Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 7 · Chapter 8
श्रीनारद उवाच अथ दैत्यसुता: सर्वे श्रुत्वा तदनुवर्णितम् । जगृहुर्निरवद्यत्वान्नैव गुर्वनुशिक्षितम् ॥ १ ॥
sri-narada uvaca atha daitya-sutah sarve srutva tad-anuvarnitam jagrhur niravadyatvan naiva gurv-anusiksitam
Narada Muni continued: All the sons of the demons appreciated the transcendental instructions of Prahlada Maharaja and took them very seriously. They rejected the materialistic instructions given by their teachers, Sanda and Amarka.
अथाचार्यसुतस्तेषां बुद्धिमेकान्तसंस्थिताम् । आलक्ष्य भीतस्त्वरितो राज्ञ आवेदयद्यथा ॥ २ ॥
athacarya-sutas tesam buddhim ekanta-samsthitam alaksya bhitas tvarito rajna avedayad yatha
When Sanda and Amarka, the sons of Sukracarya, observed that all the students, the sons of the demons, were becoming advanced in Krsna consciousness because of the association of Prahlada Maharaja, they were afraid. They approached the King of the demons and described the situation as it was.
कोपावेशचलद्गात्र: पुत्रं हन्तुं मनो दधे । क्षिप्त्वा परुषया वाचा प्रह्रादमतदर्हणम् । आहेक्षमाण: पापेन तिरश्चीनेन चक्षुषा ॥ ३ ॥ प्रश्रयावनतं दान्तं बद्धाञ्जलिमवस्थितम् । सर्प: पदाहत इव श्वसन्प्रकृतिदारुण: ॥ ४ ॥
kopavesa-calad-gatrah putram hantum mano dadhe ksiptva parusaya vaca prahradam atad-arhanam aheksamanah papena tirascinena caksusa prasrayavanatam dantam baddhanjalim avasthitam sarpah padahata iva svasan prakrti-darunah
When Hiranyakasipu understood the entire situation, he was extremely angry, so much so that his body trembled. Thus he finally decided to kill his son Prahlada. Hiranyakasipu was by nature very cruel, and feeling insulted, he began hissing like a snake trampled upon by someone’s foot. His son Prahlada was peaceful, mild and gentle, his senses were under control, and he stood before Hiranyakasipu with folded hands. According to Prahlada’s age and behavior, he was not to be chastised. Yet with staring, crooked eyes, Hiranyakasipu rebuked him with the following harsh words.
श्रीहिरण्यकशिपुरुवाच हे दुर्विनीत मन्दात्मन्कुलभेदकराधम । स्तब्धं मच्छासनोद्वृत्तं नेष्ये त्वाद्य यमक्षयम् ॥ ५ ॥
sri-hiranyakasipur uvaca he durvinita mandatman kula-bheda-karadhama stabdham mac-chasanodvrttam nesye tvadya yama-ksayam
Hiranyakasipu said: O most impudent, most unintelligent disruptor of the family, O lowest of mankind, you have violated my power to rule you, and therefore you are an obstinate fool. Today I shall send you to the place of Yamaraja.
क्रुद्धस्य यस्य कम्पन्ते त्रयो लोका: सहेश्वरा: । तस्य मेऽभीतवन्मूढ शासनं किं बलोऽत्यगा: ॥ ६ ॥
kruddhasya yasya kampante trayo lokah sahesvarah tasya me ’bhitavan mudha sasanam kim balo ’tyagah
My son Prahlada, you rascal, you know that when I am angry all the planes of the three worlds tremble, along with their chief rulers. By whose power has a rascal like you become so impudent that you appear fearless and overstep my power to rule you?
