Srimad Bhagavatam – day 380
Demon King Hiraṇyakaśipu was well-versed in the knowledge of dealing with situations based on time and place (deśa-kāla) requirements. Therefore, at that moment, he lovingly addressed his sister-in-law Ruṣābhānu and his mother Dit .
Swamiji explains: Hiraṇyākṣa represents greed (lobha) and can be said to be the epitome of greediness. Such person goes on accumulating material wealth which he never shares. Charity and righteousness (dana-dharma) is absolutely unknown to him. He sits on that wealth, sleeps on it and lives for it.
Hiraṇyakaśipu represents the insatiable desire (craving, trishna) for material comforts, which emerges from greed. Such person wants to use wealth purely for his sensory enjoyments and not for any other purpose.
Mother Diti represents bheda buddhi (maintaining differences and distinction such as mine- yours). Hiraṇyākṣa’s wife Ruṣabhānu symbolizes fury (anger, krodha). All of them are bound by family relationship.
Prahlada represents the supremely knowledgeable person who is totally focused upon Self’s bliss (ātmananda). Isn’t it a wonder that Prahlāda could take birth amidst these demons? He represents traits of goodness (sattva) and the bliss enjoyed upon obtaining Self-realization.
Lord Nṛsimha represents the oneness of all living entities (ekatvam). He is the force who causes bliss to all living entities. Everything exists within Him and He exists in everything.
Hiraṇyakaśipu said, “My dear mother, sister-in-law and nephews! It is incorrect for you to continue grieving valourous Hiraṇyākṣa’s death. A valourous death during combat with an enemy is truly commendable. Valourous persons always seek death when fighting their enemy.
O Mother, your dedication is truly laudable! Due to prarabdha karma (that portion of total destiny which is due to be experienced in the present life) living entities meet and separate during a lifetime. Just as thirsty travelers meet at a place where water is available and disperse after quenching their thirst, living entities meet and disperse on earth!
The Self is beyond time. It is indestructible and is untouched by merits and sins. It is omnipresent, omniscient and beyond Nature (prakṛti). Such Self creates a subtle body and a gross body, which are nothing but creations of trigunas (three attributes of Nature).
Due to the movement of water in a pond, the reflection of the trees that fall on the water appear to move.
Swamiji explains: When we travel by vehicle we feel that the trees are moving in the reverse direction. When we are seated in a stationary train, another moving train creates in us the illusion that our train is moving. A person who has vertigo finds the entire earth is spinning.
“Due to the movement of water in a pond, the reflection of the trees falling on the water appear to move. Likewise, when the mind wavers due to the influence of these material objects which are the outcomes of trigunas, the Self which in reality is unmoving and beyond transformations, attains oneness with the mind and believes it has transformed along with the mind”.
Swamiji explains: You are wavering; you are undergoing transformations and you falsely accuse the mind and Self for it. “My mind is not pure” you falsely blame the mind. You feel impure because you have undergone transformations. “My Self is impure”- It is incorrect to say so. Is Self an object that it can experience purity or impurity? Is it an object that can be washed so as to be rendered pure? Is it any organ like the heart which can be replaced? The Self is nothing but the Supreme Lord, who is the subtlest of the subtle. You undergo transformation; you move and then you blame ‘my mind is not feeling good”. The truth is you are impure, your intellect (buddhi) is impure.
The Self is the Supreme Lord. He is the Puruṣa. When he decides to leave the body, he will immediately depart. The breath will suddenly stop. When the car tyre is punctured you will repair it 4 to 5 times. Misers may repair it 7 to 8 times. After that even they will discard the tyre. Likewise when the body is full of repairs, the Lord leaves it and departs.
Nārāyaṇāya namah