Atheistic Demons - The Envious Nature of the Nondevotee
The world is divided into two classes of men: the devotees (suras) and the atheistic demons (asuras). Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this distinction is not based on physical appearance or birth, but on one's attitude toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Those who surrender to Kṛṣṇa are demigods, while those who deny Him, envy His devotees, and act against the principles of religion are termed atheistic demons.
Characteristics of the Demoniac Nature
The primary symptom of a demon is the refusal to surrender to God. Citing the Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies four types of miscreants who never surrender: the grossly foolish, the lowest of mankind, those whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and those who partake of the atheistic nature of demons. Such persons may be learned in material sciences, but their knowledge is ultimately stolen by māyā.
- The Lord Himself says in Bhagavad-gita (BG 7.15): Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons, do not surrender unto Me.
- There are two kinds of men in this world: the demons and the demigods. What is the difference between them? The main difference is that the demigods, or godly persons, are devoted to the Supreme Lord, whereas the demons are atheistic.
- The devotee of the Lord, because of manifesting godly qualities, is called a demigod, whereas the atheist is called a demon.
Mundane Education and Atheism
Śrīla Prabhupāda offers a strong critique of modern educational institutions. He argues that when education is stripped of God consciousness, it produces only arrogance and atheism. A person may hold high university titles, but if they are envious of God and the Vaiṣṇavas, they are nothing more than "demons with titles" or veda-vāda-ratāḥ—mistaken mundane educators.
- The atheistic, demoniac education imparted to the young in modern universities is simply producing a bunch of demons with titles.
- According to the Bhagavad-gita (2.42, 7.15), mistaken mundane educators are known as veda-vada-rata and mayayapahrta-jnana. They may also be atheistic demons, the lowest of men.
- The demonic means atheist and unnecessarily, falsely, very much proud of their knowledge.
The Influence of Association and Offenses
One's nature is not fixed by birth; it can change through association and behavior. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the example of Narakāsura, who was born of the Earth and the Lord Himself, yet became a demon due to the bad association of Bāṇa. Conversely, committing offenses against a pure devotee can turn a person into a demon, as happened to Rāmacandra Khān after he offended Haridāsa Ṭhākura.
- It is said in other puranas that Narakasura was the son of Dharitri, the earth, by the Lord Himself. But he became a demon due to the bad association of Bana, another demon. An atheist is called a demon.
- Ramacandra Khan was naturally a nondevotee. Now, having offended the lotus feet of Haridasa Thakura, he became just like a demoniac atheist.
- Sura-dvisam means persons who are envious of the Vaisnavas. The atheist class, demons, they are always envious of the devotees. That is the law of nature.
The Lord's Mission: Protection and Annihilation
Kṛṣṇa appears in this world with a dual purpose: paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām—to deliver the faithful and to annihilate the miscreants. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that for the atheist, the Lord appears as cruel death. However, even this annihilation is a form of mercy, as the demon is released from their sinful life. The devotees assist the Lord in this mission by preaching the truth to defeat the agnostic and atheistic propaganda.
- Lord Krsna appears in every millennium for two purposes, namely to deliver the devotees and to kill the nondevotees. His devotees also have two similar purposes-to preach the bhakti cult of Krsna Consciousness and to defeat all kinds of agnostics and atheistic demons.
- Atheists and demons cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, although He is situated within everyone. For them the Lord finally appears in the form of death, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gita - mrtyuh sarva-haras caham - Bhagavad-gita 10.34.
- He (Lord Krsna) protects His devotees and slays the atheistic demons, thus giving the latter troublesome release, so to speak, in impersonal liberation.
Conclusion
The distinction between a demon and a devotee lies in the heart's inclination. While the atheistic demon challenges the authority of God and envies His devotees, the surrendered soul finds shelter at His lotus feet. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns us that without this surrender, even great learning or high birth cannot save one from the demoniac mentality, which ultimately leads to destruction by the inevitable force of time.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Atheistic Demons. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.