Many times in his preaching Srila Prabhupada gave the example that Sri Krishna is like the sun and the living entities are like the sunshine, meaning that both Krishna and the living entities are eternally glorious, brilliant, and shining. However, just as the sunshine can be covered by a cloud, so the small living entity can sometimes be covered by the cloud of illusion causing them to act in ignorance of the spiritual reality. In keeping with the analogy we should understand that the dark cloud does not make the sunshine dark, it simply covers the bright sunshine which is always there in the background, and simply waiting to be revealed again once the cloud passes. Likewise, although the modes of material nature may cause the living entity to appear evil or demoniac, the innate and eternal glory, purity, and holiness of every soul will be revealed in due course of time. Just as a cloud can cover sunshine and then disperse again, so too will the bright sunshine of every soul be revealed once more.

The good qualities of every soul are simply covered over due to association with the modes of nature. A precious jewel is still a precious jewel even if it falls in the mud and appears to be covered in dirt. When the jewel is cleansed of the dirt, it resumes its innate brilliance. In a similar way, all the brilliant souls are like jewels who are simply covered by different modes of nature which causes ignorance in some, and passion in others. Though the modes of nature cover the original nature of the soul, they do not change or modify the original and immutable qualities of the soul.

Every soul is a 'civilized soul' (a precious jewel) in their original position. Understanding these points, a person with spiritual vision will not take the negative side of another person's conditioned behaviour as the ultimate reality—a soul designated as demon is just a player in the drama being played out on the stage of the material world. We are so many actors playing parts according to the script of our present karma and desire. As the real appearance and character of actors is covered by a costume, so everyone's real spiritual character and appearance is covered by the dress of the material body and mind.

The following is from Srila Prabhupada's book called the Perfection of Yoga :

"A person is said to be still further advanced when he regards all—the honest well-wisher, friends and enemies, the envious, the pious, the sinner and those who are indifferent and impartial—with an equal mind." (Bg. 6.9)

There are different kinds of friends. There is suhrit, who is by nature a well-wisher and is always desiring one's welfare. Mitra refers to an ordinary friend, and udasina is one who is neutral. In this material world someone may be my well-wisher, friend or neither friend nor enemy but neutral. Someone else may serve as a mediator between me and my enemies, and in this verse he is called madhya-stha One may also see someone as pious and another as sinful according to his own calculations. But when he is situated in transcendence, all of these—friends, enemies or whatever—cease to exist. When one becomes actually learned, he does not see any enemy or any friend because in actuality "no one is my enemy, no one is my friend, no one is my father, no one is my mother, etc." We are all simply living entities playing on a stage in the dress of father, mother, children, friend, enemy, sinner and saint, etc. It is like a great drama with so many characters playing their parts. However, on the stage a person may be an enemy or whatever, but off the stage all the actors are friends. Similarly, with these bodies we are playing on the stage of material nature, and we attach so many designations to one another. I may be thinking, "This is my son," but in actuality I cannot beget any son. It is not possible. At the utmost I can only beget a body. It is not within any man's power to beget a living entity. Merely by sexual intercourse a living entity cannot be begotten. The living entity must be placed in the emulsification of secretions. This is the verdict of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Thus all the multifarious relationships between bodies are just so much stage play. One who is actually realized and has actually attained yoga no longer sees these bodily distinctions."

Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krishna Himself in His most merciful incarnation, taught that chanting the Hare Krishna mantra will awaken every soul from their dream-like condition in the world of maya. It is Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's mission to deliver all souls from the spell of maya including those poor souls who are deeply and darkly immersed in the satanic culture:

"I have advented to propagate the congregational chanting of the holy names of God, and with this I will deliver this sinful material world. Those demons and evil forces who never accepted My authority and Lordship, will weep in joy in this age by chanting My names. I will vigorously distribute in this age such extraordinary devotional service, which is sought after even by demigods, sages and perfected beings, that even the most abominable sinners, dogeaters, untouchables, and women will receive it. But those who, becoming intoxicated with education, wealth, family background and knowledge, criticize and offend My devotees I deprive of everything, and they can never know My true identity. I declare truly that My name will be preached in every town and village of this earth." (Chaitanya Bhagavata, Antya-lila, chapter 4)

Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Nityananda Prabhu are the saviours of the most fallen and their love and mercy extends to one and all without discrimination. But this does not mean that they will allow the demoniac or satanic culture to prevail and flourish. The Lord's mercy will be shown by slaying the Beast, and restoring one and all to their original position as lovers of Krishna.

