FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.4.33

नोद्विग्नचित्तो व्यसनेषु नि:स्पृह: श्रुतेषु द‍ृष्टेषु गुणेष्ववस्तुद‍ृक् । दान्तेन्द्रियप्राणशरीरधी: सदा प्रशान्तकामो रहितासुरोऽसुर: ॥ ३३ ॥
nodvigna-citto vyasaneṣu niḥspṛhaḥ
[nodvigna-chitto vyasaneshu nihsprihah]
śruteṣu dṛṣṭeṣu guṇeṣv avastu-dṛk
[shruteshu drishteshu guneshv avastu-drik]
dāntendriya-prāṇa-śarīra-dhīḥ sadā
[daantendriya-praana-shareera-dheeh sadaa]
praśānta-kāmo rahitāsuro ’suraḥ
[prashaanta-kaamo rahitaasuro ’surah]
Word-for-word
na — not udvigna — agitated cittaḥ — whose consciousness vyasaneṣu — in dangerous conditions niḥspṛhaḥ — without desire śruteṣu — in things heard of (especially elevation to heavenly planets because of pious activities) dṛṣṭeṣu — as well as in temporal things seen guṇeṣu — the objects of sense gratification under the modes of material nature avastu-dṛk — seeing as if insubstantial dānta — controlling indriya — the senses prāṇa — the living force śarīra — the body dhīḥ — and intelligence sadā — always praśānta — quieted kāmaḥ — whose material desires rahita — completely devoid of asuraḥ — demoniac nature asuraḥ — although born in a demoniac family.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
nodvigna-citto vyasaneṣu niḥspṛhaḥ
na
not
śruteṣu dṛṣṭeṣu guṇeṣv avastu-dṛk
udvigna
agitated
cittaḥ
whose consciousness
vyasaneṣu
in dangerous conditions
niḥspṛhaḥ
without desire
śruteṣu
in things heard of (especially elevation to heavenly planets because of pious activities)
dṛṣṭeṣu
as well as in temporal things seen
guṇeṣu
the objects of sense gratification under the modes of material nature
avastu-dṛk
seeing as if insubstantial
dāntendriya-prāṇa-śarīra-dhīḥ sadā
dānta
controlling
indriya
the senses
prāṇa
the living force
śarīra
the body
dhīḥ
and intelligence
sadā
always
praśānta-kāmo rahitāsuro ’suraḥ
praśānta
quieted
kāmaḥ
whose material desires
rahita
completely devoid of
asuraḥ
demoniac nature
asuraḥ
although born in a demoniac family.
Although Prahlāda Mahārāja was born in a family of asuras, he himself was not an asura but a great devotee of Lord Viṣṇu. Unlike the other asuras, he was never envious of Vaiṣṇavas. He was not agitated when put into danger, and he was neither directly nor indirectly interested in the fruitive activities described in the Vedas. Indeed, he considered everything material to be useless, and therefore he was completely devoid of material desires. He always controlled his senses and life air, and being of steady intelligence and determination, he subdued all lusty desires.
Purport

From this verse we discover that a man is not qualified or disqualified simply by birth. Prahlāda Mahārāja was an asura by birth, yet he possessed all the qualities of a perfect brāhmaṇa ( brahmaṇyaḥ śīla-sampannaḥ ). Anyone can become a fully qualified brāhmaṇa under the direction of a spiritual master. Prahlāda Mahārāja provided a vivid example of how to think of the spiritual master and accept his directions calmly.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
His mind was not agitated by calamities. He was without desire on hearing or seeing sense objects. He saw the world as unsubstantial. He controlled his senses, life airs, body and intelligence. Desire was always subdued. Though born in a family of demons, he did not have the nature of a demon. He has devoid of demonic qualities, such as envy.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Born to a demon, Prahlada was not himself a demon — he was a great devotee, unagitated by danger, uninterested in fruitive activity, free from material desire. Birth does not determine spiritual capacity; sincerity does. Anyone, anywhere, can become a qualified brahmana.
Reflection Questions
  • What in your birth or background do you cite as a limit that Prahlada's example dissolves?
  • Whose unlikely sanctity in your life proves the same point?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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