Shloka 29
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Austerities and Brahmā’s Boons
The Architecture of ‘Conditional Immortality’
त्वमीशिषे जगतस्तस्थुषश्च प्राणेन मुख्येन पति: प्रजानाम् । चित्तस्य चित्तैर्मनइन्द्रियाणां पतिर्महान् भूतगुणाशयेश: ॥ २९ ॥
tvam īśiṣe jagatas tasthuṣaś ca prāṇena mukhyena patiḥ prajānām cittasya cittair mana-indriyāṇāṁ patir mahān bhūta-guṇāśayeśaḥ
Ô Seigneur, Tu es le prāṇa primordial et le maître de tous les êtres, mobiles et immobiles, en ce monde. Tu inspires leur conscience ; Tu soutiens le mental et les sens d’action et de connaissance. Ainsi es-Tu le grand contrôleur des éléments, de leurs qualités et de tous les désirs.
In this verse it is clearly indicated that the original source of everything is life. Brahmā was instructed by the supreme life, Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is the supreme living entity ( nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām ), and Brahmā is also a living entity, but the original source of Brahmā is Kṛṣṇa. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (7.7) , mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya: “O Arjuna, there is no truth superior to Me.” Kṛṣṇa is the original source of Brahmā, who is the original source of this universe. Brahmā is a representative of Kṛṣṇa, and therefore all the qualities and activities of Kṛṣṇa are also present in Lord Brahmā.
FAQs
This verse states that the Supreme is the great master of the mind, its functions, and the senses, ruling even the elements and their qualities—showing divine sovereignty over inner and outer nature.
While performing severe austerities to obtain boons, Hiraṇyakaśipu glorified the highest controller (addressing Brahmā as the empowered lord) as ruler of life, mind, and matter, to secure Brahmā’s favor and the desired benedictions.
Recognize that real mastery over anxiety, impulses, and distraction comes from aligning the mind and senses with the Supreme through disciplined practice—prayer, restraint, and devotional remembrance.