Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 54
Prahlāda Rejects Material Boons; Forgives His Father; Tripura and the Power of Remembrance
स निर्माय पुरस्तिस्रो हैमीरौप्यायसीर्विभु: । दुर्लक्ष्यापायसंयोगा दुर्वितर्क्यपरिच्छदा: ॥ ५४ ॥ ताभिस्तेऽसुरसेनान्यो लोकांस्त्रीन् सेश्वरान्नृप । स्मरन्तो नाशयां चक्रु: पूर्ववैरमलक्षिता: ॥ ५५ ॥
sa nirmāya puras tisro haimī-raupyāyasīr vibhuḥ durlakṣyāpāya-saṁyogā durvitarkya-paricchadāḥ
Maya Dānava, the great leader of the demons, prepared three invisible residences and gave them to the demons. These dwellings resembled airplanes made of gold, silver and iron, and they contained uncommon paraphernalia. My dear King Yudhiṣṭhira, because of these three dwellings the commanders of the demons remained invisible to the demigods. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the demons, remembering their former enmity, began to vanquish the three worlds — the upper, middle and lower planetary systems.
FAQs
This verse shows demoniac māyā as engineered deception—structures and movements that are “difficult to perceive” and “beyond calculation,” meant to confuse and overpower others.
Śukadeva describes a powerful being—Māyā Dānava—constructing three aerial cities made of gold, silver, and iron for the asuras.
Recognize that not everything is logically traceable; cultivate steadiness, avoid panic, and take shelter of dharma and devotion rather than being ruled by appearances.