Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 1
Brahmā’s Boons, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Cosmic Tyranny, and Prahlāda’s Transcendental Qualities
श्रीनारद उवाच एवं वृत: शतधृतिर्हिरण्यकशिपोरथ । प्रादात्तत्तपसा प्रीतो वरांस्तस्य सुदुर्लभान् ॥ १ ॥
śrī-nārada uvāca evaṁ vṛtaḥ śata-dhṛtir hiraṇyakaśipor atha prādāt tat-tapasā prīto varāṁs tasya sudurlabhān
Nārada Muni continued: Lord Brahmā was very much satisfied by Hiraṇyakaśipu’s austerities, which were difficult to perform. Therefore, when solicited for benedictions, he indeed granted them, although they were rarely to be achieved.
FAQs
This verse shows that intense tapasya can even please Lord Brahmā and result in rare, difficult-to-obtain boons—demonstrating the potency of austerity when performed with great determination.
Because Brahmā was satisfied by Hiraṇyakaśipu’s severe austerities; as the cosmic administrator, he responds when such tapasya compels his attention, even if the performer is an asura.
It teaches that disciplined effort and self-control produce powerful results; therefore, one should direct determination and austerity toward spiritually beneficial goals rather than ego-driven ambitions.