Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 23
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Austerities and Brahmā’s Boons
The Architecture of ‘Conditional Immortality’
स तत्कीचकवल्मीकात् सहओजोबलान्वित: । सर्वावयवसम्पन्नो वज्रसंहननो युवा । उत्थितस्तप्तहेमाभो विभावसुरिवैधस: ॥ २३ ॥
sa tat kīcaka-valmīkāt saha-ojo-balānvitaḥ sarvāvayava-sampanno vajra-saṁhanano yuvā utthitas tapta-hemābho vibhāvasur ivaidhasaḥ
As soon as he was sprinkled with the water from Lord Brahmā’s waterpot, Hiraṇyakaśipu arose, endowed with a full body with limbs so strong that they could bear the striking of a thunderbolt. With physical strength and a bodily luster resembling molten gold, he emerged from the anthill a completely young man, just as fire springs from fuel wood.
Hiraṇyakaśipu was revitalized, so much so that his body was quite competent to tolerate the striking of thunderbolts. He was now a young man with a strong body and a very beautiful bodily luster resembling molten gold. This is the rejuvenation that took place because of his severe austerity and penance.
FAQs
It describes Hiranyakashipu rising from an anthill and reeds, youthful and fully formed, possessing great vigor and strength, with a thunderbolt-like body and a molten-gold radiance like fire from kindling.
The verse uses vivid similes to emphasize his formidable, awe-inspiring power and physical brilliance as he re-emerges to dominate the universe after severe austerities.
External power and brilliance can be impressive, but without devotion and humility they often fuel arrogance; the Bhagavatam contrasts such might with the superior strength of bhakti shown later through Prahlāda and Lord Narasiṁha.