Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 21
Paramahaṁsa-Dharma: The Avadhūta-like Sannyāsī and Prahlāda’s Dialogue with the ‘Python’ Saint
श्रीब्राह्मण उवाच वेदेदमसुरश्रेष्ठ भवान् नन्वार्यसम्मत: । ईहोपरमयोर्नृणां पदान्यध्यात्मचक्षुषा ॥ २१ ॥
śrī-brāhmaṇa uvāca vededam asura-śreṣṭha bhavān nanv ārya-sammataḥ īhoparamayor nṝṇāṁ padāny adhyātma-cakṣuṣā
Brahmana suci berkata: Wahai Prahlāda, yang terbaik di kalangan asura dan diakui oleh orang beradab, dengan mata rohani tuan, tuan mengetahui dengan jelas tahap-tahap manusia—jalan berusaha dan jalan berhenti—serta akibat menerima atau menolak sesuatu sebagaimana adanya.
A pure devotee like Prahlāda Mahārāja can understand the minds of others because of his pure vision in devotional service. A devotee like Prahlāda Mahārāja can study another man’s character without difficulty.
FAQs
This verse urges one to use inner spiritual insight to understand the real position of human life—beyond mere activity or external renunciation—by seeing the truth of the self and life’s purpose.
He acknowledges the listener’s influence and intelligence, appealing to his reputation as 'ārya-sammata' (respected as cultured) so he will seriously consider spiritual discrimination between worldly striving and genuine renunciation.
Evaluate whether your efforts increase attachment and ego (īhā) or lead to clarity, detachment, and devotion (uparama), and make choices that strengthen inner discipline, truthfulness, and God-centered living.