FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.19.2

श्रीभगवानुवाच वचस्तवैतज्जनदेव सूनृतं कुलोचितं धर्मयुतं यशस्करम् । यस्य प्रमाणं भृगव: साम्पराये पितामह: कुलवृद्ध: प्रशान्त: ॥ २ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
[shree-bhagavaan uvaacha]
vacas tavaitaj jana-deva sūnṛtaṁ
[vachas tavaitaj jana-deva soonritam]
kulocitaṁ dharma-yutaṁ yaśas-karam
[kulochitam dharma-yutam yashas-karam]
yasya pramāṇaṁ bhṛgavaḥ sāmparāye
[yasya pramaanam bhrigavah saamparaaye]
pitāmahaḥ kula-vṛddhaḥ praśāntaḥ
[pitaamahah kula-vriddhah prashaantah]
śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Personality of Godhead said vacaḥ — words tava — your etat — this kind of jana-deva — O King of the people sū-nṛtam — very true kula-ucitam — exactly befitting your dynasty dharma-yutam — completely in accord with the principles of religion yaśaḥ-karam — fit for spreading your reputation yasya — of whom pramāṇam — the evidence bhṛgavaḥ — the brāhmaṇas of the Bhṛgu dynasty sāmparāye — in the next world pitāmahaḥ — your grandfather kula-vṛddhaḥ — the oldest in the family praśāntaḥ — very peaceful (Prahlāda Mahārāja).
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
the Supreme Personality of Godhead said
vacaḥ
words
vacas tavaitaj jana-deva sūnṛtaṁ
tava
your
etat
this kind of
jana-deva
O King of the people
sū-nṛtam
very true
kulocitaṁ dharma-yutaṁ yaśas-karam
kula-ucitam
exactly befitting your dynasty
dharma-yutam
completely in accord with the principles of religion
yaśaḥ-karam
fit for spreading your reputation
yasya pramāṇaṁ bhṛgavaḥ sāmparāye
yasya
of whom
pramāṇam
the evidence
bhṛgavaḥ
the brāhmaṇas of the Bhṛgu dynasty
sāmparāye
in the next world
pitāmahaḥ kula-vṛddhaḥ praśāntaḥ
pitāmahaḥ
your grandfather
kula-vṛddhaḥ
the oldest in the family
praśāntaḥ
very peaceful (Prahlāda Mahārāja).
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O King, you are indeed exalted because your present advisors are the brāhmaṇas who are descendants of Bhṛgu and because your instructor for your future life is your grandfather, the peaceful and venerable Prahlāda Mahārāja. 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.

Prahlāda Mahārāja is a vivid example of a pure devotee. Someone might argue that since Prahlāda Mahārāja, even though very old, was attached to his family, and specifically to his grandson Bali Mahārāja, how could he be an ideal example? Therefore this verse uses the word praśāntaḥ. A devotee is always sober. He is never disturbed by any conditions. Even if a devotee remains in gṛhastha life and does not renounce material possessions, he should still be understood to be praśānta, sober, because of his pure devotion to the Lord. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu therefore said:

kibā vipra, kibā nyāsī, śūdra kene naya yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, sei ‘guru’ haya

“Whether one is a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī or a śūdra — regardless of what he is — he can become a spiritual master if he knows the science of Kṛṣṇa.” (Cc. Madhya 8.128) Anyone completely aware of the science of Kṛṣṇa, regardless of his status in life, is a guru. Thus Prahlāda Mahārāja is a guru in all circumstances.

Here His Lordship Vāmanadeva also teaches sannyāsīs and brahmacārīs that one should not ask more than necessary. He wanted only three paces of land, although Bali Mahārāja wanted to give Him anything He wanted.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
The Lord said: The words you have spoken are true, worthy of your family, in accordance with dharma and worthy of fame. The proof of your dharma in this life is the Bhṛgu dynasty and the proof of dharma in afterlife is peaceful Prahlāda, your grandfather, who increased your dynasty. In sixteen verses Vāmana praises the donor, says he will be satisfied with only a little request, and gives instruction to those who beg but desire a lot. The Bhṛgu dynasty (the brāhmaṇas doing his sacrifices) is proof of your present dharma and Prahlāda is the proof of your dharma for afterlife.
You are exalted because your advisors are Bhṛgu's brāhmaṇas and your instructor is the peaceful Prahlāda. Even a 'demon king' is praised for good company and good teachers. Surroundings make the soul; the Lord notices the company we keep.
Reflection Questions
  • What 'advisors' shape my decisions, and would the Lord praise their influence?
  • Whose praśānta presence in my life elevates me above what I would be alone?
📝 My note

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