श्रीप्रह्राद उवाच न केवलं मे भवतश्च राजन् स वै बलं बलिनां चापरेषाम् । परेऽवरेऽमी स्थिरजङ्गमा ये ब्रह्मादयो येन वशं प्रणीता: ॥ ७ ॥
sri-prahrada uvaca na kevalam me bhavatas ca rajan sa vai balam balinam caparesam pare ’vare ’mi sthira-jangama ye brahmadayo yena vasam pranitah
Prahlada Maharaja said: My dear King, the source of my strength, of which you are asking, is also the source of yours. Indeed, the original source of all kinds of strength is one. He is not only your strength or mine, but the only strength for everyone. Without Him, no one can get any strength. Whether moving or not moving, superior or inferior, everyone, including Lord Brahma, is controlled by the strength of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
स ईश्वर: काल उरुक्रमोऽसा- वोज: सह: सत्त्वबलेन्द्रियात्मा । स एव विश्वं परम: स्वशक्तिभि: सृजत्यवत्यत्ति गुणत्रयेश: ॥ ८ ॥
sa isvarah kala urukramo ’sav ojah sahah sattva-balendriyatma sa eva visvam paramah sva-saktibhih srjaty avaty atti guna-trayesah
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the supreme controller and time factor, is the power of the senses, the power of the mind, the power of the body, and the vital force of the senses. His influence is unlimited. He is the best of all living entities, the controller of the three modes of material nature. By His own power, He creates this cosmic manifestation, maintains it and annihilates it also.
जह्यासुरं भावमिमं त्वमात्मन: समं मनो धत्स्व न सन्ति विद्विष: । ऋतेऽजितादात्मन उत्पथे स्थितात् तद्धि ह्यनन्तस्य महत्समर्हणम् ॥ ९ ॥
jahy asuram bhavam imam tvam atmanah samam mano dhatsva na santi vidvisah rte ’jitad atmana utpathe sthitat tad dhi hy anantasya mahat samarhanam
Prahlada Maharaja continued: My dear father, please give up your demoniac mentality. Do not discriminate in your heart between enemies and friends; make your mind equipoised toward everyone. Except for the uncontrolled and misguided mind, there is no enemy within this world. When one sees everyone on the platform of equality, one then comes to the position of worshiping the Lord perfectly.
दस्यून्पुरा षण् न विजित्य लुम्पतो मन्यन्त एके स्वजिता दिशो दश । जितात्मनो ज्ञस्य समस्य देहिनां साधो: स्वमोहप्रभवा: कुत: परे ॥ १० ॥
dasyun pura san na vijitya lumpato manyanta eke sva-jita diso dasa jitatmano jnasya samasya dehinam sadhoh sva-moha-prabhavah kutah pare
In former times there were many fools like you who did not conquer the six enemies that steal away the wealth of the body. These fools were very proud, thinking, I have conquered all enemies in all the ten directions But if a person is victorious over the six enemies and is equipoised toward all living entities, for him there are no enemies. Enemies are merely imagined by one in ignorance.
श्रीहिरण्यकशिपुरुवाच व्यक्तं त्वं मर्तुकामोऽसि योऽतिमात्रं विकत्थसे । मुमूर्षूणां हि मन्दात्मन् ननु स्युर्विक्लवा गिर: ॥ ११ ॥
sri-hiranyakasipur uvaca vyaktam tvam martu-kamo ’si yo ’timatram vikatthase mumursunam hi mandatman nanu syur viklava girah
Hiranyakasipu replied: You rascal, you are trying to minimize my value, as if you were better than me at controlling the senses. This is over-intelligent. I can therefore understand that you desire to die at my hands, for this kind of nonsensical talk is indulged in by those about to die.
यस्त्वया मन्दभाग्योक्तो मदन्यो जगदीश्वर: । क्वासौ यदि स सर्वत्र कस्मात् स्तम्भे न दृश्यते ॥ १२ ॥
yas tvaya manda-bhagyokto mad-anyo jagad-isvarah kvasau yadi sa sarvatra kasmat stambhe na drsyate
O most unfortunate Prahlada, you have always described a supreme being other than me, a supreme being who is above everything, who is the controller of everyone, and who is all-pervading. But where is He? If He is everywhere, then why is He not present before me in this pillar?
सोऽहं विकत्थमानस्य शिर: कायाद्धरामि ते । गोपायेत हरिस्त्वाद्य यस्ते शरणमीप्सितम् ॥ १३ ॥
so ’ham vikatthamanasya sirah kayad dharami te gopayeta haris tvadya yas te saranam ipsitam
Because you are speaking so much nonsense, I shall now sever your head from your body. Now let me see your most worshipable God come to protect you. I want to see it.
