Shloka 27
प्रह्लादचरितम् (हिरण्यकशिपोः स्वर्गापहरणं, प्रह्लादस्य विष्णुभक्तिः, उपदेशः)
निष्क्राम्यताम् अयं दुष्टः शास्यतां च गुरोर् गृहे योजितो दुर्मतिः केन विपक्षवितथस्तुतौ
niṣkrāmyatām ayaṃ duṣṭaḥ śāsyatāṃ ca guror gṛhe yojito durmatiḥ kena vipakṣavitathastutau
“Let this wicked man be driven out; let him be sent to be disciplined in the house of a preceptor. By whom was this evil-minded one enlisted in the false praise of an enemy faction—this deceitful eulogy that undermines rightful order?”
A king or senior royal authority within the dynasty narrative (reported by Sage Parāśara in dialogue to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Escalation of Hiraṇyakaśipu’s measures against Prahlāda.
Teaching: Historical
Quality: revealing
Concept: Speech that flatters adharma (‘vipakṣa-vitatha-stuti’) is condemned; the text contrasts truthful dharmic speech with partisan deceit.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Avoid propaganda and dishonest praise that undermines dharma; practice satya and discernment in public speech.
Vishishtadvaita: Implicit: dharma is upheld by alignment with the Lord’s order; deviation is not merely social but a turning away from the divine governor.
Phase: Persecution
Bhakti Quality: Steadfastness under coercion; refusal to adopt partisan, adharma-aligned speech.
FAQs
This verse treats guru-kula discipline as corrective reform: wrongdoing is not only punished but redirected through instruction, aligning personal conduct with dharma and social order.
Through reported royal speech, Parāśara highlights how factional manipulation—such as false praise of an opposing party—erodes legitimate authority and must be checked to protect dharma.
Even in political episodes, the Purana’s underlying premise is that stable kingship and truthful counsel uphold dharma, which ultimately rests on Vishnu as the supreme ground of cosmic order.