View source for Demons Desire - Immortality in this Temporary World

The fundamental illusion of the materialist is the identification of the self with the body. From this ignorance springs the deep-seated '''Demons' Desires''' to achieve immortality within the material sphere. Unlike the devotee who aspires for eternal service in the spiritual sky, the demoniac person wants to make a permanent settlement in a temporary place. Śrīla Prabhupāda analyzes this futility through the histories of powerful demons who tried to cheat death, explaining that such endeavors are contrary to the laws of nature and the will of God.

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=== Struggle for Eternal Material Life ===

The demoniac mindset is characterized by an intense attachment to the body and the desire to preserve it indefinitely. Hiraṇyakaśipu is the prime example of this mentality; he underwent excruciating austerities solely to twist the laws of nature and avoid death.

* [[Vaniquotes:Narada Muni said to Maharaja Yudhisthira: The demoniac king Hiranyakasipu wanted to be unconquerable and free from old age and dwindling of the body. He wanted to gain all the yogic perfections like anima and laghima, to be deathless|Narada Muni said to Maharaja Yudhisthira: The demoniac king Hiranyakasipu wanted to be unconquerable and free from old age and dwindling of the body. He wanted to gain all the yogic perfections like anima and laghima, to be deathless.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If possible, he (Hiranyakasipu) wanted to rule the universe eternally. These are demonstrations of the spirit of the demoniac living entity|If possible, he (Hiranyakasipu) wanted to rule the universe eternally. These are demonstrations of the spirit of the demoniac living entity.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The demons do like that, tapasya for living ever. But they will not take the real method of tapasya, to purify. Their real aim is this material world, and here they want to become immortal. That is their foolishness|The demons do like that, tapasya for living ever. But they will not take the real method of tapasya, to purify. Their real aim is this material world, and here they want to become immortal. That is their foolishness.]]

=== Desire for God-like Power ===

Demons often seek benedictions not to serve, but to dominate. Vṛkāsura, for instance, sought a power that would make him the ultimate arbiter of life and death, simply to ensure his own supremacy. This desire to play God is the hallmark of the ''asura''.

* [[Vaniquotes:The demon (Vrkasura), however, wanted to become immortal by killing everyone with the touch of his hand. Lord Siva could understand this, but because he had promised, he gave him the benediction|The demon (Vrkasura), however, wanted to become immortal by killing everyone with the touch of his hand. Lord Siva could understand this, but because he had promised, he gave him the benediction.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Hiranyakasipu wanted to receive a benediction from Lord Brahma so that in the future he would be able to conquer Lord Brahma's abode. Similarly, another demon received a benediction from Lord Siva but later wanted to kill Lord Siva|Hiranyakasipu wanted to receive a benediction from Lord Brahma so that in the future he would be able to conquer Lord Brahma's abode. Similarly, another demon received a benediction from Lord Siva but later wanted to kill Lord Siva.]]

=== Modern Manifestations of Demoniac Ambition ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda equates the ancient demons with modern materialistic scientists who promise to create life in laboratories or abolish death. He dismisses these claims as lunacy, noting that they cannot create even a simple egg, yet arrogantly challenge the authority of the Creator.

* [[Vaniquotes:They (thescientists) cannot make even one egg, and they are going to manufacture life? And we have to believe it? They are lunatics, this is demoniac. They want to compete with God|They cannot make even one egg, and they are going to manufacture life? And we have to believe it? They are lunatics, this is demoniac. They want to compete with God.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:These materialistic person, demons, their desires are never fulfilled - increasing, increasing, increasing; more, more more. So that means, increasing means, we are becoming implicated more and more|These materialistic person, demons, their desires are never fulfilled - increasing, increasing, increasing; more, more more. So that means, increasing means, we are becoming implicated more and more.]]

=== Search for Nectar and the Result ===

The churning of the milk ocean illustrates the universal desire for the "nectar" of immortality. However, because the demons' motivation was selfish—to maintain their strength for fighting against the demigods—they were ultimately denied the nectar by the Supreme Lord's arrangement.

* [[Vaniquotes:After thus adjusting how the snake was to be held, the sons of Kasyapa, both demigods and demons, began their activities, desiring to get nectar by churning the ocean of milk|After thus adjusting how the snake was to be held, the sons of Kasyapa, both demigods and demons, began their activities, desiring to get nectar by churning the ocean of milk.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The demons, however, not having sought shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord, were unable to achieve the result they desired|The demons, however, not having sought shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord, were unable to achieve the result they desired.]]

=== Conclusion ===

The desire for immortality in the material world is a tragic delusion. The '''Demons' Desires''' to cheat death ultimately lead to frustration because the material world is designed to be temporary. True immortality is the birthright of the soul, but it is attained only by giving up the rebellious spirit of the demon and surrendering to the Supreme Lord, thereby returning to the eternal spiritual abode.

=== 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.

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