> > Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 7
> > Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda
> > (for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)

> > Canto 7: "The Science of God"

> > *****

> > Chapter Five: Prahlâda Mahârâja, the Saintly Son of Hiranyakasipu

> > *****

> > TEXT 1

> > srî-nârada uvâca

> > paurohityâya bhagavân

> > vrtah kâvyah kilâsuraih

> > sandâmarkau sutau tasya

> > daitya-râja-grhântike

> > SYNONYMS

> > srî-nâradah uvâca--the great saint Nârada said; paurohityâya--to work as priest; bhagavân--the most powerful; vrtah--chosen; kâvyah--Sukrâcârya; kila--indeed; asuraih--by the demons; sanda-amarkau--Sanda and Amarka; sutau--sons; tasya--of him; daitya-râja--of the King of the demons, Hiranyakasipu; grha-antike--near the residence.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great saint Narada Muni said: The demons, headed by Hiranyakasipu, accepted Sukracarya as their priest for ritualistic ceremonies. Sukracarya's two sons, Sanda and Amarka, lived near Hiranyakasipu's palace.

> > *****

> > TEXT 2

> > tau râjnâ prâpitam bâlam

> > prahlâdam naya-kovidam

> > pâthayâm âsatuh pâthyân

> > anyâms câsura-bâlakân

> > SYNONYMS

> > tau--those two (Sanda and Amarka); râjnâ--by the King; prâpitam--sent; bâlam--the boy; prahlâdam--named Prahlâda; naya-kovidam--who was aware of moral principles; pâthayâm âsatuh--instructed; pâthyân--books of material knowledge; anyân--other; ca--also; asura-bâlakân--sons of the asuras.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Prahlada Maharaja was already educated in devotional life, but when his father sent him to those two sons of Sukracarya to be educated, they accepted him at their school along with the other sons of the asuras.

> > *****

> > TEXT 3

> > yat tatra gurunâ proktam

> > susruve 'nupapâtha ca

> > na sâdhu manasâ mene

> > sva-parâsad-grahâsrayam

> > SYNONYMS

> > yat--which; tatra--there (in the school); gurunâ--by the teachers; proktam--instructed; susruve--heard; anupapâtha--recited; ca--and; na--not; sâdhu--good; manasâ--by the mind; mene--considered; sva--of one's own; para--and of others; asat-graha--by the bad philosophy; âsrayam--which was supported.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Prahlada certainly heard and recited the topics of politics and economics taught by the teachers, but he understood that political philosophy involves considering someone a friend and someone else an enemy, and thus he did not like it.

> > *****

> > TEXT 4

> > ekadâsura-rât putram

> > ankam âropya pândava

> > papraccha kathyatâm vatsa

> > manyate sâdhu yad bhavân

> > SYNONYMS

> > ekadâ--once upon a time; asura-rât--the Emperor of the asuras; putram--his son; ankam--on the lap; âropya--placing; pândava--O Mahârâja Yudhisthira; papraccha--inquired; kathyatâm--let it be told; vatsa--my dear son; manyate--considers; sâdhu--the best; yat--that which; bhavân--your good self.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear King Yudhisthira, once upon a time the King of the demons, Hiranyakasipu, took his son Prahlada on his lap and very affectionately inquired: My dear son, please let me know what you think is the best of all the subjects you have studied from your teachers.

> > *****

> > TEXT 5

> > srî-prahlâda uvâca

> > tat sâdhu manye 'sura-varya dehinâm

> > sadâ samudvigna-dhiyâm asad-grahât

> > hitvâtma-pâtam grham andha-kûpam

> > vanam gato yad dharim âsrayeta

> > SYNONYMS

> > srî-prahlâdah uvâca--Prahlâda Mahârâja replied; tat--that; sâdhu--very good, or the best part of life; manye--I think; asura-varya--O King of the asuras; dehinâm--of persons who have accepted the material body; sadâ--always; samudvigna--full of anxieties; dhiyâm--whose intelligence; asat-grahât--because of accepting the temporary body or bodily relations as real (thinking "I am this body, and everything belonging to this body is mine"); hitvâ--giving up; âtma-pâtam--the place where spiritual culture or self-realization is stopped; grham--the bodily concept of life, or household life; andha-kûpam--which is nothing but a blind well (where there is no water but one nonetheless searches for water); vanam--to the forest; gatah--going; yat--which; harim--the Supreme personality of Godhead; âsrayeta--may take shelter of.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Prahlada Maharaja replied: O best of the asuras, King of the demons, as far as I have learned from my spiritual master, any person who has accepted a temporary body and temporary household life is certainly embarrassed by anxiety because of having fallen in a dark well where there is no water but only suffering. One should give up this position and go to the forest [vana]. More clearly, one should go to Vrndavana, where only Krsna consciousness is prevalent, and should thus take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > *****

> > TEXT 6

> > srî-nârada uvâca

> > srutvâ putra-giro daityah

> > para-paksa-samâhitâh

> > jahâsa buddhir bâlânâm

> > bhidyate para-buddhibhih

> > SYNONYMS

> > srî-nâradah uvâca--Nârada Muni said; srutvâ--hearing; putra-girah--the instructive words of his son; daityah--Hiranyakasipu; para-paksa--on the side of the enemy; samâhitâh--full of faith; jahâsa--laughed; buddhih--the intelligence; bâlânam--of small boys; bhidyate--is polluted; para-buddhibhih--by instructions from the enemy's camp.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Narada Muni continued: When Prahlada Maharaja spoke about the path of self-realization in devotional service, thus being faithful to the camp of his father's enemies, Hiranyakasipu, the King of the demons, heard Prahlada's words and he laughingly said, "Thus is the intelligence of children spoiled by the words of the enemy."

> > *****

> > TEXT 7

> > samyag vidhâryatam balo

> > samyag vidhâryatâm bâlo

> > guru-gehe dvi-jâtibhih

> > visnu-paksaih praticchannair

> > na bhidyetâsya dhîr yathâ

> > SYNONYMS

> > samyak--completely; vidhâryatâm--let him be protected; bâlah--this boy of tender age; guru-gehe--in the guru-kula, the place where children are sent to be instructed by the guru; dvi-jâtibhih--by brâhmanas; visnu-paksaih--who are on the side of Visnu; praticchannaih--disguised in different dresses; na bhidyeta--may not be influenced; asya--of him; dhîh--the intelligence; yathâ--so that.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Hiranyakasipu advised his assistants: My dear demons, give complete protection to this boy at the guru-kula where he is instructed, so that his intelligence will not be further influenced by Vaisnavas who may go there in disguise.

