Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 20
Prahlāda Rejects Material Boons; Forgives His Father; Tripura and the Power of Remembrance
सर्वात्मना न हिंसन्ति भूतग्रामेषु किञ्चन । उच्चावचेषु दैत्येन्द्र मद्भावविगतस्पृहा: ॥ २० ॥
sarvātmanā na hiṁsanti bhūta-grāmeṣu kiñcana uccāvaceṣu daityendra mad-bhāva-vigata-spṛhāḥ
हे दैत्येन्द्र प्रह्लाद! मद्भावेन विगतस्पृहाः मद्भक्ताः सर्वात्मना भूतग्रामेषु किञ्चन न हिंसन्ति; उच्चावचेषु भेदं न पश्यन्ति, न च कस्यचित् ईर्ष्यां कुर्वन्ति।
FAQs
In this verse, Prahlada explains that devotees absorbed in the Lord and free from material craving do not harm any living being—high or low—showing ahimsa as a natural outcome of bhakti.
Prahlada was instructing the demoniac community on saintly conduct; he emphasizes that genuine devotion transforms character, making one compassionate and nonviolent toward all creatures.
Cultivate devotion and reduce selfish desire; then practice conscious non-harm through speech, actions, and choices that respect all beings, regardless of their social position.