एवं दुरुक्तैर्मुहुरर्दयन् रुषा सुतं महाभागवतं महासुर: । खड्गं प्रगृह्योत्पतितो वरासनात् स्तम्भं तताडातिबल: स्वमुष्टिना ॥ १४ ॥
evam duruktair muhur ardayan rusa sutam maha-bhagavatam mahasurah khadgam pragrhyotpatito varasanat stambham tatadatibalah sva-mustina
Being obsessed with anger, Hiranyakasipu, who was very great in bodily strength, thus chastised his exalted devotee-son Prahlada with harsh words. Cursing him again and again, Hiranyakasipu took up his sword, got up from his royal throne, and with great anger struck his fist against the column.
तदैव तस्मिन्निनदोऽतिभीषणो बभूव येनाण्डकटाहमस्फुटत् । यं वै स्वधिष्ण्योपगतं त्वजादय: श्रुत्वा स्वधामात्ययमङ्ग मेनिरे ॥ १५ ॥
tadaiva tasmin ninado ’tibhisano babhuva yenanda-kataham asphutat yam vai sva-dhisnyopagatam tv ajadayah srutva sva-dhamatyayam anga menire
Then from within the pillar came a fearful sound, which appeared to crack the covering of the universe. O my dear Yudhisthira, this sound reached even the abodes of the demigods like Lord Brahma, and when the demigods heard it, they thought, Oh, now our planes are being destroyed
स विक्रमन् पुत्रवधेप्सुरोजसा निशम्य निर्ह्रादमपूर्वमद्भुतम् । अन्त:सभायां न ददर्श तत्पदं वितत्रसुर्येन सुरारियूथपा: ॥ १६ ॥
sa vikraman putra-vadhepsur ojasa nisamya nirhradam apurvam adbhutam antah-sabhayam na dadarsa tat-padam vitatrasur yena surari-yutha-pah
While showing his extraordinary prowess, Hiranyakasipu, who desired to kill his own son, heard that wonderful, tumultuous sound, which had never before been heard. Upon hearing the sound, the other leaders of the demons were afraid. None of them could find the origin of that sound in the assembly.
सत्यं विधातुं निजभृत्यभाषितं व्याप्तिं च भूतेष्वखिलेषु चात्मन: । अदृश्यतात्यद्भुतरूपमुद्वहन् स्तम्भे सभायां न मृगं न मानुषम् ॥ १७ ॥
satyam vidhatum nija-bhrtya-bhasitam vyaptim ca bhutesv akhilesu catmanah adrsyatatyadbhuta-rupam udvahan stambhe sabhayam na mrgam na manusam
To prove that the statement of His servant Prahlada Maharaja was substantial—in other words, to prove that the Supreme Lord is present everywhere, even within the pillar of an assembly hall—the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, exhibited a wonderful form never before seen. The form was neither that of a man nor that of a lion. Thus the Lord appeared in His wonderful form in the assembly hall.