When King Bali was deprived of his kingdom by Sri Krishna in the form of Vamanadeva, he said to the Lord:

"Since Your Lordship is indirectly the greatest well-wisher of us demons, You act for our best welfare by posing as if our enemy. Because demons like us always aspire for a position of false prestige, by chastising us You give us the eyes by which to see the right path". (SB 8.22.5)

Likewise the wives of Kaliya said to Sri Krishna:

"The wives of the Kaliya serpent said: The punishment this offender has been subjected to is certainly just. After all, You have incarnated within this world to curb down envious and cruel persons. You are so impartial that You look equally upon Your enemies and Your own sons, for when You impose a punishment on a living being You know it to be for his ultimate benefit". (SB 10.16.33)

What You have done here is actually mercy for us, since the punishment You give to the wicked certainly drives away all their contamination. Indeed, because this conditioned soul, our husband, is so sinful that he has assumed the body of a serpent, Your anger toward him is obviously to be understood as Your mercy." (SB 10.116.34)

In the present struggle with satanic government we should always retain equal vision as Sri Krishna Himself is equal to all:

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His feature of eternal time, is present in the material world and is neutral towards everyone. No one is His ally, and no one is His enemy. (SB 4.11.20)

Purport: Since Lord Narayana is absolute, His transcendental qualities are described as one. Thus His punishments and His offerings of favor are both of the same value. Essentially, His inimical actions are not displays of enmity toward His so-called enemies, but in the material field one thinks that Krishna is favorable to devotees and unfavorable to nondevotees. (SB 7.1.3)

Again:

"The conditioned soul has friends and enemies. He is affected by the good qualities and the faults of his position. The Supreme Lord, however, is always transcendental. Because He is the Ishvara, the supreme controller, He is not affected by duality. It may therefore be said that He sits in the core of everyone's heart as the neutral witness of the causes and effects of one's activities, good and bad. We should also understand that udasena, neutral, does not mean that He takes no action. Rather, it means that He is not personally affected. For example, a court judge is neutral when two opposing parties appear before him, but he still takes action as the case warrants." (SB 6.16.11 Purport)

Although Sri Krishna is neutral and loves everyone, He still takes action to curb the asuras (whilst remaining unaffected by the duality of conflict). Sri Krishna's transcendental position is really quite amazing. One difficulty we face in the world of duality is how to deal with right and wrong, whilst simultaneously remaining neutral, and not falling down into the lower modes of envy and hatred. Sri Krishna does not find anyone undesirable, despicable, or to be neglected:

"The Supreme Lord has no favorite and no dearmost friend, nor does He consider anyone undesirable, despicable, or fit to be neglected. All the same, He lovingly reciprocates with His devotees in whatever manner they worship Him, just as the trees of heaven fulfill the desires of whoever approaches them". (SB 10.38.22)

Indra again explains that Sri Krishna's punishment is not partial but is for the good of all. Indra said:

"You are the father and spiritual master of this entire universe, and also its supreme controller. You are insurmountable time, imposing punishment upon the sinful for their own benefit. Indeed, in Your various incarnations, selected by Your own free will, You act decisively to remove the false pride of those who presume themselves masters of this world." (SB 10.27.6)

PURPORT

The word hitaya is significant here. Lord Krishna protects religion and chastises the wicked for the benefit of the entire universe. Foolish and faithless pseudopriests criticize God for punishing the living entities through the actions of nature. But whether Lord Krishna punishes them indirectly through nature or directly in His incarnations, as mentioned here, He has a perfect right to do so because He is the father, spiritual master and supreme ruler of the entire universe. Another way He curbs down the false attempts of the conditioned souls to establish the kingdom of God without God is through His feature as insurmountable time. It is said, "Spare the rod and spoil the child." That is a fact, and it is actually the Lord's mercy that He takes the trouble to rectify our misbehavior, although faithless persons criticize the Lord's fatherly vigilance."

