Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 7
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Wrath, the Assault on Vedic Culture, and the Boy-Yamarāja’s Teaching on the Soul
तस्य त्यक्तस्वभावस्य घृणेर्मायावनौकस: । भजन्तं भजमानस्य बालस्येवास्थिरात्मन: ॥ ७ ॥ मच्छूलभिन्नग्रीवस्य भूरिणा रुधिरेण वै । असृक्प्रियं तर्पयिष्ये भ्रातरं मे गतव्यथ: ॥ ८ ॥
tasya tyakta-svabhāvasya ghṛṇer māyā-vanaukasaḥ bhajantaṁ bhajamānasya bālasyevāsthirātmanaḥ
至高神は、悪魔と半神に対する生来の平等の精神を捨て去った。彼は至高の人格者であるが、今はマーヤー（幻影）の影響を受け、落ち着きのない子供が誰かに懐くように、信者である半神たちを喜ばせるために猪の姿をとった。それゆえ、私は三叉の槍でヴィシュヌ神の首を胴体から切り離し、その体から溢れ出る大量の血で、血をすすることを好んだ弟ヒラニヤークシャを喜ばせよう。そうすれば、私も安らぎを得られるだろう。
The defect of the demoniac mentality is expressed in this verse very clearly. Hiraṇyakaśipu thought that Viṣṇu also becomes partial, like a child whose mind is not steady or resolute. The Lord can change His mind at any time, Hiraṇyakaśipu thought, and therefore His words and activities are like those of children. Actually, because the demons are ordinary human beings, their minds change, and being materially conditioned, they think that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is conditioned also. As the Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (9.11) , avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣīṁ tanum āśritam: “Fools deride Me when I descend in a human form.”
FAQs
This verse portrays how a demonic mentality becomes disturbed simply by seeing a devotee honored and served—envy arises when one cannot tolerate bhakti and the devotee’s influence.
Prahlāda’s saintly nature is highlighted: even among enemies, his heart remains steady in devotion, not driven by resentment or retaliation.
Avoid comparing or resenting others’ spiritual progress; instead, cultivate steadiness and goodwill, recognizing devotion as a virtue to honor rather than oppose.