स सत्त्वमेनं परितो विपश्यन् स्तम्भस्य मध्यादनुनिर्जिहानम् । नायं मृगो नापि नरो विचित्र- महो किमेतन्नृमृगेन्द्ररूपम् ॥ १८ ॥
sa sattvam enam parito vipasyan stambhasya madhyad anunirjihanam nayam mrgo napi naro vicitram aho kim etan nr-mrgendra-rupam
While Hiranyakasipu looked all around to find the source of the sound, that wonderful form of the Lord, which could not be ascertained to be either a man or a lion, emerged from the pillar. In amazement, Hiranyakasipu wondered, What is this creature that is half man and half lion
मीमांसमानस्य समुत्थितोऽग्रतो । नृसिंहरूपस्तदलं भयानकम् ॥ १९ ॥ प्रतप्तचामीकरचण्डलोचनं स्फुरत्सटाकेशरजृम्भिताननम् । करालदंष्ट्रं करवालचञ्चल क्षुरान्तजिह्वं भ्रुकुटीमुखोल्बणम् ॥ २० ॥ स्तब्धोर्ध्वकर्णं गिरिकन्दराद्भुत- व्यात्तास्यनासं हनुभेदभीषणम् । दिविस्पृशत्कायमदीर्घपीवर- ग्रीवोरुवक्ष:स्थलमल्पमध्यमम् ॥ २१ ॥ चन्द्रांशुगौरैश्छुरितं तनूरुहै- र्विष्वग्भुजानीकशतं नखायुधम् । दुरासदं सर्वनिजेतरायुध- प्रवेकविद्रावितदैत्यदानवम् ॥ २२ ॥
mimamsamanasya samutthito ’grato nrsimha-rupas tad alam bhayanakam pratapta-camikara-canda-locanam sphurat sata-kesara-jrmbhitananam karala-damstram karavala-cancala- ksuranta-jihvam bhrukuti-mukholbanam stabdhordhva-karnam giri-kandaradbhuta- vyattasya-nasam hanu-bheda-bhisanam divi-sprsat kayam adirgha-pivara- grivoru-vaksah-sthalam alpa-madhyamam candramsu-gaurais churitam tanuruhair visvag bhujanika-satam nakhayudham durasadam sarva-nijetarayudha- praveka-vidravita-daitya-danavam
Hiranyakasipu studied the form of the Lord, trying to decide who the form of Nrsimhadeva standing before him was. The Lord’s form was extremely fearsome because of His angry eyes, which resembled molten gold; His shining mane, which expanded the dimensions of His fearful face; His deadly teeth; and His razor-sharp tongue, which moved about like a dueling sword. His ears were erect and motionless, and His nostrils and gaping mouth appeared like caves of a mountain. His jaws parted fearfully, and His entire body touched the sky. His neck was very short and thick, His chest broad, His waist thin, and the hairs on His body as white as the rays of the moon. His arms, which resembled flanks of soldiers, spread in all directions as He killed the demons, rogues and atheists with His conchshell, disc, club, lotus and other natural weapons.
प्रायेण मेऽयं हरिणोरुमायिना वध: स्मृतोऽनेन समुद्यतेन किम् । एवं ब्रुवंस्त्वभ्यपतद् गदायुधो नदन् नृसिंहं प्रति दैत्यकुञ्जर: ॥ २३ ॥
prayena me ’yam harinorumayina vadhah smrto ’nena samudyatena kim evam bruvams tv abhyapatad gadayudho nadan nrsimham prati daitya-kunjarah
Hiranyakasipu murmured to himself, Lord Visnu, who possesses great mystic power, has made this plan to kill me, but what is the use of such an attempt? Who can fight with me Thinking like this and taking up his club, Hiranyakasipu attacked the Lord like an elephant.
अलक्षितोऽग्नौ पतित: पतङ्गमो यथा नृसिंहौजसि सोऽसुरस्तदा । न तद्विचित्रं खलु सत्त्वधामनि स्वतेजसा यो नु पुरापिबत् तम: ॥ २४ ॥
alaksito ’gnau patitah patangamo yatha nrsimhaujasi so ’suras tada na tad vicitram khalu sattva-dhamani sva-tejasa yo nu purapibat tamah
Just as a small insect falls forcefully into a fire and the insignificant creature becomes invisible, when Hiranyakasipu attacked the Lord, who was full of effulgence, Hiranyakasipu became invisible. This is not at all astonishing, for the Lord is always situated in pure goodness. Formerly, during creation, He entered the dark universe and illuminated it by His spiritual effulgence.
ततोऽभिपद्याभ्यहनन्महासुरो रुषा नृसिंहं गदयोरुवेगया । तं विक्रमन्तं सगदं गदाधरो महोरगं तार्क्ष्यसुतो यथाग्रहीत् ॥ २५ ॥
tato ’bhipadyabhyahanan mahasuro rusa nrsimham gadayoruvegaya tam vikramantam sagadam gadadharo mahoragam tarksya-suto yathagrahit
Thereafter, the great demon Hiranyakasipu, who was extremely angry, swiftly attacked Nrsimhadeva with his club and began to beat Him. Lord Nrsimhadeva, however, captured the great demon, along with his club, just as Garuda might capture a great snake.
