Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 7 · Chapter 4
श्रीनारद उवाच एवं वृत: शतधृतिर्हिरण्यकशिपोरथ । प्रादात्तत्तपसा प्रीतो वरांस्तस्य सुदुर्लभान् ॥ १ ॥
sri-narada uvaca evam vrtah sata-dhrtir hiranyakasipor atha pradat tat-tapasa prito varams tasya sudurlabhan
Narada Muni continued: Lord Brahma was very much satisfied by Hiranyakasipu’s austerities, which were difficult to perform. Therefore, when solicited for benedictions, he indeed granted them, although they were rarely to be achieved.
श्रीब्रह्मोवाच तातेमे दुर्लभा: पुंसां यान् वृणीषे वरान् मम । तथापि वितराम्यङ्ग वरान् यद्यपि दुर्लभान् ॥ २ ॥
sri-brahmovaca tateme durlabhah pumsam yan vrnise varan mama tathapi vitaramy anga varan yadyapi durlabhan
Lord Brahma said: O Hiranyakasipu, these benedictions for which you have asked are difficult to obtain for most men. Nonetheless, O my son, I shall grant you them although they are generally not available.
ततो जगाम भगवानमोघानुग्रहो विभु: । पूजितोऽसुरवर्येण स्तूयमान: प्रजेश्वरै: ॥ ३ ॥
tato jagama bhagavan amoghanugraho vibhuh pujito ’sura-varyena stuyamanah prajesvaraih
Then Lord Brahma, who awards infallible benedictions, departed, being worshiped by the best of the demons, Hiranyakasipu, and being praised by great sages and saintly persons.
एवं लब्धवरो दैत्यो बिभ्रद्धेममयं वपु: । भगवत्यकरोद् द्वेषं भ्रातुर्वधमनुस्मरन् ॥ ४ ॥
evam labdha-varo daityo bibhrad dhemamayam vapuh bhagavaty akarod dvesam bhratur vadham anusmaran
The demon Hiranyakasipu, having thus been blessed by Lord Brahma and having acquired a lustrous golden body, continued to remember the death of his brother and therefore be envious of Lord Visnu.
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 disah sarva lokams ca trin mahasurah devasura-manusyendra- gandharva-garudoragan siddha-carana-vidyadhran rsin pitr-patin manun yaksa-raksah-pisacesan preta-bhuta-patin api sarva-sattva-patin jitva vasam aniya visva-jit jahara loka-palanam sthanani saha tejasa
Hiranyakasipu became the conqueror of the entire universe. Indeed, that great demon conquered all the planets in the three worlds — upper, middle and lower — including the planets of the human beings, the Gandharvas, the Garudas, the great serpents, the Siddhas, Caranas and Vidyadharas, the great saints, Yamaraja, the Manus, the Yaksas, the Raksasas, the Pisacas and their masters, and the masters of the ghosts and Bhutas. He defeated the rulers of all the other planets where there are living entities and brought them under his control. Conquering the abodes of all, he seized their power and influence.
देवोद्यानश्रिया जुष्टमध्यास्ते स्म त्रिपिष्टपम् । महेन्द्रभवनं साक्षान्निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा । त्रैलोक्यलक्ष्म्यायतनमध्युवासाखिलर्द्धिमत् ॥ ८ ॥
devodyana-sriya justam adhyaste sma tri-pistapam mahendra-bhavanam saksan nirmitam visvakarmana trailokya-laksmy-ayatanam adhyuvasakhilarddhimat
Hiranyakasipu, who possessed all opulence, began residing in heaven, with its famous Nandana garden, which is enjoyed by the demigods. In fact, he resided in the most opulent palace of Indra, the King of heaven. The palace had been directly constructed by the demigod architect Visvakarma and was as beautifully made as if the goddess of fortune of the entire universe resided there.
