Within the heart, there are enemies – lust, anger, greed, arrogance, envy, and illusion. When these negative tendencies are destroyed through the path of bhakti, the natural state of the soul is revealed: eternal bliss and love for Krishna.

For this reason, devotees pray to Lord Nrsimhadeva:

“Please remove these enemies from within my heart.”

Even within families and spiritual communities, these inner tendencies can create division. It’s due to these enemies within our heart that we begin to see others as enemies. This is the greatest impediment. Srila Bhaktivinoda Ṭhakura therefore teaches us to pray:

“Just as You killed Hiraṇyakasipu, please destroy these selfish tendencies of lust, anger, greed, envy, and pride within my heart – so that I may worship Sri Sri Radha-Krishna with pure love.”

Seeing beyond friend and enemy

The story of Prahlada Maharaja is built upon this very foundation.

Our perception of “friend” and “enemy” arises from impurities within the heart and from identifying with the body. But from a spiritual perspective, this vision is incomplete.

The Supreme Lord sees everyone with equal vision.

ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā [Bhagavad Gita 14.4]

“Krishna is the father of every living being”.

Krishna is the father and the mother of every living entity and the most perfect eternal father and mother only has love for every child.

From this deeper understanding, even the apparent dualities of happiness and distress – even what seems like punishment – are part of a higher arrangement meant for our purification and ultimate welfare.

Krishna is always waiting.

Waiting with love.

Waiting for us to turn back to Him.

– His Holiness Radhanath Swami