Copyright (c) The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
| Canto 7: The Science of God | Chapter 7: What Prahlada Learned in the Womb |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 7.7.16
stritvan matus tirodadhe
rsinanugrhitam mam
SYNONYMS
tat -- that (instruction on religion and knowledge); tu -- indeed; kalasya -- of time; dirghatvat -- because of the longness; stritvat -- because of being a woman; matuh -- of my mother; tirodadhe -- disappeared; rsina -- by the sage; anugrhitam -- being blessed; mam -- me; na -- not; adhuna -- today; api -- even; ajahat -- left; smrtih -- the memory (of Narada Muni's instructions).
TRANSLATION
Because of the long duration of time that has passed and because of her being a woman and therefore less intelligent, my mother has forgotten all those instructions; but the great sage Narada blessed me, and therefore I could not forget them.
PURPORT
In Bhagavad-gita (9.32) the Lord says:
striyo vaisyas tatha sudras
"O son of Prtha, those who take shelter in Me -- though they be lowborn, women, vaisyas [merchants] or sudras [workers] -- can approach the supreme destination." The word papa-yoni refers to those who are less than sudras, but even though a woman may not be papa-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.
Copyright (c) The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness