Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 13
Brahmā’s Boons, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Cosmic Tyranny, and Prahlāda’s Transcendental Qualities
तमङ्ग मत्तं मधुनोरुगन्धिना विवृत्तताम्राक्षमशेषधिष्ण्यपा: । उपासतोपायनपाणिभिर्विना त्रिभिस्तपोयोगबलौजसां पदम् ॥ १३ ॥
tam aṅga mattaṁ madhunoru-gandhinā vivṛtta-tāmrākṣam aśeṣa-dhiṣṇya-pāḥ upāsatopāyana-pāṇibhir vinā tribhis tapo-yoga-balaujasāṁ padam
大王啊，希兰尼亚迦湿布常醉于气味浓烈的酒浆，故其铜红之眼不停翻转。然而凭借瑜伽苦行所成的强大威力，虽其人可憎，除三位主神——梵天、湿婆与毗湿奴——之外，诸天诸界的守护者几乎都亲自手捧供品来奉事他，只为取悦于他。
In the Skanda Purāṇa there is this description: upāyanaṁ daduḥ sarve vinā devān hiraṇyakaḥ. Hiraṇyakaśipu was so powerful that everyone but the three principal demigods — namely Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and Lord Viṣṇu — engaged in his service. Madhvācārya says, ādityā vasavo rudrās tri-vidhā hi surā yataḥ. There are three kinds of demigods — the Ādityas, the Vasus and the Rudras — beneath whom are the other demigods, like the Maruts and Sādhyas ( marutaś caiva viśve ca sādhyāś caiva ca tad-gatāḥ ). Therefore all the demigods are called tri-piṣṭapa, and the same word tri applies to Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and Lord Viṣṇu.
FAQs
This verse shows Hiraṇyakaśipu becoming arrogant and sensually intoxicated, yet receiving worship from many rulers—highlighting how material power can create false reverence and deepen illusion.
In the narrative, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s dominance and fearsome control over the universe compelled subordinate rulers to approach him with gifts and worship, even as he contemptuously ignored them.
Do not measure greatness by external authority or followers; cultivate humility and devotion, because power without character can make one dismissive, intoxicated, and spiritually blind.