Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 12
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
Trong cung điện của vua Indra, bậc thềm làm bằng san hô, nền lát ngọc lục bảo vô giá, tường bằng pha lê và cột xếp hàng bằng đá vaidūrya. Những mái che trang trí tuyệt mỹ, ngai ngồi nạm hồng ngọc, và giường lụa trắng như bọt nước được điểm bằng chuỗi ngọc trai. Các cung nữ răng đẹp mặt xinh đi lại khắp nơi, tiếng lục lạc nơi cổ chân ngân vang, và thấy bóng dung nhan mình phản chiếu trong châu báu. Nhưng chư thiên bị áp bức phải cúi lạy dưới chân Hiraṇyakaśipu; hắn ở trong cung ấy và cai trị mọi loài bằng hình phạt nghiêm khắc.
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
It describes him as a single, overpowering monarch who conquered the worlds and forced even the demigods to bow, indicating a reign driven by fear and harsh control rather than dharma.
Because they were tormented by his extraordinary power and severe शासन (rule), they were compelled to offer external submission despite his ungodly nature.
Power without devotion and dharma leads to oppression and false honor; true greatness is measured by humility, self-control, and service to the Supreme, not by domination.