Shloka 16
The Slaying of Hiraṇyākṣa and the Triumph of Varāha
तेनेत्थमाहत: क्षत्तर्भगवानादिसूकर: । नाकम्पत मनाक् क्वापि स्रजा हत इव द्विप: ॥ १६ ॥
tenettham āhataḥ kṣattar bhagavān ādi-sūkaraḥ nākampata manāk kvāpi srajā hata iva dvipaḥ
Hit in this manner by the demon, O Vidura, the Lord, who had appeared as the first boar, did not feel the least quaking in any part of His body, any more than an elephant would when struck with a wreath of flowers.
As previously explained, the demon was originally a servitor of the Lord in Vaikuṇṭha, but somehow or other he fell as a demon. His fight with the Supreme Lord was meant for his liberation. The Lord enjoyed the striking on His transcendental body, just like a fully grown-up father fighting with his child. Sometimes a father takes pleasure in having a mock fight with his small child, and similarly the Lord felt Hiraṇyākṣa’s striking on His body to be like flowers offered for worship. In other words, the Lord desired to fight in order to enjoy His transcendental bliss; therefore He enjoyed the attack.
FAQs
This verse states that even when struck by Hiraṇyākṣa, Lord Varāha did not tremble at all—illustrating the Lord’s transcendence and invincibility.
The comparison shows the vast difference in power: the demon’s blows could not disturb the Lord, just as a garland cannot injure or shake an elephant.
By remembering the Lord’s supreme protection and steadiness, a devotee learns to remain composed amid criticism, fear, and adversity, taking shelter of bhakti rather than anxiety.