Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.13.21
श्रीब्राह्मण उवाच
वेदेदमसुरश्रेष्ठ भवान् नन्वार्यसम्मत: ।
ईहोपरमयोर्नृणां पदान्यध्यात्मचक्षुषा ॥ २१ ॥
śrī-brāhmaṇa uvāca
[shree-braahmana uvaacha]
vededam asura-śreṣṭha
[vededam asura-shreshtha]
bhavān nanv ārya-sammataḥ
[bhavaan nanv aarya-sammatah]
īhoparamayor nṝṇāṁ
[eehoparamayor nreenaam]
padāny adhyātma-cakṣuṣā
[padaany adhyaatma-chakshushaa]
Word-for-word
śrī-brāhmaṇaḥ uvāca
—
the brāhmaṇa replied
veda
—
know very well
idam
—
all these things
asura-śreṣṭha
—
O best of the asuras
bhavān
—
you
nanu
—
indeed
ārya-sammataḥ
—
whose activities are approved by civilized men
īhā
—
of inclination
uparamayoḥ
—
of decreasing
nṝṇām
—
of the people in general
padāni
—
different stages
adhyātma-cakṣuṣā
—
by transcendental eyes.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
śrī-brāhmaṇa uvāca
śrī-brāhmaṇaḥ uvāca
the brāhmaṇa replied
vededam asura-śreṣṭha
veda
know very well
idam
all these things
asura-śreṣṭha
O best of the asuras
bhavān nanv ārya-sammataḥ
bhavān
you
nanu
indeed
ārya-sammataḥ
whose activities are approved by civilized men
īhoparamayor nṝṇāṁ
īhā
of inclination
uparamayoḥ
of decreasing
nṝṇām
of the people in general
padāny adhyātma-cakṣuṣā
padāni
different stages
adhyātma-cakṣuṣā
by transcendental eyes.
The saintly brāhmaṇa said: O best of the asuras, Prahlāda Mahārāja, who are recognized by advanced and civilized men, you are aware of the different stages of life because of your inherent transcendental eyes, with which you can see a man’s character and thus know clearly the results of acceptance and rejection of things as they are.
Purport
A pure devotee like Prahlāda Mahārāja can understand the minds of others because of his pure vision in devotional service. A devotee like Prahlāda Mahārāja can study another man’s character without difficulty.
— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
The brāhmaṇa said: O best of the demons! Respected by the jñānīs, you are aware of this by your internal vision. You know the results of man’s action with and without desire.
By your inner vision (adhyāma-cakṣūṣā) you know this. What do I know? You know the results (sthānāni) of work with desire and with no desire (ihoparamayoḥ). If I did not realize the suffering of people who make themselves fat by endeavoring for enjoyment, I would make those endeavors. This is his indication.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
The saint says: O Prahlāda, you have transcendental eyes that read character — you can study minds without difficulty. A pure devotee perceives clearly through devotional vision. Devotion sharpens, not dulls, the eye.
Reflection Questions
- Where has devotional practice given you accurate intuition about people and situations?
- Where do you mistake speculation for the clear seeing devotion provides?
My note
Source: vedabase.io