Shloka 5
Prahlāda Instructs the Sons of Demons: Begin Bhakti from Childhood; Household Attachment as Bondage; Nārāyaṇa as the All-Pervading Supersoul
ततो यतेत कुशल: क्षेमाय भवमाश्रित: । शरीरं पौरुषं यावन्न विपद्येत पुष्कलम् ॥ ५ ॥
tato yateta kuśalaḥ kṣemāya bhavam āśritaḥ śarīraṁ pauruṣaṁ yāvan na vipadyeta puṣkalam
ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಭವಸಂಸಾರದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದರೂ ವಿವೇಕಿಯು ಪರಮ ಕ್ಷೇಮಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಯತ್ನಿಸಬೇಕು—ದೇಹ ಬಲಿಷ್ಠವಾಗಿರುವವರೆಗೆ, ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯ ಕುಗ್ಗದವರೆಗೆ॥೫॥
As stated by Prahlāda Mahārāja at the beginning of this chapter, kaumāra ācaret prājñaḥ. The word prājña refers to one who is experienced and who can distinguish right from wrong. Such a person should not waste his energy and valuable human lifetime simply working like a cat or dog to develop his economic condition.
FAQs
It teaches that while one still has a functioning human body, one should urgently strive for the highest welfare—freedom from material existence and attainment of spiritual safety.
Prahlāda was educating the sons of demons, who were being trained in materialistic politics, to instead prioritize liberation and devotion before the body and life are lost.
Use the limited span of health and time to practice bhakti, self-discipline, and spiritual study now—rather than postponing spiritual life until old age or crisis.