# SB 7.13.23 > तृष्णया भववाहिन्या योग्यैः कामैरपूर्यया > कर्माणि कार्यमाणोऽहं नानायोनिषु योजितः ॥२३॥ ## Text > tathāpi brūmahe praśnāṁs > tava rājan yathā-śrutam > sambhāṣaṇīyo hi bhavān > ātmanaḥ śuddhim icchatā ## Synonyms *tathāpi*—still; *brūmahe*—I shall answer; *praśnān*—all the questions; *tava*—your; *rājan*—O King; *yathā-śrutam*—as I have learned by hearing from the authorities; *sambhāṣaṇīyaḥ*—fit for being addressed; *hi*—indeed; *bhavān*—you; *ātmanaḥ*—of the self; *śuddhim*—purification; *icchatā*—by one who desires. ## Translation **My dear King, although you know everything, you have posed some questions, which I shall try to answer according to what I have learned by hearing from authorities. I cannot remain silent in this regard, for a personality like you is just fit to be spoken to by one who desires self-purification.** ## Purport A saintly person doesn't wish to speak to anyone and everyone, and he is therefore grave and silent. Generally a common man does not need to be advised. Unless one is prepared to take instructions, it is said that a saintly person should not address him, although sometimes, because of great kindness, a saintly person speaks to ordinary men. As for Prahlāda Mahārāja, however, since he was not a common, ordinary man, whatever questions he posed would have to be answered, even by a great and exalted personality. Therefore the saintly *brāhmaṇa* did not remain silent, but began to answer. These answers, however, were not concocted by him. This is indicated by the words *yathā-śrutam,* meaning "as I have heard from the authorities." In the *paramparā* system, when the questions are bona fide the answers are bona fide. No one should attempt to create or manufacture answers. One must refer to the *śāstras* and give answers according to Vedic understanding. The words *yathā-śrutam* refer to Vedic knowledge. The *Vedas* are known as *śruti* because this knowledge is received from authorities. The statements of the *Vedas* are known as *śruti-pramāṇa.* One should quote evidence from the *śruti*—the *Vedas* or Vedic literature—and then one's statements will be correct. Otherwise one's words will proceed from mental concoction.