Pusta Krsna: Is it possible to reform a person even against their will?

Prabhupada: No, not possible. Hiranyakasipu tried to make Prahlada an atheist. He failed. And Prahlada tried to make his father theist. He failed. So unless one agrees, you cannot turn him. It is not possible. Five-years-old boy, staunch devotee, and the powerful Hiranyakasipu, father, who is threatening with his life and so many ways he tried that “You become atheist, godless. Otherwise I shall kill you.” He did not agree. And similarly, the son also solicited the father that “You have got so much power by the grace of God. Why are you becoming atheist?” Both of them could not turn to their side. Prahlada remained Prahlada, and Hiranyakasipu remained Hiranyakasipu.

> Morning Walk — October 17, 1975, Johannesburg