Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 8
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Austerities and Brahmā’s Boons
The Architecture of ‘Conditional Immortality’
तस्यायं किल सङ्कल्पश्चरतो दुश्चरं तप: । श्रूयतां किं न विदितस्तवाथापि निवेदितम् ॥ ८ ॥
tasyāyaṁ kila saṅkalpaś carato duścaraṁ tapaḥ śrūyatāṁ kiṁ na viditas tavāthāpi niveditam
Él ha emprendido una austeridad sumamente difícil: tal es su designio. Aunque su plan no te es desconocido, te rogamos que escuches lo que venimos a exponer sobre sus intenciones.
FAQs
This verse highlights that the motive (saṅkalpa) behind tapasya matters—Hiraṇyakaśipu’s severe penance is driven by a calculated intention, not devotion.
Nārada is explaining Hiraṇyakaśipu’s inner plan while narrating the background of Prahlāda’s story, informing Yudhiṣṭhira about the asura’s purpose behind extreme austerities.
Before undertaking discipline or spiritual practice, examine your motive—use effort for purification and service rather than ego, domination, or selfish gain.