> > *****

> > TEXT 8

> > grham ânîtam âhûya

> > prahrâdam daitya-yâjakâh

> > prasasya slaksnayâ vâcâ

> > samaprcchanta sâmabhih

> > SYNONYMS

> > grham--to the place of the teachers (Sanda and Amarka); ânîtam--brought; âhûya--calling; prahrâdam--Prahlâda; daitya-yâjakâh--the priests of the demon Hiranyakasipu; prasasya--by pacifying; slaksnayâ--with a very mild; vâcâ--voice; samaprcchanta--they questioned; sâmabhih--by very agreeable words.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When Hiranyakasipu's servants brought the boy Prahlada back to the guru-kula [the place where the brahmanas taught the boys], the priests of the demons, Sanda and Amarka, pacified him. With very mild voices and affectionate words, they inquired from him as follows.

> > *****

> > TEXT 9

> > vatsa prahrâda bhadram te

> > satyam kathaya mâ mrsâ

> > bâlân ati kutas tubhyam

> > esa buddhi-viparyayah

> > SYNONYMS

> > vatsa--O dear son; prahrâda--Prahlâda; bhadram te--all blessings and good fortune unto you; satyam--the truth; kathaya--speak; mâ--do not; mrsâ--a lie; bâlân ati--passing over the other demon boys; kutah--from where; tubhyam--unto you; esah--this; buddhi--of the intelligence; viparyayah--pollution.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dear son Prahlada, all peace and good fortune unto you. Kindly do not speak lies; just reply with the truth. These boys you see are not like you, for they do not speak in a deviant way. How have you learned these instructions? How has your intelligence been spoiled in this way?

> > *****

> > TEXT 10

> > buddhi-bhedah para-krta

> > utâho te svato 'bhavat

> > bhanyatâm srotu-kâmânâm

> > gurûnâm kula-nandana

> > SYNONYMS

> > buddhi-bhedah--pollution of the intelligence; para-krtah--done by the enemies; utâho--or; te--of you; svatah--by yourself; abhavat--was; bhanyatâm--let it be told; srotu-kâmânâm--to us, who are very eager to hear about it; gurûnâm--all your teachers; kula-nandana--O best of your family.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O best of your family, has this pollution of your intelligence been brought about by you or by the enemies? We are all your teachers and are very eager to hear about this. Please tell us the truth.

> > *****

> > TEXT 11

> > srî-prahrâda uvâca

> > parah svas cety asad-grâhah

> > pumsâm yan-mâyayâ krtah

> > vimohita-dhiyâm drstas

> > tasmai bhagavate namah

> > SYNONYMS

> > srî-prahrâdah uvâca--Prahlâda Mahârâja replied; parah--an enemy; svah--a kinsman or friend; ca--also; iti--thus; asat-grâhah--material conception of life; pumsâm--of persons; yat--of whom; mâyayâ--by the external energy; krtah--created; vimohita--bewildered; dhiyâm--of those whose intelligence; drstah--practically experienced; tasmai--unto Him; bhagavate--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; namah--my respectful obeisances.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Prahlada Maharaja replied: Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose external energy has created the distinctions of "my friend" and "my enemy" by deluding the intelligence of men. Indeed, I am now actually experiencing this, although I have previously heard of it from authoritative sources.

> > *****

> > TEXT 12

> > sa yadânuvratah pumsâm

> > pasu-buddhir vibhidyate

> > anya esa tathânyo 'ham

> > iti bheda-gatâsatî

> > SYNONYMS

> > sah--that Supreme Personality of Godhead; yadâ--when; anuvratah--favorable or pleased; pumsâm--of the conditioned souls; pasu-buddhih--the animalistic conception of life ("I am the Supreme, and everyone is God"); vibhidyate--is destroyed; anyah--another; esah--this; tathâ--as well as; anyah--another; aham--I; iti--thus; bheda--distinction; gata--having; asatî--which is disastrous.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When the Supreme Personality of Godhead is pleased with the living entity because of his devotional service, one becomes a pandita and does not make distinctions between enemies, friends and himself. Intelligently, he then thinks, "Every one of us is an eternal servant of God, and therefore we are not different from one another."

> > *****

> > TEXT 13

> > sa esa âtmâ sva-parety abuddhibhir

> > duratyayânukramano nirûpyate

> > muhyanti yad-vartmani veda-vâdino

> > brahmâdayo hy esa bhinatti me matim

> > SYNONYMS

> > sah--He; esah--this; âtmâ--Supersoul situated in everyone's heart; sva-para--this is my own business, and that is someone else's; iti--thus; abuddhibhih--by those who have such bad intelligence; duratyaya--very difficult to follow; anukramanah--whose devotional service; nirûpyate--is ascertained (by scriptures or the instructions of the spiritual master); muhyanti--are bewildered; yat--of whom; vartmani--on the path; veda-vâdinah--the followers of Vedic instructions; brahma-âdayah--the demigods, beginning from Lord Brahmâ; hi--indeed; esah--this one; bhinatti--changes; me--my; matim--intelligence.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Persons who always think in terms of "enemy" and "friend" are unable to ascertain the Supersoul within themselves. Not to speak of them, even such exalted persons as Lord Brahma, who are fully conversant with the Vedic literature, are sometimes bewildered in following the principles of devotional service. The same Supreme Personality of Godhead who has created this situation has certainly given me the intelligence to take the side of your so-called enemy.

> > *****

> > TEXT 14

> > yathâ bhrâmyaty ayo brahman

> > svayam âkarsa-sannidhau

> > tathâ me bhidyate cetas

> > cakra-pâner yadrcchayâ

> > SYNONYMS

> > yathâ-just as; bhrâmyati--moves; ayah--iron; brahman--O brâhmanas; svayam--itself; âkarsa--of a magnet; sannidhau--in the proximity; tathâ--similarly; me--my; bhidyate--is changed; cetah--consciousness; cakra-pâneh--of Lord Visnu, who has a disc in His hand; yadrcchayâ--simply by the will.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O brahmanas [teachers], as iron attracted by a magnetic stone moves automatically toward the magnet, my consciousness, having been changed by His will, is attracted by Lord Visnu, who carries a disc in His hand. Thus I have no independence.

