Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 9
Varāha Confronts Hiraṇyākṣa: The Challenge, the Rescue of Earth, and the Opening of the Mace-Duel
परानुषक्तं तपनीयोपकल्पं महागदं काञ्चनचित्रदंशम् । मर्माण्यभीक्ष्णं प्रतुदन्तं दुरुक्तै: प्रचण्डमन्यु: प्रहसंस्तं बभाषे ॥ ९ ॥
parānuṣaktaṁ tapanīyopakalpaṁ mahā-gadaṁ kāñcana-citra-daṁśam marmāṇy abhīkṣṇaṁ pratudantaṁ duruktaiḥ pracaṇḍa-manyuḥ prahasaṁs taṁ babhāṣe
黄金の装飾と美しい鎧を身にまとったその悪魔は、巨大な棍棒を持って主を背後から追いかけた。主は彼の突き刺すような悪言を耐え忍んだが、彼に答えるために、笑いながら恐ろしい怒りを表した。
The Lord could have chastised the demon immediately while the demon was deriding the Lord with ill words, but the Lord tolerated him to please the demigods and to show that they should not be afraid of demons while discharging their duties. Therefore His toleration was displayed mainly to drive away the fears of the demigods, who should know that the Lord is always present to protect them. The demon’s derision of the Lord was just like the barking of dogs; the Lord did not care about it, since He was doing His own work in delivering the earth from the midst of the water. Materialistic demons always possess large amounts of gold in various shapes, and they think that a large amount of gold, physical strength and popularity can save them from the wrath of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
In this verse, even while being attacked and insulted, the Lord remains sovereign—He laughs and speaks, showing divine fearlessness and control rather than being overpowered by the opponent’s rage.
The laughter underscores the Lord’s transcendence: although the demon strikes and hurls abuse, the Lord is never truly threatened, and He engages the demon in battle to protect dharma.
When faced with provocation, don’t let insults dictate your mind—respond from steadiness and purpose, as dharma-guided action is stronger than reactive anger.