Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 27
Prahlāda Rejects Material Boons; Forgives His Father; Tripura and the Power of Remembrance
योऽसौ लब्धवरो मत्तो न वध्यो मम सृष्टिभि: । तपोयोगबलोन्नद्ध: समस्तनिगमानहन् ॥ २७ ॥
yo ’sau labdha-varo matto na vadhyo mama sṛṣṭibhiḥ tapo-yoga-balonnaddhaḥ samasta-nigamān ahan
That asura, Hiraṇyakaśipu, had received from me the boon that no living being within my creation could kill him. Relying on that assurance, and intoxicated by the power of austerity and yoga, he grew exceedingly proud and violated all Vedic injunctions.
FAQs
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.
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.
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.