Jagadguruttam Jayanti

Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Maharaj is the fifth original Jagadguru in Indian history. He is renowned for his exquisite mastery of the Hindu scriptures. He has written thousands of bhajans that exude Vedic philosophy in general and love for God in particular.

Maharajji appeared in this world in 1922, on the full moon night called Sharad Poornima. This was the night, when five thousand years ago, Lord Shree Krishna performed His famous Raas Leela dance with the gopis. Maharajji was born in a small village called Mangarh, near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, India. 

Maharajji's childhood was spent in fun and frolic with friends. Yet, he amazed everyone by displaying his mastery in every subject that was taught in school. His answer papers in examinations would always be perfect, but his teachers would hesitate to give him a perfect score, and would award him 99 marks. His friends would be so impressed by this feat, that they had given him the name " Mr. Ninety Nine." He would often take his young village friends to sit under shady village trees, and engage them in singing loving keertans to God. 

At the age of fourteen, he left his village Mangarh to study courses from three Universities, at Kashi, Delhi and Kolkata. In those days in India, students were given the facility to register for courses, and study them at home. Due to his exceptional ability, Maharajji completed eighteen years syllabus in a short span of just two-and-a-half years. He received three degrees -Vyakaran Acharya, Sahitya Acharya, and Ayurved Acharya.

At the young age of sixteen, he gave up his studies and entered the dense forests of Chitrakoot, where he remained absorbed in intense love of Shree Radha Krishna. During that period, he would rest in caves and eat fruits from the trees of the forest. Often having no awareness of his body, he would go without eating and drinking for several days at a stretch. His mind would remain immersed in Mahabhav, the highest state of devotion to Lord Shree Krishna. This elevated state of Mahabhav devotion was also manifested by another great Saint, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, about five hundred years ago.

In January 1957, Maharajji was invited to give a series of lectures to the Kashi Vidvat Parishat. This was a body of 500 foremost Vedic scholars of India, each of them was a master of one or more scriptures. Maharajji spoke in Sanskrit for ten days, giving innumerable quotations from the Vedas, Puranas, Mahabharat, Ramayan, Vedant, and other scriptures. He showed the wonderful unity in the teachings of the previous jagadgurus and revealed the true path of God realization.

When the entire body of scholars was convinced that Kripaluji Maharaj's knowledge was deeper than the combined knowledge of all the 500 scholars put together, they honoured him with the title of Jagadguru, or the Spiritual Master of the world. They also declared that he was Jagadguruttam, or supreme amongst Jagadgurus, and Bhaktiyog Rasavatar, or the descension of the Bliss of Divine Love.

(An excerpt form Saints of India: Bal Mukund Character Building Series)

नाचो गाओ सब साधक समुदाय, आज गुरुदेव जन्मदिन पुनि आय।
हम सब की उमर इन्हें लग जाय, युग युग जीयें ऐसे साधना कराय।

Important Lessons of Vijaya Dashami

Ravan was...

a great scholar,

a master of Vedas,

a great chanter of Sam Ved,

a scholar of Astrology and Ayurved,

a controller of the planetary system,

a great musician and a prolific Veena player,

an efficient king who built a Golden Lanka,

a highly intelligent person,

an excellent warrior,

a great performer of severe austerities towards Lord Shiv,

However, he did some irreversible and unforgivable mistakes...

After pleasing Lord Shiv and having got blessed with His boon and powers, out of arrogance, he (failingly) tried to move the residence of Lord Shiv Himself that is Mount Kailash.

He underestimated the glory of Shree Ram as God Himself and considered Him as an ordinary man, just because He was in exile and was roaming in the forest with saffron clothes to fulfill the promise of His Father.

He tried to kidnap and torture the Mother of Universe and Adya Shakti Sitaji, considering Her a helpless and an ordinary woman.

