Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 20
Portents at the Birth of Diti’s Sons and Hiraṇyākṣa Challenges Varuṇa
हिरण्याक्षोऽनुजस्तस्य प्रिय: प्रीतिकृदन्वहम् । गदापाणिर्दिवं यातो युयुत्सुर्मृगयन् रणम् ॥ २० ॥
hiraṇyākṣo ’nujas tasya priyaḥ prīti-kṛd anvaham gadā-pāṇir divaṁ yāto yuyutsur mṛgayan raṇam
كان أخوه الأصغر هِرَنياكشا يحرص دائمًا على إرضاء أخيه الأكبر هِرَنياكشيبو بأفعاله. حمل هراوةً على كتفه، وبروحٍ قتالية طاف أرجاء الكون باحثًا عن ساحة قتال ليُشبع رغبة أخيه.
The demoniac spirit is to train all family members to exploit the resources of this universe for personal sense gratification, whereas the godly spirit is to engage everything in the service of the Lord. Hiraṇyakaśipu was himself very powerful, and he made his younger brother, Hiraṇyākṣa, powerful to assist him in fighting with everyone and lording it over material nature as long as possible. If possible, he wanted to rule the universe eternally. These are demonstrations of the spirit of the demoniac living entity.
FAQs
This verse explains that Hiraṇyākṣa went to the celestial regions with his mace, actively searching for combat—driven by a strong desire to fight and dominate.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating this account to Mahārāja Parīkṣit as part of the unfolding story that leads toward the Lord’s intervention to protect dharma.
The verse highlights how restlessness and aggression can become an identity; a devotee redirects that same intensity toward disciplined spiritual practice and service rather than conflict.