pratimānaṁ prakurvanti
yaṁ sādhu-gāthā-sadasi
ripavo 'pi surā nṛpa
pratimānaṁ prakurvanti
kim utānye bhavādṛśāḥ
O King! In devotees’ discourses, the enemies of the demons, namely the devatās, what to speak of person like you, would cite Prahlāda as an example of a great devotee.
Pratimānam means an example. In praising a devotee they would say, “This devotee is equal to Prahlāda.”
|| 7.4.36 ||
guṇair alam asaṅkhyeyair
māhātmyaṁ tasya sūcyate
vāsudeve bhagavati
yasya naisargikī ratiḥ
Who could list the innumerable qualities of Prahlāda Mahārāja! It is accurately said that his greatness was his natural attraction for Vāsudeva.
The number of qualities cannot be counted. Thus who can say enough? Who else could be so excellent? Let others have good qualities, but the cause of Prahlāda’s qualities was something else. What was that? They speak well of his greatness. What was that greatness? He had natural attraction for Vāsudeva. Or another meaning is “The greatness of Prahlāda who had natural attraction for Vāsudeva can only be slightly indicated since it is impossible to define fully.” The next verse says kṛṣṇa-graha-gṛhītātmā: he was as if haunted by Kṛṣṇa. Some say Vāsudeva means Nṛsiṁḥa. Others say Vāsudeva refers to Kṛṣṇa because in Prahlāda’s prayers in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa it is said āvirbabhūva bhagavān pītāmbaradharo hariḥ: the Lord wearing yellow cloth appeared. The next verse mentions Kṛṣṇa also: kṛṣṇa-graha-gṛhītātma. And also it is said later govinda-parirambhitaḥ: Prahlāda was embraced by Govinda. (SB 7.4.38) Others say that Prahlāda first had attraction for Vāsudeva and then later for Nṛsiṁha (when he appeared). It is mentioned in this verse that he had a natural attraction for Vāsudeva. His attraction did not develop by sādhana over many births as is the case with others.
|| 7.4.37 ||
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