Shloka 57
Prahlāda Rejects Demonic Diplomacy and Proclaims Navadhā Bhakti
ते तु तद्गौरवात्सर्वे त्यक्तक्रीडापरिच्छदा: । बाला अदूषितधियो द्वन्द्वारामेरितेहितै: ॥ ५६ ॥ पर्युपासत राजेन्द्र तन्न्यस्तहृदयेक्षणा: । तानाह करुणो मैत्रो महाभागवतोऽसुर: ॥ ५७ ॥
te tu tad-gauravāt sarve tyakta-krīḍā-paricchadāḥ bālā adūṣita-dhiyo dvandvārāmeritehitaiḥ
Прахлада, исполненный сострадания и дружелюбия,—хотя и родился в роду асуров, был великим бхагаватой,—желая им блага, обратился к ним и начал наставлять о тщетности материалистической жизни.
The words bālā adūṣita-dhiyaḥ indicate that the children, being of a tender age, were not as polluted by materialistic life as their fathers. Prahlāda Mahārāja, therefore, taking advantage of the innocence of his class friends, began teaching them about the importance of spiritual life and the insignificance of materialistic life. Although the teachers Ṣaṇḍa and Amarka were instructing all the boys in the materialistic life of religion, economic development and sense gratification, the boys were not much polluted. Therefore, with great attention they wanted to hear from Prahlāda Mahārāja about Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, the gurukula plays an extremely important part in our activities because right from childhood the boys at the gurukula are instructed about Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Thus they become steady within the cores of their hearts, and there is very little possibility that they will be conquered by the modes of material nature when they are older.
FAQs
This verse shows that children with unpolluted intelligence can naturally respond to devotional instruction when they respect a devotee like Prahlāda and hear beneficial words about the Lord.
They honored Prahlāda’s gravity and purity; that respect made them put aside games and become attentive to his spiritually beneficial teachings.
Like the boys who set aside play, intentionally pause entertainment and keep respectful attention when hearing or reading about Bhagavān, especially in the company of sincere devotees.