Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 18
Brahmā’s Boons, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Cosmic Tyranny, and Prahlāda’s Transcendental Qualities
शैला द्रोणीभिराक्रीडं सर्वर्तुषु गुणान् द्रुमा: । दधार लोकपालानामेक एव पृथग्गुणान् ॥ १८ ॥
śailā droṇībhir ākrīḍaṁ sarvartuṣu guṇān drumāḥ dadhāra loka-pālānām eka eva pṛthag guṇān
The valleys between the mountains became fields of pleasure for Hiraṇyakaśipu, by whose influence all the trees and plants produced fruits and flowers profusely in all seasons. The qualities of pouring water, drying and burning, which are all qualities of the three departmental heads of the universe — namely Indra, Vāyu and Agni — were all directed by Hiraṇyakaśipu alone, without assistance from the demigods.
It is said in the beginning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, tejo-vāri-mṛdāṁ yathā vinimayaḥ: this material world is conducted by fire, water and earth, which combine and take shape. Here it is mentioned that the three modes of nature ( pṛthag guṇān ) act under the direction of different demigods. For example, King Indra is in charge of pouring water, the demigod Vāyu controls the air and dries up the water, whereas the demigod controlling fire burns everything. Hiraṇyakaśipu, however, by dint of his austere performance of mystic yoga, became so powerful that he alone took charge of everything, without assistance from the demigods.
FAQs
This verse states that the distinctive qualities associated with the various Lokapālas’ realms can be found gathered together in one extraordinary mountain, which contains diverse landscapes and seasonal features.
In this chapter’s narrative flow, Śukadeva describes the world and its extraordinary features to convey the scale and order of the universe under divine arrangement, even amid the disturbance caused by Hiraṇyakaśipu.
It encourages seeing unity within diversity—recognizing that many distinct qualities can coexist harmoniously—cultivating appreciation, balance, and reverence for nature as a reflection of higher order.