View source for Transforming Demons' Desires into Spiritual Service

The condition of the ''asura'', or demon, is not necessarily eternal condemnation. The Vani of Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that because every living entity is originally a servant of God, even '''Demons' Desires''' can be purified and transformed. The process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is meant to rectify the rebellious mentality, turning the desire for exploitation into a desire for service. The following sections illustrate how the contact with the Divine can alter the destiny of even the most materialistic souls.

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=== Purifying the Source of Desire ===

The distinction between a divine and a demoniac life lies in the quality of one's desires. The "demonic principle" is to be bound by endless cravings for sense gratification. To rise to the spiritual platform, one must not attempt the impossible feat of becoming desireless, but rather align one's desires with the will of the Supreme Lord.

* [[Vaniquotes:The demonic principle is to become bound up by their desires, but if you are on the spiritual platform, then all your desires means loving service to the Lord. That is wanted|The demonic principle is to become bound up by their desires, but if you are on the spiritual platform, then all your desires means loving service to the Lord. That is wanted.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We should not allow our desires, demonic desires, to grow. That is called tapasya. Our desires we should sacrifice. That is called sacrifice. We should only accept Krsna's desire. That is the instruction of the Bhagavad-gita|We should not allow our desires, demonic desires, to grow. That is called tapasya. Our desires we should sacrifice. That is called sacrifice. We should only accept Krsna's desire. That is the instruction of the Bhagavad-gita.]]

=== Unfathomable Mercy of Kṛṣṇa ===

The Supreme Lord is so magnanimous that He finds a way to embrace even those who approach Him with malice. Pūtanā, a demoness, approached baby Kṛṣṇa with the desire to kill Him. Yet, because she offered her breast milk, Kṛṣṇa accepted her as a mother and granted her liberation. This demonstrates that any contact with the Absolute Truth, even unfavorable, can purify the living entity.

* [[Vaniquotes:Krsna is so merciful that because the demon Putana came to offer her breast milk to Him, He fulfilled her desire and accepted her activity as motherly. But to stop her from further nefarious activities, He immediately killed her|Krsna is so merciful that because the demon Putana came to offer her breast milk to Him, He fulfilled her desire and accepted her activity as motherly. But to stop her from further nefarious activities, He immediately killed her.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:It is mentioned in the sastras, the Vedic literatures, that even the demons killed by the Lord attain immediate salvation. Putana, for example, was a demoniac witch who wanted to kill Krsna|It is mentioned in the sastras, the Vedic literatures, that even the demons killed by the Lord attain immediate salvation. Putana, for example, was a demoniac witch who wanted to kill Krsna.]]

=== Examples of Service from the Demoniac Race ===

While demons are generally envious, there are exceptions where they are moved by the power of a devotee. Maya Dānava, a great demoniac architect, was saved by Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa from a fire. In gratitude, he desired to render service to Arjuna, proving that gratitude can bridge the gap between the demoniac and divine natures.

* [[Vaniquotes:This demon (Maya Danava), feeling obliged to Arjuna, wanted to do him some service to show his gratefulness, but Arjuna declined to accept anything from him in exchange|This demon (Maya Danava), feeling obliged to Arjuna, wanted to do him some service to show his gratefulness, but Arjuna declined to accept anything from him in exchange.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Prahlada Maharaja, although born in a demon family, was an exalted devotee, and he desired their welfare. Thus he began instructing them about the futility of materialistic life|Prahlada Maharaja, although born in a demon family, was an exalted devotee, and he desired their welfare. Thus he began instructing them about the futility of materialistic life.]]

=== Conclusion ===

The ultimate victory of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is '''Transforming Demons' Desires into Spiritual Service'''. Whether through the direct intervention of the Lord's killing power—which liberates them—or through the association of a pure devotee, the tangled knot of material desire can be cut. The lesson is that no one is beyond redemption; if one agrees to sacrifice their selfish interests and accept the interest of Kṛṣṇa, the demon dies and the devotee is born.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Demons%27_Desires|Demons' Desires]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

[[Category:Vanipedia Gemini - Articles|Y0164]]