Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 45

Prahlāda Rejects Demonic Diplomacy and Proclaims Navadhā Bhakti

Devanagari script

एष मे बह्वसाधूक्तो वधोपायाश्च निर्मिता: । तैस्तैर्द्रोहैरसद्धर्मैर्मुक्त: स्वेनैव तेजसा ॥ ४५ ॥

Transliteration

eṣa me bahv-asādhūkto vadhopāyāś ca nirmitāḥ tais tair drohair asad-dharmair muktaḥ svenaiva tejasā

Translation

Hiraṇyakaśipu thought: “I have hurled many vile words at Prahlāda and devised many ways to kill him, yet by his own tejas he has slipped free of these treacheries and acts of adharma, untouched in the least.”

Synonyms

• eṣaḥ: This (boy)
• eṣaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• me: By me / My
• me: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• bahu-asādhu-uktaḥ: Addressed with many harsh/bad words
• bahu-asādhu-uktaḥ: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu-asādhu-ukta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• vadha-upāyāḥ: Means of killing
• vadha-upāyāḥ: Karma (Object/कर्म) in passive construction
• Type: Noun
• Root: vadha-upāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• ca: And
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• nirmitāḥ: Devised / Created
• nirmitāḥ: Kriya-visheshana or Predicate
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir-mā (धातु) -> nirmita (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past Passive Participle, Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• taiḥ: By those
• taiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• taiḥ: Various
• taiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (Repetition implies variety)

• drohaiḥ: Treacheries / Injuries
• drohaiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: droha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• asat-dharmaiḥ: By unrighteous means/acts
• asat-dharmaiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asat-dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• muktaḥ: Freed / Saved
• muktaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता) or Predicate
• Type: Adjective
• Root: muc (धातु) -> mukta (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past Passive Participle, Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• svena: By his own
• svena: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• eva: Indeed / Only
• eva: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (Emphasis)

• tejasā: By power/potency
• tejasā: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

Characters & Entities

• Hiraṇyakaśipu
• Prahlāda

FAQs

How does the Srimad Bhagavatam describe the protection of a pure devotee like Prahlada?

This verse shows that even when powerful enemies create many deadly plans through treachery and adharma, a devotee is saved—ultimately by spiritual potency rooted in devotion and the Lord’s protection.

Why did Hiranyakashipu say he had created many ways to kill Prahlada?

In the narrative of Canto 7, Hiranyakashipu is enraged by Prahlada’s unwavering devotion to Vishnu and repeatedly tries to destroy him; here he admits those schemes failed.

What is the practical lesson of this verse for modern life?

Steadfast devotion, integrity, and reliance on the Lord give inner strength to withstand hostility, injustice, and fear—without adopting irreligious means in return.