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
ഹേ ദൈത്യേന്ദ്ര പ്രഹ്ലാദാ! എന്നോടുള്ള ഭക്തിഭാവത്തിൽ നിലകൊള്ളുന്ന എന്റെ ഭക്തൻ ഏതൊരു ജീവിസമൂഹത്തെയും ഒരിക്കലും ഹിംസിക്കുകയില്ല. ഉയർച്ച-താഴ്ച ഭേദം കാണുകയില്ല; ആരോടും അസൂയ പുലർത്തുകയുമില്ല।
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.