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Eternal India
encyclopedia
RELIGIONS
father was a schoolteacher. When he grew up Dada Lekhraj became a
jeweller and traded in jewels on a large scale. From his childhood he
was a deeply religious man. He had a vision of his uncle's soul at the
time of the latter's death. This made him to undertake intense medita-
tion when he had a vision of Lord Vishnu. One day in 1936 he heard
a voice within himself saying, "You are to be a divine instrument for re-
establishing a Divine world order." In 1938 he created a trust of his
property and embarked on the task he believed God had assigned to
him. He preached the virtues of celibacy. He was convinced that sex
was the path to Hell. He believed that Kaliyuga was marked by sexual
lust and unless this was curbed the Golden Age would never dawn. This
teaching attracted womenfolk and Dada Lekhraj's mission became an
institution of women. In 1951 Dada Lekhraj moved to India and
CHILD
PRAHLAD
Famous child saint of Hindu mythology, he was a great devotee of
Lord Vishnu. Ironically his father king Hiranayakasipu was the sworn
enemy and rival of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu was enraged when
his brother Hirany aksha was slain by Lord Vishnu in hi s Boar incarna-
tion, when he raised Boomi Devi (Goddess Earth) from the depths of
the Cosmic Sea.
To avenge his brother's death, and to acquire more powers with a
view to conquering the three worlds (heaven, earth and nether world),
Hiranyakashipu, went to a lonely site and began practising severe aus-
terities.
Meanwhile Hiranyakashipu's queen was abducted by Indra and the
devas, but sage Narada intercepted Indra and told him of the divine
child she would bear, who would be a great devotee of Vishnu. Until
Prahalad was born, his mother remained in the protection of Narada's
hermitage and listened day and night to the glories and wisdom of the
supreme lord. In this way Prahlad too grew in her womb in love and
knowledge of the lord. Brahma appeared before Hiranyakashipu and
granted him any boon he could ask. Hiranyakashipu asked a boon
calculated to make him immortal and the undisputed ruler of all the
worlds; that his death should not come from the hands of men, gods, or
beasts, not on earth or in heaven, neither at night nor day, nor by any
weapons, indoors or outdoors. Brahma grudgingly granted it to him.
Hiranyakashipu established his kingdom once again and soon the
queen gave birth to a son, with his new invincible power, he routed the
devas and threw them out of their realm, claiming himself the supreme
lord before whom all must bow down, the devas included. The child
Prahlad grew and occupied his tiny self with remembrance of Vishnu.
He was sent to a Gurukul for education for his father was troubled with
such a religious minded son. Years later when brought before his
father, Prahlad was questioned about what he had learnt, he replied that
he had learned that the only worthwhile occupation is to be immersed
in the supreme lord Vishnu. At this his father flew into a rage, but
Prahlad remained calm and undisturbed. Hiranyakashipu was furious,
he ordered Prahlad to be killed. Swordsmen tried to kill him but their
blades could not harm him as he sat in deep meditation. Poisonous
snakes were let loose on him, elephants sent to trample him, all to no
avail. Wildly swinging his sword, Hiranyakashipu shouted for Prahlad
to show him his god, if he is everywhere, then why not in this pillar too!
He broke the pillar with his sword. Immediately the pillar exploded and
established the headquarters of the Brahma Kumari movement at
Mount Abu in Rajasthan. He passed away on January 18, 1969. Dada
Lekhraj did not regard himself as a Guru or a God. He was against Guru
worship. He believed that God alone was the "Dispeller of Darkness
and Revealer of Light." He did not allow anybody to touch his feet or
prostrate before him. The Brahma Kumari Movement has established
the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ish wariya Vishwa Vidyalaya at Mount
Abu with the aim of achieving universal peace through spiritual knowl-
edge and training in Raja Yoga. It has 1750 centres in India and abroad.
It holds conferences on peace and global co-operation. In February
1983 it was accorded consultative status and placed on the roster of the
Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
SAINTS
from it emerged a strange and incredible form: half-lion, half-mam,
Narashimha, with flaming mane and big teeth, roaring and more fero-
cious than any other wild beast Hiranyakashipu began to fight with the
beast, but despite his boons soon the hour passed into twilight and with
a great roar of fury Narasimha picked him up and carried him to the
threshold of the palace. Holding him on his knee, he tore open his chest
with his bare hands and threw the corpse on the floor. The people were
terribly frightened. They begged Prahlad to appease Lord Vishnu and
save the creation and calmed his fury. Pleased with him, Narasimha
asked him to seek a boon. The child asked that desire not be there in his
heart and that it remain ever steady in devotion. He also asked that his
father be purified of all his sins. Prahlad lived and ruled many years.
At the end of his life, by the supreme lord's grace he attained Mukti.
DHRUVA
Dhruva's father was a king who had two queens, his mother Suniti
was the elder queen. Dhruva was therefore entitled to the throne. The
younger queen was jealous of Dhruva and she hated him from the be-
ginning. She wanted to put her own son on the throne. Fearing for their
safety, the king sent queen Suniti and Dhruva to live in a forest hut on
the edge of his kingdom, far away.
At the of seven, Dhruva began to ask about his father. His mother
encouraged him to visit the king. The next day, with a guardian, Dhruva
set out for the royal city. When he reached the palace, the king was
overjoyed to see his son. At that happy moment, the jealous queen
entered the hall and angrily reminded the king of his promise, speaking
evil words about Dhruva. The submissive king put Dhruva down.
Dhruva quitely left the palace and returned home. He recounted to his
mother all that had happened. His mother consoled him and asked him
to seek Lord Krishna who would help him. From that moment onward,
his heart longed for Lord Krishna. That might, Dhruva rose at midnight
and praying to Krishna to take care of his mother, he departed. He
walked through a dense jungle filled with wild beasts.
Dhruva sat motionless, ceaselessly praying to Lord Krishna. Time
passed into years, still he remained steadfast, hills grew over his body
and from that place he reached directly to heaven and oneness with god.
To this day, the Pole Stars, around which all the worlds revolve, is called
Dhruva Loka, the Realm of Dhruva, after the child whose steadfast
devotion knew no equal.