Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 32
Brahmā’s Boons, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Cosmic Tyranny, and Prahlāda’s Transcendental Qualities
ब्रह्मण्य: शीलसम्पन्न: सत्यसन्धो जितेन्द्रिय: । आत्मवत्सर्वभूतानामेकप्रियसुहृत्तम: । दासवत्सन्नतार्याङ्घ्रि: पितृवद्दीनवत्सल: ॥ ३१ ॥ भ्रातृवत्सदृशे स्निग्धो गुरुष्वीश्वरभावन: । विद्यार्थरूपजन्माढ्यो मानस्तम्भविवर्जित: ॥ ३२ ॥
brahmaṇyaḥ śīla-sampannaḥ satya-sandho jitendriyaḥ ātmavat sarva-bhūtānām eka-priya-suhṛttamaḥ
Prahlāda Mahārāja, fils d’Hiraṇyakaśipu, était doté d’une culture digne d’un brāhmaṇa : conduite irréprochable, fermeté dans la Vérité et maîtrise des sens et du mental. Tel le Paramātmā, il était compatissant envers tous les êtres et le meilleur ami de chacun. Devant les personnes respectables, il se faisait humble comme un serviteur; envers les pauvres, tendre comme un père; envers ses égaux, attaché comme un frère; et il tenait ses maîtres spirituels pour aussi vénérables que le Seigneur. Il était exempt de tout orgueil né de l’instruction, de la richesse, de la beauté ou de la naissance.
These are some of the qualifications of a Vaiṣṇava. A Vaiṣṇava is automatically a brāhmaṇa because a Vaiṣṇava has all the good qualities of a brāhmaṇa.
FAQs
This verse describes a devotee as truthful, self-controlled, compassionate to all beings, respectful to saints and teachers, and humble even when endowed with learning, wealth, beauty, and noble birth.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is describing Prahlāda Mahārāja to show that even in the house of a demon-king, a great bhakta can manifest the highest saintly virtues.
Practice truthfulness, regulate the senses, treat others with empathy, honor teachers and saintly people, and deliberately cultivate humility—especially when success or status increases.