Shloka 35
Prahlāda Rejects Demonic Diplomacy and Proclaims Navadhā Bhakti
अयं मे भ्रातृहा सोऽयं हित्वा स्वान् सुहृदोऽधम: । पितृव्यहन्तु: पादौ यो विष्णोर्दासवदर्चति ॥ ३५ ॥
ayaṁ me bhrātṛ-hā so ’yaṁ hitvā svān suhṛdo ’dhamaḥ pitṛvya-hantuḥ pādau yo viṣṇor dāsavad arcati
Ce garçon, Prahlāda, est le meurtrier de mon frère, car il a abandonné sa famille pour servir l'ennemi, Viṣṇu, comme un valet.
Hiraṇyakaśipu considered his son Prahlāda Mahārāja to be the killer of his brother because Prahlāda Mahārāja was engaged in the devotional service of Lord Viṣṇu. In other words, Prahlāda Mahārāja would be elevated to sārūpya liberation, and in that sense he resembled Lord Viṣṇu. Therefore Prahlāda was to be killed by Hiraṇyakaśipu. Devotees, Vaiṣṇavas, attain the liberations of sārūpya, sālokya, sārṣṭi and sāmīpya, whereas the Māyāvādīs are supposed to attain the liberation known as sāyujya. Sāyujya-mukti, however, is not very secure, whereas sārūpya-mukti, sālokya-mukti, sārṣṭi-mukti and sāmīpya-mukti are most certain. Although the servants of Lord Viṣṇu, Nārāyaṇa, in the Vaikuṇṭha planets are equally situated with the Lord, the devotees there know very well that the Lord is the master whereas they are servants.
FAQs
This verse shows how envy can distort vision—Hiraṇyakaśipu focuses on accusations and hatred, yet even he admits that Prahlāda worships Viṣṇu as a servant, highlighting the devotee’s steadfast bhakti amid hostility.
In Canto 7, Chapter 5, Hiraṇyakaśipu is enraged that his own son Prahlāda is devoted to Viṣṇu, the Lord he considers his enemy; he interprets Prahlāda’s devotion as betrayal and brands him with harsh accusations.
Like Prahlāda, one can continue sincere spiritual practice without becoming bitter—responding with steadiness and humility even when misunderstood or opposed.