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----- bhagap159.html
Shanda and Amarka, sons of Shukra, had charge of the educa-
tion of Prahlada. He heard and learned whatever they had to say,
but he inwardly did not like the teachings about mine and thine and
about the transitory things of the world.
Once Hiranya-kasipu placed Prahlada on his lap and asked
him " What do you consider to be righteous, (Sadhu*)."
Prahlada replied: Human souls enshrined in bodies are
always distracted on account of false perceptions. O great Asura,
I therefore consider it righteous to leave the house, which like a dark
well causes the downfall of Atmi, in order to go to the forest and take the
shelter of Vishnu." Hirany-kasipu smiled and said: "It is thus that
boys are spoiled by others. Take him back to the house of his
teachers and let them see that Vaishnavas in disguise may not
confound his Buddhi."
The teachers brought him to their house and asked him in gentle
and sweet words: "Child, do not conceal any thing from us. We
are your teachers. Tell us whether this perversity is spontaneous in
you or whether it is acquired from others." Said Prahlada: "I and
others, this is mere false perception caused by the Maya of Bhagavan.
So salutations to Him. When Bhagavan becomes kind, it is then
only that the difference-making perception of men disappears. As
the iron moves of itself in the presence of a magnet, so the distrac-
tion in my Budhi, if yon like to call it so, rises of itself in the
presence of Vishnu."
"Get the cane," said one of the teachers, " This wicked boy
will put us all to shame. He is a disgrace to his family. It is but
meet to punish him. The Daityas are sandal trees and this boy is
a thorn plant amongst them. Vishnu is the one for the extirpation
of the sandal forest, and this boy is his handle."
They threatened Prahlada in various ways and taught him
Dharma, Artha and Kama, and the different devices to subdue one's
enemies. At last they thought Prahlada had been well trained. So
they took him to the king.
The king embraced the child and said " Piahlada, my boy, you
have been so long with your teachers. Tell me what you have
learned, as the best of all."
Prahlada replied: "Hearing of Vishnu, recital of His glory,
constant remembrance of Him, attendance on Hari, His worship,
adoration, service, and friendship, and offering oneself entirely to
Him this is ninefold Bhakti. This Bhakti is to be offered to
Vishnu and acted upon. This I deem to be the best teaching."
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