Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 5
Brahmā’s Boons, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Cosmic Tyranny, and Prahlāda’s Transcendental Qualities
स विजित्य दिश: सर्वा लोकांश्च त्रीन् महासुर: । देवासुरमनुष्येन्द्रगन्धर्वगरुडोरगान् ॥ ५ ॥ सिद्धचारणविद्याध्रानृषीन् पितृपतीन्मनून् । यक्षरक्ष:पिशाचेशान् प्रेतभूतपतीनपि ॥ ६ ॥ सर्वसत्त्वपतीञ्जित्वा वशमानीय विश्वजित् । जहार लोकपालानां स्थानानि सह तेजसा ॥ ७ ॥
sa vijitya diśaḥ sarvā lokāṁś ca trīn mahāsuraḥ devāsura-manuṣyendra- gandharva-garuḍoragān
Ang dakilang asura na si Hiraṇyakaśipu ay nagwagi sa lahat ng dako at sinakop ang mga daigdig sa tatlong antas. Tinalo niya ang mga deva, asura, mga hari ng tao, Gandharva, Garuḍa, malalaking ahas, Siddha, Cāraṇa, Vidyādhara, mga rishi, si Yama na panginoon ng mga Pitṛ, ang mga Manu, Yakṣa, Rākṣasa, mga pinuno ng Piśāca, at mga panginoon ng preta at bhūta. Matapos daigin ang mga tagapamahala ng lahat ng nilalang at pasukuin sila, inagaw niya ang mga luklukan ng mga lokapāla kasama ang kanilang kapangyarihan at ningning.
The word garuḍa in this verse indicates that there are planets of great birds like Garuḍa. Similarly, the word uraga indicates that there are planets of enormous serpents. Such a description of the various planets of the universe may challenge modern scientists who think that all planets but this earth are vacant. These scientists claim to have launched excursions to the moon, where they have found no living entities but only big craters full of dust and stone, although in fact the moon is so brilliant that it acts like the sun in illuminating the entire universe. Of course, it is not possible to convince modern scientists of the Vedic information about the universe. Nonetheless, we are not very much impressed by the words of scientists who say that all other planets are vacant and that only the earth is full of living entities.
FAQs
This verse states that Hiraṇyakaśipu conquered all directions and the three worlds, bringing even powerful beings—demigod leaders, human rulers, Gandharvas, Garuḍa, and serpents—under his control.
Garuḍa is emblematic of immense celestial power; mentioning him highlights the extent of Hiraṇyakaśipu’s dominance over formidable beings across the universe.
It cautions that material power can expand dramatically yet remain spiritually barren; devotees should seek shelter of Bhagavān rather than be impressed by domination and worldly conquest.