Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 13
Prahlāda Rejects Demonic Diplomacy and Proclaims Navadhā Bhakti
स एष आत्मा स्वपरेत्यबुद्धिभि- र्दुरत्ययानुक्रमणो निरूप्यते । मुह्यन्ति यद्वर्त्मनि वेदवादिनो ब्रह्मादयो ह्येष भिनत्ति मे मतिम् ॥ १३ ॥
sa eṣa ātmā sva-parety abuddhibhir duratyayānukramaṇo nirūpyate muhyanti yad-vartmani veda-vādino brahmādayo hy eṣa bhinatti me matim
常以“敌”“友”分别者，不能了知自身之内的超灵。即便通晓吠陀的梵天等尊者，有时也会在奉爱之道上迷惘。正是那位造成此境的薄伽梵，赐我智慧，使我站在你们所谓“敌人”的一边。
Prahlāda Mahārāja admitted frankly, “My dear teachers, you wrongly think that Lord Viṣṇu is your enemy, but because He is favorable toward me, I understand that He is the friend of everyone. You may think that I have taken the side of your enemy, but factually He has bestowed a great favor upon me.”
FAQs
This verse says the Lord’s course is “duratyaya”—unfathomable—and even learned Vedic scholars and Brahmā can be bewildered about His path, so He is not fully grasped by intellectual or dualistic thinking.
Prahlada is stressing the Lord’s transcendence: even the greatest cosmic authority (Brahmā) cannot fully map the Lord’s ways, so one should rely on devotion and surrender rather than pride in learning.
Cultivate humility and bhakti: accept that God’s plans may surpass logic, avoid harsh “mine vs theirs” mentality, and seek clarity through sincere devotion, prayer, and scriptural hearing.