Shloka 34
प्रह्माद उवाच नासूयामि द्विजान् विप्र राजास्मीति कदाचन । काव्यानि वदतां तेषां संयच्छामि वहामि च,प्रह्नमादने कहा--विप्रवर! “मैं राजा हूँ” इस अभिमानमें आकर कभी ब्राह्मणोंकी निन्दा नहीं करता; बल्कि जब वे मुझे शुक्रनीतिका उपदेश करते हैं, तब मैं संयमपूर्वक उनकी बातें सुनता हूँ और उनकी आज्ञा शिरोधार्य करता हूँ
Prahlāda uvāca: nāsūyāmi dvijān vipra rājāsmīti kadācana | kāvyāni vadatāṁ teṣāṁ saṁyacchāmi vahāmi ca ||
Prahlāda said: “O best of brāhmaṇas, I never disparage the twice-born out of the pride, ‘I am a king.’ Rather, when they speak counsel on polity and right conduct, I restrain myself, listen with discipline, and bear their commands upon my head—accepting them with reverence.”
प्रह्माद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Royal power should be governed by humility and self-restraint: a king must not insult the learned (dvijas/brāhmaṇas) out of pride, but should listen to their ethical and political counsel and uphold it respectfully.
Prahlāda is describing his own conduct as a ruler: he rejects arrogance based on kingship and explains that when brāhmaṇas offer instruction (counsel on right conduct and governance), he controls himself, listens carefully, and accepts their guidance with reverence.