Shloka 40
विषप्रयोगः कृत्योत्पादनं च (प्रह्लादस्य अवध्यता, कृत्याविनाशः, पुरोहितानां रक्षणम्)
तेष्व् अहं मित्रपक्षे च समः पापो ऽस्मि न क्वचित् यथा तेनाद्य सत्येन जीवन्त्व् असुरयाजकाः
teṣv ahaṃ mitrapakṣe ca samaḥ pāpo 'smi na kvacit yathā tenādya satyena jīvantv asurayājakāḥ
Among them—even standing on the side of my friends—I remain impartial; I am in no way at fault. Therefore, by this truth spoken today, let those who offer sacrifices to the Asuras live.
Likely Indra (or a Deva leader) speaking within the Deva–Asura conflict narrative, as recounted by Sage Parāśara to Maitreya
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Account of Prahlada’s steadfast devotion and the failure of hostile rites against him.
Teaching: Devotional
Quality: authoritative
Concept: Satyavāk (truthful speech) joined with inner equanimity becomes a protective force that can avert harm even toward opponents.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Practice truthfulness without partisan malice—use speech to de-escalate and protect life rather than to triumph over rivals.
Vishishtadvaita: Bhakti expresses itself as dharmic virtues (satya, dayā) grounded in the Lord’s order; devotion does not license cruelty but aligns conduct with divine governance.
Phase: Divine-protection
Bhakti Quality: Satya (truthfulness) and unwavering Vishnu-bhakti that nullifies hostile rites without retaliation.
Vishnu Form: Hari
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
Truth is presented as an operative spiritual power: a truthful declaration itself becomes a protective force capable of granting life and safety.
The speaker claims even-handedness despite being aligned with “friends,” highlighting dharma as neutrality toward justice rather than mere factional loyalty.
Even when Vishnu is not named, the verse reflects a Vishnu Purana hallmark: cosmic order is upheld through dharma—here expressed as satya—under the supreme sovereignty that ultimately belongs to Vishnu.