> > *****

> > TEXT 15

> > srî-nârada uvâca

> > etâvad brâhmanâyoktvâ

> > virarâma mahâ-matih

> > tam sannibhartsya kupitah

> > sudîno râja-sevakah

> > SYNONYMS

> > srî-nâradah uvâca--Nârada Muni said; etâvat--this much; brâhmanâya--unto the brâhmanas, the sons of Sukrâcârya; uktvâ--speaking; virarâma--became silent; mahâ-matih--Prahlâda Mahârâja, who possessed great intelligence; tam--him (Prahlâda Mahârâja); sannibhartsya--chastising very harshly; kupitah--being angry; sudînah--poor in thought, or very much aggrieved; râja-sevakah--the servants of King Hiranyakasipu.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great saint Narada Muni continued: The great soul Prahlada Maharaja became silent after saying this to his teachers, Sanda and Amarka, the seminal sons of Sukracarya. These so-called brahmanas then became angry at him. Because they were servants of Hiranyakasipu, they were very sorry, and to chastise Prahlada Maharaja they spoke as follows.

> > *****

> > TEXT 16

> > ânîyatâm are vetram

> > asmâkam ayasaskarah

> > kulângârasya durbuddhes

> > caturtho 'syodito damah

> > SYNONYMS

> > ânîyatâm--let it be brought; are--oh; vetram--the stick; asmâkam--of us; ayasaskarah--who is bringing defamation; kula-angârasya--of he who is like a cinder in the dynasty; durbuddheh--having bad intelligence; caturthah--the fourth; asya--for him; uditah--declared; damah--punishment (the stick, argumentum ad baculum).

> > TRANSLATION

> > Oh, please bring me a stick! This Prahlada is damaging our name and fame. Because of his bad intelligence, he has become like a cinder in the dynasty of the demons. Now he needs to be treated by the fourth of the four kinds of political diplomacy.

> > *****

> > TEXT 17

> > daiteya-candana-vane

> > jâto 'yam kantaka-drumah

> > yan-mûlonmûla-parasor

> > visnor nâlâyito 'rbhakah

> > SYNONYMS

> > daiteya--of the demoniac family; candana-vane--in the sandalwood forest; jâtah--born; ayam--this; kantaka-drumah--thorn tree; yat--of which; mûla--of the roots; unmûla--in the cutting; parasoh--who is like an axe; visnoh--of Lord Visnu; nâlâyitah--the handle; arbhakah--boy.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This rascal Prahlada has appeared like a thorn tree in a forest of sandalwood. To cut down sandalwood trees, an axe is needed, and the wood of the thorn tree is very suitable for the handle of such an axe. Lord Visnu is the axe for cutting down the sandalwood forest of the family of demons, and this Prahlada is the handle for that axe.

> > *****

> > TEXT 18

> > iti tam vividhopâyair

> > bhîsayams tarjanâdibhih

> > prahrâdam grâhayâm âsa

> > tri-vargasyopapâdanam

> > SYNONYMS

> > iti--in this way; tam--him (Prahlâda Mahârâja); vividha-upâyaih--by various means; bhîsayan--threatening; tarjana-âdibhih--by chastisement, threats, etc.; prahrâdam--unto Prahlâda Mahârâja; grâhayâm âsa--taught; tri-vargasya--the three goals of life (the paths of religion, economic development and sense gratification); upapâdanam--scripture that presents.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sanda and Amarka, the teachers of Prahlada Maharaja, chastised and threatened their disciple in various ways and began teaching him about the paths of religion, economic development and sense gratification. This is the way they educated him.

> > *****

> > TEXT 19

> > tata enam gurur jnâtvâ

> > jnâta-jneya-catustayam

> > daityendram darsayâm âsa

> > mâtr-mrstam alankrtam

> > SYNONYMS

> > tatah--thereafter; enam--him (Prahlâda Mahârâja); guruh--his teachers; jnâtvâ--knowing; jnâta--known; jneya--which are to be known; catustayam--the four diplomatic principles (sâma, the process of pacifying; dâna, the process of giving money in charity; bheda, the principle of dividing; and danda, the principle of punishment); daitya-indram--unto Hiranyakasipu, the King of the Daityas; darsayâm âsa--presented; mâtr-mrstam--being bathed by his mother; alankrtam--decorated with ornaments.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After some time, the teachers Sanda and Amarka thought that Prahlada Maharaja was sufficiently educated in the diplomatic affairs of pacifying public leaders, appeasing them by giving them lucrative posts, dividing and ruling over them, and punishing them in cases of disobedience. Then, one day, after Prahlada's mother had personally washed the boy and dressed him nicely with sufficient ornaments, they presented him before his father.

> > *****

> > TEXT 20

> > pâdayoh patitam bâlam

> > pratinandyâsisâsurah

> > parisvajya ciram dorbhyâm

> > paramâm âpa nirvrtim

> > SYNONYMS

> > pâdayoh--at the feet; patitam--fallen; bâlam--the boy (Prahlâda Mahârâja); pratinandya--encouraging; âsisâ--with blessings ("My dear child, may you live long and be happy" and so on); asurah--the demon Hiranyakasipu; parisvajya--embracing; ciram--for a long time due to affection; dorbhyâm--with his two arms; paramâm--great; âpa--obtained; nirvrtim--jubilation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When Hiranyakasipu saw that his child had fallen at his feet and was offering obeisances, as an affectionate father he immediately began showering blessings upon the child and embraced him with both arms. A father naturally feels happy to embrace his son, and Hiranyakasipu became very happy in this way.

