Text 11] The Activities of Maharaja Priyavrata 19

Priyavrata about the value of spiritual life, knowledge, renunciation and
bhakti, and Lord Brahma knew that Narada’s instructions were very
impressive. Therefore unless Lord Brahma personally went to
Gandhamadana Hill to request Priyavrata, Lord Brahma knew that
Prince Priyavrata would not accept his father’s order. Brahma’s purpose
was to break Priyavrata’s determination. Therefore Brahma first looked
upon Priyavrata with compassion. His smile and compassionate features
also indicated that although Brahma would request Priyavrata to accept
household life, Priyavrata would not be out of touch with devotional ser-
vice. By the blessings of a Vaisnava, everything is possible. This is de-
scribed in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu as krpd-siddhi, or perfection attained
simply by the blessings of a superior person. One usually becomes liber-
ated and perfect by executing the regulative principles set down in the
sdstras. Nonetheless, many persons have achieved perfection simply by
the blessings of a spiritual master or superior.

Priyavrata was the grandson of Lord Brahma, and as joking competi-
tion sometimes takes place between grandson and grandfather, in this
case also Priyavrata was determined to remain in meditation, whereas
Brahma was determined that he rule the universe. Thus Lord Brahma’s
affectionate smile and glance meant, “My dear Priyavrata, you have
decided not to accept household life, but I have decided to convince you
that you must accept it.”” Actually, Brahma had come to praise Priyavrata
for his high standard of renunciation, austerity, penance and devotion so
that he would not be deviated from devotional service, even though he
would accept household life.

In this verse, one important word is siikta-vdkena (by Vedic hymns).
In the Vedas, there is the following prayer to Lord Brahma: hiranya-
garbhah samavartatdgre bhitasya jdtah patir eka dsit. Brahma was
received with the appropriate Vedic hymns, and because he was
welcomed according to the Vedic etiquette, he was very pleased.

TEXT 11

IC OEIRC bel
fara ead ata

waft = - Saneeanaay |
