Shloka 53

Prahlāda Rejects Demonic Diplomacy and Proclaims Navadhā Bhakti

Devanagari script

यथा त्रिवर्गं गुरुभिरात्मने उपशिक्षितम् । न साधु मेने तच्छिक्षां द्वन्द्वारामोपवर्णिताम् ॥ ५३ ॥

Transliteration

yathā tri-vargaṁ gurubhir ātmane upaśikṣitam na sādhu mene tac-chikṣāṁ dvandvārāmopavarṇitām

Translation

গুৰুসকলে প্ৰহ্লাদক ধৰ্ম-অৰ্থ-কাম নামৰ ত্ৰিবৰ্গ শিকালে; কিন্তু প্ৰহ্লাদে সেই শিক্ষা শ্ৰেয় বুলি নমানিলে, কিয়নো ই দ্বন্দ্বময় সংসাৰ-ব্যৱহাৰৰ ওপৰত আধাৰিত আৰু জন্ম-মৃত্যু-জৰা-ব্যাধিৰ বন্ধনত পেলায়।

Synonyms

• यथा: as/just as
• यथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमान/प्रकारवाचक (as/just as)

• त्रि-वर्गम्: the three aims (trivarga)
• त्रि-वर्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (‘त्रयाणां वर्गः’ = threefold set: dharma-artha-kāma)

• गुरुभिः: by the teachers
• गुरुभिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd/instrumental), बहुवचन

• आत्मने: for himself
• आत्मने: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; चतुर्थी (4th/dative), एकवचन; आत्मने = ‘for himself’

• उपशिक्षितम्: taught
• उपशिक्षितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-शिक्ष् (धातु; √शिक्ष् with upa-)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘taught/instructed’ (agreeing with त्रिवर्गम्)

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation particle)

• साधु: good/proper
• साधु: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: साधु (अव्यय/विशेषण-प्राय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रशंसावाचक/रीतिवाचक (well/properly)

• मेने: he considered/thought
• मेने: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √मन् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• तत्-शिक्षाम्: that instruction
• तत्-शिक्षाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + शिक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सर्वनाम-पूर्वपद)

• द्वन्द्व-आराम-उपवर्णिताम्: described by one delighting in dualities
• द्वन्द्व-आराम-उपवर्णिताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वन्द्व (प्रातिपदिक) + आराम (प्रातिपदिक) + उपवर्णित (कृदन्त; उप-√वर्ण् (धातु) क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘द्वन्द्वेषु आरामः यस्य’ इति बहुव्रीहिः (द्वन्द्वाराम) + उपवर्णित (ktā); समस्तपदं तत्पुरुष-प्रायः (द्वन्द्वारामेण उपवर्णिता) शिक्षा-विशेषणम्

Purport

The entire world is interested in the materialistic way of life. Indeed, practically 99.9 percent of the people in the three worlds are uninterested in liberation or spiritual education. Only the devotees of the Lord, headed by such great personalities as Prahlāda Mahārāja and Nārada Muni, are interested in the real education of spiritual life. One cannot understand the principles of religion while staying on the material platform. Therefore one must follow these great personalities. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.3.20):

Characters & Entities

• Prahlāda Mahārāja
• Hiraṇyakaśipu
• Śaṇḍa
• Amarka

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about dharma, artha, and kama (trivarga)?

This verse shows Prahlāda rejecting trivarga-centered education as insufficient, because it keeps one absorbed in duality rather than in devotion to the Supreme Lord.

Why did Prahlada Maharaja reject the teachings of his teachers?

Prahlāda saw that their instruction promoted worldly goals and attachment to dualistic thinking, which conflicts with pure bhakti and the ultimate welfare of the soul.

How can I apply Prahlada’s teaching about duality in modern life?

Prioritize devotional remembrance and service to God over status, profit, and pleasure, and practice steadiness amid success and failure by anchoring life in spiritual purpose.