स तस्य हस्तोत्कलितस्तदासुरो विक्रीडतो यद्वदहिर्गरुत्मत: । असाध्वमन्यन्त हृतौकसोऽमरा घनच्छदा भारत सर्वधिष्ण्यपा: ॥ २६ ॥
sa tasya hastotkalitas tadasuro vikridato yadvad ahir garutmatah asadhv amanyanta hrtaukaso ’mara ghana-cchada bharata sarva-dhisnya-pah
O Yudhisthira, O great son of Bharata, when Lord Nrsimhadeva gave Hiranyakasipu a chance to slip from His hand, just as Garuda sometimes plays with a snake and lets it slip from his mouth, the demigods, who had lost their abodes and who were hiding behind the clouds for fear of the demon, did not consider that incident very good. Indeed, they were perturbed.
तं मन्यमानो निजवीर्यशङ्कितं यद्धस्तमुक्तो नृहरिं महासुर: । पुनस्तमासज्जत खड्गचर्मणी प्रगृह्य वेगेन गतश्रमो मृधे ॥ २७ ॥
tam manyamano nija-virya-sankitam yad dhasta-mukto nrharim mahasurah punas tam asajjata khadga-carmani pragrhya vegena gata-sramo mrdhe
When Hiranyakasipu was freed from the hands of Nrsimhadeva, he falsely thought that the Lord was afraid of his prowess. Therefore, after taking a little rest from the fight, he took up his sword and shield and again attacked the Lord with great force.
तं श्येनवेगं शतचन्द्रवर्त्मभि श्चरन्तमच्छिद्रमुपर्यधो हरि: । कृत्वाट्टहासं खरमुत्स्वनोल्बणं निमीलिताक्षं जगृहे महाजव: ॥ २८ ॥
tam syena-vegam sata-candra-vartmabhis carantam acchidram upary-adho harih krtvatta-hasam kharam utsvanolbanam nimilitaksam jagrhe maha-javah
Making a loud, shrill sound of laughter, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, who is extremely strong and powerful, captured Hiranyakasipu, who was protecting himself with his sword and shield, leaving no gaps open. With the speed of a hawk, Hiranyakasipu moved sometimes in the sky and sometimes on the earth, his eyes closed because of fear of Nrsimhadeva’s laughter.
विष्वक्स्फुरन्तं ग्रहणातुरं हरि- र्व्यालो यथाखुं कुलिशाक्षतत्वचम् । द्वार्यूरुमापत्य ददार लीलया नखैर्यथाहिं गरुडो महाविषम् ॥ २९ ॥
visvak sphurantam grahanaturam harir vyalo yathakhum kulisaksata-tvacam dvary urum apatya dadara lilaya nakhair yathahim garudo maha-visam
As a snake captures a mouse or Garuda captures a very venomous snake, Lord Nrsimhadeva captured Hiranyakasipu, who could not be pierced even by the thunderbolt of King Indra. As Hiranyakasipu moved his limbs here, there and all around, very much afflicted at being captured, Lord Nrsimhadeva placed the demon on His lap, supporting him with His thighs, and in the doorway of the assembly hall the Lord very easily tore the demon to pieces with the nails of His hand.
संरम्भदुष्प्रेक्ष्यकराललोचनो व्यात्ताननान्तं विलिहन्स्वजिह्वया । असृग्लवाक्तारुणकेशराननो यथान्त्रमाली द्विपहत्यया हरि: ॥ ३० ॥
samrambha-duspreksya-karala-locano vyattananantam vilihan sva-jihvaya asrg-lavaktaruna-kesaranano yathantra-mali dvipa-hatyaya harih
Lord Nrsimhadeva’s mouth and mane were sprinkled with drops of blood, and His fierce eyes, full of anger, were impossible to look at. Licking the edge of His mouth with His tongue, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nrsimhadeva, decorated with a garland of intestines taken from Hiranyakasipu’s abdomen, resembled a lion that has just killed an elephant.