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-sopana maha-marakata bhuvah yatra sphatika-kudyani vaidurya-stambha-panktayah yatra citra-vitanani padmaragasanani ca payah-phena-nibhah sayya muktadama-paricchadah kujadbhir nupurair devyah sabda-yantya itas tatah ratna-sthalisu pasyanti sudatih sundaram mukham tasmin mahendra-bhavane maha-balo maha-mana nirjita-loka eka-rat reme ’bhivandyanghri-yugah suradibhih pratapitair urjita-canda-sasanah
The steps of King Indra’s residence were made of coral, the floor was bedecked with invaluable emeralds, the walls were of crystal, and the columns of vaidurya stone. The wonderful canopies were beautifully decorated, the seats were bedecked with rubies, and the silk bedding, as white as foam, was decorated with pearls. The ladies of the palace, who were blessed with beautiful teeth and the most wonderfully beautiful faces, walked here and there in the palace, their ankle bells tinkling melodiously, and saw their own beautiful reflections in the gems. The demigods, however, being very much oppressed, had to bow down and offer obeisances at the feet of Hiranyakasipu, who chastised the demigods very severely and for no reason. Thus Hiranyakasipu lived in the palace and severely ruled everyone.
तमङ्ग मत्तं मधुनोरुगन्धिना विवृत्तताम्राक्षमशेषधिष्ण्यपा: । उपासतोपायनपाणिभिर्विना त्रिभिस्तपोयोगबलौजसां पदम् ॥ १३ ॥
tam anga mattam madhunoru-gandhina vivrtta-tamraksam asesa-dhisnya-pah upasatopayana-panibhir vina tribhis tapo-yoga-balaujasam padam
O my dear King, Hiranyakasipu was always drunk on strong-smelling wines and liquors, and therefore his coppery eyes were always rolling. Nonetheless, because he had powerfully executed great austerities in mystic yoga, although he was abominable, all but the three principal demigods—Lord Brahma, Lord Siva and Lord Visnu—personally worshiped him to please him by bringing him various presentations with their own hands.
जगुर्महेन्द्रासनमोजसा स्थितं विश्वावसुस्तुम्बुरुरस्मदादय: । गन्धर्वसिद्धा ऋषयोऽस्तुवन्मुहु- र्विद्याधराश्चाप्सरसश्च पाण्डव ॥ १४ ॥
jagur mahendrasanam ojasa sthitam visvavasus tumburur asmad-adayah gandharva-siddha rsayo ’stuvan muhur vidyadharas capsarasas ca pandava
O Maharaja Yudhisthira, descendant of Pandu, by dint of his personal power, Hiranyakasipu, being situated on the throne of King Indra, controlled the inhabitants of all the other planes. The two Gandharvas Visvavasu and Tumburu, I myself and the Vidyadharas, Apsaras and sages all offered prayers to him again and again just to glorify him.
स एव वर्णाश्रमिभि: क्रतुभिर्भूरिदक्षिणै: । इज्यमानो हविर्भागानग्रहीत् स्वेन तेजसा ॥ १५ ॥
sa eva varnasramibhih kratubhir bhuri-daksinaih ijyamano havir-bhagan agrahit svena tejasa
Being worshiped by sacrifices offered with great gifts by those who strictly followed the principles of varna and asrama, Hiranyakasipu, instead of offering shares of the oblations to the demigods, accepted them himself.
अकृष्टपच्या तस्यासीत् सप्तद्वीपवती मही । तथा कामदुघा गावो नानाश्चर्यपदं नभ: ॥ १६ ॥
akrsta-pacya tasyasit sapta-dvipavati mahi tatha kama-dugha gavo nanascarya-padam nabhah
As if in fear of Hiranyakasipu, the plane earth, which consists of seven islands, delivered food grains without being plowed. Thus it resembled cows like the surabhi of the spiritual world or the kama-dugha of heaven. The earth yielded sufficient food grains, the cows supplied abundant milk, and outer space was beautifully decorated with wonderful phenomena.
रत्नाकराश्च रत्नौघांस्तत्पत्न्यश्चोहुरूर्मिभि: । क्षारसीधुघृतक्षौद्रदधिक्षीरामृतोदका: ॥ १७ ॥
ratnakaras ca ratnaughams tat-patnyas cohur urmibhih ksara-sidhu-ghrta-ksaudra- dadhi-ksiramrtodakah
By the flowing of their waves, the various oceans of the universe, along with their tributaries, the rivers, which are compared to their wives, supplied various kinds of gems and jewels for Hiranyakasipu’s use. These oceans were the oceans of salt water, sugarcane juice, wine, clarified butter, milk, yogurt, and sweet water.
