“In spite of achieving the power to control in all directions and in spite of enjoying all types of dear sense gratification as much as possible, Hiranyakashipu was dissatisfied because instead of controlling his senses he remained their servant.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.4.19)

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स इत्थं निर्जितककुबेकराड् विषयान् प्रियान्
यथोपजोषं भुञ्जानो नातृप्यदजितेन्द्रिय:

sa itthaṁ nirjita-kakub
eka-rāḍ viṣayān priyān
yathopajoṣaṁ bhuñjāno
nātṛpyad ajitendriyaḥ

“Can you answer this question for me? I am asking in all honesty. I am not being sarcastic, though I am otherwise well-known for that. If someone reads Ramayana and Shrimad Bhagavatam, focusing especially on the historical examples of Hiranyakashipu and Ravana, why would they ever think of attempting world domination? Forget having control over everything, why even pursue total domination in a local sphere, such as through a government post or running a large business?

“Don’t get me wrong; this world needs leaders. People are born with certain qualities. If they have the gunas of a kshatriya, then they should stand up and defend. They will be happiest that way. They can achieve transcendence through following occupational duties, without attachment. Work done in the right mindset, as a sacrifice for Vishnu, should always be encouraged, as it will not be binding. A person may be following karma on the outside, but in spirit they are not creating future consequences for a temporary body.

गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः
यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते

gata-saṅgasya muktasya
jñānāvasthita-cetasaḥ
yajñāyācarataḥ karma
samagraṁ pravilīyate

“The work of a man who is unattached to the modes of material nature and who is fully situated in transcendental knowledge merges entirely into transcendence.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.23)

“I am talking about the people who are desperate for power. You know the type. They have to be seen driving the most expensive car. They insist on staying at the most expensive hotels. It is like they want to show how much better they are compared to everyone else. To them, it is important to feel superior.

“Ravana and Hiranyakashipu were not only defeated in the end, but they were miserable the entire time. The Sanskrit word is ajitendriyah. It is like that frantic feeling you have on election night, awaiting the returns, and watching for the predictable malfeasance from that one particular political party in their vote tabulation, who manages to always drop off a large batch of suspicious ballots at 3 am. Imagine if you were that anxious all of the time, from morning until night. That would be terrible.

“Why would any sane person set a destination of misery? Why would they not focus on removing the ajitendriyah condition? Why not pursue yoga, in the genuine sense, such that the senses will be controlled? Turn ajitendriyah into jitendriyah.”

Such individuals think they will be the exception. You see, the others did not follow through properly. In this new way, having so much will bring happiness. After all, there is no God. This body is merely a collection of chemicals. Why put any faith into some system of regulation? That is for the weak. That is for the less intelligent. Better to enjoy as much as possible, right now, today.

असत्यम् अप्रतिष्ठं ते
जगद् आहुर् अनीश्वरम्
अपरस्पर-सम्भूतं
किम् अन्यत् काम-हैतुकम्

asatyam apratiṣṭhaṁ te
jagad āhur anīśvaram
aparaspara-sambhūtaṁ
kim anyat kāma-haitukam

“They say that this world is unreal, that there is no foundation and that there is no God in control. It is produced of sex desire, and has no cause other than lust.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 16.8)

If world domination is implemented correctly, then the person at the top will be happy. They will take great joy in knowing that they are above everyone else. They will be at peace from the security that no one can hurt them. They will always be happy.

The reality is that without a properly situated consciousness, the elevated standing is like inviting more misery. It is like being constantly prodded across the body, from head to toe. We see in the case of Hiranyakashipu that there was paranoia towards a five-year old child. The child was not bothering anyone, either. Prahlada was simply worshiping Vishnu, who he believed to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Prahlada thought that Vishnu was the source of strength in everyone.

श्री-प्रह्राद उवाच
न केवलं मे भवतश् च राजन्
स वै बलं बलिनां चापरेषाम्
परे ’वरे ’मी स्थिर-जङ्गमा ये
ब्रह्मादयो येन वशं प्रणीताः

śrī-prahrāda uvāca
na kevalaṁ me bhavataś ca rājan
sa vai balaṁ balināṁ cāpareṣām
pare ’vare ’mī sthira-jaṅgamā ye
brahmādayo yena vaśaṁ praṇītāḥ

“Prahlada Maharaja said: My dear King, the source of my strength, of which you are asking, is also the source of yours. Indeed, the original source of all kinds of strength is one. He is not only your strength or mine, but the only strength for everyone. Without Him, no one can get any strength. Whether moving or not moving, superior or inferior, everyone, including Lord Brahma, is controlled by the strength of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.8.7)

Amazingly, this five-year old boy happened to be the son of Hiranyakashipu. Why should a father be so distraught over words of allegiance? Why did it matter if Prahlada was worshiping Vishnu? Why should that interfere with the position of a king? Why should that get in the way of enjoyment associated with world domination?

Prahlada was at peace the entire time. He was jitendriyah. He had no desire for stature, fame, or influence. If those should arrive at his feet, through the regular and routine interaction with the outside world, then it would be fine. The power would not go to his head. This is the meaning of being situated in yoga. You neither sleep too much, nor too little. You are not affected by the constant ups and downs. Your head is essentially in the right place.

नात्य्-अश्नतस् ऽतु योगो ऽस्ति
न चैकान्तम् अनश्नतः
न चाति-स्वप्न-शीलस्य
जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन

nāty-aśnatas ‘tu yogo ‘sti
na caikāntam anaśnataḥ
na cāti-svapna-śīlasya
jāgrato naiva cārjuna

“There is no possibility of one’s becoming a yogi, O Arjuna, if one eats too much, or eats too little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 6.16)

The teachers of sanatana-dharma want us to reach such a position. They know that we will not be happy simply enjoying, like an animal focused on bhoga. They know that renouncing everything is not the answer, either. We should pursue the jitendriyah platform in combination with pleasing the senses of the one who is the master of all senses, Hrishikesha. This was the path of Prahlada, and it was potent enough to singlehandedly bring down the one who dominated the world.

In Closing:

Despite world from domination shook,
Paranoia feeling over him took.

Like always over shoulder nodded,
By the slightest agitation prodded.

Such as in five-year old son finding,
Who his own business minding.

But Vishnu worship following proud,
By Hiranyakashipu not allowed.

Categories: questions

Tags: atheism, dailyprompt, god, hare krishna, poem, poems, poetry