> > *****

> > TEXT 21

> > âropyânkam avaghrâya

> > mûrdhany asru-kalâmbubhih

> > âsincan vikasad-vaktram

> > idam âha yudhisthira

> > SYNONYMS

> > âropya--placing; ankam--on the lap; avaghrâya mûrdhani--smelling his head; asru--of tears; kalâ-ambubhih--with water from drops; âsincan--moistening; vikasat-vaktram--his smiling face; idam--this; âha--said; yudhisthira--O Mahârâja Yudhisthira.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Narada Muni continued: My dear King Yudhisthira, Hiranyakasipu seated Prahlada Maharaja on his lap and began smelling his head. With affectionate tears gliding down from his eyes and moistening the child's smiling face, he spoke to his son as follows.

> > *****

> > TEXT 22

> > hiranyakasipur uvâca

> > prahrâdânûcyatâm tâta

> > svadhîtam kincid uttamam

> > kâlenaitâvatâyusman

> > yad asiksad guror bhavân

> > SYNONYMS

> > hiranyakasipuh uvâca--King Hiranyakasipu said; prahrâda--my dear Prahlâda; anûcyatâm--let it be told; tâta--my dear son; svadhîtam--well learned; kincit--something; uttamam--very nice; kâlena etâvatâ--for so much time; âyusman--O long-lived one; yat--which; asiksat--has learned; guroh--from your teachers; bhavân--yourself.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Hiranyakasipu said: My dear Prahlada, my dear son, O long-lived one, for so much time you have heard many things from your teachers. Now please repeat to me whatever you think is the best of that knowledge.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 23-24

> > srî-prahrâda uvâca

> > sravanam kîrtanam visnoh

> > smaranam pâda-sevanam

> > arcanam vandanam dâsyam

> > sakhyam âtma-nivedanam

> > iti pumsârpitâ visnau

> > bhaktis cen nava-laksanâ

> > kriyeta bhagavaty addhâ

> > tan manye 'dhîtam uttamam

> > SYNONYMS

> > srî-prahrâdah uvâca--Prahlâda Mahârâja said; sravanam--hearing; kîrtanam--chanting; visnoh--of Lord Visnu (not anyone else); smaranam--remembering; pâda-sevanam--serving the feet; arcanam--offering worship (with sodasopacâra, the sixteen kinds of paraphernalia); vandanam--offering prayers; dâsyam--becoming the servant; sakhyam--becoming the best friend; âtma-nivedanam--surrendering everything, whatever one has;

> > iti--thus; pumsâ arpitâ--offered by the devotee; visnau--unto Lord Visnu (not to anyone else); bhaktih--devotional service; cet--if; nava-laksanâ--possessing nine different processes; kriyeta--one should perform; bhagavati--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; addhâ--directly or completely; tat--that; manye--I consider; adhîtam--learning; uttamam--topmost.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Prahlada Maharaja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Visnu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one's best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words)--these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Krsna through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge.

> > *****

> > TEXT 25

> > nisamyaitat suta-vaco

> > hiranyakasipus tadâ

> > guru-putram uvâcedam

> > rusâ prasphuritâdharah

> > SYNONYMS

> > nisamya--hearing; etat--this; suta-vacah--speech from his son; hiranyakasipuh--Hiranyakasipu; tadâ--at that time; guru-putram--unto the son of Sukrâcârya, his spiritual master; uvâca--spoke; idam--this; rusâ--with anger; prasphurita--trembling; adharah--whose lips.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After hearing these words of devotional service from the mouth of his son Prahlada, Hiranyakasipu was extremely angry. His lips trembling, he spoke as follows to Sanda the son of his guru, Sukracarya.

> > *****

> > TEXT 26

> > brahma-bandho kim etat te

> > vipaksam srayatâsatâ

> > asâram grâhito bâlo

> > mâm anâdrtya durmate

> > SYNONYMS

> > brahma-bandho--O unqualified son of a brâhmana; kim etat--what is this; te--by you; vipaksam--the party of my enemies; srayatâ--taking shelter of; asatâ--most mischievous; asâram--nonsense; grâhitah--taught; bâlah--the boy; mâm--me; anâdrtya--not caring for; durmate--O foolish teacher.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O unqualified, most heinous son of a brahmana, you have disobeyed my order and taken shelter of the party of my enemies. You have taught this poor boy about devotional service! What is this nonsense?

> > *****

> > TEXT 27

> > santi hy asâdhavo loke

> > durmaitrâs chadma-vesinah

> > tesâm udety agham kâle

> > rogah pâtakinâm iva

> > SYNONYMS

> > santi--are; hi--indeed; asâdhavah--dishonest persons; loke--within this world; durmaitrâh--cheating friends; chadma-vesinah--wearing false garbs; tesâm--of all of them; udeti--arises; agham--the reaction of sinful life; kâle--in due course of time; rogah--disease; pâtakinâm--of sinful men; iva--like.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In due course of time, various types of diseases are manifest in those who are sinful. Similarly, in this world there are many deceptive friends in false garbs, but eventually, because of their false behavior, their actual enmity becomes manifest.

> > *****

> > TEXT 28

> > srî-guru-putra uvâca

> > na mat-pranîtam na para-pranîtam

> > suto vadaty esa tavendra-satro

> > naisargikîyam matir asya râjan

> > niyaccha manyum kad adâh sma mâ nah

> > SYNONYMS

> > srî-guru-putrah uvâca--the son of Sukrâcârya, Hiranyakasipu's spiritual master, said; na--not; mat-pranîtam--educated by me; na--nor; para-pranîtam--educated by anyone else; sutah--the son (Prahlâda); vadati--says; esah--this; tava--your; indra-satro--O enemy of King Indra; naisargikî--natural; iyam--this; matih--inclination; asya--of him; râjan--O King; niyaccha--give up; manyum--your anger; kat--fault; adâh--attribute; sma--indeed; mâ--do not; nah--unto us.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The son of Sukracarya, Hiranyakasipu's spiritual master, said: O enemy of King Indra, O King! Whatever your son Prahlada has said was not taught to him by me or anyone else. His spontaneous devotional service has naturally developed in him. Therefore, please give up your anger and do not unnecessarily accuse us. It is not good to insult a brahmana in this way.

