Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 10
Nṛsiṁhadeva Appears from the Pillar and Slays Hiraṇyakaśipu
दस्यून्पुरा षण् न विजित्य लुम्पतो मन्यन्त एके स्वजिता दिशो दश । जितात्मनो ज्ञस्य समस्य देहिनां साधो: स्वमोहप्रभवा: कुत: परे ॥ १० ॥
dasyūn purā ṣaṇ na vijitya lumpato manyanta eke sva-jitā diśo daśa jitātmano jñasya samasya dehināṁ sādhoḥ sva-moha-prabhavāḥ kutaḥ pare
In former times there were many fools like you who did not conquer the six enemies that steal away the wealth of the body. These fools were very proud, thinking, “I have conquered all enemies in all the ten directions.” But if a person is victorious over the six enemies and is equipoised toward all living entities, for him there are no enemies. Enemies are merely imagined by one in ignorance.
In this material world, everyone thinks that he has conquered his enemies, not understanding that his enemies are his uncontrolled mind and five senses ( manaḥ ṣaṣṭhānīndriyāṇi prakṛti-sthāni karṣati ). In this material world, everyone has become a servant of the senses. Originally everyone is a servant of Kṛṣṇa, but in ignorance one forgets this, and thus one is engaged in the service of māyā through lusty desires, anger, greed, illusion, madness and jealousy. Everyone is actually dependent on the reactions of material laws, but still one thinks himself independent and thinks that he has conquered all directions. In conclusion, one who thinks that he has many enemies is an ignorant man, whereas one who is in Kṛṣṇa consciousness knows that there are no enemies but those within oneself — the uncontrolled mind and senses.
FAQs
They are the plundering faults within—commonly understood as lust, anger, greed, illusion, pride, and envy—which must be conquered before claiming any real victory.
In the tense moment before Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva appears, Prahlāda teaches that true heroism is inner conquest—mastering the mind and senses—because external domination is meaningless without self-control.
Focus on inner discipline—reducing anger, greed, and envy—through devotion, reflection, and regulated habits; then relationships and achievements become peaceful rather than ego-driven.