PLATE ONE

‘Prince Priyavrata was a great devotee because he sought the lotus
feet of Narada, his spiritual master, and thus achieved the highest per-
fection in transcendental knowledge. The Prince’s father, Svayambhuva
Manu, asked him to take charge of ruling the world. He tried to convince
Priyavrata that this was his duty as indicated in the revealed scriptures.
Prince Priyavrata, however, was continuously practicing bhakti-yoga
and therefore, although the order of his father could not be rejected, the
Prince did not welcome it. Thus he very conscientiously raised the ques-
tion of whether he might be diverted from devotional service by accept-
ing the responsibility of ruling over the world. The first created being
and most powerful demigod in this universe is Lord Brahma, who is al-
ways responsible for developing universal affairs. This supremely
powerful Lord Brahma, accompanied by his associates and the per-
sonified Vedas, left his own abode in the highest planetary system and
descended to the place of Prince Priyavrata’s meditation to convince
Priyavrata that it was necessary for him to follow the Vedic injunctions
and accept the responsibility of ruling over the world. Lord Brahma, the
father of Narada Muni, is the supreme person within this universe. As
soon as Narada saw the great swan, he could understand that Lord
Brahma had arrived. Therefore he immediately stood up, along with
Svayambhuva Manu and his son Priyavrata, whom Narada was instruct-
ing. Then they folded their hands and began to worship Lord Brahma
with great respect.” (pp.11-17)
