Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 3
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Austerities and Brahmā’s Boons
The Architecture of ‘Conditional Immortality’
जटादीधितिभी रेजे संवर्तार्क इवांशुभि: । तस्मिंस्तपस्तप्यमाने देवा: स्थानानि भेजिरे ॥ ३ ॥
jaṭā-dīdhitibhī reje saṁvartārka ivāṁśubhiḥ tasmiṁs tapas tapyamāne devāḥ sthānāni bhejire
انبثقت من خُصلات شعره الملبّد أنوارٌ لا تُحتمل، كأشعة الشمس زمن الفناء. وإذ رأى الآلهة ذلك التقشّف الرهيب عادوا إلى مساكنهم الخاصة.
FAQs
This verse shows that intense tapasya can generate formidable radiance and influence, so much so that even the demigods feel threatened and leave their abodes—illustrating tapasya’s potency when performed with strong resolve (even if motivated by ego or ambition).
Because Hiraṇyakaśipu’s severe penance produced overwhelming, fear-inducing power and heat, compared here to the sun at cosmic dissolution; the devas, disturbed and endangered, fled their positions.
Discipline and austerity can create great influence, but the Bhagavatam’s broader context warns that power without devotion and humility can disturb others; align self-discipline with dharma and bhakti rather than domination.