Shloka 18

प्रह्लादचरितम् (हिरण्यकशिपोः स्वर्गापहरणं, प्रह्लादस्य विष्णुभक्तिः, उपदेशः)

Devanagari script

दैत्येश्वर न कोपस्य वशम् आगन्तुम् अर्हसि ममोपदेशजनितं नायं वदति ते सुतः

Transliteration

daityeśvara na kopasya vaśam āgantum arhasi mamopadeśajanitaṃ nāyaṃ vadati te sutaḥ

Translation

O lord of the Daityas, you should not fall under the sway of anger. Your son does not speak this of his own accord; these words arise from the instruction I have given him.

Word by Word

• दैत्य-ईश्वर: O lord of the Daityas
• दैत्य-ईश्वर: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैत्य (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (दैत्यानाम् ईश्वरः)

• न: not
• न: Negation (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-पार्टिकल (negation)

• कोपस्य: of anger
• कोपस्य: Sambandha (Possessor/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वशम्: control/sway
• वशम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आगन्तुम्: to come (under)
• आगन्तुम्: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ-√गम् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive)

• अर्हसि: you ought / you are fit
• अर्हसि: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अर्ह् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन

• मम: my
• मम: Sambandha (Possessor/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उपदेश-जनितम्: produced by instruction
• उपदेश-जनितम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपदेश (प्रातिपदिक) + जनित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (उपदेशेन जनितम्)

• न: not
• न: Negation (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-पार्टिकल

• अयम्: this (one)
• अयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वदति: speaks/says
• वदति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वद् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• ते: your
• ते: Sambandha (Possessor/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सुतः: son
• सुतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

An unnamed preceptor/teacher addressing the Daitya-king (likely Hiranyakashipu in the Prahlada narrative context)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Anger is unfit for a ruler; discernment is required before blaming the innocent, for speech may arise from instruction rather than malice.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Practice krodha-nigraha: pause before reacting, verify causes, and protect the vulnerable from scapegoating.

Vishishtadvaita: Ethics is grounded in devotion-protecting dharma; the Lord’s order is upheld through restraint and justice.

Prahlada Narrative

Phase: Persecution

Bhakti Quality: Truthfulness and steadiness despite attributing speech to instruction

Characters & Entities

• Daitya-king (Daityeśvara)
• Son (sutaḥ)

FAQs

What is the significance of anger-control in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse frames anger (kopa) as a force that enslaves even rulers; restraint is presented as a prerequisite for right judgment and dharmic order.

How does the text present the power of instruction (upadeśa) in shaping a disciple?

The speaker emphasizes that the son’s words are not impulsive but born of teaching, highlighting the Purana’s theme that right knowledge can redirect character and destiny.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu here, even though not named?

The verse supports a central Vaishnava premise: true counsel aligns the mind away from passion and toward the higher, Vishnu-centered order of reality and dharma.