Srimad-Bhagavatam: Canto 8 - Chapter 1 - Verse 2
Sanskrit:
श्रीभगवानुवाचवचस्तवैतज्जनदेव सूनृतंकुलोचितं धर्मयुतं यशस्करम् ।यस्य प्रमाणं भृगव: साम्परायेपितामह: कुलवृद्ध: प्रशान्त: ॥ २ ॥
ITRANS:
śrī-bhagavān uvācavacas tavaitaj jana-deva sūnṛtaṁkulocitaṁ dharma-yutaṁ yaśas-karamyasya pramāṇaṁ bhṛgavaḥ sāmparāyepitāmahaḥ kula-vṛddhaḥ praśāntaḥ
Translation:
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O King, you are indeed exalted because your present advisors are the brāhmaṇas who are descendants of Bhṛgu and because your instructor for your future life is your grandfather, the peaceful and venerable Prahlāda Mahārāja. Your statements are very true, and they completely agree with religious etiquette. They are in keeping with the behavior of your family, and they enhance your reputation.
Purport:
Prahlāda Mahārāja is a vivid example of a pure devotee. Someone might argue that since Prahlāda Mahārāja, even though very old, was attached to his family, and specifically to his grandson Bali Mahārāja, how could he be an ideal example? Therefore this verse uses the word praśāntaḥ. A devotee is always sober. He is never disturbed by any conditions. Even if a devotee remains in gṛhastha life and does not renounce material possessions, he should still be understood to be praśānta, sober, because of his pure devotion to the Lord. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu therefore said: “Whether one is a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī or a śūdra — regardless of what he is — he can become a spiritual master if he knows the science of Kṛṣṇa.” (Cc. Madhya 8.128) Anyone completely aware of the science of Kṛṣṇa, regardless of his status in life, is a guru. Thus Prahlāda Mahārāja is a guru in all circumstances. Here His Lordship Vāmanadeva also teaches sannyāsīs and brahmacārīs that one should not ask more than necessary. He wanted only three paces of land, although Bali Mahārāja wanted to give Him anything He wanted.