If the incarnation of Godhead appears to deliver the pious and annihilate the miscreants (as the above verses state), why is the satanic system still standing when the Sound Incarnation of Godhead is already manifest in the world? Although both devas and asuras are present in the world, we have not yet seen the Lord's showdown with the satanic system. This is because Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is allowing the asuras some time to associate with the purifying effects of the Sankirtan Movement. As dawn is neither night nor day, but is an amazing mixture of light and darkness, so we live in an amazing time when forces of good and evil, light and darkness, are similarly mixed together. This temporary arrangement allows for a complex interplay of free will, the fulfillment of specific desires associated with the satanic culture (illicit sex, drugs, meat-eating, gambling, etc.), and, of course, the working out of some heavy karma. But just as the dawn signals the inevitable end of the night, so the appearance of the Sankirtan Movement signals the beginning of the end of the satanic system. As the great well-wisher of all living entities, Srila Prabhupada brought a message of hope and deliverance even for the asuras. Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu will certainly destroy the satanic system, but not without bringing auspiciousness to the asuras first.

CALCULATING THE DARKER SIDE

One may wonder why all this talk of demons is necessary in the present context of a COVID-19 pandemic. Who are the demons?

In a lecture on Bhagavad-gita given in 1973, Srila Prabhupada whilst discussing the battle strategy of the Pandavas and Kauravas gave his followers the following instruction:

"Then Duryodhana, first of all he pointed out the military strength of the opposite side. This is intelligence. One should take calculation of the opposing elements or the enemy's side. In fighting the first thing is to take estimation of the enemy's side, how much they are strong, how they have arranged. Then one should calculate how to counteract, how to fight with them, this is intelligence. Without taking any calculation of the other side, if you are not prepared, then how you can become victorious? This is sane proposal, that is, upayan cintayet prajno apayan ca cintayet. A prajna, an intelligent man, not only think of the bright side on this business, or this fight, or this any..., so many things we have to deal with. Simply we should not calculate the brighter side. There is darker side also. We should always think, "If there is some thief, if there is some rogue, they cheat us, then what precaution I am going to take?" This is intelligence. If I simply calculate that "In this business I will make so much profit." In the meantime, somebody comes and cheats me and go away, then... Therefore upayan cintayet prajna apayan ca cintayet. Darker side also should be thought of. That is intelligence. Just like they are doing. After calculating the darker side—enemy means darker side—they can defeat me at any moment. That is darker side." (Bhagavad-gita 1.6-7 London July 11 1973)

The Srimad Bhagavatam names the prevailing leader of the 'dark side' as the demon Kali (not to be confused with goddess Kali who is a servant of Krishna). The personality of Kali is a maha-asura who presides over this Age of Kali-yuga, and he is endowed with supernatural power to cause spiritual degradation in the world. We must bear in mind that all functions in the universe whether good or bad are connected to a supernatural personality. The idea is expressed in the Christian New Testament:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)

Just as devas preside over functions like sun, moon, water, air, fire, knowledge, fortune, etc., along with qualities like truthfulness, compassion, fame, satisfaction, etc, likewise, each sinful activity and quality has a presiding demon, and by meditating upon or engaging in a sinful activity one becomes connected to that demoniac personality.

"Another son of Lord Brahma was Irreligion, whose wife's name was Falsity. From their combination were born two demons named Dambha, or Bluffing, and Maya, or Cheating. These two demons were taken by a demon named Nirriti, who had no children.

Maitreya told Vidura: O great soul, from Dambha and Maya were born Greed and Nikriti, or Cunning. From their combination came children named Krodha (Anger) and Himsa (Envy), and from their combination were born Kali and his sister Durukti (Harsh Speech).

