Shloka 3
Nārada’s Protection of Kayādhu and Prahlāda’s Womb-Instructions: Ātma-tattva and the Path of Bhakti
पिपीलिकैरहिरिव दिष्टया लोकोपतापन: । पापेन पापोऽभक्षीति वदन्तो वासवादय: ॥ ३ ॥
pipīlikair ahir iva diṣṭyā lokopatāpanaḥ pāpena pāpo ’bhakṣīti vadanto vāsavādayaḥ
‘ಅಯ್ಯೋ! ಚಿಟ್ಟೆಗಳು ಹಾವನ್ನು ತಿನ್ನುವಂತೆ, ಲೋಕಗಳನ್ನು ಕಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಹಿರಣ್ಯಕಶಿಪು ತನ್ನದೇ ಪಾಪಕರ್ಮದ ಫಲದಿಂದ ಸೋಲಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟನು.’ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾ ಇಂದ್ರಾದಿ ದೇವತೆಗಳು ದಾನವರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಯುದ್ಧಕ್ಕೆ ಸಿದ್ಧರಾದರು.
FAQs
This verse states that a sinner can be “devoured by his own sin”—meaning suffering arises as the natural reaction to one’s wrongdoing, functioning like an inbuilt justice.
In the Prahlāda-related narrative, the devas often suffer under oppressive forces; here they express relief that the world’s oppressor is being checked by the consequences of his own actions.
Act with integrity and restraint, recognizing that harmful choices tend to return as suffering—while dharmic living reduces turmoil and supports inner peace.