Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 11
Brahmā’s Boons, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Cosmic Tyranny, and Prahlāda’s Transcendental Qualities
यत्र विद्रुमसोपाना महामारकता भुव: । यत्र स्फाटिककुड्यानि वैदूर्यस्तम्भपङ्क्तय: ॥ ९ ॥ यत्र चित्रवितानानि पद्मरागासनानि च । पय:फेननिभा: शय्या मुक्तादामपरिच्छदा: ॥ १० ॥ कूजद्भिर्नूपुरैर्देव्य: शब्दयन्त्य इतस्तत: । रत्नस्थलीषु पश्यन्ति सुदती: सुन्दरं मुखम् ॥ ११ ॥ तस्मिन्महेन्द्रभवने महाबलो महामना निर्जितलोक एकराट् । रेमेऽभिवन्द्याङ्घ्रियुग: सुरादिभि: प्रतापितैरूर्जितचण्डशासन: ॥ १२ ॥
yatra vidruma-sopānā mahā-mārakatā bhuvaḥ yatra sphāṭika-kuḍyāni vaidūrya-stambha-paṅktayaḥ
Sa palasyo ni Indra, ang mga hagdan ay korales, ang sahig ay esmeralda, ang mga pader ay kristal, at ang mga haligi ay batong vaidūrya. May mga upuang rubi at puting sutlang higaan na pinalamutian ng mga perlas. Ang mga diwata ay naglalakad-lakad na may tunog ng anklet at nakikita ang repleksiyon ng kanilang mukha sa mga hiyas. Ngunit ang mga deva ay napilitang yumukod sa paanan ni Hiraṇyakaśipu, na namuno sa pamamagitan ng malupit na utos; kaya niya pinasunod ang lahat.
Hiraṇyakaśipu was so powerful in the heavenly planets that all the demigods except Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and Lord Viṣṇu were forced to engage in his service. Indeed, they were afraid of being severely punished if they disobeyed him. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī has compared Hiraṇyakaśipu to Mahārāja Vena, who was also atheistic and scornful of the ritualistic ceremonies mentioned in the Vedas. Yet Mahārāja Vena was afraid of some of the great sages such as Bhṛgu, whereas Hiraṇyakaśipu ruled in such a way that everyone feared him but Lord Viṣṇu, Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva. Hiraṇyakaśipu was so alert against being burnt to ashes by the anger of great sages like Bhṛgu that by dint of austerity he surpassed their power and placed even them under his subordination. It appears that even in the higher planetary systems, to which people are promoted by pious activities, disturbances are created by asuras like Hiraṇyakaśipu. No one in the three worlds can live in peace and prosperity without disturbance.
FAQs
This verse depicts jeweled floors and celestial ladies whose anklets make the palace ring, showing extraordinary material opulence surrounding Hiraṇyakaśipu’s rule.
He is setting the scene of Hiraṇyakaśipu’s imperial grandeur after gaining power—highlighting the height of worldly splendor that still cannot grant true safety or liberation without devotion to Viṣṇu.
Enjoyments and status can be dazzling, but they are temporary reflections; the verse encourages detachment and remembering that lasting fulfillment comes from bhakti rather than display.