Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 20
Prahlāda Rejects Material Boons; Forgives His Father; Tripura and the Power of Remembrance
सर्वात्मना न हिंसन्ति भूतग्रामेषु किञ्चन । उच्चावचेषु दैत्येन्द्र मद्भावविगतस्पृहा: ॥ २० ॥
sarvātmanā na hiṁsanti bhūta-grāmeṣu kiñcana uccāvaceṣu daityendra mad-bhāva-vigata-spṛhāḥ
ಹೇ ದೈತ್ಯೇಂದ್ರ ಪ್ರಹ್ಲಾದ! ನನ್ನ ಭಕ್ತಿಭಾವದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಥಿತನಾದ ನನ್ನ ಭಕ್ತನು ಯಾವುದೇ ಜೀವಸಮೂಹವನ್ನು ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಹಿಂಸಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವನು ಉಚ್ಚ-ನೀಚ ಭೇದವನ್ನೂ ನೋಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ; ಯಾರ ಮೇಲೂ ಅಸೂಯೆಪಡದು।
FAQs
In this verse, Prahlada explains that devotees absorbed in the Lord and free from material craving do not harm any living being—high or low—showing ahimsa as a natural outcome of bhakti.
Prahlada was instructing the demoniac community on saintly conduct; he emphasizes that genuine devotion transforms character, making one compassionate and nonviolent toward all creatures.
Cultivate devotion and reduce selfish desire; then practice conscious non-harm through speech, actions, and choices that respect all beings, regardless of their social position.