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
Il a entrepris une ascèse des plus difficiles : tel est son dessein. Bien que son projet ne te soit pas inconnu, daigne écouter ce que nous venons t’exposer sur ses intentions.
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.