Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 14
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Wrath, the Assault on Vedic Culture, and the Boy-Yamarāja’s Teaching on the Soul
पुरग्रामव्रजोद्यानक्षेत्रारामाश्रमाकरान् । खेटखर्वटघोषांश्च ददहु: पत्तनानि च ॥ १४ ॥
pura-grāma-vrajodyāna- kṣetrārāmāśramākarān kheṭa-kharvaṭa-ghoṣāṁś ca dadahuḥ pattanāni ca
Les démons incendièrent les villes, les villages, les pâturages, les étables, les jardins, les champs agricoles, les ermitages, les mines et les quartiers des vachers.
The word udyāna refers to places where trees are especially grown to produce fruits and flowers, which are most important for human civilization. Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (9.26) :
FAQs
This verse depicts how asuric rule expresses itself through indiscriminate destruction—burning towns, farms, hermitages, and places of livelihood—showing hatred toward dharma and the welfare of others.
In the narrative, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s followers unleash terror while opposing Prahlāda’s devotion and the influence of dharma, so the violence spreads to every type of settlement and sacred place.
It warns that unchecked anger, envy, and godlessness can devastate communities and sacred culture; the remedy is cultivating sattva, compassion, and devotion rather than domination.