Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 15
Brahmā’s Boons, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Cosmic Tyranny, and Prahlāda’s Transcendental Qualities
स एव वर्णाश्रमिभि: क्रतुभिर्भूरिदक्षिणै: । इज्यमानो हविर्भागानग्रहीत् स्वेन तेजसा ॥ १५ ॥
sa eva varṇāśramibhiḥ kratubhir bhūri-dakṣiṇaiḥ ijyamāno havir-bhāgān agrahīt svena tejasā
वर्णाश्रमधर्माचे कठोर पालन करणारे लोक जेव्हा भरपूर दक्षिणांसह यज्ञ करून त्याची पूजा करीत, तेव्हा हिरण्यकशिपू देवांना हविर्भाग न देता, आपल्या तेजाच्या बळावर ते भाग स्वतःच स्वीकारत असे.
FAQs
This verse shows that an asura like Hiraṇyakaśipu can be worshiped through elaborate rituals, yet he uses that social-religious system to seize the demigods’ rightful shares, turning yajña into a tool of domination rather than devotion.
In the narrative, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s overwhelming political and mystical power created fear and coercion; many participated in rituals for him as a matter of survival, even though such worship opposed the intended divine order of yajña.
External religiosity can be captured by ego, fear, or authoritarian power; the verse urges aligning spiritual practice with genuine devotion and righteousness, not merely with spectacle, wealth, or social pressure.