Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 20
Prahlāda Rejects Material Boons; Forgives His Father; Tripura and the Power of Remembrance
सर्वात्मना न हिंसन्ति भूतग्रामेषु किञ्चन । उच्चावचेषु दैत्येन्द्र मद्भावविगतस्पृहा: ॥ २० ॥
sarvātmanā na hiṁsanti bhūta-grāmeṣu kiñcana uccāvaceṣu daityendra mad-bhāva-vigata-spṛhāḥ
My dear Prahlāda, King of the Daityas, because of being attached to devotional service to Me, My devotee does not distinguish between lower and higher living entities. In all respects, he is never jealous of anyone.
FAQs
In this verse, Prahlada explains that devotees absorbed in the Lord and free from material craving do not harm any living being—high or low—showing ahimsa as a natural outcome of bhakti.
Prahlada was instructing the demoniac community on saintly conduct; he emphasizes that genuine devotion transforms character, making one compassionate and nonviolent toward all creatures.
Cultivate devotion and reduce selfish desire; then practice conscious non-harm through speech, actions, and choices that respect all beings, regardless of their social position.