Young Devotees Of Lord Krishna (English) Old Book

The lives of young devotees of Lord Krishna provide some of the most compelling and inspiring stories in Vedic literature. Their unwavering faith and dedication, often in the face of great adversity, serve as powerful examples of the potency of devotion, regardless of age. These stories are a testament to the idea that one's love for God is not limited by one's physical maturity.

Here are some of the most prominent young devotees of Lord Krishna (or his expansion, Lord Vishnu):

1. Prahlada Maharaja

Prahlada is arguably the most famous young devotee. He was the son of the demonic king, Hiranyakashipu, who hated Lord Vishnu because Vishnu had killed his brother. Hiranyakashipu considered himself the only God and demanded that everyone worship him. However, from the moment he was born, Prahlada was a pure and steadfast devotee of Vishnu.

• The Conflict: Despite his father's repeated attempts to force him to stop worshiping Vishnu, Prahlada remained firm. His father tried to kill him in a multitude of ways—by throwing him from a cliff, having him trampled by elephants, poisoning him, and throwing him into a fire. However, by the grace of Lord Vishnu, Prahlada was unharmed every time.
• The Lesson: Prahlada's story teaches that genuine devotion to God provides ultimate protection from all dangers. It also shows that the love for God is a natural, constitutional state of the soul that can be awakened at any age, even in the most hostile of environments. He preached the nine processes of devotional service to his schoolmates, proving that even a young child can be a spiritual teacher.

2. Dhruva Maharaja

Dhruva was a five-year-old prince who was insulted by his stepmother. When he tried to sit on his father, the king's, lap, she told him he couldn't because he was not her son. Heartbroken, Dhruva went to his own mother, Suniti, who told him that the only person who could give him a position higher than his father was the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

• The Journey: Determined to find God, Dhruva left for the forest. There, he met the sage Narada Muni, who initially tried to convince him to go home but was so impressed by the boy's determination that he initiated him and taught him the mantra, "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" (a name for Lord Krishna). Dhruva performed a rigorous penance, meditating on the Lord with an intensity that astonished the demigods.
• The Lesson: Dhruva's story illustrates that a person's sincerity and determination, even if born from a worldly desire, can lead to the highest spiritual realization. He initially sought a kingdom but, upon seeing Lord Vishnu, he realized the foolishness of his material desire and was granted a place in the eternal spiritual sky, which is now known as the Dhruvaloka (the Pole Star).

3. Pundarika

While Pundarika's story has a few different versions, one of the most famous legends is from the Varkari tradition of Maharashtra. Pundarika was a young man who was initially neglectful of his aging parents. However, after meeting a sage who demonstrated profound devotion to his own parents, Pundarika had a change of heart and began serving his mother and father with great love and care.

• The Divine Visit: One day, while Pundarika was busily serving his parents, Lord Krishna appeared at his doorstep. Not wanting to interrupt his service, Pundarika simply threw a brick outside for the Lord to stand on and asked him to wait. The Lord, pleased by Pundarika's selfless devotion to his parents, stood on the brick and waited.
• The Lesson: This story emphasizes the importance of serving one's parents as a form of divine worship. It teaches that devotion to God is not separate from one's righteous duties in the world. The Lord was so pleased with Pundarika's character that he agreed to stay in that form on the brick, which is how the deity of Vithoba (a form of Krishna) in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, is said to have originated.

These stories, along with many others, highlight the core message that a pure heart and sincere desire to love God are the only prerequisites for becoming a great devotee. Age, social standing, or circumstances are irrelevant in the path of devotion.