Shloka 18
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Austerities and Brahmā’s Boons
The Architecture of ‘Conditional Immortality’
अद्राक्षमहमेतं ते हृत्सारं महदद्भुतम् । दंशभक्षितदेहस्य प्राणा ह्यस्थिषु शेरते ॥ १८ ॥
adrākṣam aham etaṁ te hṛt-sāraṁ mahad-adbhutam daṁśa-bhakṣita-dehasya prāṇā hy asthiṣu śerate
Я увидел твою поразительную стойкость. Хотя черви и муравьи кусали и пожирали твоё тело, твоя прана — дыхание жизни — всё же пребывает и движется в костях; воистину это дивно.
It appears that the soul can exist even through the bones, as shown by the personal example of Hiraṇyakaśipu. When great yogīs are in samādhi, even when their bodies are buried and their skin, marrow, blood and so on have all been eaten, if only their bones remain they can exist in a transcendental position. Very recently an archaeologist published findings indicating that Lord Christ, after being buried, was exhumed and that he then went to Kashmir. There have been many actual examples of yogīs’ being buried in trance and exhumed alive and in good condition several hours later. A yogī can keep himself alive in a transcendental state even if buried not only for many days but for many years.
FAQs
This verse shows that intense tapasya can produce astonishing bodily endurance—so much so that even when the body is severely deteriorated, the life-airs (prāṇas) can be sustained by sheer resolve and discipline.
Brahma appeared after witnessing Hiranyakashipu’s extreme austerities and acknowledged the extraordinary determination that sustained his life despite severe physical decay.
Cultivate steady discipline and focus—consistent practice in prayer, study, or self-control builds inner strength that can carry you through hardship, even when external conditions are unfavorable.