Page 109 - Kailaspati: Paramhans Hansdevji Avadhoot

Brahma took the Kamandalu from the hand of Mahadev. Thereafter, that holy flow was brought down to earth by Bhagiratha. and that holy story is known to everyone. so it needs no repetition.
Baba said to us, the more one goes through the Vedas and the Puranas, the more our mind gets confident. Once the mind is confident, it needs no reading of holy scriptures.
Just as a holy book is a holy companion, a holy man is also a holy companion. The impact of such an association is very much important. To clarify this point of view, Baba told us two tales about Prahlad, the son of hirannya Kashipu. The tale was about his boyhood days. Once while at play, little Prahlad got close to the machine of an artisan. The artisan was then baking some earthen pots. On having baked them, he took them out of the fire. he found a cat lying unharmed in one of those pots. Let alone being scorched in the fire, not a single fur was singed. On seeing this, the artisan was surprised and said, none can kill one who is protected by God. These very words really touched the heart of little Prahlad. Even when he confronted many a danger, he didn’t forget that invaluable truth. he felt glad and grateful to God for his infinite love and mercy and thus he was attracted to God. Despite being in danger, Prahlad did not forget the words of the artisan. so, these very words proved to be his holy companion.
The character of Prahlad also exemplifies how an evil asso- ciation leaves an adverse effect on a human being. Baba told us when Prahlad was enthroned, he was hemmed in by a good many courtiers who were dead against Vishnu. shukracharya, the Guru of the demons, used to tell Prahlad, “Vishnu is a great enemy to your family, and so worshipping Vishnu is not worthwhile for you. it is your duty as a son to punish those who are against your father.” By that time Prahlad was too engrossed in luxury and comfort of every kind to have faith in God. he found interest in doing royal duties. at that period of time, Prahlad, in order to entertain, invited shukracharya, the Guru of his family to his Palace. shukracharya refused his invitation saying, “i cannot accept the invitation of one who has not punished his father’s killer (Vishnu), but loves and entertains him.” The very refusal of his Guru shocked him
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