Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 8
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Wrath, the Assault on Vedic Culture, and the Boy-Yamarāja’s Teaching on the Soul
तस्य त्यक्तस्वभावस्य घृणेर्मायावनौकस: । भजन्तं भजमानस्य बालस्येवास्थिरात्मन: ॥ ७ ॥ मच्छूलभिन्नग्रीवस्य भूरिणा रुधिरेण वै । असृक्प्रियं तर्पयिष्ये भ्रातरं मे गतव्यथ: ॥ ८ ॥
tasya tyakta-svabhāvasya ghṛṇer māyā-vanaukasaḥ bhajantaṁ bhajamānasya bālasyevāsthirātmanaḥ
A Suprema Personalidade de Deus abandonou Sua tendência natural de igualdade para com os demônios e semideuses. Embora Ele seja a Pessoa Suprema, agora, influenciado por māyā, Ele assumiu a forma de um javali para agradar Seus devotos, os semideuses, assim como uma criança inquieta se inclina para alguém. Portanto, cortarei a cabeça do Senhor Viṣṇu de Seu tronco com meu tridente, e com o sangue profuso de Seu corpo agradarei meu irmão Hiraṇyākṣa, que gostava tanto de sugar sangue. Assim, eu também ficarei em paz.
The defect of the demoniac mentality is expressed in this verse very clearly. Hiraṇyakaśipu thought that Viṣṇu also becomes partial, like a child whose mind is not steady or resolute. The Lord can change His mind at any time, Hiraṇyakaśipu thought, and therefore His words and activities are like those of children. Actually, because the demons are ordinary human beings, their minds change, and being materially conditioned, they think that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is conditioned also. As the Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (9.11) , avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣīṁ tanum āśritam: “Fools deride Me when I descend in a human form.”
FAQs
This verse contrasts a childish, unstable mentality (as seen in Hiraṇyakaśipu’s accusation) with the steadiness implied in true bhakti—real devotion does not flicker due to fear, pressure, or anger.
He was enraged that Prahlāda, despite being his son, remained devoted to Lord Viṣṇu; Hiraṇyakaśipu interprets Prahlāda’s unwavering worship as disloyalty and labels it childish instability.
Do not judge sincere spiritual practice through ego, politics, or family expectations; steadiness in values and devotion is a sign of maturity, not childishness.