Shloka 15
हिरण्यकशिपोः क्रोधः तथा देवप्रजाकदनम् — Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Wrath and the Affliction of Devas and Beings
प्रताप्य लोकानखिलांस्ततोऽसौ समागतं पद्मभवं ददर्श । वरं हि दातुं तमुवाच धाता वरं वृणीष्वेति पितामहोपि । निशम्य वाचं मधुरां विधातुर्वचोऽब्रवीदेव ममूढबुद्धिः
pratāpya lokānakhilāṃstato'sau samāgataṃ padmabhavaṃ dadarśa | varaṃ hi dātuṃ tamuvāca dhātā varaṃ vṛṇīṣveti pitāmahopi | niśamya vācaṃ madhurāṃ vidhāturvaco'bravīdeva mamūḍhabuddhiḥ
After subduing all the worlds by his prowess, he saw Padmabhava (Brahmā) arrive. Wishing to grant a boon, the Creator—Pitāmaha himself—said to him, “Choose a boon.” Hearing the sweet words of the Ordainer (Brahmā), that deluded-minded one replied.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: Boons granted by Brahmā to asuras are a recurring Purāṇic device; here it sets up later conflict and the necessity of Śiva’s restoring action.
Significance: Instructional: worldly ‘vara’ obtained through tapas can intensify bondage (pāśa) when driven by delusion; true safety lies in Śiva’s anugraha, not in boon-politics.
Cosmic Event: Asura’s prowess ‘subdues’ worlds; Brahmā’s arrival to regulate through boon-granting—prelude to imbalance.
FAQs
It highlights that even after conquering worlds, the mind can remain moha-bound (deluded). In Shaiva understanding, true victory is not dominion but purification leading to Shiva’s grace and liberation.
The verse contrasts worldly conquest with the need for right orientation. Linga/Saguna Shiva worship trains the devotee to seek Shiva’s anugraha (grace) rather than boons that intensify ego—turning power into devotion and surrender.
Choose boons inwardly: practice japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and a prayer for buddhi-śuddhi (clarity of intellect), not for domination or revenge.