Shloka 21
Prahlāda Rejects Demonic Diplomacy and Proclaims Navadhā Bhakti
आरोप्याङ्कमवघ्राय मूर्धन्यश्रुकलाम्बुभि: । आसिञ्चन् विकसद्वक्त्रमिदमाह युधिष्ठिर ॥ २१ ॥
āropyāṅkam avaghrāya mūrdhany aśru-kalāmbubhiḥ āsiñcan vikasad-vaktram idam āha yudhiṣṭhira
Nārada Muni poursuivit : ô roi Yudhiṣṭhira, Hiraṇyakaśipu fit asseoir Prahlāda sur ses genoux et respira le parfum de sa tête. Des larmes d’affection, glissant de ses yeux, mouillaient le visage souriant de l’enfant, puis il parla ainsi à son fils.
If a child or disciple falls at the feet of the father or spiritual master, the superior responds by smelling the head of the subordinate.
FAQs
This verse shows devotional tenderness through Yudhiṣṭhira’s affectionate embrace and tears—natural signs of deep love, compassion, and purity of heart.
Śukadeva describes Yudhiṣṭhira’s loving, overwhelmed response—his face brightening and tears flowing—before he speaks, highlighting the depth of his affectionate, dharmic nature in the narrative.
It teaches that genuine spiritual character expresses itself through empathy, warmth, and heartfelt emotion—especially when meeting or caring for devotees and loved ones.