> > *****

> > TEXT 29

> > srî-nârada uvâca

> > gurunaivam pratiprokto

> > bhûya âhâsurah sutam

> > na ced guru-mukhîyam te

> > kuto 'bhadrâsatî matih

> > SYNONYMS

> > srî-nâradah uvâca--Nârada Muni said; gurunâ--by the teacher; evam--thus; pratiproktah--being answered; bhûyah--again; âha--said; asurah--the great demon, Hiranyakasipu; sutam--unto his son; na--not; cet--if; guru-mukhî--issued from the mouth of your teacher; iyam--this; te--your; kutah--from where; abhadra--O inauspicious one; asatî--very bad; matih--inclination.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sri Narada Muni continued: When Hiranyakasipu received this reply from the teacher, he again addressed his son Prahlada. Hiranyakasipu said: You rascal, most fallen of our family, if you have not received this education from your teachers, where have you gotten it?

> > *****

> > TEXT 30

> > srî-prahrâda uvâca

> > matir na krsne paratah svato vâ

> > mitho 'bhipadyeta grha-vratânâm

> > adânta-gobhir visatâm tamisram

> > punah punas carvita-carvanânâm

> > SYNONYMS

> > srî-prahrâdah uvâca--Prahlâda Mahârâja said; matih--inclination; na--never; krsne--unto Lord Krsna; paratah--from the instructions of others; svatah--from their own understanding; vâ--either; mithah--from combined effort; abhipadyeta--is developed; grha-vratânâm--of persons too addicted to the materialistic, bodily conception of life; adânta--uncontrolled; gobhih--by the senses; visatâm--entering; tamisram--hellish life; punah--again; punah--again; carvita--things already chewed; carvanânâm--who are chewing.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Prahlada Maharaja replied: Because of their uncontrolled senses, persons too addicted to materialistic life make progress toward hellish conditions and repeatedly chew that which has already been chewed. Their inclinations toward Krsna are never aroused, either by the instructions of others, by their own efforts, or by a combination of both.

> > *****

> > TEXT 31

> > na te viduh svârtha-gatim hi visnum

> > durâsayâ ye bahir-artha-mâninah

> > andhâ yathândhair upanîyamânâs

> > te 'pîsa-tantryâm uru-dâmni baddhâh

> > SYNONYMS

> > na--not; te--they; viduh--know; sva-artha-gatim--the ultimate goal of life, or their own real interest; hi--indeed; visnum--Lord Visnu and His abode; durâsayâh--being ambitious to enjoy this material world; ye--who; bahih--external sense objects; artha-mâninah--considering as valuable; andhâh--persons who are blind; yathâ--just as; andhaih--by other blind men; upanîyamânâh--being led; te--they; api--although; îsa-tantryâm--to the ropes (laws) of material nature; uru--having very strong; dâmni--cords; baddhâh--bound.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Persons who are strongly entrapped by the consciousness of enjoying material life, and who have therefore accepted as their leader or guru a similar blind man attached to external sense objects, cannot understand that the goal of life is to return home, back to Godhead, and engage in the service of Lord Visnu. As blind men guided by another blind man miss the right path and fall into a ditch, materially attached men led by another materially attached man are bound by the ropes of fruitive labor, which are made of very strong cords, and they continue again and again in materialistic life, suffering the threefold miseries.

> > *****

> > TEXT 32

> > naisâm matis tâvad urukramânghrim

> > sprsaty anarthâpagamo yad-arthah

> > mahîyasâm pâda-rajo-'bhisekam

> > niskincanânâm na vrnîta yâvat

> > SYNONYMS

> > na--not; esâm--of these; matih--the consciousness; tâvat--that long; urukrama-anghrim--the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is famous for performing uncommon activities; sprsati--does touch; anartha--of unwanted things; apagamah--the disappearance; yat--of which; arthah--the purpose; mahîyasâm--of the great souls (the mahâtmâs, or devotees); pâda-rajah--by the dust of the lotus feet; abhisekam--consecration; niskincanânâm--of devotees who have nothing to do with this material world; na--not; vrnîta--may accept; yâvat--as long as.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Unless they smear upon their bodies the dust of the lotus feet of a Vaisnava completely freed from material contamination, persons very much inclined toward materialistic life cannot be attached to the lotus feet of the Lord, who is glorified for His uncommon activities. Only by becoming Krsna conscious and taking shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord in this way can one be freed from material contamination.

> > *****

> > TEXT 33

> > ity uktvoparatam putram

> > hiranyakasipû rusâ

> > andhîkrtâtmâ svotsangân

> > nirasyata mahî-tale

> > SYNONYMS

> > iti--thus; uktvâ--speaking; uparatam--stopped; putram--the son; hiranyakasipuh--Hiranyakasipu; rusâ--with great anger; andhîkrta-âtmâ--made blind to self-realization; sva-utsangât--from his lap; nirasyata--threw; mahî-tale--upon the ground.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After Prahlada Maharaja had spoken in this way and become silent, Hiranyakasipu, blinded by anger, threw him off his lap and onto the ground.

> > *****

> > TEXT 34

> > âhâmarsa-rusâvistah

> > kasâyî-bhûta-locanah

> > vadhyatâm âsv ayam vadhyo

> > nihsârayata nairrtâh

> > SYNONYMS

> > âha--he said; amarsa--indignation; rusâ--and by severe anger; âvistah--overpowered; kasâyî-bhûta--becoming exactly like red-hot copper; locanah--whose eyes; vadhyatâm--let him be killed; âsu--immediately; ayam--this; vadhyah--who is to be killed; nihsârayata--take away; nairrtâh--O demons.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Indignant and angry, his reddish eyes like molten copper, Hiranyakasipu said to his servants: O demons, take this boy away from me! He deserves to be killed. Kill him as soon as possible!

> > *****

> > TEXT 35

> > ayam me bhrâtr-hâ so 'yam

> > hitvâ svân suhrdo 'dhamah

> > pitrvya-hantuh pâdau yo

> > visnor dâsavad arcati

> > SYNONYMS

> > ayam--this; me--my; bhrâtr-hâ--killer of the brother; sah--he; ayam--this; hitvâ--giving up; svân--own; suhrdah--well-wishers; adhamah--very low; pitrvya-hantuh--of He who killed his uncle Hiranyâksa; pâdau--at the two feet; yah--he who; visnoh--of Lord Visnu; dâsa-vat--like a servant; arcati--serves.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This boy Prahlada is the killer of my brother, for he has given up his family to engage in the devotional service of the enemy, Lord Visnu, like a menial servant.

