Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 28
Nṛsiṁhadeva Appears from the Pillar and Slays Hiraṇyakaśipu
तं श्येनवेगं शतचन्द्रवर्त्मभि श्चरन्तमच्छिद्रमुपर्यधो हरि: । कृत्वाट्टहासं खरमुत्स्वनोल्बणं निमीलिताक्षं जगृहे महाजव: ॥ २८ ॥
taṁ śyena-vegaṁ śata-candra-vartmabhiś carantam acchidram upary-adho hariḥ kṛtvāṭṭa-hāsaṁ kharam utsvanolbaṇaṁ nimīlitākṣaṁ jagṛhe mahā-javaḥ
With hawk-like speed Hiraṇyakaśipu moved sometimes in the sky and sometimes on the earth, whirling sword and shield like the paths of a hundred moons, leaving no opening. Then the supremely powerful Lord Nārāyaṇa, uttering a piercing, thunderous aṭṭahāsa laugh, seized him; in fear of that laughter, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s eyes were shut.
FAQs
This verse describes that even though Hiraṇyakaśipu moved rapidly and left no opening, Lord Hari (Nṛsiṁha) swiftly seized him, showing the Lord’s supremacy over all material power and strategy.
The fierce, thunderous laughter signals the Lord’s fearless dominance and the collapse of the demon’s arrogance—His divine presence makes all demonic intimidation powerless.
When challenges seem “without an opening,” this verse inspires steady devotion and remembrance of the Lord’s protection—divine help can arrive beyond one’s calculations.