Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 31
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 berbudaya seperti brāhmaṇa: berakhlak mulia, teguh pada kebenaran, serta menaklukkan indria dan batin. Laksana Paramātmā, ia welas asih kepada semua makhluk dan sahabat terkasih bagi semua. Kepada orang terhormat ia merendah seperti pelayan; kepada yang papa ia mengasihi seperti ayah; kepada yang setara ia lembut seperti saudara; dan kepada guru serta para pembimbing rohani ia memandang mereka setara dengan Tuhan. Ia bebas dari kesombongan yang timbul dari ilmu, rupa, kelahiran mulia, kekayaan, dan sebagainya.
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 lists saintly qualities such as truthfulness, sense-control, equal vision toward all beings, humility before the saintly, and fatherly compassion for the distressed—traits embodied by Prahlāda.
To contrast Hiraṇyakaśipu’s demoniac cruelty with Prahlāda’s devotion and saintliness, showing how bhakti produces the highest character even under persecution.
Practice truthfulness and self-restraint, cultivate equal respect for all beings, seek the company of saintly people with humility, and actively show compassion to those who are struggling.