Text 17] What Prahlada Learned in the Womb 55

mam hi partha vyapdsritya
ye ’pi syuh papa-yonayah
striyo vaisyds tatha Sidrds
te "pi yanti param gatim

“‘O son of Prtha, those who take shelter in Me—though they be lowborn,
women, vaisyas [merchants] or sidras [workers]—can approach the
supreme destination.’ The word pdapa-yoni refers to those who are less
than Sddras, but even though a woman may not be pdpa-yoni, because of
being less intelligent she sometimes forgets devotional instructions. For
those who are strong enough, however, there is no question of forgetting.
Women are generally attached to material enjoyment, and because of this
tendency they sometimes forget devotional instructions. But if even a
woman practices devotional service strictly, according to the rules and
regulations, the statement by the Lord Himself that she can return to
Godhead (te ‘pi yanti param gatim) is not at all astonishing. One must
take shelter of the Lord and rigidly follow the rules and regulations.
Then, regardless of what one is, one will return home, back to Godhead.
Prahlada Maharaja’s mother was more concerned with protecting the
child in the womb and was very anxious to see her husband return.

Therefore she could not consider very seriously the sublime instructions
of Narada Muni.

TEXT 17

waaay are ae ARTA Ta: |
Janet at: Tala: PararAat a TAT 112011

bhavatam api bhityan me
yadi Sraddadhate vacah

vaisaradi dhih sraddhatah
stri-balandm ca me yatha

bhavatam—of yourselves; api—also; bhiiyat—it may be; me—of
me; yadi—if; Sraddadhate—you believe in; vacah—the words;
vaisdradi—of the most expert, or in relation with the Supreme Lord;
