Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 15
Brahmā’s Boons, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Cosmic Tyranny, and Prahlāda’s Transcendental Qualities
स एव वर्णाश्रमिभि: क्रतुभिर्भूरिदक्षिणै: । इज्यमानो हविर्भागानग्रहीत् स्वेन तेजसा ॥ १५ ॥
sa eva varṇāśramibhiḥ kratubhir bhūri-dakṣiṇaiḥ ijyamāno havir-bhāgān agrahīt svena tejasā
Kapag ang mga taong mahigpit na sumusunod sa varṇa at āśrama ay sumasamba sa kanya sa pamamagitan ng mga handog at yajnang may saganang kaloob, si Hiraṇyakaśipu ay hindi nagbibigay ng bahagi ng alay sa mga diyos; sa lakas ng kanyang ningning, siya mismo ang kumukuha nito.
FAQs
This verse shows that an asura like Hiraṇyakaśipu can be worshiped through elaborate rituals, yet he uses that social-religious system to seize the demigods’ rightful shares, turning yajña into a tool of domination rather than devotion.
In the narrative, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s overwhelming political and mystical power created fear and coercion; many participated in rituals for him as a matter of survival, even though such worship opposed the intended divine order of yajña.
External religiosity can be captured by ego, fear, or authoritarian power; the verse urges aligning spiritual practice with genuine devotion and righteousness, not merely with spectacle, wealth, or social pressure.