Pure devotion to Krishna transcends age and learning; even a child can become the highest devotee by desiring nothing but Krishna's service.Listen — Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Pradyumna: Translation: "Nārada Muni continued: O King, although the exalted devotee Prahlāda Mahārāja was only a little boy, he accepted Lord Brahmā's words. He gradually proceeded toward Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva and fell down to offer his respectful obeisances with folded hands." Prabhupāda: tatheti śanakai rājan mahā-bhāgavato 'rbhakaḥ upetya bhuvi kāyena nanāma vidhṛtāñjaliḥ [SB 7.9.4] So Prahlāda Mahārāja is mahā-bhāgavata, not ordinary devotee. Arbhakaḥ. Arbhakaḥ means innocent child, five-years-old small boy.
But mahā-bhāgavata. Not that because he is boy... Ahaituky apratihatā [SB 1.2.6]. A small child can become mahā-bhāgavata, and a very learned scholar may become a demon.
Bhakti is so exalted that these are contradictory. Arbhakaḥ. Arbha means foolish or childish, but at the same time mahā-bhāgavata. It is possible.
Mahā-bhāgavata means... We must distinguish between different types of devotees: kaniṣṭha adhikārī, madhyama-adhikārī and mahā-bhāgavata, uttama adhikārī. Uttama-adhikārī. So this Prahlāda Mahārāja is mahā-bhāgavatam, mahā-bhāgavata, not because he is now five years old. No.
He was mahā-bhāgavata from the womb of his mother. When his mother was attacked by the demigods, arresting, and was being dragged by the devatas, Nārada Muni was passing there: "What you are doing?" And "She is the wife of Hiraṇyakaśipu, and she has got a child in the womb. So we want to kill that child also." Nārada Muni immediately asked them, "No, no, no, no. He's not ordinary child.
He's mahā-bhāgavata. So don't touch." So they agreed. Nārada Muni... This is devatā.
Although did some mistake, as soon as Nārada Muni ordered them that "Don't try to harm. He is mahā-bhāgavata," immediately... So Nārada Muni said, "My dear daughter, you come with me unless..., until your husband comes back." Hiraṇyakaśipu went to perform very severe austerities to defeat the demigods. This is demon's austerities.