Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 4
Nṛsiṁhadeva Appears from the Pillar and Slays Hiraṇyakaśipu
कोपावेशचलद्गात्र: पुत्रं हन्तुं मनो दधे । क्षिप्त्वा परुषया वाचा प्रह्रादमतदर्हणम् । आहेक्षमाण: पापेन तिरश्चीनेन चक्षुषा ॥ ३ ॥ प्रश्रयावनतं दान्तं बद्धाञ्जलिमवस्थितम् । सर्प: पदाहत इव श्वसन्प्रकृतिदारुण: ॥ ४ ॥
kopāveśa-calad-gātraḥ putraṁ hantuṁ mano dadhe kṣiptvā paruṣayā vācā prahrādam atad-arhaṇam
Cuando Hiraṇyakaśipu comprendió toda la situación, se enfureció tanto que su cuerpo temblaba. Así, finalmente decidió matar a su hijo Prahlāda. Hiraṇyakaśipu era por naturaleza muy cruel y, sintiéndose insultado, comenzó a sisear como una serpiente pisoteada por el pie de alguien. Su hijo Prahlāda era pacífico, apacible y gentil, sus sentidos estaban bajo control y permanecía ante Hiraṇyakaśipu con las manos juntas. Según la edad y el comportamiento de Prahlāda, no merecía ser castigado. Sin embargo, con ojos fijos y perversos, Hiraṇyakaśipu lo reprendió con las siguientes palabras duras.
When one is impudent toward a highly authorized devotee, one is punished by the laws of nature. The duration of his life is diminished, and he loses the blessings of superior persons and the results of pious activities. Hiraṇyakaśipu, for example, had achieved such great power in the material world that he could subdue practically all the planetary systems in the universe, including the heavenly planets (Svargaloka). Yet now, because of his mistreatment of such a Vaiṣṇava as Prahlāda Mahārāja, all the results of his tapasya diminished. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.4.46) :
FAQs
Because Prahlāda’s unwavering devotion to Viṣṇu threatened Hiraṇyakaśipu’s ego and atheistic rule, provoking intense envy and rage.
It shows how envy and anger distort judgment—so much that a father can become cruel toward an innocent, saintly child, glaring like a serpent.
Like Prahlāda, remain steady and humble, not retaliating, and keep faith in the Lord’s protection despite hostile words or intimidation.