If You Are Going To Be Bad

“In order to assure His parents that Kamsa was dead, Lord Krishna dragged him just as a lion drags an elephant after killing it. On sight of this, there was a great roaring sound from all sides, as some spectators expressed their jubilation and others cried in lamentation. From the day Kamsa heard that he would be killed by the eighth son of Devaki, he was always thinking of Krishna twenty-four hours a day without any stoppage—even while he was eating, while he was walking, while he was breathing—and naturally he got the blessing of liberation.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Volume 1, Chapter 43)

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“Have you ever considered the proper criteria for judging a person? I am talking about the basic dividing line between good and bad. I know, I know, the teachings of Prahlada Maharaja say that the transcendentalist in the heightened state of awareness of the all-pervading energy of Brahman does not make such petty distinctions. They are above dualities like friend and enemy, like and dislike, attraction and aversion, father and son, and so on. We are supposed to view everyone as a servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Others may have lost their way. They may be stuck on the spinning wheel that is the samsara-chakra, dizzy from the many revolutions occurring across countless previous lifetimes, both inside of the human species and out.

“Nevertheless, I am referring to a specific situation of assessing a field. In other words, where should I go and where should I avoid. Who are good people, to become friends with, and who are bad people, to stay away from? I once came across a specific mechanism, delivered by a talk radio host, and it seemed profound to me. He said that you can judge the character of someone based on how they treat others who cannot do anything for them.

“Think about that for a moment. You might be nice to someone because others are watching. The humble brag, as the kids call it these days, where you pay it forward, helping someone only because the camera is on. You then upload the video to show the world your generosity and kindness. The CEO makes a donation to a specific charity in order to win favor with a client, who might then invest millions of dollars in the CEO’s company.

“But consider someone who could do nothing for us. What if no one ever heard about our interaction with this person? How would I treat them? If they can do nothing for me, and I am still nice to them, then perhaps I am not the worst person in the world. Something to think about.

“I have my own specific test, in this regard. Just observe how someone treats women and children. Okay, men are known to make jokes in this area, especially if they are married. Joking is one thing, but constantly abusing, while in a sober state, with malicious intent, is not good. I have directly witnessed so many adults carry intense envy towards the youngest of children. It is quite sickening, I must say. I get it that kids can be annoying. They cry. They complain. They make messes. They are not always well-behaved.

“It is understandable to have frustration, but they are still kids. Women and children are generally viewed as dependents. They should be protected, if you ask me. If someone treats them poorly, it is usually a good indication of their poor character. Better to stay away. Would you not agree?”

From Bhagavata Purana, we have the historical example of the leader of Mathura named Kamsa. He treated one woman in particular in a horrible way. She happened to be his sister. They were related as cousins, but in close families the specifics are an afterthought. Kamsa was so favorable that he took on the role of escort on Devaki’s wedding day. To ease the transition to a new family, where the bride has to now live with a husband, who is typically a stranger to her, the brother accompanies the couple on the journey.

Kamsa’s affectionate posture changed in an instant. All through the words of an akasha-vani. The voice from the sky warned Kamsa that one of Devaki’s children would spell his doom. It happened to be the eighth child, but Kamsa was so affected by that message that he immediately went for the kill. Only the desperate plea from Vasudeva, spontaneous but well-presented, spared Devaki at that time. Kamsa was not fully pacified, however. He still put the couple in prison. His own sister and his new brother-in-law placed on a level equivalent to hardened criminals.

Kamsa then waited for the birth of a child. What is supposed to be a joyous occasion turned grim. He took the baby and killed it. He repeated the same for every child that Devaki and Vasudeva brought into this world. Can there be a worse human being? Just what had Devaki done to deserve such a punishment?

If we see someone behaving so horribly, as if drawn towards demon tendencies since birth, we should know that the placement is not accidental. Bhagavad-gita confirms that the wickedest characters repeatedly get tossed into lower species. They become the lowest of the low and gradually sink deeper into a hellish existence.

“The placing of the asuras, the demons, in the lowest status of life is simply another feature of His mercy. Sometimes the asuras are killed by the Supreme Lord, but this killing is also good for them, for in Vedic literature we find that anyone who is killed by the Supreme Lord becomes liberated. There are instances in history of many asuras – Ravana, Kamsa, Hiranyakashipu – to whom the Lord appeared in various incarnations just to kill. Therefore God’s mercy is shown to the asuras if they are fortunate enough to be killed by Him.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, 16.20 Purport)

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada explains that there is a special distinction for people like Kamsa. Though being thrown into a demoniac species is a punishment, if the individual happens to be low enough, God Himself will appear on the scene. He will deal with the miscreant personally, such that they will always be conscious of the embodiment of full transcendence. In this way, even the asura-like Kamsa gets favored.

In other words, if you are going to be bad, might as well be horrible enough to warrant the appearance of the Supreme Lord. The eighth child of Devaki was special. The eighth child would not be killed by Kamsa. Rather, the voice from the sky was telling the truth. The perpetrator of horrible deeds and wickedness upon the most innocent would soon meet his end, through a swift punch delivered by his nephew, of all people.

In Closing:

If in that direction to go,
To sink so low.

Then in furthest descension,
Suspense of utmost tension.

Where at final moments end,
Krishna with fist to extend.

Delivering justice swift,
Liberation that asura’s gift.