O greatest of all good men, by the combination of Kali and Harsh Speech were born children named Mrityu (Death) and Bhiti (Fear). From the combination of Mrityu and Bhiti came children named Yatana (Excessive Pain) and Niraya (Hell)." (SB 4.8.2-4)

WHAT IS SATANIC GOVERNMENT?

The Srimad Bhagavatam describes how the personified Kali rules over this age through four main sinful activities:

"Suta Gosvami said: Maharaja Pariksit, thus being petitioned by the personality of Kali, gave him permission to reside in places where gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter were performed." (SB 1.17.38)

"The personality of Kali asked for something more, and because of his begging, the King gave him permission to live where there is gold because wherever there is gold there is also falsity, intoxication, lust, envy and enmity." (SB 1.17.39)

When Srila Prabhupada speaks about the Earth being over-run by a demoniac force, he is referring to a supernatural power that is influencing and controlling all aspects of political, economic, military, religious, social and cultural aspects of life in the modern world. What to speak of people who have no access to Srila Prabhupada's message, unfortunately many members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness are not conscious of, or able to recognize that the world system they work within, (or for), is asuric in nature, and for the most part is governed by people who either consciously or unconsciously are administering policies on behalf of a supernatural evil force (the personified Kali-yuga).

"People in general are not very advanced in knowledge by which to discriminate between religion and irreligion. The innocent, unenlightened citizen is like an ignorant animal sleeping in peace with its head on the lap of its master, faithfully believing in the master's protection." (SB 6.2.6)

In the purport to the above verse Srila Prabhupada says: "In this age, animals are kept nicely sheltered, completely confident that their masters will protect them, but unfortunately as soon as the animals are fat, they are immediately sent for slaughter." The comparison is to the innocent public who are fed and sheltered by the asuric government, but only to keep them alive for the purpose of exploitation, and to ultimately dispose of them when they become a burden or unnecessary.

In our own life-time we have lived under a regime which though pertaining to be made of individual and autonomous nation states, is actually a one world government that has stealthily introduced a poisonous atheistic ideology, an artificial monetary system that has caused economic enslavement to billions of people through-out the world, and a perpetual war machine which has caused death and injury to hundreds of millions of people through-out the world; it is a system which has introduced mass abortion, cow killing, illicit sex, gambling, and intoxication; it is a system that has introduced genetically modified foods, chemtrails, herbicides and pesticides, fluoridated water, toxic pharmaceuticals and vaccines, widespread ecological destruction, etc.; the list goes on and on. Though individual politicians have changed or died and been replaced by others, the same tamasic system of government has continued. Now in the midst of a 'COVID-19 pandemic', we are expected to believe that this one world government is suddenly concerned for the lives and health of people threatened by the COVID-19. Does a vulture wish the cow to be alive or dead? And does a vulture government wish for the physical, economic and spiritual health of its citizens?

"Uncivilized rogues, vultures, rakshasas [demons]—and they're leaders". (Journey of Self-Discovery, JSD 6.5, Slaughterhouse Civilization)

Unfortunately for purposes of name and fame, members of ISKCON are so busy arranging every possible photo opportunity to be seen shaking hands with the local politician or celebrity (and thus lending credibility to those who administer the satanic system), that it has become nearly impossible for most devotees to discern or detect the insidious and covert nature of satanic government. Though many politicians are themselves unwitting pawns of a larger supernatural force, we should nonetheless understand that at this present time, where-ever there is a sphere of power and influence over others, one will find that the satanic or demoniac presence is operating in the background. This obviously includes major institutions such as the worlds religions and governments, finance and banking, military, education, health, and of course the media who are currently employing nothing less than trauma based mind control to convince the world's population that they are all likely to die from COVID-19 unless they do exactly what the world government orders.

