Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 23
Nṛsiṁhadeva Appears from the Pillar and Slays Hiraṇyakaśipu
प्रायेण मेऽयं हरिणोरुमायिना वध: स्मृतोऽनेन समुद्यतेन किम् । एवं ब्रुवंस्त्वभ्यपतद् गदायुधो नदन् नृसिंहं प्रति दैत्यकुञ्जर: ॥ २३ ॥
prāyeṇa me ’yaṁ hariṇorumāyinā vadhaḥ smṛto ’nena samudyatena kim evaṁ bruvaṁs tv abhyapatad gadāyudho nadan nṛsiṁhaṁ prati daitya-kuñjaraḥ
Hiraṇyakaśipu murmura en lui-même : «Hari, doté d’un grand pouvoir mystique, a conçu ce plan pour me tuer ; mais à quoi bon une telle tentative ? Qui peut combattre contre moi ?» Sur ces mots, il saisit sa massue et, rugissant, se jeta sur Nṛsiṁha tel un éléphant à l’assaut.
In the jungle there are sometimes fights between lions and elephants. Here the Lord appeared like a lion, and Hiraṇyakaśipu, unafraid of the Lord, attacked Him like an elephant. Generally the elephant is defeated by the lion, and therefore the comparison in this verse is appropriate.
FAQs
This verse shows Hiraṇyakaśipu sensing that his death is already arranged by Hari’s vast potency, highlighting that the Supreme Lord’s will ultimately prevails.
Overpowered by arrogance and rage, he still rushed forward with his club, roaring like a mighty demon, despite intuiting that the Lord had ordained his end.
Recognize that divine will is greater than ego-driven struggle; cultivate humility and take shelter of Hari, rather than acting from pride and hostility.