Shloka 15

Maitreya’s Inquiry into Prahlāda: The Logic of Bhakti’s Invincibility

Devanagari script

प्रहरन्ति महात्मानो विपक्षे चापि नेदृशे गुणैः समन्विते साधौ किं पुनर् यः स्वपक्षजः

Transliteration

praharanti mahātmāno vipakṣe cāpi nedṛśe guṇaiḥ samanvite sādhau kiṃ punar yaḥ svapakṣajaḥ

Translation

Великодушные не поражают даже противника, если он праведник, украшенный добродетелями; тем более не причинят вреда тому, кто принадлежит к их стороне.

Word by Word

प्रहरन्तिthey strike, attack

महात्मानःgreat-souled ones

विपक्षेagainst an opponent

चand

अपिeven, also

नnot

ईदृशेsuch (as this)

गुणैःwith virtues

समन्वितेendowed (with)

साधौin/against a good man

किम्what then, how much more

पुनःthen, moreover

यःwho (he who)

स्वपक्षजःborn of one’s own side (an ally/kinsman)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Maitreya

Topic: Ethical paradox: why would anyone strike a virtuous person, especially one of their own party/kin

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: probing, reflective

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: True greatness (mahātmatā) expresses as restraint: one should not harm a virtuous person—even an opponent—much less a member of one’s own side.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Adopt ahiṃsā and restraint in speech/action, especially within family or ideological groups, where harm is easiest to justify.

Vishishtadvaita: Dharma is grounded in recognizing all beings as belonging to Bhagavān (śeṣa-śeṣi-bhāva); harming the virtuous violates the Lord’s order and the community of His dependents.

Prahlada Narrative

Phase: Persecution

Bhakti Quality: sādhutva and guṇa-sampatti (virtue-endowed saintliness)

FAQs

What is the significance of restraint toward enemies in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse frames true greatness as self-control: even in opposition, a virtuous person is not to be harmed, revealing dharma as higher than mere factional victory.

How does Sage Parāśara explain righteous conduct in dynastic episodes?

Parāśara uses genealogical storytelling to teach standards of kingship and character, presenting ethical maxims—like non-injury toward the righteous—as the measure of noble rule.

The theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Though Vishnu is not named here, the ethic reflects Vishnu Purana’s core idea that dharma sustains cosmic order under Vishnu’s sovereignty; righteous action aligns society with that divine order.