Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, 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
Prahlāda berbudaya seperti brāhmaṇa: berakhlak mulia, teguh pada kebenaran, serta menguasai indria dan minda. Seperti Paramātmā, dia berbelas kasihan kepada semua makhluk dan sahabat paling dikasihi oleh semua. Kepada orang terhormat dia merendah seperti hamba; kepada yang miskin dia mengasihi seperti bapa; kepada yang setara dia mesra seperti saudara; dan kepada guru serta pembimbing rohani dia memandang mereka setara dengan Tuhan. Dia bebas daripada kesombongan yang timbul daripada ilmu, rupa, keturunan, kekayaan, dan seumpamanya.
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.