When Srila Prabhupada uses the word asura or demon or satanic, he is not simply speaking in a polemical, rhetorical, or analogical way. He does not use the word whimsically as a cheap sling or insult to another person or group as we may use the word in hostility towards someone we don't like. When Srila Prabhupada uses the word 'demon' or 'satanic' it is in a very scientific way, and refers to the particular mentality and practices of souls covered by the lower modes of material nature (see Krishna's explanation of the demoniac nature in chapter 16 of the Bhagavad-gita). One could be a demon and not even realize it, or one could be under the control of demoniac leadership and not even realize it. For our enlightenment, the characteristics of the asura nature are described in Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. Srila Prabhupada refers to others as demons on the basis of a spiritual science, and never whimsically.

WHO IS IN CONTROL?

Just as the supernatural power of Krishna and the devas is real, so the supernatural power of the asuras is also real. One can't believe in one and not the other. Indeed the demons derive their own power from Krishna Himself. Sri Krishna was not taken by surprise or placed into anxiety when Hiranyakasipu took over the universe; indeed, it was only by Krishna's own empowerment that he was able to do so. In fear, Hiranyakasipu inquired of his son:

"My son Prahlada, you rascal, you know that when I am angry all the planets of the three worlds tremble, along with their chief rulers. By whose power has a rascal like you become so impudent that you appear fearless and overstep my power to rule you?

Prahlada Maharaja said: My dear King, the source of my strength, of which you are asking, is also the source of yours. Indeed, the original source of all kinds of strength is one. He is not only your strength or mine, but the only strength for everyone. Without Him, no one can get any strength. Whether moving or not moving, superior or inferior, everyone, including Lord Brahma, is controlled by the strength of the Supreme Personality of Godhead." (SB 7.8.6-7)

The asuras are not independent controllers. In all circumstances they can only operate by a power that comes ultimately from Krishna. There are complex factors involving karma, desire, free will, etc., which explains why Sri Krishna empowers the asuras as well as the devas, but in all circumstances, Sri Krishna is the absolute controller:

Disciple: In the Judeo-Christian tradition, God is at war with Satan. In Vedic literatures, there are also wars between the demigods and the demons, as well as Krishna and the demons, but these wars do not seem to be taken as serious confrontations between God and His enemies. Isn't Krishna's mood always playful?

Srila Prabhupada: Since Krishna is all-powerful, when He is fighting with demons He is actually playing. This fighting does not affect His energy. It is like a father fighting with his small child. The father may seem to be fighting seriously, but he is only playing: one slap is sufficient to subdue the child. Similarly, Krishna sometimes plays by giving the demons a chance to fight Him, but one strong slap is sufficient. There is no question of fighting with God on an equal level. He is omnipotent. However, when a living entity is disobedient and harasses the devotees, God kills him. When Krishna descends on this earth, He chastises the demons and protects His devotees (paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca dushkritam). Whenever there is a fight between the demons and the demigods, God takes the side of the demigods.

Disciple: Mill saw it more like an actual struggle between God and Satan, or evil.

Srila Prabhupada: There is struggle because the demons are always transgressing God's rules. A demon is one who rejects God's rules, and a demigod is one who accepts them. That is the main difference, as stated in the sastras.

Disciple: But Mill pictures God Himself as struggling hard in the fight to conquer the demons.

Srila Prabhupada: God has no reason to struggle. According to the Vedas, He is so powerful that He has nothing to strive for (na tasya karyam karanam ca vidyate). Just as a king may have many servants, ministers, and soldiers to carry out his desires, Krishna has many energies that act according to His order. Krishna Himself has nothing to do but play on His flute and enjoy Himself. That is why the Vedas declare, ananda-mayo 'bhyasat: "God is always blissful."

So, God has no reason to struggle for anything because nobody is equal to or greater than Him (na tat-samas cabhyadikas ca drisyate). But if God is not working hard, then how are things happening? Parasya saktir vividhaiva sruyate: Through the agency of God's multi-energies everything is going on systematically and naturally (svabhaviki jnana-bala-kriya ca). For example, by God's order the sun rises early in the morning, exactly on time. So although God is enjoying Himself, the universe is going on in accordance with His orders. There is no question of God struggling against evil. His various agents can kill all the evil elements in the world easily enough.

