Shloka 162
Umā’s Austerity, Kauśikī’s Manifestation, and Skanda’s Birth Leading to Tāraka’s Defeat
हिरण्यकशिपुश्चोग्रो ह्यवध्यो देवतागणैः । यज्ञघ्नः पापकर्मा वै येन ब्रह्मापि तापितः
hiraṇyakaśipuścogro hyavadhyo devatāgaṇaiḥ | yajñaghnaḥ pāpakarmā vai yena brahmāpi tāpitaḥ
Hiraṇyakaśipu, von grimmiger Natur, war für die Scharen der Götter unverwundbar. Als Zerstörer der Opfer (yajña) und Täter sündiger Werke brachte er sogar Brahmā selbst in Bedrängnis.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue framework typical of Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa narration).
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हिरण्यकशिपुश्चोग्रो = हिरण्यकशिपुः + च + उग्रः; ह्यवध्यो = हि + अवध्यः; ब्रह्मापि = ब्रह्मा + अपि
FAQs
He is portrayed as a fierce asura who could not be slain by the gods, notorious for destroying yajñas and committing sinful acts.
Yajña symbolizes dharmic order and divine-human reciprocity; calling him “yajñaghna” highlights his role in disrupting cosmic and social harmony.
Power without righteousness becomes destructive: the verse frames Hiraṇyakaśipu’s strength as inseparable from adharma, shown by his oppression even of revered beings like Brahmā.