Shloka 9
Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas
with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas
हिरण्याक्षो मातरं प्राह जालं हित्वा विष्णोर्भजने ऽलं कुरुष्व / मयिस्नेहं पुत्रहेतोर्विरूढं सुखदुः खे चेह लोके परत्र
hiraṇyākṣo mātaraṃ prāha jālaṃ hitvā viṣṇorbhajane 'laṃ kuruṣva / mayisnehaṃ putrahetorvirūḍhaṃ sukhaduḥ khe ceha loke paratra
Hiraṇyākṣa said to his mother: “Abandon this worldly snare and devote yourself wholly to the worship (bhajana) of Viṣṇu. The affection that has grown in you toward me merely because I am your son—know that happiness and sorrow arise both here in this world and in the world beyond.”
Hiraṇyākṣa (addressing his mother)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Concept: Turn from worldly entanglement to Viṣṇu-bhajana; recognize that sukha-duḥkha operate in both this world and beyond.
Vedantic Theme: Vairāgya born of insight into duḥkha; īśvara-śaraṇāgati as stabilizing principle amid saṃsāra.
Application: Reduce possessive attachment; establish daily Vishnu-centered practice (nāma, pūjā, smaraṇa) to reorient priorities.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26.10 (attachment causes unending sorrow; mutual role-identities)
FAQs
This verse frames worldly life as a “snare” and advises turning from attachment—especially family-based attachment—toward devotion to Viṣṇu, implying that such detachment supports steadiness across both this life and the hereafter.
By stating that happiness and sorrow occur both here and beyond, it suggests that emotional bondage rooted in relationships can continue to condition experience, whereas devotion to Viṣṇu is presented as the stabilizing spiritual refuge.
Cultivate devotion and daily spiritual practice while reducing possessive attachment—love family without clinging—so that life’s pleasure and pain do not derail dharma and inner clarity.