652 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 1, Ch. 12
PURPORT

Maharaja Pariksit, fortunate as he was, got the impression of the Lord
even in the womb of his mother, and thus his contemplation on the Lord
was constantly with him. Once the impression of the transcendental form
of the Lord is fixed in one’s mind, he can never forget Him in any
circumstance. Child Pariksit, after coming out of the womb, was in the
habit of examining everyone to see whether he was the same personality
whom he first saw within the womb. But no one could be equal to or more
attractive than the Lord, and therefore he never accepted anyone. But the
Lord was constantly with him by such examination, and thus Maharaja
Pariksit was always engaged in the devotional service of the Lord by
remembrance.

Srila Jiva Gosvami remarks in this connection that every child, if given
an impression of the Lord from his very childhood, certainly becomes a
great devotee of the Lord like Maharaja Pariksit. One may not be as
fortunate as Maharaja Pariksit to have the opportunity to see the Lord in
the womb of his mother, but even if he is not so fortunate, he can be made
so if the parents of the child desire him to be so. There is a practical exam-
ple in my personal life in this connection. My father was a pure devotee of
the Lord, and when I was only four or five years old, my father gave me a
couple of forms of Radha and Krsna. In a playful manner, I used to
worship these Deities along with my sister, and I used to imitate the
performances of a neighboring temple of Radha-Govinda. By constantly
visiting this neighboring temple and copying the ceremonies in connection
with my own Deities of play, I developed a natural affinity for the Lord.
My father used to observe all the ceremonies befitting my position. Later
on, these activities were suspended due to my association in the schools
and colleges, and I became completely out of practice. But in my youthful
days, when I met my spiritual master Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Gosvami Maharaja, again I revived my old habit, and the same playful
Deities became my worshipful Deities in proper regulation. .This was
followed up until I left the family connection, and I am pleased that my
generous father gave the first impression which was developed later into
regulative devotional service by His Divine Grace. Maharaja Prahlada also
advised that such impressions of a godly relation must be impregnated
from the beginning of childhood, otherwise one may miss the opportunity
of the human form of life, which is very valuable although it is temporary
like others.
