FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.4.35

यं साधुगाथासदसि रिपवोऽपि सुरा नृप । प्रतिमानं प्रकुर्वन्ति किमुतान्ये भवाद‍ृशा: ॥ ३५ ॥
yaṁ sādhu-gāthā-sadasi
[yam saadhu-gaathaa-sadasi]
ripavo ’pi surā nṛpa
[ripavo ’pi suraa nripa]
pratimānaṁ prakurvanti
[pratimaanam prakurvanti]
kim utānye bhavādṛśāḥ
[kim utaanye bhavaadrishaah]
Word-for-word
yam — whom sādhu-gāthā-sadasi — in an assembly where saintly persons gather or exalted characteristics are discussed ripavaḥ — persons who were supposed to have been Prahlāda Mahārāja’s enemies (even such a devotee as Prahlāda Mahārāja had enemies, including even his own father) api — even surāḥ — the demigods (the demigods are enemies of the demons, and since Prahlāda Mahārāja was born in a family of demons, the demigods should have been his enemies) nṛpa — O King Yudhiṣṭhira pratimānam — a substantial example of the best among the devotees prakurvanti — they make kim uta — what to speak of anye — others bhavādṛśāḥ — exalted personalities such as yourself.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
yaṁ sādhu-gāthā-sadasi
yam
whom
sādhu-gāthā-sadasi
in an assembly where saintly persons gather or exalted characteristics are discussed
ripavo ’pi surā nṛpa
ripavaḥ
persons who were supposed to have been Prahlāda Mahārāja’s enemies (even such a devotee as Prahlāda Mahārāja had enemies, including even his own father)
api
even
surāḥ
the demigods (the demigods are enemies of the demons, and since Prahlāda Mahārāja was born in a family of demons, the demigods should have been his enemies)
nṛpa
O King Yudhiṣṭhira
pratimānaṁ prakurvanti
pratimānam
a substantial example of the best among the devotees
prakurvanti
they make
kim utānye bhavādṛśāḥ
kim uta
what to speak of
anye
others
bhavādṛśāḥ
exalted personalities such as yourself.
In any assembly where there are discourses about saints and devotees, O King Yudhiṣṭhira, even the enemies of the demons, namely the demigods, what to speak of you, would cite Prahlāda Mahārāja as an example of a great devotee.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
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.”
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
In any assembly discussing saints, even the demigods — enemies of the demons — cite Prahlada. A demon's son becomes the universal example of devotion. The Lord makes paragons out of unlikely soil to encourage everyone.
Reflection Questions
  • Whose 'unlikely' devotion in your circle deserves to be cited more often as an example?
  • Where is your own unlikely beginning actually qualifying you to encourage others?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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