1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 7 · The Science of God · 15 chapters

123456789101112131415

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 7 · Chapter 5: Prahlāda Mahārāja, the Saintly Son of Hiraṇyakaśipu
7.5.357.5.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.5.36

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Prahlāda Mahārājasince 7.5.30inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

विष्णोर्वा साध्वसौ किं नु करिष्यत्यसमञ्जस: ।

सौहृदं दुस्त्यजं पित्रोरहाद्य: पञ्चहायन: ॥ ३६ ॥

viṣṇor vā sādhv asau kiṁ nu

kariṣyaty asamañjasaḥ

sauhṛdaṁ dustyajaṁ pitror

ahād yaḥ pañca-hāyanaḥ

Translation

Although Prahlāda is only five years old, even at this young age he has given up his affectionate relationship with his father and mother. Therefore, he is certainly untrustworthy. Indeed, it is not at all believable that he will behave well toward Viṣṇu.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotion Misjudged as Disloyalty

  1. 1

    Prahlāda was only five years old when his father made this accusation.

  2. 2

    Hiraṇyakaśipu claimed that Prahlāda had given up affection for his father and mother. He therefore called the boy untrustworthy.

  3. 3

    Hiraṇyakaśipu even doubted that Prahlāda would behave well toward Viṣṇu. This expresses his suspicion, not a proven fault in Prahlāda’s devotion.

How it feels

Threat → Steady faith. A vulnerable child remains inwardly unshaken.

Chapters 5–7 of Canto 7: Prahlāda refuses to abandon his devotion. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 5: Prahlāda Mahārāja, the Saintly Son of Hiraṇyakaśipu

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

They taught him to the best of their ability and then brought him before his father. Hiraṇyakaśipu affectionately took his son Prahlāda on his lap and then inquired from him what the best thing was that he had learned from his teachers.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. viṣṇoḥunto Viṣṇu
  2. vāeither
  3. sādhugood
  4. asauthis
  5. kimwhether
  6. nuindeed
  7. kariṣyatiwill do
  8. asamañjasaḥnot trustworthy
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 7.5

    In this verse: “mother”, “father”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 7.5

    In this verse: “devotion”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I sometimes mistake someone’s different spiritual commitment for a lack of affection?

Practice

Before judging someone’s loyalty today, distinguish what they have actually done from what you suspect.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotion Misjudged as DisloyaltyThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 7.5.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories