Shloka 35
प्रह्लादस्य विष्णुमयता, विष्णोः दर्शनं, वरदानं, तथा चरितश्रवण-फलम्
एवंप्रभावो दैत्यो ऽसौ मैत्रेयासीन् महामतिः प्रह्लादो भगवद्भक्तो यं त्वं माम् अनुपृच्छसि
evaṃprabhāvo daityo 'sau maitreyāsīn mahāmatiḥ prahlādo bhagavadbhakto yaṃ tvaṃ mām anupṛcchasi
Tal fue, oh Maitreya, la grandeza de aquel Daitya: Prahlāda, de elevada alma, vasta inteligencia y devoto del Bienaventurado Señor, acerca de quien ahora me preguntas.
Sage Parāśara (addressing Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Prahlāda—his greatness and devotion despite being born among Daityas.
Teaching: Devotional
Quality: revealing
Concept: Bhagavad-bhakti can arise in any birth; Prahlāda’s greatness lies in unwavering devotion and spiritual intelligence.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Do not limit spiritual aspiration by background—commit to consistent devotion and study, and let character prove faith.
Vishishtadvaita: Devotion to the personal Lord is the accessible, defining means; grace and bhakti transcend social or ontological categories (deva/asura).
Phase: Teaching (Prahlada's schools)
Bhakti Quality: Model devotion (bhagavad-bhakta) combined with great intelligence and steadiness.
Vishnu Form: Vasudeva
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
This verse frames Prahlāda as “bhagavad-bhakta,” highlighting him as the exemplary devotee whose greatness is defined by devotion to Vishnu rather than by Daitya birth.
Parāśara directly tells Maitreya that Prahlāda was “mahāmatiḥ” (great-minded) and renowned for his extraordinary influence and character, setting up the forthcoming narrative explanation.
By identifying Prahlāda foremost as “bhagavad-bhakta,” the text centers Vishnu (Bhagavān) as the Supreme Reality and ultimate refuge, with devotion as the highest mark of spiritual greatness.