नखाङ्कुरोत्पाटितहृत्सरोरुहं विसृज्य तस्यानुचरानुदायुधान् । अहन् समस्तान्नखशस्त्रपाणिभि- र्दोर्दण्डयूथोऽनुपथान् सहस्रश: ॥ ३१ ॥
nakhankurotpatita-hrt-saroruham visrjya tasyanucaran udayudhan ahan samastan nakha-sastra-panibhir dordanda-yutho ’nupathan sahasrasah
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who had many, many arms, first uprooted Hiranyakasipu’s heart and then threw him aside and turned toward the demon’s soldiers. These soldiers had come in thousands to fight with Him with raised weapons and were very faithful followers of Hiranyakasipu, but Lord Nrsimhadeva killed all of them merely with the ends of His nails.
सटावधूता जलदा: परापतन् ग्रहाश्च तद् दृष्टिविमुष्टरोचिष: । अम्भोधय: श्वासहता विचुक्षुभु- र्निर्ह्रादभीता दिगिभा विचुक्रुशु: ॥ ३२ ॥
satavadhuta jaladah parapatan grahas ca tad-drsti-vimusta-rocisah ambhodhayah svasa-hata vicuksubhur nirhrada-bhita digibha vicukrusuh
The hair on Nrsimhadeva’s head shook the clouds and scattered them here and there, His glaring eyes stole the effulgence of the luminaries in the sky, and His breathing agitated the seas and oceans. Because of His roaring, all the elephants in the world began to cry in fear.
द्यौस्तत्सटोत्क्षिप्तविमानसङ्कुला प्रोत्सर्पत क्ष्मा च पदाभिपीडिता । शैला: समुत्पेतुरमुष्य रंहसा तत्तेजसा खं ककुभो न रेजिरे ॥ ३३ ॥
dyaus tat-satotksipta-vimana-sankula protsarpata ksma ca padabhipidita sailah samutpetur amusya ramhasa tat-tejasa kham kakubho na rejire
Airplanes were thrown into outer space and the upper planeary system by the hair on Nrsimhadeva’s head. Because of the pressure of the Lord’s lotus feet, the earth appeared to slip from its position, and all the hills and mountains sprang up due to His intolerable force. Because of the Lord’s bodily effulgence, both the sky and all directions diminished in their natural illumination.
तत: सभायामुपविष्टमुत्तमे नृपासने सम्भृततेजसं विभुम् । अलक्षितद्वैरथमत्यमर्षणं प्रचण्डवक्त्रं न बभाज कश्चन ॥ ३४ ॥
tatah sabhayam upavistam uttame nrpasane sambhrta-tejasam vibhum alaksita-dvairatham atyamarsanam pracanda-vaktram na babhaja kascana
Manifesting a full effulgence and a fearsome countenance, Lord Nrsimha, being very angry and finding no contestant to face His power and opulence, then sat down in the assembly hall on the excellent throne of the king. Because of fear and obedience, no one could come forward to serve the Lord directly.
निशाम्य लोकत्रयमस्तकज्वरं तमादिदैत्यं हरिणा हतं मृधे । प्रहर्षवेगोत्कलितानना मुहु: प्रसूनवर्षैर्ववृषु: सुरस्त्रिय: ॥ ३५ ॥
nisamya loka-traya-mastaka-jvaram tam adi-daityam harina hatam mrdhe praharsa-vegotkalitanana muhuh prasuna-varsair vavrsuh sura-striyah
Hiranyakasipu had been exactly like a fever of meningitis in the head of the three worlds. Thus when the wives of the demigods in the heavenly planes saw that the great demon had been killed by the personal hands of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, their faces blossomed in great joy. The wives of the demigods again and again showered flowers from heaven upon Lord Nrsimhadeva like rain.
तदा विमानावलिभिर्नभस्तलं दिदृक्षतां सङ्कुलमास नाकिनाम् । सुरानका दुन्दुभयोऽथ जघ्निरे गन्धर्वमुख्या ननृतुर्जगु: स्त्रिय: ॥ ३६ ॥
tada vimanavalibhir nabhastalam didrksatam sankulam asa nakinam suranaka dundubhayo ’tha jaghnire gandharva-mukhya nanrtur jaguh striyah
At that time, the airplanes of the demigods, who desired to see the activities of the Supreme Lord, Narayana, crowded the sky. The demigods began beating drums and kettledrums, and upon hearing them the angelic women began to dance, while the chiefs of the Gandharvas sang sweetly.
