Shloka 12
Brahmā’s Boons, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Cosmic Tyranny, and Prahlāda’s Transcendental Qualities
यत्र विद्रुमसोपाना महामारकता भुव: । यत्र स्फाटिककुड्यानि वैदूर्यस्तम्भपङ्क्तय: ॥ ९ ॥ यत्र चित्रवितानानि पद्मरागासनानि च । पय:फेननिभा: शय्या मुक्तादामपरिच्छदा: ॥ १० ॥ कूजद्भिर्नूपुरैर्देव्य: शब्दयन्त्य इतस्तत: । रत्नस्थलीषु पश्यन्ति सुदती: सुन्दरं मुखम् ॥ ११ ॥ तस्मिन्महेन्द्रभवने महाबलो महामना निर्जितलोक एकराट् । रेमेऽभिवन्द्याङ्घ्रियुग: सुरादिभि: प्रतापितैरूर्जितचण्डशासन: ॥ १२ ॥
yatra vidruma-sopānā mahā-mārakatā bhuvaḥ yatra sphāṭika-kuḍyāni vaidūrya-stambha-paṅktayaḥ
જ્યાં ઇન્દ્રના મહેલની સોપાનીઓ વિદ્રુમની હતી, ભૂમિ અમૂલ્ય મરકતોથી ઝગમગતી, દીવાલો સ્ફટિકની અને સ્તંભો વૈદૂર્યમણિના પંક્તિરૂપ હતા. ત્યાં ચિત્રવિતાન, પદ્મરાગના આસન, ફેન જેવી શ્વેત રેશમી શય્યા અને મુક્તામાળાઓથી સજ્જ પરિચ્છદ હતો. નૂપુરોની મધુર ઝણકાર સાથે સુંદર દાંત અને મુખવાળી દેવીઓ રત્નભૂમિમાં પોતાનું પ્રતિબિંબ જોતી ફરતી. તે મહેન્દ્રભવનમાં મહાબલી હિરણ્યકશિપુ દેવતાઓને પીડિત કરી, તેમના દ્વારા પોતાના ચરણયુગલને વંદન કરાવી, કઠોર શાસનથી સૌને શાસતો હતો.
Hiraṇyakaśipu was so powerful in the heavenly planets that all the demigods except Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and Lord Viṣṇu were forced to engage in his service. Indeed, they were afraid of being severely punished if they disobeyed him. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī has compared Hiraṇyakaśipu to Mahārāja Vena, who was also atheistic and scornful of the ritualistic ceremonies mentioned in the Vedas. Yet Mahārāja Vena was afraid of some of the great sages such as Bhṛgu, whereas Hiraṇyakaśipu ruled in such a way that everyone feared him but Lord Viṣṇu, Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva. Hiraṇyakaśipu was so alert against being burnt to ashes by the anger of great sages like Bhṛgu that by dint of austerity he surpassed their power and placed even them under his subordination. It appears that even in the higher planetary systems, to which people are promoted by pious activities, disturbances are created by asuras like Hiraṇyakaśipu. No one in the three worlds can live in peace and prosperity without disturbance.
FAQs
It describes him as a single, overpowering monarch who conquered the worlds and forced even the demigods to bow, indicating a reign driven by fear and harsh control rather than dharma.
Because they were tormented by his extraordinary power and severe शासन (rule), they were compelled to offer external submission despite his ungodly nature.
Power without devotion and dharma leads to oppression and false honor; true greatness is measured by humility, self-control, and service to the Supreme, not by domination.