He could not recognize Lord Shiv whom he used to worship, when He came as a messenger of Lord Ram; in form of Hanuman. Not only that he ordered to burn His tail and tried to give Him immense pain.

He could not even comprehend the sign of God who built a bridge over the huge ocean and crossed the ocean with the large army and finally reached Lanka, which is next to impossible for an ordinary man.

He could not understand the repeated requests from his maternal grand father, wife and younger brother, "to return Mother Sita and surrender to Shree Ram as He is a God Himself". He laughed at them thinking they are foolish.

These are the major mistakes he did because he was arrogant. Despite such great skills and powers, he kept on doing such major mistakes throughout the life and the only one reason for this was an absence of devotion to God in his life. Due to that absence of devotion, he was obsessed with his powers and considered himself invincible.

God does not please with skills, achievements, knowledge, opulence, powers, strength, reputation, austerities, etc. which are not accompanied by pure devotion. He sees only inner sentiments. The only things He doesn't like are arrogance and hypocrisy.

When Shree Ram returned to Ayodhya, Mother Kaushalya asked Him, "Have You killed Ravan?" 

Shree Ram gave a very thought-provoking answer, "Mother, I haven't killed the great scholar, a highly intelligent, a master of sciences, an excellent warrior, a great musician and a sadhak of Lord Shiv, Ravan... But, ...his "I" (ego) has killed him!"

On this victorious festival let us learn these two important lessons of Vijaya Dashami. 

1. No skills, achievements, knowledge, opulence, powers, strength, reputation, austerities, etc. which are not accompanied by pure devotion and surrendering, can please God and His eternal energy or even His associates.

2. One saintly philosopher has very nicely explained... 
"In Sat Yug, good and evil were in two different worlds-Dev lok and Asur lok. 
In Treta in the same world-Ram and Ravan. 
In Dwapar, in the same family-Pandava and Kaurava. 
In Kali Yug,in the same person.
As the Yug changes, the line between good and evil thins and blurs down."

Kill the ego residing within us and surrender to the ocean of mercy and compassion, Shree Ram!

Ganesh Visarjan Teaches Us Important Lessons on Serving God

Yesterday was a day for Ganapati Visarjan. Little Sanket was very upset. He was not ready to say "Good Bye" to lovely Ganeshji. He was truly devotional minded child and was get highly attached to Ganapati in these special ten days of Ganesh-pooja (From Ganesh Chaturthi to Anant Chaturdashi). 

All gathered relatives and other people were eager to proceed with the ceremony of visarjan but they were helpless in front of the sentimental stubbornness of this small child. 

Finally his grand ma took the whole matter in her hand. She sat with him, and calmed him down. She knew the depth of devotion in heart of this child. He was not going to be convinced merely by any temptation of chocolates or video games! So she made him understand the act of visarjan as a part of worship with true philosophical understanding.

She told him, "Look, God is omnipresent. He neither arrives nor leaves. He has existed before time and will exist beyond. This ceremony is symbolic to understand our life. We arrive, we celebrate and we merge into the elements." 

She continued, "The act of Visarjan teaches us to let go of something you love deeply. To surrender to faith over intellect. It also teaches us what we love may leave us, so love unconditionally... !!!"

It is good that you feel happy in serving God, but the true essence of devotion and service lies in not your happiness, but it lies in the happiness of God. You need to understand this if you really want to serve God.

It teaches us to remember God throughout the year and wait to welcome Him again according to His time and wish...!

It teaches that the omni-present God, when time comes, again appears in front of us and gives the chance to serve Him. 

That is why we say "O Ganesh! Do come back sooner the next year!" Till then we do not stop worshiping Him but we prepare ourselves to welcome Him again with more devotion, with more faith and with more desire to serve Him."

This is what Sanket was needed to understand. With tears in eyes but great faith in heart, he joined to the procession of Ganapati Visarjan, repeating the prayer, "Ganapati Bappa Morya, pudhchya-varshi-lavkar-ya (agale baras tu jaldi aa)!!"

The Proud Crow and The Cunning Fox - Famous Story with a Meaningful Twist (Part-2)

The Proud Crow and Cunning Fox

Twist in the famous story from Panchatantra with three important morals

3. Third version of the story 

Again years passed by...

Dony, a crow was sitting on the branch of the tree, with a peace of cookie comfortably gripped between his beak.

Rony—a mischievous fox was passing through. He saw the cookie. He was hungry. To grab that sweet yummy cookie, first he applied the old and famous trick of flattering—praising Dony’s voice to lure him into singing and so forth.

But Dony was no idiot; he was aware of those types of tricks and knew how to deal with them.

He didn't pay attention to the fox and started relishing the cookie. The fox of new generation had also become more cunning according to its inherent nature. Rony applied plan 'B.' 

He told Dony, "I think you are eating the cookie right now. So naturally you can't sing. But let me tell you one thing. Have you noticed your cookie is contaminated? You should check the latest bulletin that recently all the lot of cookies got spoil due to some bacteria!! Are you sure it’s fit for consumption?

Dony really got worried! He didn’t want to take any chance with health—he threw the cookie away, immediately. Cunning Rony grabbed the cookie and ran away.

Dony realized that again he became fool by the fox.

Moral:

• When you learn something, try to understand the concept and apply the lesson in various dimension of life. ‘6’ cannot be only 1+5; 2+4, or 4+2, or 5+1, etc. can also be ‘6;’ even, 7-1, or 8-2, or 9-3 etc.; And 2x3, or 3x2, 1x6; and 12/2, or 18/3, or 24/4 etc.—these all are ‘6.’

4. Fourth version of the story

Again years passed by...

Jumbo an unsuspecting crow was sitting on the branch of a tree with a piece of cake in his beak.

Dumbo—a giggly fox was passing by that tree. He saw the cake gripped between his beak. He played a trick. First, he flattered him into singing. But as Jumbo had imbibed lessons from his ancestors, the trick didn't work out. Dumbo applied the plan 'B.' He tried to create doubt in crow's mind and thus tried to scare him. But the crow of latest generation had learnt the new lesson also and he was pretty sure about the his cunningness.

When the plan 'B' also failed, the fox got disappointed. He was really hungry and now thinking of what to do?

Jumbo flew down from the tree—holding the cake in its claw and talked very gently with that fox.

He told: "I think you are hungry. Am I right?"

Dumbo helplessly replied, "Yes."

Jumbo had learnt many moral and spiritual values from his parents. He has seen his parents living those values in their life. He is also used to read moral stories and regularly engaged in satsang. So it was very easy for him to live them.

He told Dumbo, "Dear Dumbo! If you are hungry, then why are you making things complicated? You could have told me about your hunger and we could have shared the cake. I could have given it to you or shared it with you. There were no need to be so tricky about it. Your cunningness will harm your inner self and also to the creatures like me, who, out of fear of being fooled and cheated, become suspicious and think a thousand times before trusting anyone! Please, stop being cunning, okay!!"

Having said so, he generously shared the cake with him. Both of them relished the cake and satiated their hunger.

Moral:

• Be simple in life. Don't try to be over smart by flattering or scaring others. That can lead someone into becoming distrustful and suspicious. 

• If someone is trying to play the tricks with you and you are enough aware about it, take a generous way to deal with. Act in the way that would lead both—you and the other person—in the right direction. Your straightforwardness may remove the bad habits of others.

The Proud Crow and The Cunning Fox - Famous Story with a Meaningful Twist (Part-1)

The Proud Crow and Cunning Fox

Twist in the famous story from Panchatantra with three important morals

Original story​​

There was a crow named Tony; he was very proud of himself. One day he found a masala pudi (Indian crispy snack). He picked up the pudi with his beak and flew to the forest. He went and sat on the branch—thinking, “Let me relish this pudi now,” and grabbed it between his beak. 

