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
ما إن رُشَّ بماء قِدرِ براهما حتى نهض هِرنياكشيپو من تلّ النمل، ممتلئًا بالأوجاس والقوة، كامل الأعضاء، شديد البنية كأنه يحتمل صدمة الصاعقة. وكان لمعانه كذهبٍ مُذاب، وخرج شابًّا كما تندلع النار من الحطب.
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.