Text 18] Prahlada Instructs His Demoniac Schoolmates 23

philosophers and scientists are all engaged in foolish activities, thinking,
“This is mine, and this is yours.” The scientists invent nuclear weapons
and collaborate with the big leaders to protect the interests of their own
nation or society. In this verse, however, it is clearly stated that despite
their so-called advanced knowledge, they actually have the same men-
tality as cats and dogs. As cats, dogs and other animals, not knowing their
true interest in life, become increasingly involved in ignorance, the so-
called educated person who does not know his own self-interest or the
true goal of life becomes increasingly involved in materialism. Therefore
Prahlada Maharaja advises everyone to follow the principles of var-
nasrama-dharma. Specifically, at a certain point one must give up family
life and take to the renounced order of life to cultivate spiritual knowl-
edge and thus become liberated. This is further discussed in the follow-
ing verses.

TEXTS 17-18

Tal TBA H A HAT TA

ata: GARAAS AA: |
faafad 9 aacat = fer-

ateratt aharet FAT: 120
aa fiquq after zen

aay ag frat |
sta aT e aa

He TwMaAReaswaT: 12H!

yato na kascit kva ca kutracid va
dinah svam atmanam alam samarthah
vimocitum kama-drsam vihara-

krida-mrgo yan-nigado visargah

tato vidiirat parihrtya daitya
daityesu sarigam visayatmakesu
upeta narayanam ddi-devam
sa mukta-sangair isito ‘pavargah
