[Spoken by Srila Gurudeva on July 4th, 1997, in Holland, published as part of the Bhakta Bandhav Anthology, Volume 21]
Srila Gurudeva: Prahlada cannot imagine the level of devotion of the gopis. But still, it is favorable for us to think of Prahlada Maharaja. We should try to read again and again the pastimes of Nrsimhadeva and Prahlada Maharaja. This is like a platform of bhakti. If you are not like Prahlada Maharaja, then how can you have such a high class of prema? We should try to be like Prahlada Maharaja.
Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Thakura said that all devotees should read Prahlada-caritra. He said that he himself had read it one hundred and eight times. Prahlada has all the twenty-six qualities of a Vaisnava that are described in the Srimad Bhagavatam. He gave classes to the demon children. He told them that from boyhood, we should try to chant Krsna’s name. Because when you will be mature in your life, it is hard for the mind to be absorbed in Krsna. From childhood, we are always thinking about some boyfriend or girlfriend and we are so attached. If this carries on until adulthood, then it is very hard to give up all these things.
If anyone is practicing from childhood, then it will be very easy. The demon children told Prahlada that in order to live their life, they should study and become experts in something. That they should learn any art so that they could earn money. After that, they said that they should get married and support their children. Then after that, when they are old and retired, then they can chant and remember Krsna, because at that time they will be free. Prahlada Maharaja said, “Can you guarantee that tomorrow you will be alive? Can you guarantee that you will not die before getting old? It is best to begin from the beginning of your life.”
“How will we maintain our life?”
“Don’t be worried about this,” Prahlada replied.
We don’t want any dukha, sorrows, or misery. But naturally, they will come. They must come. They will quickly come upon our heads and we will have to taste these things. We don’t want to be old, but old age will come. Unless of course, we die at a young age. We don’t want to die, but death will come. Why will these things come? Due to our past activities, they are bound to come. Our body is made for this, so they will come. Whether you taste it gladly or weeping, still, you will have to taste all these things. Therefore, why are you not chanting and remembering? If there is something good you have done in your past life, it will surely come, whether you want it or not. It will come and you will have to taste it. If you have done something so that money and wealth will come, it will come, whether you want it or not. Therefore don’t worry about your maintenance of life. It will come automatically. We are not doing anything for our maintenance, nothing. No business or job or anything. We are only chanting and remembering and everything is coming.