Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 29
Prahlāda Instructs the Sons of Demons: Begin Bhakti from Childhood; Household Attachment as Bondage; Nārāyaṇa as the All-Pervading Supersoul
श्रीदैत्यपुत्रा ऊचु: प्रह्राद त्वं वयं चापि नर्तेऽन्यं विद्महे गुरुम् । एताभ्यां गुरुपुत्राभ्यां बालानामपि हीश्वरौ ॥ २९ ॥ बालस्यान्त:पुरस्थस्य महत्सङ्गो दुरन्वय: । छिन्धि न: संशयं सौम्य स्याच्चेद्विस्रम्भकारणम् ॥ ३० ॥
śrī-daitya-putrā ūcuḥ prahrāda tvaṁ vayaṁ cāpi narte ’nyaṁ vidmahe gurum etābhyāṁ guru-putrābhyāṁ bālānām api hīśvarau
ダイティヤの子らは言った。「親愛なるプラフラーダよ、シュクラーチャーリヤの子サンダとアマルカ以外に、私たちも君も他の師を知らない。私たちは子供で、彼らが私たちを統べるのだ。」
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Seventh Canto, Sixth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Prahlāda Instructs His Demoniac Schoolmates.”
FAQs
This verse shows the boys recognizing authority figures as “gurus,” setting the stage for Prahlāda to reveal that real guidance is that which leads one to devotion to the Supreme Lord, not merely social or institutional control.
They were confused by the conflicting teachings—Prahlāda’s bhakti-centered instructions versus the discipline of their appointed instructors (Śaṇḍa and Amarka)—and they appealed to Prahlāda as the only other “teacher” they trusted.
It encourages discernment: respect roles and institutions, but seek mentors whose guidance genuinely elevates character and devotion, rather than merely enforcing conformity.