Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 20
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Austerities and Brahmā’s Boons
The Architecture of ‘Conditional Immortality’
व्यवसायेन तेऽनेन दुष्करेण मनस्विनाम् । तपोनिष्ठेन भवता जितोऽहं दितिनन्दन ॥ २० ॥
vyavasāyena te ’nena duṣkareṇa manasvinām tapo-niṣṭhena bhavatā jito ’haṁ diti-nandana
హే దితి కుమారా! నీ దృఢనిశ్చయం, కఠిన తపస్సు మహామునులకైనా దుర్లభమైన కార్యాన్ని సాధించాయి; అందువల్ల నీవు నన్ను నిజంగా జయించావు।
In regard to the word jitaḥ, Śrīla Madhva Muni gives the following quotation from the Śabda-nirṇaya: parābhūtaṁ vaśa-sthaṁ ca jitabhid ucyate budhaiḥ. “If one comes under someone else’s control or is defeated by another, he is called jitaḥ. ” Hiraṇyakaśipu’s austerity was so great and wonderful that even Lord Brahmā agreed to be conquered by him.
FAQs
This verse shows that intense, unwavering austerity (tapo-niṣṭhā) can even oblige Brahmā to appear and grant boons, as he says he is 'conquered' by such determination.
Because Hiraṇyakaśipu performed extremely difficult austerities with firm resolve; Brahmā, as the cosmic administrator, is bound to respond when such tapas reaches its fruition.
Cultivate steady discipline toward a worthy goal—especially spiritual practice—since consistent, focused effort over time brings powerful results and draws divine support.