Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 19
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Wrath, the Assault on Vedic Culture, and the Boy-Yamarāja’s Teaching on the Soul
शकुनिं शम्बरं धृष्टिं भूतसन्तापनं वृकम् । कालनाभं महानाभं हरिश्मश्रुमथोत्कचम् ॥ १८ ॥ तन्मातरं रुषाभानुं दितिं च जननीं गिरा । श्लक्ष्णया देशकालज्ञ इदमाह जनेश्वर ॥ १९ ॥
śakuniṁ śambaraṁ dhṛṣṭiṁ bhūtasantāpanaṁ vṛkam kālanābhaṁ mahānābhaṁ hariśmaśrum athotkacam
O King, Hiraṇyakaśipu was extremely angry, but since he was a great politician, he knew how to act according to the time and situation. With sweet words he began pacifying his nephews, whose names were Śakuni, Śambara, Dhṛṣṭi, Bhūtasantāpana, Vṛka, Kālanābha, Mahānābha, Hariśmaśru and Utkaca. He also consoled their mother, his sister-in-law, Ruṣābhānu, as well as his own mother, Diti. He spoke to them all as follows.
FAQs
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates that Hiraṇyakaśipu, after listing prominent demons, begins addressing Ruṣābhānu and his mother Diti with gentle, well-timed words.
The verse highlights that he is deśa-kāla-jña—skilled in judging place and time—so he chooses polished speech to influence and manage his family and followers effectively.
It suggests communicating with sensitivity to context—choosing the right time, place, and tone—while remembering that in the Bhāgavatam such skill can be used either for dharma or for ego-driven aims.