Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 13
Varāha Confronts Hiraṇyākṣa: The Challenge, the Rescue of Earth, and the Opening of the Mace-Duel
मैत्रेय उवाचसोऽधिक्षिप्तो भगवता प्रलब्धश्च रुषा भृशम् । आजहारोल्बणं क्रोधं क्रीड्यमानोऽहिराडिव ॥ १३ ॥
maitreya uvāca so ’dhikṣipto bhagavatā pralabdhaś ca ruṣā bhṛśam ājahārolbaṇaṁ krodhaṁ krīḍyamāno ’hi-rāḍ iva
Śrī Maitreya berkata: Iblis itu, yang ditantang dan diejek demikian oleh Kepribadian Tuhan Yang Maha Esa, menjadi sangat marah dan gelisah, dan dia gemetar karena marah seperti ular kobra yang dipermainkan.
A cobra is very fierce before ordinary persons, but before an enchanter who can play with him, he is a plaything. Similarly, a demon may be very powerful in his own domain, but before the Lord he is insignificant. The demon Rāvaṇa was a fierce figure before the demigods, but when he was before Lord Rāmacandra he trembled and prayed to his deity, Lord Śiva, but to no avail.
FAQs
This verse shows that when the demon Hiraṇyākṣa was insulted and mocked by the Lord, his pride turned into intense, violent anger—illustrating how ego and dishonor can fuel destructive rage.
In the narrative of Canto 3, Chapter 18, the Lord’s taunting is part of His divine play and strategy in battle—provoking the demon’s arrogance and anger as He prepares to defeat him and protect the earth.
When mocked or criticized, notice the impulse of ego-based anger; pause before reacting, and choose a dharmic response rather than escalating into “ulbaṇa-krodha” (violent rage).