Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 11
Prahlāda Rejects Demonic Diplomacy and Proclaims Navadhā Bhakti
श्रीप्रह्राद उवाच पर: स्वश्चेत्यसद्ग्राह: पुंसां यन्मायया कृत: । विमोहितधियां दृष्टस्तस्मै भगवते नम: ॥ ११ ॥
śrī-prahrāda uvāca paraḥ svaś cety asad-grāhaḥ puṁsāṁ yan-māyayā kṛtaḥ vimohita-dhiyāṁ dṛṣṭas tasmai bhagavate namaḥ
Prahlāda Mahārāja 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.
As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (5.18) :
FAQs
Prahlāda explains that the sense of “other” and “my own” is a false grasp produced by the Lord’s māyā, perceived by deluded intelligence; devotion begins by offering oneself to the Supreme beyond this duality.
Prahlāda was instructing his schoolmates among the asuras, correcting their materialistic outlook by showing that divisive identification is māyā and that one should worship the Supreme Lord.
Notice possessiveness and “us vs them” thinking as a product of delusion, reduce ego-based ownership, and anchor daily choices in devotion and service to Bhagavān rather than in rivalry and attachment.