Shloka 38
त्वय्य् अस्ति भगवान् विष्णुर् मयि चान्यत्र चास्ति सः यतस् ततो ऽयं मित्रं मे शत्रुश् चेति पृथक् कुतः
tvayy asti bhagavān viṣṇur mayi cānyatra cāsti saḥ yatas tato 'yaṃ mitraṃ me śatruś ceti pṛthak kutaḥ
The Blessed Lord Vishnu abides in you; He abides in me; and that very One abides everywhere else as well. If He is present in all, from where can the division arise—“this is my friend” and “that is my enemy”?.
Prahlada (teaching non-duality of vision grounded in Vishnu’s omnipresence)
Concept: Since Bhagavān Viṣṇu abides equally in oneself, the other, and everywhere, the notion of ‘mine’ and ‘other’ that fuels friend–enemy division is baseless.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Before judging others, recall the shared indwelling presence of Viṣṇu and respond from restraint and fairness.
Vishishtadvaita: Universal indwelling (antaryāmitva) supports ethical equality while preserving the Lord’s sovereignty over all.
Vishnu Form: Hari
Bhakti Type: Shanta
Antaryamin: Yes
FAQs
This verse teaches that Vishnu dwells in all beings, making social divisions like friend and enemy ultimately secondary to the one indwelling Lord.
By recognizing the same Vishnu in oneself, others, and everywhere, Prahlada removes the basis for hatred and replaces it with a unified, devotional vision.
Vishnu is presented as the Supreme Reality pervading all existence; devotion to Him naturally yields compassion and equanimity toward all beings.