शैला द्रोणीभिराक्रीडं सर्वर्तुषु गुणान् द्रुमा: । दधार लोकपालानामेक एव पृथग्गुणान् ॥ १८ ॥
saila dronibhir akridam sarvartusu gunan drumah dadhara loka-palanam eka eva prthag gunan
The valleys between the mountains became fields of pleasure for Hiranyakasipu, by whose influence all the trees and plants produced fruits and flowers profusely in all seasons. The qualities of pouring water, drying and burning, which are all qualities of the three departmental heads of the universe—namely Indra, Vayu and Agni—were all directed by Hiranyakasipu alone, without assistance from the demigods.
स इत्थं निर्जितककुबेकराड् विषयान् प्रियान् । यथोपजोषं भुञ्जानो नातृप्यदजितेन्द्रिय: ॥ १९ ॥
sa ittham nirjita-kakub eka-rad visayan priyan yathopajosam bhunjano natrpyad ajitendriyah
In spite of achieving the power to control in all directions and in spite of enjoying all types of dear sense gratification as much as possible, Hiranyakasipu was dissatisfied because instead of controlling his senses he remained their servant.
एवमैश्वर्यमत्तस्य दृप्तस्योच्छास्त्रवर्तिन: । कालो महान् व्यतीयाय ब्रह्मशापमुपेयुष: ॥ २० ॥
evam aisvarya-mattasya drptasyocchastra-vartinah kalo mahan vyatiyaya brahma-sapam upeyusah
Hiranyakasipu thus passed a long time being very much proud of his opulences and transgressing the laws and regulations mentioned in the authoritative sastras. He was therefore subjected to a curse by the four Kumaras, who were great brahmanas.
तस्योग्रदण्डसंविग्ना: सर्वे लोका: सपालका: । अन्यत्रालब्धशरणा: शरणं ययुरच्युतम् ॥ २१ ॥
tasyogra-danda-samvignah sarve lokah sapalakah anyatralabdha-saranah saranam yayur acyutam
Everyone, including the rulers of the various planes, was extremely distressed because of the severe punishment inflicted upon them by Hiranyakasipu. Fearful and disturbed, unable to find any other shelter, they at last surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu.
तस्यै नमोऽस्तु काष्ठायै यत्रात्मा हरिरीश्वर: । यद्गत्वा न निवर्तन्ते शान्ता: संन्यासिनोऽमला: ॥ २२ ॥ इति ते संयतात्मान: समाहितधियोऽमला: । उपतस्थुर्हृषीकेशं विनिद्रा वायुभोजना: ॥ २३ ॥
tasyai namo ’stu kasthayai yatratma harir isvarah yad gatva na nivartante santah sannyasino ’malah iti te samyatatmanah samahita-dhiyo ’malah upatasthur hrsikesam vinidra vayu-bhojanah
“Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto that direction where the Supreme Personality of Godhead is situated, where those purified souls in the renounced order of life, the great saintly persons, go, and from which, having gone, they never return.” Without sleep, fully controlling their minds, and living on only their breath, the predominating deities of the various planets began worshiping Hrsikesa with this meditation.
तेषामाविरभूद्वाणी अरूपा मेघनि:स्वना । सन्नादयन्ती ककुभ: साधूनामभयङ्करी ॥ २४ ॥
tesam avirabhud vani arupa megha-nihsvana sannadayanti kakubhah sadhunam abhayankari
Then there appeared before them a transcendental sound vibration, emanating from a personality not visible to material eyes. The voice was as grave as the sound of a cloud, and it was very encouraging, driving away all fear.
मा भैष्ट विबुधश्रेष्ठा: सर्वेषां भद्रमस्तु व: । मद्दर्शनं हि भूतानां सर्वश्रेयोपपत्तये ॥ २५ ॥ ज्ञातमेतस्य दौरात्म्यं दैतेयापसदस्य यत् । तस्य शान्तिं करिष्यामि कालं तावत्प्रतीक्षत ॥ २६ ॥
ma bhaista vibudha-sresthah sarvesam bhadram astu vah mad-darsanam hi bhutanam sarva-sreyopapattaye jnatam etasya dauratmyam daiteyapasadasya yat tasya santim karisyami kalam tavat pratiksata
The voice of the Lord vibrated as follows: O best of learned persons, do not fear! I wish all good fortune to you. Become My devotees by hearing and chanting about Me and offering Me prayers, for these are certainly meant to award benedictions to all living entities. I know all about the activities of Hiranyakasipu and shall surely stop them very soon. Please wait patiently until that time.
