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On Nrsimha-caturdasi in Bombay in May 1974, the devotees performed a drama of the story of Prahlada, Hiranyakasipu, and Nrsimhadeva, and afterward, the actors, still in their costumes, sat down for Prabhupada’s lecture. “Today is the appearance day of Lord Nrsimhadeva,” he began. “I am so pleased that within such a short time these boys have nicely learned how to play, and especially I have to thank Mr. Hiranyakasipu,” at which everyone laughed and applauded. “Mr. Hiranyakasipu has played his part very nicely.”

And Prabhupada concluded his talk, “So the atheist and the theist will never agree. But the theist will never submit to the atheist. This is the principle. Prahlada Maharaja was put into so many troubles by his father, but he never forgot chanting . . .

“So we should take lessons from this story, that even in a dangerous position, we should not be forgetful of Krishna. Krishna will save us. It is said in the Bhagavad-gita,

yam labdhva caparam labham
manyate nadhikam tatah
yasmin sthite gurunapi
duhkhena na vicalyate
      [Bg 6.22]

‘Established thus, one never departs from the truth, and upon gaining this he thinks there is no greater gain. Being situated in such a position, one is never shaken, even in the midst of the greatest difficulty.’ Krishna consciousness is so nice that if one gets Krishna consciousness, yam labdhva caparam labham, aparam labham, any other benefit or gain is never considered. We are hankering after getting this, that, this, that, so many things. Dehi, dehi, dehi, dehi. But as soon as you get Krishna consciousness, you will be satisfied. As Dhruva Maharaja said, svamin krtartho ’smi varam na yace. Just like Prahlada Maharaja—he was offered all benediction: ‘My dear Prahlada, whatever you like, you can ask.’ He never asked anything. But he was so kind. That is the example of a Vaishnava son in the family. Despite so much troubles given by his father, still, he begged from Narasimhadeva, ‘My Lord, my father has committed so many offenses. Kindly give him liberation.’ He did not ask anything for himself. So Nrsimhadeva immediately said, ‘Why do you speak of your father? Your father’s father, his father, fourteen generations—all are liberated because a son like you is in this family.’ This is the benefit. If a son becomes a pure Vaishnava, devotee, he can deliver fourteen generations. That is a special prerogative because he is born in a certain family. So, what we can give service to the family, nation, materially? If we become devotee, we can give best service to the nation, to the family, to the humanity. That is the philosophy.

“So our Krishna consciousness movement is preaching this philosophy, that ‘You take to Krishna consciousness; your life will be perfect.’ And the method is very simple.

harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha

Three times. Three times means yajna-dana-tapah-kriya. There are many other things: meditation, sacrifices, worship in the temple. In this age all these things are impossible to be performed, but even a child can chant Hare Krishna maha-mantra. That is proved here. Whenever there is Hare Krishna maha-mantra, even a child can take part, and old man can take part. That was the teaching of Sri Prahlada Maharaja, and we are following his footsteps. Let us stick to his principle, mahajano yena gatah sa panthah, and thus become more and more advanced in Krishna consciousness.”

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami 

Source:http://www.girirajswami.com/?p=11778