Shloka 86
प्रह्लादचरितम् (हिरण्यकशिपोः स्वर्गापहरणं, प्रह्लादस्य विष्णुभक्तिः, उपदेशः)
नैवाग्निना न चार्केण नेन्दुना न च वायुना पर्जन्यवरुणाभ्यां वा न सिद्धैर् न च राक्षसैः
naivāgninā na cārkeṇa nendunā na ca vāyunā parjanyavaruṇābhyāṃ vā na siddhair na ca rākṣasaiḥ
Neither by fire, nor by the sun, nor by the moon, nor by the wind; neither by rain nor by Varuṇa; neither by the Siddhas nor by the Rākṣasas—by none of these can That be overpowered or undone.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Nature of the Supreme/Ātman—its inviolability by cosmic powers and beings
Teaching: Philosophical
Quality: authoritative
Concept: The Supreme Reality is untouched and cannot be overpowered by elemental forces, celestial bodies, or any class of beings.
Vedantic Theme: Brahman
Application: Cultivate inner steadiness by repeatedly reflecting that the ultimate Self is beyond external conditions and fears.
Vishishtadvaita: The Lord as para-tattva is intrinsically pure and unsurpassable, establishing His supremacy over all cosmic powers.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
The verse emphasizes that even the greatest cosmic forces and deities of nature operate within a higher, unbreakable order and cannot ultimately overturn what is divinely upheld.
By negation—naming powerful elements and beings and declaring their inability—Parāśara highlights that all agencies in the universe are subordinate to the supreme governing principle (ultimately aligned with Vishnu’s rule).
The verse supports a Vaishnava view of reality in which Vishnu’s sovereignty stands above elemental power, celestial controllers, and supernatural beings, preserving the stability of the cosmos and dharma.