Why did Prahlada Maharaja provide wine for demons instead of making them devotees as he did in childhood?

So, Prahlada Maharaj turned many demons into devotees through his preaching in childhood. But why didn’t he continue doing that later? That’s a good question. We need to understand the role of free will here.

Just because a person is a pure devotee doesn’t mean everyone around them has to become a pure devotee. The pure devotion of a pure devotee is not greater than the free will and conditioning of a conditioned soul.

Now, Prabhupada himself was a pure devotee, but practically no member of his family became a devotee—at least not by the standard that Prabhupada set, such as chanting sixteen rounds daily. Most of his family members were pious, but not devotees to that extent.

Was that a deficiency in Prabhupada? No. It demonstrates the free will of the soul. Sometimes parents feel personal failure when their children don’t become devotees. Well, yes and no.

We want our children to become devotees, and it’s important to try our best. But beyond that, it is ultimately the soul’s free will.

We are with that soul for 5, 10, 15, or 30 years. Krishna, as the Supersoul, has been with that soul for countless lifetimes. Krishna does not force anyone, so who are we to force? It is important to understand that pure devotion does not mean the loss of free will.

It is said that Prahlada’s friends chanted and danced along with him. But is there any description that they remained devotees at the same level throughout their lives? No. When Prahlada was being tormented, none of his friends came to his aid. Were they afraid of Hiranyakashipu? Was their devotion weak? Whatever the reason, they chanted, and that is miraculous and glorious. But that doesn’t mean they were permanently transformed like Dhruva.

Some may have been transformed for a long time, some only briefly. Children are much more impressionable. When they chanted, Dhruva offered them something new, joyful, and special—and they accepted it. But just because someone becomes a devotee in childhood doesn’t guarantee lifelong devotion. We don’t know.

And even if some remain devotees lifelong, it won’t happen for everyone. Do you think Hiranyakashipu’s kingdom had only one Gurukul? Chanda and Amarka were royal teachers—the best Gurukuls. Maybe some demons became devotees and stayed devoted lifelong. But what about the rest?

Not everyone becomes a devotee. Everyone has free will and acts according to it. Understanding this is important.

Can he make everyone a devotee? Yes, he will make efforts and provide facilities. But if he is a king, he cannot reject those who don’t become devotees. He must take care of them too. That is his responsibility.