Begin Bhajan immediately

(From the writings of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj)

 

11 Feb: The Puranas narrate the episode of a great war between the devas (demigods) and the asuras. In this war Maharaj Khatvanga formed an alliance with the devas and defeated the demons. The demigods were very pleased with him and wanted to offer him a boon, so king Khatvanga prayed for deliverance from death. The devas told him that no one can give protection from death, except for the Supreme Lord, Vishnu. Immediately, the king left the company of the demigods and fully surrendered to Sri Vishnu.

 

tato yateta kushalah

kshemaya bhavam ashritah

shariram paurusham yavan

na vipadyeta pushkalam   

(Sreemad Bhagwatam, 7.6.5)

 

“For this reason, one who is intelligent will fear the sufferings of material existence, and understand that without devotional service to the Lord one will fall from his position (na bhajanti avajananti sthanad bhrastah padanti adah). In other words, without serving the Lord there can be no relief from misery. Having properly understood this point, one should sincerely pursue the real benefit of human life by engaging in devotional service to the Lord in early childhood, before being attacked by disease and old age’.

 

When old age makes one an invalid, it becomes very difficult in devotional service because of physical weakness and attachment to material senses and mind. Therefore, one who is intelligent, with a vision of the future, will think ahead, realizing what results the future may bring. Such a person will be very careful about their spiritual life even from childhood.