तत्रोपव्रज्य विबुधा ब्रह्मेन्द्रगिरिशादय: । ऋषय: पितर: सिद्धा विद्याधरमहोरगा: ॥ ३७ ॥ मनव: प्रजानां पतयो गन्धर्वाप्सरचारणा: । यक्षा: किम्पुरुषास्तात वेताला: सहकिन्नरा: ॥ ३८ ॥ ते विष्णुपार्षदा: सर्वे सुनन्दकुमुदादय: । मूर्ध्नि बद्धाञ्जलिपुटा आसीनं तीव्रतेजसम् । ईडिरे नरशार्दुलं नातिदूरचरा: पृथक् ॥ ३९ ॥
tatropavrajya vibudha brahmendra-girisadayah rsayah pitarah siddha vidyadhara-mahoragah manavah prajanam patayo gandharvapsara-caranah yaksah kimpurusas tata vetalah saha-kinnarah te visnu-parsadah sarve sunanda-kumudadayah murdhni baddhanjali-puta asinam tivra-tejasam idire nara-sardulam natiduracarah prthak
My dear King Yudhisthira, the demigods then approached the Lord. They were headed by Lord Brahma, King Indra and Lord Siva and included great saintly persons and the residents of Pitrloka, Siddhaloka, Vidyadhara-loka and the planet of the snakes. The Manus approached, and so did the chiefs of various other planets. The angelic dancers approached, as did the Gandharvas, the Caranas, the Yaksas, the inhabitants of Kinnaraloka, the Vetalas, the inhabitants of Kimpurusa-loka, and the personal servants of Visnu like Sunanda and Kumuda. All of them came near the Lord, who glowed with intense light. They individually offered their obeisances and prayers, their hands folded at their heads.
श्रीब्रह्मोवाच नतोऽस्म्यनन्ताय दुरन्तशक्तये विचित्रवीर्याय पवित्रकर्मणे । विश्वस्य सर्गस्थितिसंयमान् गुणै: स्वलीलया सन्दधतेऽव्ययात्मने ॥ ४० ॥
sri-brahmovaca nato ’smy anantaya duranta-saktaye vicitra-viryaya pavitra-karmane visvasya sarga-sthiti-samyaman gunaih sva-lilaya sandadhate ’vyayatmane
Lord Brahma prayed: My Lord, You are unlimited, and You possess unending potencies. No one can estimate or calculate Your prowess and wonderful influence, for Your actions are never polluted by the material energy. Through the material qualities, You very easily create the universe, maintain it and again annihilate it, yet You remain the same, without deterioration. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
श्रीरुद्र उवाच कोपकालो युगान्तस्ते हतोऽयमसुरोऽल्पक: । तत्सुतं पाह्युपसृतं भक्तं ते भक्तवत्सल ॥ ४१ ॥
sri-rudra uvaca kopa-kalo yugantas te hato ’yam asuro ’lpakah tat-sutam pahy upasrtam bhaktam te bhakta-vatsala
Lord Siva said: The end of the millennium is the time for Your anger. Now that this insignificant demon Hiranyakasipu has been killed, O my Lord, who are naturally affectionate to Your devotee, kindly protect his son Prahlada Maharaja, who is standing nearby as Your fully surrendered devotee.
श्रीइन्द्र उवाच प्रत्यानीता: परम भवता त्रायता न: स्वभागा दैत्याक्रान्तं हृदयकमलं तद्गृहं प्रत्यबोधि । कालग्रस्तं कियदिदमहो नाथ शुश्रूषतां ते मुक्तिस्तेषां न हि बहुमता नारसिंहापरै: किम् ॥ ४२ ॥
sri-indra uvaca pratyanitah parama bhavata trayata nah sva-bhaga daityakrantam hrdaya-kamalam tad-grham pratyabodhi kala-grastam kiyad idam aho natha susrusatam te muktis tesam na hi bahumata narasimhaparaih kim
King Indra said: O Supreme Lord, You are our deliverer and protector. Our shares of sacrifices, which are actually Yours, have been recovered from the demon by You. Because the demoniac king Hiranyakasipu was most fearsome, our hearts, which are Your permanent abode, were all overtaken by him. Now, by Your presence, the gloom and darkness in our hearts have been dissipated. O Lord, for those who always engage in Your service, which is more exalted than liberation, all material opulence is insignificant. They do not even care for liberation, not to speak of the benefits of kama, artha and dharma.
