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Prahlada Maharaja: "Yes, I am afraid."
So Prahlada Maharaja was not afraid of the fierceful features of Lord Nrsimhadeva. He was not fearful. But question may be asked, “You are not afraid of anything? You are seeing so fierceful appearance, nrsimha-murti. Everyone is afraid. And even Lord Brahma; Lord Siva; goddess of fortune, Laksmi; and other demigods—everyone is afraid of, but you say that ‘I am not afraid of Your, this horrible feature.’ ”Nahaṁ bibhemy. This verse we have discussed, “I am not afraid.”
So the question may be that, “If you are not afraid of this fearful appearance of Me, then that means you are not afraid of anything?” The answer is, “Yes, I am afraid. Yes, I am afraid.” What is that?
Trasto ’ham aham krpana-vatsala duhsahogra-samsara-cakra-kadanad: “I am afraid of this material existence, not this, Your fearful appearance.” This fearful appearance is fearful for the asuras, duskrtina. When Krsna comes, He has got two business: paritranaya sadhunah vinasaya ca duskrtam [Bg. 4.8]. So those who are duskrtam or duskrtinah…
These words are used in the Bhagavad-gita: na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante [Bg. 7.15]. So anyone who is in this material world, he is a duskrti. Krti means very meritorious. Krti yasya sa jivati. Meritorious, krti. But duskrti. Here in this material world there are many, many persons, very meritorious, big, big philosophers, scientists, politicians, very meritorious.
But their merit is being used for sinful activities. Just like a thief. He has got merit, but his merit is being used for stealing. So that is called duskrti. And sukrtina, just the opposite is sukrtina. Sukrti means one is acting or utilizing his merit for sukrti. Sukrti means the way by which one can approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
That is called sukrti. Ajnata-sukrti. This temple means to give chance to the people in general, ajnata-sukrti. Anyone who will come to this temple where the Deity is there, and even by imitating others, if one offers obeisances to the Lord, that is taken into account. That is not useless, because Krsna says, mad-yajinah. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. This is Krsna’s desire.
He gives the four principles, that “Always think of Me,” man-mana, “and become My devotee,” mad-bhakta, mad-yaji, “worship Me,” and mad-yajino Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru: [Bg. 18.65] “Just offer little obeisances. These four principles will deliver you from this bondage of material existence and,” mam evaisyasi asamsaya, “without any doubt, you’ll come back to Me.”
So, so simple thing. It is not at all difficult. This child, he can do this. Old man can do this. Learned man can do this, without any knowledge. Even an animal can do it. Very simple. Bhakti-yoga is very simple. Therefore, somehow or other, if somebody comes into the temple, and even by imitating one offers obeisances…
We have seen so many people. Our devotees are offering obeisances. They also think that “It is the etiquette. Let me do that,” by association. Therefore it is recommended, sadhu-sanga. Sadhu-sanga. Simply by association, one can be delivered. Samsara-cakra-kadanat. It is so nice thing.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.16
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mayapur, February 23, 1976