> > *****

> > TEXT 36

> > visnor vâ sâdhv asau kim nu

> > karisyaty asamanjasah

> > sauhrdam dustyajam pitror

> > ahâd yah panca-hâyanah

> > SYNONYMS

> > visnoh--unto Visnu; vâ--either; sâdhu--good; asau--this; kim--whether; nu--indeed; karisyati--will do; asamanjasah--not trustworthy; sauhrdam--affectionate relationship; dustyajam--difficult to relinquish; pitroh--of his father and mother; ahât--gave up; yah--he who; panca-hâyanah--only five years old.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although Prahlada is only five years old, even at this young age he has given up his affectionate relationship with his father and mother. Therefore, he is certainly untrustworthy. Indeed, it is not at all believable that he will behave well toward Visnu.

> > *****

> > TEXT 37

> > paro 'py apatyam hita-krd yathausadham

> > sva-dehajo 'py âmayavat suto 'hitah

> > chindyât tad angam yad utâtmano 'hitam

> > sesam sukham jîvati yad-vivarjanât

> > SYNONYMS

> > parah--not belonging to the same group or family; api--although; apatyam--a child; hita-krt--who is beneficial; yathâ--just as; ausadham--remedial herb; sva-deha-jah--born of one's own body; api--although; âmaya-vat--like a disease; sutah--a son; ahitah--who is not a well-wisher; chindyât--one should cut off; tat--that; angam--part of the body; yat--which; uta--indeed; âtmanah--for the body; ahitam--not beneficial; sesam--the balance; sukham--happily; jîvati--lives; yat--of which; vivarjanât--by cutting off.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although a medicinal herb, being born in the forest, does not belong to the same category as a man, if beneficial it is kept very carefully. Similarly, if someone outside one's family is favorable, he should be given protection like a son. On the other hand, if a limb of one's body is poisoned by disease, it must be amputated so that the rest of the body may live happily. Similarly, even one's own son, if unfavorable, must be rejected, although born of one's own body.

> > *****

> > TEXT 38

> > sarvair upâyair hantavyah

> > sambhoja-sayanâsanaih

> > suhrl-linga-dharah satrur

> > muner dustam ivendriyam

> > SYNONYMS

> > sarvaih--by all; upâyaih--means; hantavyah--must be killed; sambhoja--by eating; sayana--lying down; âsanaih--by sitting; suhrt-linga-dharah--who has assumed the role of a friend; satruh--an enemy; muneh--of a great sage; dustam--uncontrollable; iva--like; indriyam--the senses.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Just as uncontrolled senses are the enemies of all yogis engaged in advancing in spiritual life, this Prahlada, who appears to be a friend, is an enemy because I cannot control him. Therefore this enemy, whether eating, sitting or sleeping, must be killed by all means.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 39-40

> > nairrtâs te samâdistâ

> > bhartrâ vai sûla-pânayah

> > tigma-damstra-karâlâsyâs

> > tâmra-smasru-siroruhâh

> > nadanto bhairavam nâdam

> > chindhi bhindhîti vâdinah

> > âsînam câhanan sûlaih

> > prahrâdam sarva-marmasu

> > SYNONYMS

> > nairrtâh--the demons; te--they; samâdistâh--being fully advised; bhartrâ--by their master; vai--indeed; sûla-pânayah--having tridents in their hands; tigma--very sharp; damstra--teeth; karâla--and fearful; âsyâh--faces; tâmra-smasru--coppery mustaches; siroruhâh--and hair on the head;

> > nadantah--vibrating; bhairavam--fearful; nâdam--sound; chindhi--chop; bhindhi--divide into small parts; iti--thus; vâdinah--speaking; âsînam--who was sitting silently; ca--and; ahanan--attacked; sûlaih--with their tridents; prahrâdam--Prahlâda Mahârâja; sarva-marmasu--on the tender parts of the body.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The demons [Raksasas], the servants of Hiranyakasipu, thus began striking the tender parts of Prahlada Maharaja's body with their tridents. The demons all had fearful faces, sharp teeth and reddish, coppery beards and hair, and they appeared extremely threatening. Making a tumultuous sound, shouting, "Chop him up! Pierce him!" they began striking Prahlada Maharaja, who sat silently, meditating upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > *****

> > TEXT 41

> > pare brahmany anirdesye

> > bhagavaty akhilâtmani

> > yuktâtmany aphalâ âsann

> > apunyasyeva sat-kriyâh

> > SYNONYMS

> > pare--in the supreme; brahmani--absolute; anirdesye--who is not perceivable by the senses; bhagavati--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; akhila-âtmani--the Supersoul of everyone; yukta-âtmani--on he whose mind was engaged (Prahlâda); aphalâh--without effect; âsan--were; apunyasya--of a person who has no assets in pious activities; iva--like; sat-kriyâh--good activities (like the performance of sacrifices or austerities).

> > TRANSLATION

> > Even though a person who has no assets in pious activities performs some good deed, it will have no result. Thus the weapons of the demons had no tangible effects upon Prahlada Maharaja because he was a devotee undisturbed by material conditions and fully engaged in meditating upon and serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is unchangeable, who cannot be realized by the material senses, and who is the soul of the entire universe.

> > *****

> > TEXT 42

> > prayâse 'pahate tasmin

> > daityendrah parisankitah

> > cakâra tad-vadhopâyân

> > nirbandhena yudhisthira

> > SYNONYMS

> > prayâse--when the endeavor; apahate--futile; tasmin--that; daitya-indrah--the King of the demons, Hiranyakasipu; parisankitah--very much afraid (considering how the boy was protected); cakâra--executed; tat-vadha-upâyân--various means for killing him; nirbandhena--with determination; yudhisthira--O King Yudhisthira.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear King Yudhisthira, when all the attempts of the demons to kill Prahlada Maharaja were futile, the King of the demons, Hiranyakasipu, being most fearful, began contriving other means to kill him.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 43-44

