When Friends are Becoming Enemies - A Material and Spiritual Analysis
In the material world, trust is a fragile commodity. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently points out that the so-called love and friendship found in human society is not eternal. It is based on mutual gratification, and as soon as that gratification is disturbed, relationships collapse. We see practically that a person who is a dear friend today is becoming an enemy tomorrow. This article analyzes the causes of this friction and contrasts it with the transcendental enmity found in the pastimes of the Supreme Lord.
Roots of Material Conflict
Why do relationships fail? Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies the "propensity to cheat" as a major cause. Even between close friends, if there is a transaction involving money and one party feels cheated—even by a farthing—they become enemies. In family life, which is supposed to be a haven of peace, a father or son can become an enemy due to conflicting interests. This instability is the hallmark of the material world, where everyone is ultimately struggling for their own sense gratification.
- In the material world there may be a relationship between friends, but as soon as there is a slight disagreement, the friendship breaks, and the friend becomes an enemy.
- It is our practical experience in this material world that the same person who is one's friend today becomes one's enemy tomorrow. Our relationships as friends or enemies, family men or outsiders, are actually the results of our different dealings.
- As far as transactions with money are concerned, if one person cheats another by a farthing or less, they become enemies.
Devotee and the World
A devotee of Kṛṣṇa is nirvairaḥ, meaning they have no enemies. They see every living being as part of God. However, because the material world is dominated by the demoniac nature, devotees are often treated as enemies. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the example of Prahlāda Mahārāja, whose own father, Hiraṇyakaśipu, became his mortal enemy simply because the boy was a devotee. Similarly, Jesus Christ was crucified by those he came to save. A devotee understands that if someone acts as an enemy, it is sanctioned by Kṛṣṇa, perhaps to correct or test them.
- You should always expect that as soon as you become a devotee, the whole world becomes your enemy. That's all. But you have to deal with them, because you are appointed servants of God. Your mission is to enlighten them.
- There are many examples, such as Prahlada Maharaja. He was only five years old, a pet child, but because he was a devotee of the Lord, his father became his enemy. This is the way of the world.
- A devotee does not think anyone as enemy. Samah sarvesu bhutesu mad-bhaktim labhate param. Samah. He knows that "Nobody can become my enemy unless Krsna desires. So why shall I think of him as my enemy?
Transcendental Enmity
There is a unique category of enmity that exists only in relation to God. Kṛṣṇa, being the Supreme Person, possesses all propensities, including the fighting spirit. To exercise this, He needs a combatant who is equal to Him in strength. Since no one in the material world can match Him, He arranges for His own associates (like Jaya and Vijaya) to fall down and become His enemies. This "chivalrous pleasure" (vīrya-rasa) allows the Lord to enjoy the thrill of battle. In this case, becoming an enemy is actually a service to the Lord.
- Because Krsna wants to fight, some of His devotees come down to this material world to become His enemies and fight with Him. For example, the Lord descended to kill Hiranyakasipu and Hiranyaksa.
- Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead may become the so-called enemy of the living being, this is His chivalrous pleasure.
- To become enemy of Krsna, that is not a joke. He has to fight with Krsna. It is not ordinary thing.
Internal Enemy
Finally, Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that our most dangerous enemy is not outside, but within. The uncontrolled mind acts as an enemy, dragging the soul toward sense gratification and eventual suffering. Conversely, a controlled mind is the best friend. The success of life depends on training the mind to be a friend rather than allowing it to become an adversary.
- Mind is the friend of oneself, and mind is the enemy of oneself. So we have to train the mind. If I train my mind for becoming my friend, then my life is successful. If I train my mind to become my enemy, then my life is unsuccessful.
- If we divert our mind to thoughts of material enjoyment, then our mind becomes an enemy, and if we concentrate our mind on the lotus feet of Krsna, then our mind is a friend.
Conclusion
Enmity is an inescapable feature of existence, but its quality depends on our consciousness. In the material conception, enemies are born of envy and greed, leading to misery. However, in the absolute conception, even conflict can be a source of transcendental bliss when centered on Kṛṣṇa. As the Bhāgavatam philosophy concludes, a devotee who sees everything in relation to the Lord fearlessly navigates a world of enemies, knowing that Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate protector and friend.
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 Becoming Enemies. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.