Shloka 17
Prahlāda Rejects Demonic Diplomacy and Proclaims Navadhā Bhakti
दैतेयचन्दनवने जातोऽयं कण्टकद्रुम: । यन्मूलोन्मूलपरशोर्विष्णोर्नालायितोऽर्भक: ॥ १७ ॥
daiteya-candana-vane jāto ’yaṁ kaṇṭaka-drumaḥ yan-mūlonmūla-paraśor viṣṇor nālāyito ’rbhakaḥ
ದೈತ್ಯರ ಚಂದನವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಪ್ರಹ್ಲಾದನು ಮುಳ್ಳುಮರದಂತೆ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಚಂದನ ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡಿಸಲು ಕೊಡಲಿ ಬೇಕು; ಆ ಕೊಡಲಿಯ ಹಿಡಿಗೆ ಮುಳ್ಳುಮರದ ಮರವೇ ತಕ್ಕದ್ದು. ದೈತ್ಯಕುಲದ ಚಂದನವನವನ್ನು ಕಡಿಸುವ ಕೊಡಲಿ ವಿಷ್ಣು; ಆ ಕೊಡಲಿಯ ಹಿಡಿ ಈ ಪ್ರಹ್ಲಾದನು.
Thorn trees generally grow in deserted places, not in sandalwood forests, but the seminal brāhmaṇas Ṣaṇḍa and Amarka compared the dynasty of the Daitya Hiraṇyakaśipu to a sandalwood forest and compared Prahlāda Mahārāja to a hard, strong thorn tree that could provide the handle of an axe. They compared Lord Viṣṇu to the axe itself. An axe alone cannot cut a thorn tree; it needs a handle, which may be made of the wood of a thorn tree. Thus the thorn tree of demoniac civilization can be cut to pieces by the axe of viṣṇu-bhakti, devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa. Some of the members of the demoniac civilization, like Prahlāda Mahārāja, may become the handle for the axe, to assist Lord Viṣṇu, and thus the entire forest of demoniac civilization can be cut to pieces.
FAQs
Hiraṇyakaśipu compares Prahlāda to a thorny tree born in a sandalwood forest, warning that the child’s devotion—expressed by calling out Viṣṇu’s name—will uproot the demoniac dynasty like an axe uproots a tree.
Because among the Daityas (likened to valuable sandalwood), Prahlāda’s pure devotion appears disruptive to their anti-Viṣṇu agenda; it “pricks” their plans and threatens their very foundation.
It teaches that sincere remembrance and chanting of God’s name can uproot deeply rooted harmful habits and environments, even when one is surrounded by opposing influences.