Shloka 13
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Wrath, the Assault on Vedic Culture, and the Boy-Yamarāja’s Teaching on the Soul
इति ते भर्तृनिर्देशमादाय शिरसादृता: । तथा प्रजानां कदनं विदधु: कदनप्रिया: ॥ १३ ॥
iti te bhartṛ-nirdeśam ādāya śirasādṛtāḥ tathā prajānāṁ kadanaṁ vidadhuḥ kadana-priyāḥ
ವಿನಾಶವನ್ನು ಇಷ್ಟಪಡುವ ಆ ರಾಕ್ಷಸರು ತಮ್ಮ ಒಡೆಯನಾದ ಹಿರಣ್ಯಕಶಿಪುವಿನ ಆಜ್ಞೆಯನ್ನು ತಲೆಬಾಗಿ ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸಿ, ಪ್ರಜೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಹಿಂಸೆ ನೀಡಲು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿದರು.
The followers of demoniac principles, as described here, are thoroughly envious of the general populace. In the present day, scientific advancement exemplifies such envy. The discovery of nuclear energy has been disastrous to people in general because demons all over the world are manufacturing nuclear weapons. The word kadana-priyāḥ is very significant in this regard. The demoniac persons who want to kill the Vedic culture are extremely envious of the feeble citizens, and they act in such a way that ultimately their discoveries will be inauspicious for everyone ( jagato ’hitāḥ ). The Sixteenth Chapter of Bhagavad-gītā fully explains how the demons engage in sinful activities for the destruction of the populace.
FAQs
This verse shows that demoniac-minded leaders and their agents, delighting in cruelty, execute oppressive orders and harass innocent citizens—an example of adharma and misuse of power.
They accepted their master’s directive as supreme and, being naturally fond of violence and harassment, carried out systematic oppression of the populace.
Do not normalize cruelty as “just following orders”; cultivate accountability, compassion, and dharmic leadership that protects others rather than exploits them.