Shloka 27
The Slaying of Hiraṇyākṣa and the Triumph of Varāha
क्षितौ शयानं तमकुण्ठवर्चसं करालदंष्ट्रं परिदष्टदच्छदम् । अजादयो वीक्ष्य शशंसुरागता अहो इमां को नु लभेत संस्थितिम् ॥ २७ ॥
kṣitau śayānaṁ tam akuṇṭha-varcasaṁ karāla-daṁṣṭraṁ paridaṣṭa-dacchadam ajādayo vīkṣya śaśaṁsur āgatā aho imaṁ ko nu labheta saṁsthitim
Brahma et d'autres arrivèrent sur les lieux pour voir le démon aux crocs effrayants gisant sur le sol, se mordant la lèvre. L'éclat de son visage n'était pas encore terni, et Brahma dit avec admiration : Oh, qui pourrait rencontrer une mort aussi bénie ?
Although the demon was dead, his bodily luster was unfaded. This is very peculiar because when a man or animal is dead, the body immediately becomes pale, the luster gradually fades, and decomposition takes place. But here, although Hiraṇyākṣa lay dead, his bodily luster was unfaded because the Lord, the Supreme Spirit, was touching his body. One’s bodily luster remains fresh only as long as the spirit soul is present. Although the demon’s soul had departed his body, the Supreme Spirit touched the body, and therefore his bodily luster did not fade. The individual soul is different from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One who sees the Supreme Personality of Godhead when he quits his body is certainly very fortunate, and therefore personalities like Brahmā and the other demigods eulogized the death of the demon.
FAQs
This verse says the Lord’s effulgence remains “akuṇṭha” (undiminished), showing His transcendence—He is never exhausted or harmed, even after intense combat.
After witnessing the Lord’s victory and majesty, Brahmā and the gods approached to glorify Him, expressing that such divine standing is supremely desirable.
It points to aspiring for spiritual steadiness—seeking shelter of the Lord through devotion so one gains inner fearlessness, clarity, and unwavering purpose amid life’s struggles.