Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 27

Prahlāda Rejects Material Boons; Forgives His Father; Tripura and the Power of Remembrance

Devanagari script

योऽसौ लब्धवरो मत्तो न वध्यो मम सृष्टिभि: । तपोयोगबलोन्नद्ध: समस्तनिगमानहन् ॥ २७ ॥

Transliteration

yo ’sau labdha-varo matto na vadhyo mama sṛṣṭibhiḥ tapo-yoga-balonnaddhaḥ samasta-nigamān ahan

Translation

Dieser Asura, Hiraṇyakaśipu, erhielt von mir den Segen, dass ihn kein Lebewesen innerhalb meiner Schöpfung töten könne. Auf diese Zusicherung gestützt und berauscht von der Kraft der Askese und yogischer Macht, wurde er übermäßig stolz und übertrat alle vedischen Gebote.

Synonyms

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बन्ध-प्रत्यय (relative pronoun)

• असौ: that (one)
• असौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असद्/अदस् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; निर्देशार्थ सर्वनाम (demonstrative)

• लब्ध-वरः: having obtained a boon
• लब्ध-वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लब्ध (कृदन्त; √लभ्) + वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘लब्धः वरः येन’ (having obtained a boon)

• मत्तः: from me
• मत्तः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• वध्यः: killable; to be slain
• वध्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषणम् (predicate adjective)

• मम: of me; my
• मम: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• सृष्टिभिः: by (my) creations
• सृष्टिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सृष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• तपो-योग-बल-उन्नद्धः: arrogant due to austerity, yoga, and strength
• तपो-योग-बल-उन्नद्धः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तपस् + योग + बल + उन्नद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः—‘तपसा योगेन बलेन च उन्नद्धः’ (puffed up by...)

• समस्त-निगमान्: all the Vedas/scriptures
• समस्त-निगमान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समस्त + निगम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः—‘समस्ताः निगमाः’

• अहन्: he struck down; he killed/destroyed
• अहन्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √हन् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā
• Hiraṇyakaśipu

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about pride gained from tapas and yoga?

This verse states that when power from austerity and yoga inflates ego, one may trample dharma—here described as striking down the Vedic injunctions—leading to spiritual ruin.

Why did Brahmā mention Hiraṇyakaśipu’s boon and his immunity from created beings?

Brahmā explains that the demon’s near-invulnerability came from a boon received from him, yet that protection did not make him righteous; instead, he grew arrogant and violated Vedic law, necessitating the Lord’s intervention.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

Spiritual practices and achievements should be paired with humility and adherence to dharma; otherwise, success can become ego-driven and destructive to oneself and others.