यदा देवेषु वेदेषु गोषु विप्रेषु साधुषु । धर्मे मयि च विद्वेष: स वा आशु विनश्यति ॥ २७ ॥
yada devesu vedesu gosu vipresu sadhusu dharme mayi ca vidvesah sa va asu vinasyati
When one is envious of the demigods, who represent the Supreme Personality of Godhead, of the Vedas, which give all knowledge, of the cows, brahmanas, Vaisnavas and religious principles, and ultimately of Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he and his civilization will be vanquished without delay.
निर्वैराय प्रशान्ताय स्वसुताय महात्मने । प्रह्रादाय यदा द्रुह्येद्धनिष्येऽपि वरोर्जितम् ॥ २८ ॥
nirvairaya prasantaya sva-sutaya mahatmane prahradaya yada druhyed dhanisye ’pi varorjitam
When Hiranyakasipu teases the great devotee Prahlada, his own son, who is peaceful and sober and who has no enemy, I shall kill Hiranyakasipu immediately, despite the benedictions of Brahma.
श्रीनारद उवाच इत्युक्ता लोकगुरुणा तं प्रणम्य दिवौकस: । न्यवर्तन्त गतोद्वेगा मेनिरे चासुरं हतम् ॥ २९ ॥
sri-narada uvaca ity ukta loka-guruna tam pranamya divaukasah nyavartanta gatodvega menire casuram hatam
The great saint Narada Muni continued: When the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the spiritual master of everyone, thus reassured all the demigods living in the heavenly planes, they offered their respectful obeisances unto Him and returned, confident that the demon Hiranyakasipu was now practically dead.
तस्य दैत्यपते: पुत्राश्चत्वार: परमाद्भुता: । प्रह्रादोऽभून्महांस्तेषां गुणैर्महदुपासक: ॥ ३० ॥
tasya daitya-pateh putras catvarah paramadbhutah prahrado ’bhun mahams tesam gunair mahad-upasakah
Hiranyakasipu had four wonderful, well-qualified sons, of whom the one named Prahlada was the best. Indeed, Prahlada was a reservoir of all transcendental qualities because he was an unalloyed devotee of the Personality of Godhead.
ब्रह्मण्य: शीलसम्पन्न: सत्यसन्धो जितेन्द्रिय: । आत्मवत्सर्वभूतानामेकप्रियसुहृत्तम: । दासवत्सन्नतार्याङ्घ्रि: पितृवद्दीनवत्सल: ॥ ३१ ॥ भ्रातृवत्सदृशे स्निग्धो गुरुष्वीश्वरभावन: । विद्यार्थरूपजन्माढ्यो मानस्तम्भविवर्जित: ॥ ३२ ॥
brahmanyah sila-sampannah satya-sandho jitendriyah atmavat sarva-bhutanam eka-priya-suhrttamah dasavat sannataryanghrih pitrvad dina-vatsalah bhratrvat sadrse snigdho gurusv isvara-bhavanah vidyartha-rupa-janmadhyo mana-stambha-vivarjitah
[The qualities of Maharaja Prahlada, the son of Hiranyakasipu, are described herewith.] He was completely cultured as a qualified brahmana, having very good character and being determined to understand the Absolute Truth. He had full control of his senses and mind. Like the Supersoul, he was kind to every living entity and was the best friend of everyone. To respectable persons he acted exactly like a menial servant, to the poor he was like a father, to his equals he was attached like a sympathetic brother, and he considered his teachers, spiritual masters and older Godbrothers to be as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He was completely free from unnatural pride that might have arisen from his good education, riches, beauty, aristocracy and so on.
