Srimad Bhagavatam 07.13.46 - Swanlike Devotees (download mp3)
by Radha Gopinath Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net
SB 7.13.46
sri-narada uvaca
dharmam paramahamsyam vai
muneh srutvasuresvarah
pujayitva tatah prita
amantrya prayayau grham
Translation:
Narada Muni continued: After Prahlada Maharaja, the King of the demons, heard these instructions from the saint, he understood the occupational duties of a perfect person [paramahamsa]. Thus he duly worshiped the saint, took his permission and then left for his own home.
Purport:
As quoted in Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 8.128), Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said:
kiba vipra, kiba nyasi, sudra kene naya
yei krsna-tattva-vetta sei 'guru' haya
A guru, or spiritual master, can be anyone who is well conversant with the science of Krsna. Therefore although Prahlada Maharaja was a grhastha ruling over the demons, he was a paramahamsa, the best of human beings, and thus he is our guru. In the list of gurus, or authorities, Prahlada Maharaja's name is therefore mentioned:
svayambhur naradah sambhuh
kumarah kapilo manuh
prahlado janako bhismo
balir vaiyasakir vayam
The conclusion is that a paramahamsa is an exalted devotee (bhagavat-priya). Such a paramahamsa may be in any stage of life—brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha or sannyasa—and be equally liberated and exalted.
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Seventh Canto, Thirteenth Chapter, of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, entitled "The Behavior of a Perfect Person."
