Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 46
Prahlāda Rejects Demonic Diplomacy and Proclaims Navadhā Bhakti
वर्तमानोऽविदूरे वै बालोऽप्यजडधीरयम् । न विस्मरति मेऽनार्यं शुन: शेप इव प्रभु: ॥ ४६ ॥
vartamāno ’vidūre vai bālo ’py ajaḍa-dhīr ayam na vismarati me ’nāryaṁ śunaḥ śepa iva prabhuḥ
Walaupun dia sangat dekat dengan saya dan hanyalah seorang kanak-kanak, dia berada dalam keadaan tanpa rasa takut sepenuhnya. Dia menyerupai ekor anjing yang melengkung, kerana dia tidak pernah melupakan Tuan Vishnu.
The word śunaḥ means “of a dog,” and śepa means “tail.” The example is ordinary. However one may try to straighten a dog’s tail, it is never straight but always curved. Śunaḥ śepa is also the name of the second son of Ajīgarta. He was sold to Hariścandra, but he later took shelter of Viśvāmitra, Hariścandra’s enemy, and never left his side.
FAQs
It portrays Prahlāda as a child yet firmly intelligent and unwavering—his steadiness threatens Hiraṇyakaśipu because Prahlāda will not abandon his devotion or forget his father’s wrongdoing.
He uses Śunaḥśepa as a remembered example connected with the Lord’s intervention, implying that divine protection and remembrance of injustice are real—and that Prahlāda’s case may similarly invoke the Lord.
It encourages steadiness: sincere devotion and clear intelligence need not be shaken by intimidation; one should remain consistent in dharma even when opposed.