Vicky- a cunning fox was hanging around. He was very hungry; could not climb the tree. When he saw the crow about to devour a crispy pudi, he devised a scheme.

He thought to himself, “Crows are one of the proudest birds I ever known.” He went to Tony and talked to him in sweetest voice, “O! My friend crow, you are the king of birds. You have beautiful wings. “O! You have bright eyes. O! You have a very graceful neck. Can you sing a song for me? I am sure you have a beautiful voice too.”

The crow was foolish. He felt flattered listening to the praise of the fox. He opened his mouth to sing, “Caw! Caw!” The pudi fell down from his mouth. Vicky snapped it up quickly, “Hurray!” said the fox—gulping down the whole pudi in no time. 

The poor crow realized later that the fox was only fooling him.

Moral: 

• Don't be overjoyed by the praises. Check weather you really deserve them or not. That will restrain you from being fooled by psychofants.

• It is very important to understand the difference between flattery and appreciation.

2. Now the second version of this story:

Years passed by....

Romy, a young crow, was sitting on the branch of the tree with a slice of bread. Bony, a youthful fox was passing by; he saw the craw with a bread in its beak. Now he was really very hungry. He remembered what his ancestors used to do in the same condition. Like his ancestors, he also started flattering the crow. 

If the fox can learn from its ancestors, why can't the crow? The crow took out the bread from its beak, with utmost care put it aside and told the fox: "O fox! My ancestors have taught me not to be fooled by the flattering. I know, your scheme. You will flatter into singing, hoping as soon as I open my mouth, the bread will fall off for you to grab. But alas! Your plan will not work out. If you can learn lessons from your ancestors, how can you forget that even I can learn and improve from the experiences of my ancestors?"

Moral:

• It is an important responsibility of elders to share their experiences with the new generation and teach them the correct attitude to deal with every situations to avoid loss or failures.

• Children must learn from their elders' experiences and learn the lesson, so that no one can take their undue advantage.

(To be continued...)

Devotion to God is the Nature of the Soul

Your hand is a part of your body, and the natural duty of the hand is to serve te body. It carries food to the mouth and feeds the body. In doing so, the hand automatically receives the nourishment, blood, and oxygen it needs for its own survival. The hand does not need to take care of itself separately. In caring for whatever it is a part of, its self-interest is automatically provided for.


Let us say, the hand refuses to serve the body, and says, "I have had enough! All my life has passed by in serving this repulsive body. No more now! Cut me away from it, I will take care of myself." Do you think the hand will be able to survive on its own! Definitely not!

Its self-interest lies in serving what it is a part.

The soul too, is an integral part of God. Hence, the natural duty of the soul is to serve God. 

By doing so, the soul automatically gets the Divine Knowledge, Love, and Bliss for which it has been hankering since eternity. Its self-interest is fulfilled by loving and serving God, of whom it is an integral part.


- An excerpt from 'ESSENCE OF HINDUISM'
Bal-Mukund Character Building Series.

SWAMI MUKUNDANANDA

An Act of Compassion Towards The Speechless Creatures

Little Efforts for Noble Service!

The mother nature is getting more and more harsh this summer due to the mistakes, apathy, and irresponsible acts of human race. Forecasts of heat waves are worrisome. We have many ways and means to overcome or tolerate these heat-waves, but what about the other species on planet Earth?

We human speak out our needs. Sometimes by demanding, sometimes by requesting, sometimes by shouting or if required, even (in some cases) by snatching, we do fulfill our needs. But think about the birds and animals.

Amid the abnormal heat spike, thirsty birds and stray animals have to hunt for a drop of water--specially in urban areas. Give a thought to the speechless birds and animals; who would not speak or scream or shout for water, they just...silently...loose their lives due to the thirst!

Let us be little bit concerned for these speechless creatures!

Please arrange for a water bowl specially for them. We do not have to spend much time, energy, or money for this noble service! Just a bowl filled with pure and fresh water! That is all. It is not at all a major task but it would save lives! 

If you are very busy, you can definitely pass this current of compassion to your children! Give them this opportunity to take charge of providing pure water to the birds for entire summer season. This way you can teach them the values of concern, kindness, and compassion. Do not miss this chance to teach them that being an elevated creature, being a human it is our moral duty to keep compassion for all other creatures on this earth.

The birds and animals don't ask for coconut water or butter milk or aerated cold drinks. They need plain and pure water! We can definitely arrange for pure water! Can't we ??

Someone has very well said that, "Humanity's true moral test, its fundamental test...consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy---Birds and Animals.

Few suggestions regarding placing water bowl for birds or animals.

1. Place a water bowl in a balcony or a compound or a garden. If possible place them on different and many places, so that many birds can get the advantage and satisfy their thirst!

2. Those living in bungalows can easily help even the animals like cows and dogs.

3. Keep the bowls under the shade or at the place where it can be saved from direct sunlight.

4. Always keep pure, fresh and clean water in the bowl.

5. Prefer clay bowls as clay bowls are better than plastic or metal bowls because the water stays very cool even when temperature is very high.

6. For animals a big, deep, and large bowls are suitable, but for the birds select little shallow bowls. Remember they have only small beak to drink water.

7. Do not forget to wash the bowl daily. Disinfect it by putting empty in the sunlight for some time. 

8. During the day, periodically keep filling the bowl with clean and fresh water.

9. Animals are very fearful by nature, any kind of petting, touching, teasing will keep them away and it may restrain them from coming.

Let the birds and animals feel at home and visit more often your residence!

Narsimha Avatar - The Furious Yet Blissful Incarnataion of a Half Man and a Half Lion!

When Varaah, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, incarnated on the Earth and vanquished Hiranyaksh, Hiranyakashipu, the brother of Hiranyaksh, was infuriated and determined to seek revenge. He went to Mt. Mandrachal and performed difficult austerities. Brahma was pleased with his devotion and granted him a boon. Hiranyakasipu wanted to cheat Brahma by indirect definition. First of all he wanted to become immortal. Brahma said, “That is not possible because even I am not immortal. Nobody in this material world is immortal. So that is not possible."

So Hiranyakasipu prayed to Brahma that “Please give me the benediction that...
I shall not be killed by any man or any animal.
I shall not be killed in the sky, on the water or on land.
I shall not be killed by any man-made weapons." 

In this way he utilized his intelligence in so many ways just to come to the conclusion of being immortal.

Brahma granted Hiranyakashipu this boon. Thereafter, Hiranyakashipu terrorized the three lokas with his newly acquired invincibility. He became arrogant and demanded that everyone should worship him as GOD. While Hiranyakashipu was performing penances, the child in his wife Kayadhu’s womb frightened Indra. Indra kidnapped her, but he encountered Naradji, who persuaded him to release Kayadhu. Naradji took her to his ashram and instructed her to worship Vishnu. During this time, Naradji read scriptures describing Lord Vishnu’s lilas to her. The child in her womb, Prahlad, became absorbed in Lord Vishnu’s bhakti. 

After Prahlad was born, Hiranyakashipu made several attempts to kill him because of his unflinching faith in Lord Vishnu. He used to love his son but when Prahlad refused to obey his orders and worshiped Lord Vishnu, the frustrated Hiranyakashipu became the worst enemy of his own son and tried to kill him by all means. Prahlad tried explaining the importance of performing bhakti and worshiping God, but his father, evil in nature, could not understand the glory of God. Without a moral conscience, Hiranyakashipu continued to terrorize thousands of people. 

