Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 7 Chapter 4:33-46

Book 7: Chapter 4

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 7: Chapter 4: Verses 33-46 Hiranyakasipu's atrocities and Prahrada's virtues recounted Always unperturbed at heart in the midst of calamities, he had no craving for sense, objects seen or heard of, since he looked upon them as unreal. He had not only controlled his senses, breath, body and intellect, but he had thoroughly conquered his desires (too); though a demon (by birth), he had relinquished the characteristics of a demon. The qualities of exalted souls (present) in him, O king (Yudhisthira), are constantly imbibed by the wise and are not obscured even now (at this distant date), any more than the excellences present in the Lord. Even gods, his enemies, O king, treat him as a model (of virtue) in their assemblies holding discourses on the lives of pious souls ! What wonder, then, that others, like you should do it ? It is futile (indeed) to recount his excellences which are innumerable. The greatness of Prahrada, in whom could be seen a natural affinity for Lord Vasudeva, is (only) hinted at (in the following words). Having laid aside playthings even as a child, Prahrada, who looked like a dunce by reason of his mind being (fully) absorbed in the Lord, and whose soul was possessed by Lord Sri Krsna as though by some spirit, did not view the world as such (as it appears to worldly men, but as full of Sri Krsna). Sitting or walking, eating or drinking, lying down or speaking, he was never conscious of these acts, finding himself constantly folded in the arms of Lord Govinda (the Protector of cows). Now he would cry (in agony at the suddendisappearance of the Lord), his mind overwhelmed with the thought of Lord Visnu; now (when the Lord appeared again) he laughed and full of delight at His thought he would now sing His praises at the pitch of his voice. Now he shrieked with open throat and now he would dance casting all bashfulness to the winds (as it were). Now imagining himself to be (none else than) the Lord and completely merged in Him, he imitated His doings. Enraptured by the thought of having become one with Him, he would now sit mute with the hair on his body standing erect and his half-closed eyes brimful with tears of joy brought by constant love. By devoted service to the lotus-feet of the Lord of excellent renown, obtained as a reward of the fellowship of devotees claiming nothing as their own, he not only brought supreme felicity to himself but also soothed the mind of others (other Daitya boys who were his fellow-students), miserable through evil inclination (attachment to the pleasures of sense). It was such an illustrious and high-souled son, a great devotee of the Lord, O Yudhisthira, that Hiranyakasipu sought to harm. Yudhisthira submitted : O celestial sage of excellent vows, we are anxious to know from you wherefore Hiranyakasipu (Prahrada's father) actually inflicted suffering on his innocent and righteous son (Prahrada). Fathers fond of their sons do admonish their refractory sons in order to correct them; but In no case do they persecute them as an enemy would. Much less would they oppress obedient and pious sons like Prahrada, who look upon their father as a deity. (Pray,) remove this curiosity of ours, O holy one, as to how the hatred of the father for his son was directed towards the latter's death, my lord ! Thus ends the fourth discourse forming part of the narrative of Prahrada, in Book Seven of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.