "The natural beauty of a living being is enhanced by rising up to the platform of devotional service. Maharaja Parikshit was absorbed in attachment for Lord Krsna. Seeing this, the great sages assembled were very pleased, and they expressed their approval by saying, "Very good." Such sages are naturally inclined to do good to the common man, and when they see a personality like Maharaja Parikshit advance in devotional service, their pleasure knows no bounds, and they offer all blessings in their power. The devotional service of the Lord is so auspicious that all demigods and sages, up to the Lord Himself, became pleased with the devotee, and therefore the devotee finds everything auspicious. All inauspicious matters are removed from the path of a progressive devotee. Meeting all the great sages at the time of death was certainly auspicious for Maharaja Parikshit, and thus he was blessed by the so-called curse of a brahmana boy."

 

The nature of saintly personalities is to accept extreme risks, sufferings and pains for the sake of others and make life easy for everyone. They do not like to see anyone suffering. By the causeless and unfathomable compassion of Parikshit Maharaj, we all have got the transcendental treasure of Srimad Bhagavatam. Thus the brahmana boy's curse upon Parikshit Maharaj became a blessing not only for Parikshit Maharaj, but even for fortunate and undeserving souls in kali yuga who did not have to undergo the acute suffering faced by Maharaj Parikshit. So let us take full advantage of this human life which is meant only for performing devotional service and dive deep into the nectarean names, forms and pastimes of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna.

 

Thank you very much.

Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva,

Kalacakra Krsna das.