Shloka 51
Prahlāda Rejects Demonic Diplomacy and Proclaims Navadhā Bhakti
तथेति गुरुपुत्रोक्तमनुज्ञायेदमब्रवीत् । धर्मो ह्यस्योपदेष्टव्यो राज्ञां यो गृहमेधिनाम् ॥ ५१ ॥
tatheti guru-putroktam anujñāyedam abravīt dharmo hy asyopadeṣṭavyo rājñāṁ yo gṛha-medhinām
ಗುರುಪುತ್ರರಾದ ಶಂಡ ಮತ್ತು ಅಮರ್ಕರ ಮಾತುಗಳನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿ ಹಿರಣ್ಯಕಶಿಪು ‘ಹಾಗೆಯೇ’ ಎಂದು ಅನುಮತಿಸಿ—ರಾಜಗೃಹಸ್ಥರು ಅನುಸರಿಸುವ ಗೃಹಮೇಧಿ ಧರ್ಮವನ್ನು ಪ್ರಹ್ಲಾದನಿಗೆ ಉಪದೇಶಿಸಿರಿ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು।
Hiraṇyakaśipu wanted Prahlāda Mahārāja to be trained as a diplomatic king in ruling the kingdom, the country or the world, but not to be advised about renunciation or the renounced order of life. The word dharma here does not refer to some religious faith. As clearly stated, dharmo hy asyopadeṣṭavyo rājñāṁ yo gṛha-medhinām. There are two kinds of royal families — one whose members are simply attached to household life and the other consisting of rājarṣis, kings who govern with ruling power but are as good as great saints. Prahlāda Mahārāja wanted to become a rājarṣi, whereas Hiraṇyakaśipu wanted him to become a king attached to sense enjoyment ( gṛha-medhinām ). Therefore in the Āryan system there is varṇāśrama-dharma, by which everyone should be educated according to his position in society’s division of varṇa ( brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra ) and āśrama ( brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa ).
FAQs
This verse indicates that there is a specific code of dharma taught for rulers—guidance suited to those managing worldly responsibilities and governance.
The verse frames the instruction as the kind typically given to kings and worldly-minded householders, contrasting external social duties with the deeper devotional teachings Prahlāda embodies in the chapter.
It reminds readers that teachings should match one’s role and mindset—leaders need principled governance, while seekers should also look beyond mere worldly success toward higher spiritual purpose.