Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 23
Prahlāda’s Prayers Pacify Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva
Prahlāda-stuti and the Lord’s Benediction Offer
दृष्टा मया दिवि विभोऽखिलधिष्ण्यपाना- मायु: श्रियो विभव इच्छति याञ्जनोऽयम् । येऽस्मत्पितु: कुपितहासविजृम्भितभ्रू- विस्फूर्जितेन लुलिता: स तु ते निरस्त: ॥ २३ ॥
dṛṣṭā mayā divi vibho ’khila-dhiṣṇya-pānām āyuḥ śriyo vibhava icchati yāñ jano ’yam ye ’smat pituḥ kupita-hāsa-vijṛmbhita-bhrū- visphūrjitena lulitāḥ sa tu te nirastaḥ
Lạy Đấng Tối Thượng, con đã thấy tuổi thọ dài lâu, phú quý, vinh hiển và hưởng lạc ở các cõi trời mà người đời ham muốn, qua hành vi của cha con. Khi cha con nổi giận cười nhạo, chỉ một cái nhíu mày cũng khiến chư thiên tan tác; vậy mà chính kẻ hùng mạnh ấy đã bị Ngài khuất phục trong khoảnh khắc.
Within this material world, one should understand by practical experience the value of material opulence, longevity and influence. We have actual experience that even on this planet there have been many great politicians and military commanders like Napoleon, Hitler, Shubhash Chandra Bose and Gandhi, but as soon as their lives were finished, their popularity, influence and everything else were finished also. Prahlāda Mahārāja formerly gathered the same experience by seeing the activities of Hiraṇyakaśipu, his great father. Therefore Prahlāda Mahārāja did not give any importance to anything in this material world. No one can maintain his body or material achievements forever. A Vaiṣṇava can understand that nothing within this material world, not even that which is powerful, opulent or influential, can endure. At any time such things may be vanquished. And who can vanquish them? The Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore one should conclusively understand that no one is greater than the Supreme Great. Since the Supreme Great demands, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja, every intelligent man must agree to this proposal. One must surrender unto the Lord to be saved from the wheel of repeated birth, death, old age and disease.
FAQs
It shows that even in heaven people seek long life, beauty, wealth, and power, but these gains are unstable—God can remove even the highest celestial positions.
He contrasts demonic intimidation and temporary celestial status with the Supreme Lord’s ultimate authority, highlighting that only the Lord is truly sovereign.
It encourages detachment from status and material success and strengthens faith that devotion and surrender to God are more reliable than any worldly or “heavenly” achievement.