Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 9
Prahlāda Rejects Demonic Diplomacy and Proclaims Navadhā Bhakti
वत्स प्रह्राद भद्रं ते सत्यं कथय मा मृषा । बालानति कुतस्तुभ्यमेष बुद्धिविपर्यय: ॥ ९ ॥
vatsa prahrāda bhadraṁ te satyaṁ kathaya mā mṛṣā bālān ati kutas tubhyam eṣa buddhi-viparyayaḥ
“Wahai anak Prahlāda, semoga sejahtera atasmu. Jangan berdusta; katakan yang benar. Budak-budak ini tidak seperti engkau; dari mana datangnya akal yang menyimpang ini? Siapa yang mengajar engkau begitu?”
Prahlāda Mahārāja was still a boy, and therefore his teachers thought that if they pacified the little boy he would immediately speak the truth, revealing the secret of how the Vaiṣṇavas came there to teach him lessons in devotional service. It was surprising, of course, that in the same school the other boys of the Daityas were not polluted; only Prahlāda Mahārāja was supposedly polluted by the instructions of the Vaiṣṇavas. The main duty of the teachers was to inquire who those Vaiṣṇavas were that came to teach Prahlāda and spoil his intelligence.
FAQs
This verse shows Hiraṇyakaśipu calling Prahlāda’s God-centered, devotional outlook a ‘reversal of intelligence,’ revealing how demoniac vision labels bhakti as abnormal.
Hiraṇyakaśipu suspects Prahlāda’s devotion came from some outside influence and demands an explanation, assuming the child’s spiritual conviction must be deception or manipulation.
Remain truthful and steady in your principles, and explain your source of conviction calmly—this verse highlights that sincere spirituality may be misunderstood by those opposed to it.