Shloka 31
Brahmā’s Boons, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Cosmic Tyranny, and Prahlāda’s Transcendental Qualities
ब्रह्मण्य: शीलसम्पन्न: सत्यसन्धो जितेन्द्रिय: । आत्मवत्सर्वभूतानामेकप्रियसुहृत्तम: । दासवत्सन्नतार्याङ्घ्रि: पितृवद्दीनवत्सल: ॥ ३१ ॥ भ्रातृवत्सदृशे स्निग्धो गुरुष्वीश्वरभावन: । विद्यार्थरूपजन्माढ्यो मानस्तम्भविवर्जित: ॥ ३२ ॥
brahmaṇyaḥ śīla-sampannaḥ satya-sandho jitendriyaḥ ātmavat sarva-bhūtānām eka-priya-suhṛttamaḥ
प्रह्लाद ब्राह्मण्यभावाने संस्कारित, सुशील, सत्यनिष्ठ व इंद्रियजयी होता. परमात्म्यासारखा तो सर्व जीवांवर दयाळू आणि सर्वांचा प्रिय मित्र होता. मान्यवरांच्या चरणी दासासारखा नम्र, दीनांवर पित्याप्रमाणे वात्सल्यशील, समकक्षांवर भावासारखा स्नेही; गुरु, आचार्य व ज्येष्ठ वैष्णवांना तो ईश्वरतुल्य मानत असे. विद्या, रूप, जन्मकुळ, संपत्ती इत्यादींमुळे येणारा गर्व त्याच्यात मुळीच नव्हता।
These are some of the qualifications of a Vaiṣṇava. A Vaiṣṇava is automatically a brāhmaṇa because a Vaiṣṇava has all the good qualities of a brāhmaṇa.
FAQs
This verse lists saintly qualities such as truthfulness, sense-control, equal vision toward all beings, humility before the saintly, and fatherly compassion for the distressed—traits embodied by Prahlāda.
To contrast Hiraṇyakaśipu’s demoniac cruelty with Prahlāda’s devotion and saintliness, showing how bhakti produces the highest character even under persecution.
Practice truthfulness and self-restraint, cultivate equal respect for all beings, seek the company of saintly people with humility, and actively show compassion to those who are struggling.