Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 25

Prahlāda Rejects Demonic Diplomacy and Proclaims Navadhā Bhakti

Devanagari script

निशम्यैतत्सुतवचो हिरण्यकशिपुस्तदा । गुरुपुत्रमुवाचेदं रुषा प्रस्फुरिताधर: ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

niśamyaitat suta-vaco hiraṇyakaśipus tadā guru-putram uvācedaṁ ruṣā prasphuritādharaḥ

Translation

After hearing these words of devotional service from the mouth of his son Prahlāda, Hiraṇyakaśipu was extremely angry. His lips trembling, he spoke as follows to Ṣaṇḍa, the son of his guru, Śukrācārya.

Synonyms

• niśamya: having heard
• niśamya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-śam (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), from √śam ‘to hear/notice’ with prefix ni-, ‘having heard’

• etat: this
• etat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; demonstrative ‘this’

• suta-vacaḥ: the son’s words
• suta-vacaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suta (प्रातिपदिक) + vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘the son’s words/speech’

• hiraṇyakaśipuḥ: Hiraṇyakaśipu
• hiraṇyakaśipuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hiraṇyakaśipu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb of time (कालवाचक-अव्यय)

• guru-putram: the teacher’s son
• guru-putram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक) + putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘the teacher’s son’

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• idam: this
• idam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; ‘this’ (statement)

• ruṣā: with anger
• ruṣā: Karaṇa (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ruṣ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd), Singular; ‘with anger’

• prasphurita-adharaḥ: (he) with quivering lips
• prasphurita-adharaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prasphurita (कृदन्त; pra-√sphur) + adhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular; बहुव्रीहि: ‘he whose lip(s) were quivering’ (prasphurita-adhara)

Characters & Entities

• Hiraṇyakaśipu
• Prahlāda
• Guru-putra (son of the teacher, i.e., Śaṇḍa/Amarka’s representative)

FAQs

Why does Hiranyakashipu become angry after hearing Prahlada’s words in Srimad Bhagavatam 7.5.25?

Because Prahlāda’s speech reflects devotion to Viṣṇu and rejection of asuric values, which directly threatens Hiraṇyakaśipu’s anti-Viṣṇu pride and control.

Who is the ‘guru-putra’ addressed by Hiranyakashipu in Bhagavatam 7.5.25?

He is the son/representative of Prahlāda’s teachers (Śaṇḍa and Amarka), whom Hiraṇyakaśipu questions for failing to shape Prahlāda’s mindset.

What is a practical lesson from Bhagavatam 7.5.25 for modern life?

Steady bhakti may face opposition from ego-driven authority; the verse teaches composure in devotion and awareness that truth can unsettle those attached to power.