Shloka 15
Maitreya’s Inquiry into Prahlāda: The Logic of Bhakti’s Invincibility
प्रहरन्ति महात्मानो विपक्षे चापि नेदृशे गुणैः समन्विते साधौ किं पुनर् यः स्वपक्षजः
praharanti mahātmāno vipakṣe cāpi nedṛśe guṇaiḥ samanvite sādhau kiṃ punar yaḥ svapakṣajaḥ
Ang mga dakilang-loob ay hindi nananakit kahit sa kalaban kung siya’y taong matuwid at hitik sa kabutihan; lalo na kung siya’y kabilang sa sariling panig.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Speaker: Maitreya
Topic: Ethical paradox: why would anyone strike a virtuous person, especially one of their own party/kin
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: probing, reflective
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.
Phase: Persecution
Bhakti Quality: sādhutva and guṇa-sampatti (virtue-endowed saintliness)
FAQs
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.
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.
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.