Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 27
Portents at the Birth of Diti’s Sons and Hiraṇyākṣa Challenges Varuṇa
तत्रोपलभ्यासुरलोकपालकं यादोगणानामृषभं प्रचेतसम् । स्मयन् प्रलब्धुं प्रणिपत्य नीचव- ज्जगाद मे देह्यधिराज संयुगम ॥ २७ ॥
tatropalabhyāsura-loka-pālakaṁ yādo-gaṇānām ṛṣabhaṁ pracetasam smayan pralabdhuṁ praṇipatya nīcavaj jagāda me dehy adhirāja saṁyugam
そこで彼は、水の生きものの主にして下界の守護者ヴァルナ（プラチェータス）を見いだした。嘲るために微笑み、卑しい者のようにその足もとにひれ伏して言った。「至高の主よ、我に戦いを授けよ！」
The demoniac person always challenges others and tries to occupy others’ property by force. Here these symptoms are fully displayed by Hiraṇyākṣa, who begged war from a person who had no desire to fight.
FAQs
His bow was not devotion but mock humility—he wanted to provoke Varuṇa and display asuric pride by demanding combat.
Pracetas here refers to Varuṇa, the cosmic regent associated with waters and the ruler of aquatic beings (yādogaṇa), a guardian of universal order.
It cautions against performative humility used to manipulate others and highlights how ego seeks conflict; genuine respect is shown through truthfulness and self-control.