Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 44
Prahlāda’s Prayers Pacify Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva
Prahlāda-stuti and the Lord’s Benediction Offer
प्रायेण देव मुनय: स्वविमुक्तिकामा मौनं चरन्ति विजने न परार्थनिष्ठा: । नैतान्विहाय कृपणान्विमुमुक्ष एको नान्यं त्वदस्य शरणं भ्रमतोऽनुपश्ये ॥ ४४ ॥
prāyeṇa deva munayaḥ sva-vimukti-kāmā maunaṁ caranti vijane na parārtha-niṣṭhāḥ naitān vihāya kṛpaṇān vimumukṣa eko nānyaṁ tvad asya śaraṇaṁ bhramato ’nupaśye
Wahai Tuhan, kebanyakan para muni menginginkan pembebasan diri; mereka mengamalkan mauna-vrata di tempat sunyi dan tidak teguh untuk kesejahteraan orang lain. Namun aku tidak mahu bebas seorang diri dengan meninggalkan orang-orang malang ini; bagi jiwa yang mengembara, aku tidak melihat perlindungan selain naungan kaki teratai-Mu.
This is the decision of the Vaiṣṇava, the pure devotee of the Lord. For himself he has no problems, even if he has to stay in this material world, because his only business is to remain in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The Kṛṣṇa conscious person can go even to hell and still be happy. Therefore Prahlāda Mahārāja said, naivodvije para duratyaya-vaitaraṇyāḥ: “O best of the great personalities, I am not at all afraid of material existence.” The pure devotee is never unhappy in any condition of life. This is confirmed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.17.28) :
FAQs
This verse contrasts self-focused liberation with a devotee’s compassion: Prahlāda says he does not want liberation alone while leaving suffering souls behind, and that only the Lord is true shelter.
After being protected from Hiraṇyakaśipu, Prahlāda offers prayers showing pure devotion: he asks not for personal liberation, but for the welfare of all conditioned souls, taking refuge only in the Lord.
Practice bhakti without selfish motives and extend spiritual care to others—through kindness, sharing wisdom, and helping people find genuine refuge in God rather than only pursuing personal peace.