Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 40
Nārāyaṇa’s Impartiality, Absorption in Kṛṣṇa, and the Jaya–Vijaya Descent
Prelude to Prahlāda’s History
जज्ञाते तौ दिते: पुत्रौ दैत्यदानववन्दितौ । हिरण्यकशिपुर्ज्येष्ठो हिरण्याक्षोऽनुजस्तत: ॥ ४० ॥
jajñāte tau diteḥ putrau daitya-dānava-vanditau hiraṇyakaśipur jyeṣṭho hiraṇyākṣo ’nujas tataḥ
അവർ ഇരുവരും ദിതിയുടെ പുത്രന്മാരായി ജനിച്ചു; ദൈത്യ-ദാനവന്മാർ അവരെ വന്ദിച്ചു. ഹിരണ്യകശിപു മൂത്തവൻ, അതിന് ശേഷം ഹിരണ്യാക്ഷൻ ഇളയവൻ.
FAQs
They are the two sons of Diti, celebrated among the Daityas and Dānavas—Hiraṇyakaśipu being the elder and Hiraṇyākṣa the younger.
This verse introduces the birth of the two brothers: Hiraṇyakaśipu later becomes the antagonist in Lord Narasiṁha’s līlā, and Hiraṇyākṣa is connected with Lord Varāha’s līlā.
Even powerful lineages and social honor can be rooted in demoniac ambition; the Bhagavatam urges seekers to value devotion and humility over prestige and dominance.