Hiranyakashipu tried to torture Prahlad by throwing him down cliffs, getting him stamped by elephants, locking him in a room with many piosonous snakes, throwing him mid of the ocean but nothing happened to the great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Although Hiranyakashipu made several attempts to kill his son, but every time Prahlad without getting disturb kept on chanting “Aum Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaay” with a gentle smile on face!! God saved him every time.

Finally, Hiranyakashiapu turned to his sister Holika. She was blessed by a boon which made her immune to fire. So her brother asked Holika to enter a fire with Prahlad in her lap. The demon king was sure that there was no way Vishnu could save Prahlad from death now! Holika sat on a pyre and coaxed young Prahlad to sit in her lap. Hiranykashipu ordered the attendants to light the pyre. Holika had to pay the price of her cruelty with her life. Holika was burned to death. Lord Vishnu  blessed him once again for his unwavering devotion.

Once, Prahlad was explaining the omnipresent glory of God to his father. Hiranyakashipu asked if Bhagawan was present in the room in a heated pillar. Prahlad reaffirmed that Bhagawan is everywhere, even in that pillar. Hiranyakashipu became angry and struck the pillar with his sword. From the pillar, Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Narasimha Bhagawan, whose upper body was that of a lion and lower body that of a man. He caught Hiranyakashipu and dragged him towards the threshold of his palace near doorstep and put Hiranyakashipu on His thighs.

The Lord roared angrily, “ O Hiranyakashipu! Look... 

you are neither in the sky nor on the earth, you are on my thigh.

It is neither day not night, it is twilight.

I am neither a human being nor an animal.

You are neither in your home nor outside your home, you are on the threshold.

You will be killed neither by any shastra nor any astra, its my claws!! "

Saying that Narasimha Bhagawan tore his belly with His nails.

Prahlad bowed down to Narasimha Bhagawan’s feet and received his blessings. He offered a unique prayer in which he requested forgiveness and devotion for his father and himself. Narasimha Bhagawan gave Prahlad his blessings and appointe him as the king. Prahlad ruled as a righteous king for 36,000 years!

How gracious is God! He took completely unimaginable form, just to protect His bhakt!

Bhagawan always protects His bhakt and for that He can do anything, can take any form and perform any Leela!!

Shree Vallabhacharya Jayanti!

Day-long schedule for a Child

Prepare breakfast containing milk, cream, butter, curd, mishri, and mathari with pickle.

Wake up a little Child with ringing of bells and clapping.

Lift up the Baby with gentle care and softly put Him on His seat.

Offer Him a breakfast which is suitable to His age and taste.

Also, simultaneously clean His bed by removing old bedsheet and spreading a fresh one, removing the pillow and arranging soft cushions for support.

After the breakfast, clean His mouth with gentle care.

When the breakfast is well-digested, bathe the Baby with lukewarm water mixed with rose petals or saffron. Very gently sprinkle the water on His charming body with lotus flower.

Makeover the Child with Tilak on forehead, dresses according to the season, beautiful ornaments, soft garland of different flowers, and a peacock feather.

When the Child is ready, show Him a mirror to look Himself at.

Offer Him varieties of toys and musical instruments to play.

When the Child is done with makeover and plays, offer Him a glass of sweet milk.

Send the Child to play with His friends and pets.

When the Child is back, offer Him a rich lunch with delicious sweets and not-so-spicy but yummy food verities.If the child goes far with the pets, give Him a lunch-box containing nutritive food.

After the lunch, gently wash His mouth.

Now He must be tired, so allow Him to sleep.

Close the curtains and doors to avoid glares of sunlight and noise.

Again in the early evening, wake up the Child with sweet and not-so-loud songs.

Offer Him some fruits and dry fruits.

Again get Him ready with the evening-wears which are suitable to the season. Apply some perfume on it. 

Offer Him toys and musical instruments to play.

Offer very light food with kheer as a dinner.

Clean His mouth gently.

Prepare His bed with perfumes and rose petals.

Get Him ready to sleep with soft night-suit and apply some perfume on it. 

