Shloka 20
प्रह्मादेन द्वतं राज्यं महेन्द्रस्य महात्मन: । शीलमाश्रित्य दैत्येन त्रैलोक्यं च वशे कृतम्,दैत्यराज प्रह्मादने शीलका ही आश्रय लेकर महामना महेन्द्रका राज्य हर लिया और तीनों लोकोंको भी अपने वशमें कर लिया
prahlādena hṛtaṃ rājyaṃ mahendrasya mahātmanaḥ | śīlam āśritya daityena trailokyaṃ ca vaśe kṛtam ||
Ghaṭayāṭra said: ‘By relying upon his good conduct and disciplined character, the Daitya Prahlāda seized the sovereignty of the great-souled Mahendra (Indra) and brought the three worlds under his control.’
घतयाट्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the potency of śīla (character and disciplined conduct) as a source of authority and influence. It also invites reflection on ethical ambiguity: virtue can empower, but the ends to which it is applied—such as conquest—must be judged within dharma.
The speaker states that Prahlāda, a Daitya, relied on his exemplary conduct to overpower Mahendra (Indra), taking his kingdom and subjugating the three worlds—depicting a reversal of cosmic political order achieved through personal merit.