Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 50
Prahlāda Rejects Demonic Diplomacy and Proclaims Navadhā Bhakti
इमं तु पाशैर्वरुणस्य बद्ध्वा निधेहि भीतो न पलायते यथा । बुद्धिश्च पुंसो वयसार्यसेवया यावद्गुरुर्भार्गव आगमिष्यति ॥ ५० ॥
imaṁ tu pāśair varuṇasya baddhvā nidhehi bhīto na palāyate yathā buddhiś ca puṁso vayasārya-sevayā yāvad gurur bhārgava āgamiṣyati
Bis zur Rückkehr unseres spirituellen Meisters Sukracarya, fessle dieses Kind mit den Seilen von Varuna, damit es nicht aus Angst flieht. Mit dem Alter und dem Dienst am Meister wird sich seine Intelligenz ändern.
FAQs
This verse shows Hiraṇyakaśipu ordering Prahlāda to be bound and restrained, trying to “correct” him through fear and external discipline—highlighting the futile attempt to suppress genuine bhakti.
Hiraṇyakaśipu feared Prahlāda would continue spreading devotion and might escape; he therefore commanded confinement with “Varuṇa-pāśa,” a traditional image of strong binding, until Śukrācārya returned.
External control and fear may restrain behavior temporarily, but real transformation comes from inner conviction and right association; the Bhagavatam contrasts coercion with genuine spiritual awakening.