नोद्विग्नचित्तो व्यसनेषु नि:स्पृह: श्रुतेषु दृष्टेषु गुणेष्ववस्तुदृक् । दान्तेन्द्रियप्राणशरीरधी: सदा प्रशान्तकामो रहितासुरोऽसुर: ॥ ३३ ॥
nodvigna-citto vyasanesu nihsprhah srutesu drstesu gunesv avastu-drk dantendriya-prana-sarira-dhih sada prasanta-kamo rahitasuro ’surah
Although Prahlada Maharaja was born in a family of asuras, he himself was not an asura but a great devotee of Lord Visnu. Unlike the other asuras, he was never envious of Vaisnavas. He was not agitated when put into danger, and he was neither directly nor indirectly interested in the fruitive activities described in the Vedas. Indeed, he considered everything material to be useless, and therefore he was completely devoid of material desires. He always controlled his senses and life air, and being of steady intelligence and determination, he subdued all lusty desires.
यस्मिन्महद्गुणा राजन्गृह्यन्ते कविभिर्मुहु: । न तेऽधुना पिधीयन्ते यथा भगवतीश्वरे ॥ ३४ ॥
yasmin mahad-guna rajan grhyante kavibhir muhuh na te ’dhuna pidhiyante yatha bhagavatisvare
O King, Prahlada Maharaja’s good qualities are still glorified by learned saints and Vaisnavas. As all good qualities are always found existing in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they also exist forever in His devotee Prahlada Maharaja.
यं साधुगाथासदसि रिपवोऽपि सुरा नृप । प्रतिमानं प्रकुर्वन्ति किमुतान्ये भवादृशा: ॥ ३५ ॥
yam sadhu-gatha-sadasi ripavo ’pi sura nrpa pratimanam prakurvanti kim utanye bhavadrsah
In any assembly where there are discourses about saints and devotees, O King Yudhisthira, even the enemies of the demons, namely the demigods, what to speak of you, would cite Prahlada Maharaja as an example of a great devotee.
गुणैरलमसङ्ख्येयैर्माहात्म्यं तस्य सूच्यते । वासुदेवे भगवति यस्य नैसर्गिकी रति: ॥ ३६ ॥
gunair alam asankhyeyair mahatmyam tasya sucyate vasudeve bhagavati yasya naisargiki ratih
Who could list the innumerable transcendental qualities of Prahlada Maharaja? He had unflinching faith in Vasudeva, Lord Krsna (the son of Vasudeva), and unalloyed devotion to Him. His attachment to Lord Krsna was natural because of his previous devotional service. Although his good qualities cannot be enumerated, they prove that he was a great soul (mahatma).
न्यस्तक्रीडनको बालो जडवत्तन्मनस्तया । कृष्णग्रहगृहीतात्मा न वेद जगदीदृशम् ॥ ३७ ॥
nyasta-kridanako balo jadavat tan-manastaya krsna-graha-grhitatma na veda jagad idrsam
From the very beginning of his childhood, Prahlada Maharaja was uninterested in childish playthings. Indeed, he gave them up altogether and remained silent and dull, being fully absorbed in Krsna consciousness. Since his mind was always affected by Krsna consciousness, he could not understand how the world goes on being fully absorbed in the activities of sense gratification.
आसीन: पर्यटन्नश्नन् शयान: प्रपिबन् ब्रुवन् । नानुसन्धत्त एतानि गोविन्दपरिरम्भित: ॥ ३८ ॥
asinah paryatann asnan sayanah prapiban bruvan nanusandhatta etani govinda-parirambhitah
Prahlada Maharaja was always absorbed in thought of Krsna. Thus, being always embraced by the Lord, he did not know how his bodily necessities, such as sitting, walking, eating, lying down, drinking and talking, were being automatically performed.
क्वचिद्रुदति वैकुण्ठचिन्ताशबलचेतन: । क्वचिद्धसति तच्चिन्ताह्लाद उद्गायति क्वचित् ॥ ३९ ॥
kvacid rudati vaikuntha- cinta-sabala-cetanah kvacid dhasati tac-cinta- hlada udgayati kvacit
Because of advancement in Krsna consciousness, he sometimes cried, sometimes laughed, sometimes expressed jubilation and sometimes sang loudly.