Place Him on the bed and cover His little body with silken quilt.

Sing lullaby of bed-time melodies to make Him sleep!!!

As an occasional schedule, celebrate all the festivals like Uttarayan, Holi, Ratha-Yatra, Janmashtami, Radhashtami, Sharad Poornima, etc. with different themes, decorations, gifts and yummy foods to entertain this Child!!

No..no, this is not a daily schedule of a mother of an ordinary child! It is a prescribed schedule in Pushtimarg for a Divine Child Shree Nathaji!! Shreenathji is a form of Shree Krishna, manifest as a seven-year-old child. Lord Shrinathji symbolizes a form of Lord Krishna, when He lifted the 'Govardhan' Hill. He is also known as Giriraj Dharan!

Vallabhacharya, who was the founder of Pushtimarg, was worshiping Shree Krishna as a Child. He had a parental sentiments for God and so he prescribed various sevas for the whole day from early morning to night to engage mentally and physically with God.

In Indian philosophy, he is also known as the writer of sixteen stotras, as well as several commentaries on the Shreemad Bhagawatam, describing the pastimes of Lord Krishna. He was considered to be one of the five great Vaishnav Acharyas of the past, who established Vaishnav schools, the others being Ramanujacharya, Madhavacharya, Nimbarkacharya and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Special Message On The Occasion of Holika Dahan

Holika Dahan is a popular ritual followed in many parts of India. The festival of Holi gets its name from this very ritual of Holika Dahan. Holika Dahan literally means burning Holika. 

The demon King Hiranyakashipu had a son named Prahlad. Prahlad was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu tortured him in every way so that he would stop worshipping Lord Vishnu
but Prahlad was adamant. As last resort, Hiranyakashipu summoned his sister Holika to kill Prahlad.
Holika had a boon that she would never be harmed by fire. Holika took innocent and unsuspecting​ Prahlad on her lap and sat on a burning pyre. As she committed an act so sinful, her boon became unfruitful; she was consumed by the fire and Prahlad came out safely. Thus, the evil was destroyed and faith of the people on God was restored.

We all know this story and celebrate the victory of Prahalad and his unflinching faith in God. This story also throws light in our lives and gives​ many eye-opening​ messages!

Lessons to be learnt from the epic-episode of Holika Dahan 

1. Never try to harm any devotee by the power you have. God is all-powerful and protects His devotee in any way. Holika was protected with a boon that fire cannot harm her. But she used this boon with ill-will and for a negative purpose of killing a devotee of God, Prahlad. Prahlad was saved by Lord Vishnu and Holika completely got burnt in that fire.

2. It is not mentioned anywhere that a devotes​ of​ God won't face ​problems or sufferings. They are there as a chain of experiences but one who has surrendered one's self to God, does not feel the pain out of these negative experiences. Sitting amidst the flames of burning fire, Prahlad was experiencing coolness as if a sheet of fresh ​lotus flowers was spread upon him, just because he was devotedly remembering Lord Vishnu.

3. Devotion is not a matter of age. It is to be started right from the childhood. Prahlad is a great example that one can attain God-realization even at a very young age.
​
4. Like Hiranykashipu and Holika, many of our sankars continuously try to stop us progressing on the path of bhakti. We need to recognize them and just like Prahlad, keep worshiping God, no matter how many obstacles or fear they create. Keep the faith, that one day all these negative factors will ​become weak and powerless. We can smoothly go ahead on the path of devotion toward God. Without getting disturbed by their threats, we need to keep progressing on this path.

5. During the Holika Dahan, in many parts of India people used to throw unnecessary things like old cloths, vessels, and many other unused or not usable things into the fire. As incomplete human​-beings​ many vices resides in us​--lust​, anger, greed, attachment, pride, jealousy etc. ​Let us surrender to God and throw all of them in the fire of Holika Dahan to purify our heart to make a clean and perfect residence of Radha and Krishna.