Shloka 16
दैतेया दानवा वत्सं प्रह्लादमसुरर्षभम् । विधायादूदुहन् क्षीरमय:पात्रे सुरासवम् ॥ १६ ॥
daiteyā dānavā vatsaṁ prahlādam asurarṣabham vidhāyādūduhan kṣīram ayaḥ-pātre surāsavam
The sons of Diti—the Daityas and Dānavas—made Prahlāda, the foremost among the asuras, the calf, and they milked from the earth various intoxicants (surā and āsava) into an iron vessel.
The demons also have their own types of beverages in the form of liquors and beers, just as the demigods use soma-rasa for their drinking purposes. The demons born of Diti take great pleasure in drinking wine and beer. Even today people of demoniac nature are very much addicted to liquor and beer. The name of Prahlāda Mahārāja is very significant in this connection. Because Prahlāda Mahārāja was born in a family of demons, as the son of Hiraṇyakaśipu, by his mercy the demons were and still are able to have their drinks in the form of wine and beer. The word ayaḥ (iron) is very significant. Whereas the nectarean soma was put in a golden pot, the liquors and beers were put in an iron pot. Because the liquor and beer are inferior, they are placed in an iron pot, and because soma-rasa is superior, it is placed in a golden pot.
FAQs
In Canto 4, Chapter 18, various groups approach Bhū-devī and, using a chosen 'calf' and 'vessel,' draw from her different products—showing that nature yields according to one’s desires and consciousness.
Prahlāda is described as the foremost among asuras; by making him the calf, the text highlights his prominence even in that community, while contrasting his saintly nature with what they chose to extract.
One receives from the world according to one’s aims: if desires are tamasic, the outcome is degrading; if desires are sattvic and devotional, the outcome becomes uplifting—so refine intent and seek higher nourishment.