(Beyond Illusion and Doubt 10, John Stuart Mill)

KRISHNA IS NEVER CONTROLLED BY A SATANIC POWER

Prabhupada: That you also, you have to get. That's all right. He was once God, he was once rich. That's all right. But how he has become poor? He was at sometimes God, accepted. But how he has become dog instead of God? But God is susceptible to such falldown? Then what kind of God he is? If God is subjected sometimes to fall down, then he is not all-powerful. Then the cause which has made him fall down, that is powerful. Therefore he is not God. God is all-powerful. So why other power will make him to come down from the position of God? Then that power is powerful. But God is all-powerful; therefore he is not God. This is common reasoning. God cannot be subjected to any other external... Just like according to Biblical philosophy, "God and Satan." God is never under the influence of Satan. Is there any statement in the Bible that "God has become under the influence of Satan"? Then Satan become great. God is not great. Similarly, if by some cause, by Satanic cause, one has fallen down from the position of God to the position of dog, then that Satan is greater than God. But God is great. Therefore he is not God. Gaursundara? How do you think this argument?

Gaursundara: Yes.

Prabhupada: Yes. God cannot be under the influence of anything so that He may fall down. That is not God, because God is all-powerful. Why He should be influenced by any other power? Then what kind of God? Then he is not God. Just try to understand how to argue.
(SB 7.9.8, Hawaii, March 21 1969)

Armed with the knowledge that Sri Krishna remains the supreme controller in all circumstances, and that Sri Krishna acts for the ultimate good of beings (including those demons trapped in the lower modes of nature), the devotees of Sri Krishna should not be overwhelmed by fear in the face of the satanic system. Rather, like cowherd boys who accepted Sri Krishna as their only protector, the devotees should playfully and fearlessly go on with the chanting of the Holy Names of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. The Puranas declare that Kali will have no jurisdiction over the devotees of Hari. However, lest an aspiring devotee of Sri Krishna fall victim to the seductive power of Kali or his servants, one should not be ignorant of the difference between a person in divine consciousness and one in demoniac consciousness, nor should one be naive to the hidden practices and actions of the asura tribe.

SATANIC RITUAL AND HUMAN SACRIFICE

Just as powerful messengers of Godhead like Srila Prabhupada can enter our reality in an apparent physical form whilst remaining transcendentally connected to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and executing his mission on the Earth, in the same way, powerful asuras can appear in a physical form whilst remaining connected to the mission of their higher demoniac powers and duly executing their mission on the Earth. Just as devotees get empowerment from Sri Krishna through the performance of sankirtan yajna (sacrifice), so the asuras and their agents get empowerment through satantic rituals and incantations in which children and others are ritualistically abused and sacrificed. Kali remains in the invisible realm, and works through his agents on the physical plane.

In Canto 12 of Srimad Bhagavatam, Sukadeva Gosvami explains the nature of demoniac leadership in the Kali-age when asuras in the disguise of worldly leaders will literally murder and devour their subjects, either openly in devastating wars or secretly in occult practices.

"These barbarians in the guise of kings will devour the citizenry, murdering innocent women (stri), children (bala), cows (go), and brahmanas (dvija)" (SB 12.1.39-40)

Murder or killing (ghnah) is not a metaphore. Nor does Sukadeva Goswami use the word bhaksha (eating the citizens) simply in a metaphorical sense (prajah—the citizens; te—they; bhakshayishyanti—will virtually devour). In Kali-yuga, the asuric leaders literally eat the flesh and blood of their unfortunate victims. It may come as a surprise to hear that venerated public figures could possibly be involved in such practices, but that is why we have to see present events through the eyes of shastra. What is the cause of the great disturbances in the world at the present time? In Srimad Bhagavatam 3.13.3-15, it describes how natural calamities, spiritual and social breakdown, etc., are signs of the prevalence of asuras taking birth on the Earth.