Should we tell people about hellish torment to deter them from breaking the regulative principles?

So, why didn’t he do that later? That’s a good question. We have 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 of a conditioned soul. And not just free will, but also the conditioning. Prabhupada himself was a pure devotee, yet practically no member of his family became devotees.

Not a single family member met the standard of devotion that Prabhupada set, like chanting sixteen rounds and so on. 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, when parents find their children don’t become devotees, they take it as a personal failure. Well, yes and no. We want our children to become devotees, and it is important to try our best. But beyond that, it is the soul’s free will that matters.

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 doesn’t force anyone, so who are we to force? Pure devotion does not mean free will is lost.

It is said that Prahlad’s friends were chanting and dancing with him, doing what he did. But is there any description that they remained devotees at the same level throughout their lives? No. When Prahlad was being tormented, none of his friends came to stop it or help him. Were they afraid of Hiranyakashipu? Was their devotion weak? Whatever the reason, they did chant, 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 mean they will remain so lifelong. 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 a devotee make everyone a devotee? He will try 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.