Character

The devotee is inseparable from God. When he is filled with the love of God and is totally forgetful of himself, he experiences oneness with God.  Prahlada was such a supreme devotee…. His form was human, his heart was centered on God.

Once Indra [ancient Vedic deity] conquered Prahlada and enjoyed Swarga (the realm of the Gods). Later Prahlada overcame Indra and deprived him of Swarga. Indra was forlorn and sought the advice of his high priest for winning back his Kingdom.  The priest told him that Prahlada was performing a great yaga called Vishvajit and Indra should assume the form of a Brahmana [priest]. Prahlada welcomed him and asked him what he wanted. As advised earlier by his high priest, he asked Prahlada to offer him Prahlada’s sheelam (character). Prahlada enquired of the Brahmana of what use was his character to the seeker. The Brahmana replied that there was no need to go into all that. He had expressed what he wanted in response to Prahlada’s offer to give whatever anyone asked at the Vishvajit sacrifice. “Are you prepared to give or not?” Prahlada immediately gave what the Brahmana asked with due ceremony.

Within a few minutes, an effulgent flame emerged from Pralada. Seeing the effulgent form, he asked; “who are you?” the effulgent figure prostrated before Prahlada and said, “I am your character. Hitherto I was in you. I fostered your name and fame. Now you have given me away as a gift. Hence I am leaving you.”

When character left Prahlada, shortly thereafter another beautiful effulgent form issued forth from Prahlada. Prahlada asked him, “who are you, oh King?” the radiant figure replied, “Prahlada! I am your keerti (reputation). When character has left you, I have no place within you. Hitherto, I was the servant of Character. When Character has left you, I have to follow suit.”

Prahlada was puzzled. Then came another beautiful radiant female form from Prahlada. Prahlada respectfully asked her, “Mother! Who are you?” “Prahlada! After the departure of Character and Reputation, I, namely Rajyalakshmi, (the goddess of royal prosperity) have no place within you.” Indra, who had come in the form of a Brahmana, took all the three with him.

That very moment, Prahlada lost his kingdom. You can see from this how one’s fame and prosperity are dependent on one’s Character. Character is a supremely Divine quality. Hence God is described as having six great attributes including Righteousness infinite Wealth, boundless Prosperity, indescribable Fame and unfathomable Wisdom.

Source: Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. XXIX, “The Greatness of Prahlada”