Canto 1 Chapter 18 Flashcards
- Describe Mahäräja Parékñit’s attitude toward being cursed (2, 48)
Furthermore, Mahäräja Parékñit was always consciously surrendered to the Personality of Godhead, and therefore he was neither afraid nor overwhelmed by fear due to a snake-bird which was to bite him because of the fury of a brähmaëa boy. (2).
The devotees of the Lord are so forbearing that even though they are defamed, cheated, cursed, disturbed, neglected or even killed, they are never inclined to avenge themselves. (48)
- What is the technique for driving away Kali? (6)
If there is an arrangement for the constant chanting of the holy names, qualities, etc., of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no chance at all for the personality of Kali to enter.
- List some of the great advantages of the age of Kali (7)
He knew perfectly well that in this age of Kali, auspicious things produce good effects immediately, whereas inauspicious acts must be actually performed [to render effects]. (More explanation as follows: So by the will of the Lord, a living being does not become a victim of a sinful act until the act is actually performed. In other ages, simply by thinking of performing a sinful act, one used to become a victim of the act. On the contrary, a living being in this age is awarded with the results of pious acts simply by thinking of them.)
One can attain salvation simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord.
- Give one evidence that personalism is higher than impersonalism (16)
So there are many instances in the transcendental histories of the world of an impersonalist who has later become a devotee. But a devotee has never become an impersonalist.
- Give proof that the caste system by birth was not practiced in the Vedic period (18)
The rigidity of the so-called caste system in Hindu society became prominent within only one hundred years or so when the number of dvija-bandhus, or disqualified men in the families of higher castes, increased.
- What argument do the dvija-bandhus give to support the caste system? (19)
The dvija-bandhu, they argue that birth in a family of çüdras or less than çüdras is made possible by one’s previous sinful acts and that one therefore has to complete the terms of disadvantages due to lower birth.
- Identify the reasons why Mahäräja Parékñit became fatigued (24-25)
Mahäräja Parékñit, while engaged in hunting in the forest with bow and arrows, became extremely fatigued, hungry and thirsty while following the stags. (24).
- Describe the Vedic principles for receiving a guest (28)
The law of reception in the codes of the Vedic principles states that even if an enemy is received at home, he must be received with all respects.
Why?
It is only a question of good manners.
- Who is beyond the jurisdiction of punishment? (29)
Brähmaëas, sages, children, women and old men are always beyond the jurisdiction of punishment.
- Explain how the age of Kali was able to enter (32-37)
The first victim of brahminical injustice was Mahäräja Parékñit, and thus the protection given by the King against the onslaught of Kali was slackened. (32).
By the influence of Kali, the son of a brähmaëa became puffed up with brahminical power and thus wrongly compared Mahäräja Parékñit to crows and watchdogs. (33)
He (Çåìgi) justified the wrong act in a way characteristic of the brähmaëas of Kali-Yuga. (34)
He compared the King to a watchdog.
This mentality of false prestige is the cause of downfall of the perfect social order, and we can see that in the beginning it was started by the inexperienced son of a brähmaëa. (34)
The inexperienced brähmaëa, puffed up by a little brahma-tejas, became influenced by the spell of Kali-yuga. (35)
By killing a king like Mahäräja Parékñit, just to make a show of acquired brahminical power, the inexperienced son of a brähmaëa committed a great mistake. (36)
The brähmaëa’s son cursed the King thus: On the seventh day from today a snake-bird will bite the most wretched one of that dynasty [Mahäräja Parékñit] because of his having broken the laws of etiquette by insulting my father. (37)
- Why did the Lord arrange for a young boy to commit the offense? (47)
The answer is that the offensive act was performed by a child only so that he could be excused very easily, and thus the prayer of the father was accepted.
