Shloka 13
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Austerities and Brahmā’s Boons
The Architecture of ‘Conditional Immortality’
तवासनं द्विजगवां पारमेष्ठ्यं जगत्पते । भवाय श्रेयसे भूत्यै क्षेमाय विजयाय च ॥ १३ ॥
tavāsanaṁ dvija-gavāṁ pārameṣṭhyaṁ jagat-pate bhavāya śreyase bhūtyai kṣemāya vijayāya ca
உலகநாதனே பிரம்மதேவா, உங்கள் பரமேஷ்டி ஆசனம் உலகின் மங்களம், நன்மை, செல்வம், பாதுகாப்பு, வெற்றிக்காக—குறிப்பாக பிராமணர்களுக்கும் பசுக்களுக்கும்—மிகவும் சுபமானது. உங்கள் பதவியால் பிராமண தர்மமும் கோ-ரட்சணையின் மகிமையும் வளர்ந்து, எல்லா வளங்களும் தானாகப் பெருகும்; ஆனால் ஹிரண்யகசிபு உங்கள் ஆசனத்தைப் பிடித்தால் அனைத்தும் அழியும்.
In this verse the words dvija-gavāṁ pārameṣṭhyam indicate the most exalted position of the brāhmaṇas, brahminical culture and the cows. In Vedic culture, the welfare of the cows and the welfare of the brāhmaṇas are essential. Without a proper arrangement for developing brahminical culture and protecting cows, all the affairs of administration will go to hell. Being afraid that Hiraṇyakaśipu would occupy the post of Brahmā, all the demigods were extremely disturbed. Hiraṇyakaśipu was a well-known demon, and the demigods knew that if demons and Rākṣasas were to occupy the supreme post, brahminical culture and protection of cows would come to an end. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (5.29) , the original proprietor of everything is Lord Kṛṣṇa ( bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ sarva-loka-maheśvaram ). The Lord, therefore, knows particularly well how to develop the material condition of the living entities within this material world. In every universe there is one Brahmā engaged on behalf of Lord Kṛṣṇa, as confirmed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ( tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye ). The principal creator in each brahmāṇḍa is Lord Brahmā, who imparts Vedic knowledge to his disciples and sons. On every planet, the king or supreme controller must be a representative of Brahmā. Therefore, if a Rākṣasa, or demon, were situated in Brahmā’s post, then the entire arrangement of the universe, especially the protection of the brahminical culture and cows, would be ruined. All the demigods anticipated this danger, and therefore they went to request Lord Brahmā to take immediate steps to thwart Hiraṇyakaśipu’s plan.
FAQs
This verse links cosmic welfare—prosperity, auspiciousness, protection, and victory—with the principle of dvija-gavām (brāhmaṇas and cows), indicating their protection as a pillar of dharma and societal well-being.
After Hiraṇyakaśipu’s severe austerities, Brahmā appeared and addressed him, describing the purpose of his own exalted position and its alignment with universal welfare before granting boons.
Support genuine spiritual education and ethical leadership (brāhmaṇa principles) and practice compassionate, non-exploitative care for animals—especially cows—so prosperity is grounded in dharma rather than mere consumption.