नदति क्वचिदुत्कण्ठो विलज्जो नृत्यति क्वचित् । क्वचित्तद्भावनायुक्तस्तन्मयोऽनुचकार ह ॥ ४० ॥
nadati kvacid utkantho vilajjo nrtyati kvacit kvacit tad-bhavana-yuktas tanmayo ’nucakara ha
Sometimes, upon seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Prahlada Maharaja would loudly call in full anxiety. He sometimes lost his shyness in jubilation and began dancing in ecstasy, and sometimes, being fully absorbed in thoughts of Krsna, he felt oneness and imitated the pastimes of the Lord.
क्वचिदुत्पुलकस्तूष्णीमास्ते संस्पर्शनिर्वृत: । अस्पन्दप्रणयानन्दसलिलामीलितेक्षण: ॥ ४१ ॥
kvacid utpulakas tusnim aste samsparsa-nirvrtah aspanda-pranayananda- salilamiliteksanah
Sometimes, feeling the touch of the Lord’s lotus hands, he became spiritually jubilant and remained silent, his hairs standing on end and tears gliding down from his half-closed eyes because of his love for the Lord.
स उत्तमश्लोकपदारविन्दयो- र्निषेवयाकिञ्चनसङ्गलब्धया । तन्वन् परां निर्वृतिमात्मनो मुहु- र्दु:सङ्गदीनस्य मन: शमं व्यधात् ॥ ४२ ॥
sa uttama-sloka-padaravindayor nisevayakincana-sanga-labdhaya tanvan param nirvrtim atmano muhur duhsanga-dinasya manah samam vyadhat
Because of his association with perfect, unalloyed devotees who had nothing to do with anything material, Prahlada Maharaja constantly engaged in the service of the Lord’s lotus feet. By seeing his bodily features when he was in perfect ecstasy, persons very poor in spiritual understanding became purified. In other words, Prahlada Maharaja bestowed upon them transcendental bliss.
तस्मिन्महाभागवते महाभागे महात्मनि । हिरण्यकशिपू राजन्नकरोदघमात्मजे ॥ ४३ ॥
tasmin maha-bhagavate maha-bhage mahatmani hiranyakasipu rajann akarod agham atmaje
My dear King Yudhisthira, the demon Hiranyakasipu tormented this exalted, fortunate devotee, although Prahlada was his own son.
श्रीयुधिष्ठिर उवाच देवर्ष एतदिच्छामो वेदितुं तव सुव्रत । यदात्मजाय शुद्धाय पितादात् साधवे ह्यघम् ॥ ४४ ॥
sri-yudhisthira uvaca devarsa etad icchamo veditum tava suvrata yad atmajaya suddhaya pitadat sadhave hy agham
Maharaja Yudhisthira said: O best of the saints among the demigods, O best of spiritual leaders, how did Hiranyakasipu give so much trouble to Prahlada Maharaja, the pure and exalted saint, although Prahlada was his own son? I wish to know about this subject from you.
पुत्रान् विप्रतिकूलान् स्वान् पितर: पुत्रवत्सला: । उपालभन्ते शिक्षार्थं नैवाघमपरो यथा ॥ ४५ ॥
putran vipratikulan svan pitarah putra-vatsalah upalabhante siksartham naivagham aparo yatha
A father and mother are always affectionate to their children. When the children are disobedient the parents chastise them, not due to enmity but only for the child’s instruction and welfare. How did Hiranyakasipu, the father of Prahlada Maharaja, chastise such a noble son? This is what I am eager to know.
किमुतानुवशान् साधूंस्तादृशान् गुरुदेवतान् । एतत्कौतूहलं ब्रह्मन्नस्माकं विधम प्रभो । पितु: पुत्राय यद्द्वेषो मरणाय प्रयोजित: ॥ ४६ ॥
kim utanuvasan sadhums tadrsan guru-devatan etat kautuhalam brahmann asmakam vidhama prabho pituh putraya yad dveso maranaya prayojitah
Maharaja Yudhisthira further inquired: How was it possible for a father to be so violent toward an exalted son who was obedient, well-behaved and respectful to his father? O brahmana, O master, I have never heard of such a contradiction as an affectionate father’s punishing his noble son with the intention of killing him. Kindly dissipate our doubts in this regard.