> > dig-gajair dandasûkendrair

> > abhicârâvapâtanaih

> > mâyâbhih sannirodhais ca

> > gara-dânair abhojanaih

> > hima-vâyv-agni-salilaih

> > parvatâkramanair api

> > na sasâka yadâ hantum

> > apâpam asurah sutam

> > cintâm dîrghatamâm prâptas

> > tat-kartum nâbhyapadyata

> > SYNONYMS

> > dik-gajaih--by big elephants trained to smash anything under their feet; danda-sûka-indraih--by the biting of the King's poisonous snakes; abhicâra--by destructive spells; avapâtanaih--by causing to fall from the top of a mountain; mâyâbhih--by conjuring tricks; sannirodhaih--by imprisonment; ca--as well as; gara-dânaih--by administering poison; abhojanaih--by starving; hima--by cold; vâyu--wind; agni--fire; salilaih--and water;

> > parvata-âkramanaih--by crushing with big stones and hills; api--and also; na sasâka--was not able; yadâ--when; hantum--to kill; apâpam--who was not at all sinful; asurah--the demon (Hiranyakasipu); sutam--his son; cintâm--anxiety; dîrgha-tamâm--long-standing; prâptah--obtained; tat-kartum--to do that; na--not; abhyapadyata--achieved.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Hiranyakasipu could not kill his son by throwing him beneath the feet of big elephants, throwing him among huge, fearful snakes, employing destructive spells, hurling him from the top of a hill, conjuring up illusory tricks, administering poison, starving him, exposing him to severe cold, winds, fire and water, or throwing heavy stones to crush him. When Hiranyakasipu found that he could not in any way harm Prahlada, who was completely sinless, he was in great anxiety about what to do next.

> > *****

> > TEXT 45

> > esa me bahv-asâdhûkto

> > vadhopâyâs ca nirmitâh

> > tais tair drohair asad-dharmair

> > muktah svenaiva tejasâ

> > SYNONYMS

> > esah--this; me--of me; bahu--many; asâdhu-uktah--ill names; vadha-upâyâh--many varieties of means to kill him; ca--and; nirmitâh--devised; taih--by those; taih--by those; drohaih--treacheries; asat-dharmaih--abominable actions; muktah--released; svena--his own; eva--indeed; tejasâ--by prowess.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Hiranyakasipu thought: I have used many ill names in chastising this boy Prahlada and have devised many means of killing him, but despite all my endeavors, he could not be killed. Indeed, he saved himself by his own powers, without being affected in the least by these treacheries and abominable actions.

> > *****

> > TEXT 46

> > vartamâno 'vidûre vai

> > bâlo 'py ajada-dhîr ayam

> > na vismarati me 'nâryam

> > sunah sepa iva prabhuh

> > SYNONYMS

> > vartamânah--being situated; avidûre--not very far away; vai--indeed; bâlah--a mere child; api--although; ajada-dhîh--complete fearlessness; ayam--this; na--not; vismarati--forgets; me--my; anâryam--misbehavior; sunah sepah--the curved tail of a dog; iva--exactly like; prabhuh--being able or potent.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although he is very near to me and is merely a child, he is situated in complete fearlessness. He resembles a dog's curved tail, which can never be straightened, because he never forgets my misbehavior and his connection with his master, Lord Visnu.

> > *****

> > TEXT 47

> > aprameyânubhâvo 'yam

> > akutascid-bhayo 'marah

> > nûnam etad-virodhena

> > mrtyur me bhavitâ na vâ

> > SYNONYMS

> > aprameya--unlimited; anubhâvah--glory; ayam--this; akutascit-bhayah--having no fear from any quarter; amarah--immortal; nûnam--definitely; etat-virodhena--because of going against him; mrtyuh--death; me--my; bhavitâ--may be; na--not; vâ--or.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I can see that this boy's strength is unlimited, for he has not feared any of my punishments. He appears immortal. Therefore, because of my enmity toward him, I shall die. Or maybe this will not take place.

> > *****

> > TEXT 48

> > iti tac-cintayâ kincin

> > mlâna-sriyam adho-mukham

> > sandâmarkâv ausanasau

> > vivikta iti hocatuh

> > SYNONYMS

> > iti--thus; tat-cintayâ--with full anxiety because of Prahlâda Mahârâja's position; kincit--somewhat; mlâna--lost; sriyam--bodily luster; adhah-mukham--his face downward; sanda-amarkau--Sanda and Amarka; ausanasau--sons of Sukrâcârya; vivikte--in a secret place; iti--thus; ha--indeed; ûcatuh--spoke.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thinking in this way, the King of the Daityas, morose and bereft of bodily luster, remained silent with his face downward. Then Sanda and Amarka, the two sons of Sukracarya, spoke to him in secret.

> > *****

> > TEXT 49

> > jitam tvayaikena jagat-trayam bhruvor

> > vijrmbhana-trasta-samasta-dhisnyapam

> > na tasya cintyam tava nâtha caksvahe

> > na vai sisûnâm guna-dosayoh padam

> > SYNONYMS

> > jitam--conquered; tvayâ--by you; ekena--alone; jagat-trayam--the three worlds; bhruvoh--of the eyebrows; vijrmbhana--by the expanding; trasta--become afraid; samasta--all; dhisnyapam--the chief persons in every planet; na--not; tasya--from him; cintyam--to be anxious; tava--of you; nâtha--O master; caksvahe--we find; na--nor; vai--indeed; sisûnâm--of children; guna-dosayoh--of a good quality or fault; padam--the subject matter.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O lord, we know that when you simply move your eyebrows, all the commanders of the various planets are most afraid. Without the help of any assistant, you have conquered all the three worlds. Therefore, we do not find any reason for you to be morose and full of anxiety. As for Prahlada, he is nothing but a child and cannot be a cause of anxiety. After all, his bad or good qualities have no value.

> > *****

> > TEXT 50

> > imam tu pâsair varunasya baddhvâ

> > nidhehi bhîto na palâyate yathâ

> > buddhis ca pumso vayasârya-sevayâ

> > yâvad gurur bhârgava âgamisyati

> > SYNONYMS

> > imam--this; tu--but; pâsaih--by the ropes; varunasya--of the demigod known as Varuna; baddhvâ--binding; nidhehi--keep (him); bhîtah--being afraid; na--not; palâyate--runs away; yathâ--so that; buddhih--the intelligence; ca--also; pumsah--of a man; vayasâ--by increase of age; ârya--of experienced, advanced persons; sevayâ--by the service; yâvat--until; guruh--our spiritual master; bhârgavah--Sukrâcârya; âgamisyati--will come.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Until the return of our spiritual master, Sukracarya, arrest this child with the ropes of Varuna so that he will not flee in fear. In any case, by the time he is somewhat grown up and has assimilated our instructions or served our spiritual master, he will change in his intelligence. Thus there need be no cause for anxiety.

