Shloka 8
Prahlāda Rejects Demonic Diplomacy and Proclaims Navadhā Bhakti
गृहमानीतमाहूय प्रह्रादं दैत्ययाजका: । प्रशस्य श्लक्ष्णया वाचा समपृच्छन्त सामभि: ॥ ८ ॥
gṛham ānītam āhūya prahrādaṁ daitya-yājakāḥ praśasya ślakṣṇayā vācā samapṛcchanta sāmabhiḥ
हिरण्यकशिपूचे सेवक प्रह्लादाला गुरुकुलात परत आणताच, दैत्यांचे पुरोहित शंड व अमर्क यांनी त्याला शांत केले. मृदू वाणीने, स्नेहयुक्त शब्दांनी त्याची प्रशंसा करून ते त्याला असे विचारू लागले.
Ṣaṇḍa and Amarka, the priests of the demons, were eager to know from Prahlāda Mahārāja who the Vaiṣṇavas were that came to instruct him in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Their purpose was to discover the names of these Vaiṣṇavas. In the beginning they did not threaten the boy because when threatened he might not identify the real culprits. Therefore they very mildly and peacefully inquired as follows.
FAQs
It describes the demoniac priests/teachers calling Prahlāda forward, praising him, and then questioning him with soft, diplomatic words to steer him.
They used sāma (conciliation) to influence Prahlāda—trying to draw out what he had learned and redirect him without open confrontation.
It highlights that persuasion can come through flattery and “smooth talk”; a devotee or sincere student should stay grounded in truth and not be swayed by manipulative praise.