tam - him (the saintly person); natvā - after offering obeisances unto; abhyarcya - and worshiping; vidhi-vat - in terms of the rules and regulations of etiquette; pādayoḥ - the lotus feet of the saintly person; śirasā - with the head; spṛśan - touching; vivitsuḥ - desiring to know about him (the saintly person); idam - the following words; aprākṣīt - inquired; mahā-bhāgavataḥ - the very advanced devotee of the Lord; asuraḥ - although born in an asura family.

The advanced devotee Prahlāda Mahārāja duly worshiped and offered obeisances to the saintly person who had adopted a python’s means of livelihood. After thus worshiping the saintly person and touching his own head to the saint’s lotus feet, Prahlāda Mahārāja, in order to understand him, inquired very submissively as follows.