> > *****

> > TEXT 51

> > tatheti guru-putroktam

> > anujnâyedam abravît

> > dharmo hy asyopadestavyo

> > râjnâm yo grha-medhinâm

> > SYNONYMS

> > tathâ--in this way; iti--thus; guru-putra-uktam--advised by Sanda and Amarka, the sons of Sukrâcârya; anujnâya--accepting; idam--this; abravît--said; dharmah--the duty; hi--indeed; asya--unto Prahlâda; upadestavyah--to be instructed; râjnâm--of the kings; yah--which; grha-medhinâm--who are interested in householder life.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After hearing these instructions of Sanda and Amarka, the sons of his spiritual master, Hiranyakasipu agreed and requested them to instruct Prahlada in that system of occupational duty which is followed by royal householder families.

> > *****

> > TEXT 52

> > dharmam artham ca kâmam ca

> > nitarâm câ nupûrvasah

> > prahrâdâyocatû râjan

> > prasritâvanatâya ca

> > SYNONYMS

> > dharmam--mundane occupational duty; artham--economic development; ca--and; kâmam--sense gratification; ca--and; nitarâm--always; ca--and; anupûrvasah--according to order, or from the beginning to the end; prahrâdâya--unto Prahlâda Mahârâja; ûcatuh--they spoke; râjan--O King; prasrita--who was humble; avanatâya--and submissive; ca--also.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thereafter, Sanda and Amarka systematically and unceasingly taught Prahlada Maharaja, who was very submissive and humble, about mundane religion, economic development and sense gratification.

> > *****

> > TEXT 53

> > yathâ tri-vargam gurubhir

> > âtmane upasiksitam

> > na sâdhu mene tac-chiksâm

> > dvandvârâmopavarnitâm

> > SYNONYMS

> > yathâ--as; tri-vargam--the three processes (religion, economic development and sense gratification); gurubhih--by the teachers; âtmane--unto himself (Prahlâda Mahârâja); upasiksitam--instructed; na--not; sâdhu--really good; mene--he considered; tat-siksâm--the education in that; dvandva-ârâma--by persons taking pleasure in duality (in material enmity and friendship); upavarnitâm--which is prescribed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The teachers Sanda and Amarka instructed Prahlada Maharaja in the three kinds of material advancement called religion, economic development and sense gratification. Prahlada, however, being situated above such instructions, did not like them, for such instructions are based on the duality of worldly affairs, which involve one in a materialistic way of life marked by birth, death, old age and disease.

> > *****

> > TEXT 54

> > yadâcâryah parâvrtto

> > grhamedhîya-karmasu

> > vayasyair bâlakais tatra

> > sopahûtah krta-ksanaih

> > SYNONYMS

> > yadâ--when; âcâryah--the teachers; parâvrttah--became engaged; grha-medhîya--of household life; karmasu--in duties; vayasyaih--by his friends of the same age; bâlakaih--boys; tatra--there; sah--he (Prahlâda Mahârâja); apahûtah--called; krta-ksanaih--obtaining an opportune moment.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When the teachers went home to attend to their household affairs, the students of the same age as Prahlada Maharaja would call him to take the opportunity of leisure hours for play.

> > *****

> > TEXT 55

> > atha tân slaksnayâ vâcâ

> > pratyâhûya mahâ-budhah

> > uvâca vidvâms tan-nisthâm

> > krpayâ prahasann iva

> > SYNONYMS

> > atha--then; tân--the class friends; slaksnayâ--with very pleasing; vâcâ--speech; pratyâhûya--addressing; mahâ-budhah--Prahlâda Mahârâja, who was highly learned and advanced in spiritual consciousness (mahâ means "great," and budha means "learned"); uvâca--said; vidvân--very learned; tat-nisthâm--the path of God realization; krpayâ--being merciful; prahasan--smiling; iva--like.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Prahlada Maharaja, who was truly the supreme learned person, then addressed his class friends in very sweet language. Smiling, he began to teach them about the uselessness of the materialistic way of life. Being very kind to them, he instructed them as follows.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 56-57

> > te tu tad-gauravât sarve

> > tyakta-krîdâ-paricchadâh

> > bâlâ adûsita-dhiyo

> > dvandvârâmeritehitaih

> > paryupâsata râjendra

> > tan-nyasta-hrdayeksanâh

> > tân âha karuno maitro

> > mahâ-bhâgavato 'surah

> > SYNONYMS

> > te--they; tu--indeed; tat-gauravât--from great respect for the words of Prahlâda Mahârâja (due to his being a devotee); sarve--all of them; tyakta--having given up; krîdâ-paricchadâh--toys for playing; bâlâh--the boys; adûsita-dhiyah--whose intelligence was not as polluted (as that of their fathers); dvandva--in duality; ârâma--of those taking pleasure (the instructors, namely Sanda and Amarka); îrita--by the instructions; îhitaih--and actions;

> > paryupâsata--sat down around; râja-indra--O King Yudhisthira; tat--unto him; nyasta--having given up; hrdaya-îksanâh--their hearts and eyes; tân--unto them; âha--spoke; karunah--very merciful; maitrah--a real friend; mahâ-bhâgavatah--a most exalted devotee; asurah--Prahlâda Mahârâja, although born of an asura father.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear King Yudhisthira, all the children were very much affectionate and respectful to Prahlada Maharaja, and because of their tender age they were not so polluted by the instructions and actions of their teachers, who were attached to condemned duality and bodily comfort. Thus the boys surrounded Prahlada Maharaja, giving up their playthings, and sat down to hear him. Their hearts and eyes being fixed upon him, they looked at him with great earnestness. Prahlada Maharaja, although born in a demon family, was an exalted devotee, and he desired their welfare. Thus he began instructing them about the futility of materialistic life.

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