yahooyoga: Faith in God (Ishvara pranidhana)

Ishvara Pranidhana (Dedication to the Lord of one's actions and one's will) is the fifth and last Niyama. Ishvara Pranidhana means faith in God. He who has faith in God does not despair. He has illumination. He who knows that all creation belongs to the Lord will not be puffed up with pride or drunk with power. He will not stop for selfish purposes, his head will bow only in worship. Addiction to pleasures destroys both power and glory. When the mind has been emptied of desires of personal gratification, it should be filled with thoughts of the Lord. In a mind filled with thoughts of personal gratification, there is a danger of the senses dragging the mind after the objects of desire. Attempts to practice Faith in God without emptying the mind of desire is like building a fire with wet fuel.

There is an amazing story of a boy named Prahlada who, though born of demon parents, had tremendous faith in God. King Hiranya-Kashyapu, who controlled a vast empire was a powerful demon. He hated Lord Vishnu because Vishnu had killed his twin brother. One day he summoned his ministers and said, destroy all temples and images of Vishnu in my kingdom. Burn all books bearing Vishnu's name and make sure that no one chants his name in my domain. The King wished to ensure that his little boy, Prahlada would grow up to be a fierce demon. Therefore he entrusted Prahlada to a renowned teacher saying, Initiate the boy into all the demonic ways, teach him to despise the gods and make sure he never hears the name of Vishnu. Several months later, keen to know how his son had fared in his studies, the king sent for Prahlada, Boy, what have you learned so far? I have learned to adore the name of Vishnu, said the innocent child. What cried his father the King, hardly able to believe his ears about the son's teaching. He calls the boy's teacher and ordered to chop his head.

Trembling the teacher arrived, Pardon me my Lord, I did not teach Prahlada to adore Vishnu. Then who taught you that dreadful name, thundered King. Lord Vishnu himself taught me, replied the devout Prahlada. Take this boy away, fumed the King, and rid him of this nonsense which he has learned. Disillusioned the King left Prahlada to his studies for a few more years. Then he once again summoned the boy. Now have you learned anything sensible, he questioned his son. I bow to the great Lord Vishnu, began the pious boy. The furious King ordered his demon soldiers to kill the boy. The soldiers attacked Prahlada with sharp-edged swords and heavy clubs. Prahlada stood calmly chanting the name of Lord Vishnu, and with the Lord's protection remained uninjured by the blows. The enraged King then ordered his soldiers to throw his son into a pit full of poisonous snakes. Prahlada stood fearlessly amidst the serpents and chanting Lord Vishnu's name remained unharmed. His father then ordered to throw Prahlada into the fire, commanded the infuriated king. But the devout Prahlada came out of the fire unharmed. One day as the faithful boy chanted his prayers, his father challenged him, since you say Vishnu is everywhere, show him to me in this pillar. With a terrible roar Lord Vishnu burst out of the pillar in the form of half man and half lion. He killed the tyrannical king and blessed his little devotee. The pious Prahlada was then crowned King.