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TEXT 2
sri-bhagavan uvaca
vacas tavaitaj jana-deva sunrtam
kulocitam dharma-yutam yasas-karam
yasya pramanam bhrgavah samparaye
pitamahah kula-vrddhah prasantah
SYNONYMS
sri-bhagavan uvacathe Supreme Personality of Godhead said; vacahwords; tavayour; etatthis kind of; jana-devaO King of the people; su-nrtamvery true; kula-ucitamexactly befitting your dynasty; dharma-yutamcompletely in accord with the principles of religion; yasah-karamfit for spreading your reputation; yasyaof whom; pramanamthe evidence; bhrgavahthe brahmanas of the Bhrgu dynasty; samparayein the next world; pitamahahyour grandfather; kula-vrddhahthe oldest in the family; prasantahvery peaceful (Prahlada Maharaja).
TRANSLATION
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O King, you are indeed exalted because your present advisors are the brahmanas who are descendants of Bhrgu and because your instructor for your future life is your grandfather, the peaceful and venerable Prahlada Maharaja. Your statements are very true, and they completely agree with religious etiquette. They are in keeping with the behavior of your family, and they enhance your reputation.
PURPORT
Prahlada Maharaja is a vivid example of a pure devotee. Someone might argue that since Prahlada Maharaja, even though very old, was attached to his family, and specifically to his grandson Bali Maharaja, how could he be an ideal example? Therefore this verse uses the word prasantah. A devotee is always sober. He is never disturbed by any conditions. Even if a devotee remains in grhastha life and does not renounce material possessions, he should still be understood to be prasanta, sober, because of his pure devotion to the Lord. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore said:
Whether one is a brahmana, a sannyasi or a sudraregardless of what he ishe can become a spiritual master if he knows the science of Krsna. (Cc. Madhya 8.128) Anyone completely aware of the science of Krsna, regardless of his status in life, is a guru. Thus Prahlada Maharaja is a guru in all circumstances.
Here His Lordship Vamanadeva also teaches sannyasis and brahmacaris that one should not ask more than necessary. He wanted only three paces of land, although Bali Maharaja wanted to give Him anything He wanted.
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