Shloka 17
Brahmā’s Boons, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Cosmic Tyranny, and Prahlāda’s Transcendental Qualities
रत्नाकराश्च रत्नौघांस्तत्पत्न्यश्चोहुरूर्मिभि: । क्षारसीधुघृतक्षौद्रदधिक्षीरामृतोदका: ॥ १७ ॥
ratnākarāś ca ratnaughāṁs tat-patnyaś cohur ūrmibhiḥ kṣāra-sīdhu-ghṛta-kṣaudra- dadhi-kṣīrāmṛtodakāḥ
Течением своих волн различные океаны вселенной вместе с притоками — реками, словно жёнами, — доставляли Хираньякашипу всевозможные драгоценные камни и сокровища. Это были океаны солёной воды, сока сахарного тростника, вина, топлёного масла, молока, простокваши, мёда и сладкой воды.
The water of the seas and oceans of this planet, of which we have experience, are salty, but other planets within the universe contain oceans of sugarcane juice, liquor, ghee, milk and sweet water. The rivers are figuratively described as wives of the oceans and seas because they glide down to the oceans and seas as tributaries, like the wives attached to their husbands. Modern scientists attempt excursions to other planets, but they have no information of how many different types of oceans and seas there are within the universe. According to their experience, the moon is full of dust, but this does not explain how it gives us soothing rays from a distance of millions of miles. As far as we are concerned, we follow the authority of Vyāsadeva and Śukadeva Gosvāmī, who have described the universal situation according to the Vedic literature. These authorities differ from modern scientists who conclude from their imperfect sensual experience that only this planet is inhabited by living beings whereas the other planets are all vacant or full of dust.
FAQs
This verse describes cosmic reservoirs whose waves offer jewels and whose waters manifest as various substances—salt water, liquor, ghee, honey, yogurt, milk, and nectar-like water—showing the universe’s opulence under divine order.
He is portraying how the cosmic elements and their presiding powers respond in a time of crisis—highlighting that all opulence ultimately belongs to and serves the Supreme, as the demigods seek Lord Viṣṇu’s shelter against Hiraṇyakaśipu’s tyranny.
See prosperity and resources as meant for service, not exploitation—cultivating gratitude and devotion by offering one’s “wealth and waves” (abilities and possessions) toward dharmic, God-centered purposes.