श्रीऋषय ऊचु: त्वं नस्तप: परममात्थ यदात्मतेजो येनेदमादिपुरुषात्मगतं ससर्क्थ । तद्विप्रलुप्तममुनाद्य शरण्यपाल रक्षागृहीतवपुषा पुनरन्वमंस्था: ॥ ४३ ॥
sri-rsaya ucuh tvam nas tapah paramam attha yad atma-tejo yenedam adi-purusatma-gatam sasarktha tad vipraluptam amunadya saranya-pala raksa-grhita-vapusa punar anvamamsthah
All the saintly persons present offered their prayers in this way: O Lord, O supreme maintainer of those sheltered at Your lotus feet, O original Personality of Godhead, the process of austerity and penance, in which You instructed us before, is the spiritual power of Your very self. It is by austerity that You create the material world, which lies dormant within You. This austerity was almost stopped by the activities of this demon, but now, by Yourself appearing in the form of Nrsimhadeva, which is meant just to give us protection, and by killing this demon, You have again approved the process of austerity.
श्रीपितर ऊचु: श्राद्धानि नोऽधिबुभुजे प्रसभं तनूजै- र्दत्तानि तीर्थसमयेऽप्यपिबत्तिलाम्बु । तस्योदरान्नखविदीर्णवपाद्य आर्च्छत् तस्मै नमो नृहरयेऽखिलधर्मगोप्त्रे ॥ ४४ ॥
sri-pitara ucuh sraddhani no ’dhibubhuje prasabham tanujair dattani tirtha-samaye ’py apibat tilambu tasyodaran nakha-vidirna-vapad ya arcchat tasmai namo nrharaye ’khila-dharma-goptre
The inhabitants of Pitrloka prayed: Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto Lord Nrsimhadeva, the maintainer of the religious principles of the universe. He has killed Hiranyakasipu, the demon who by force enjoyed all the offerings of the sraddha ceremonies performed by our sons and grandsons on the anniversaries of our death and who drank the water with sesame seeds offered in holy places of pilgrimage. By killing this demon, O Lord, You have taken back all this stolen property from his abdomen by piercing it with Your nails. We therefore wish to offer our respectful obeisances unto You.
श्रीसिद्धा ऊचु: यो नो गतिं योगसिद्धामसाधु- रहार्षीद् योगतपोबलेन । नाना दर्पं तं नखैर्विददार तस्मै तुभ्यं प्रणता: स्मो नृसिंह ॥ ४५ ॥
sri-siddha ucuh yo no gatim yoga-siddham asadhur aharsid yoga-tapo-balena nana darpam tam nakhair vidadara tasmai tubhyam pranatah smo nrsimha
The inhabitants of Siddhaloka prayed: O Lord Nrsimhadeva, because we belong to Siddhaloka, we automatically achieve perfection in all eight kinds of mystic power. Yet Hiranyakasipu was so dishonest that by the strength of his power and austerity, he took away our powers. Thus he became very proud of his mystic strength. Now, because this rogue has been killed by Your nails, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You.
श्रीविद्याधरा ऊचु: विद्यां पृथग्धारणयानुराद्धां न्यषेधदज्ञो बलवीर्यदृप्त: । स येन सङ्ख्ये पशुवद्धतस्तं मायानृसिंहं प्रणता: स्म नित्यम् ॥ ४६ ॥
sri-vidyadhara ucuh vidyam prthag dharanayanuraddham nyasedhad ajno bala-virya-drptah sa yena sankhye pasuvad dhatas tam maya-nrsimham pranatah sma nityam
The inhabitants of Vidyadhara-loka prayed: Our acquired power to appear and disappear in various ways according to varieties of meditation was banned by that foolish Hiranyakasipu because of his pride in his superior bodily strength and his ability to conquer others. Now the Supreme Personality of Godhead has killed him just as if the demon were an animal. Unto that supreme pastime form of Lord Nrsimhadeva, we eternally offer our respectful obeisances.
श्रीनागा ऊचु: येन पापेन रत्नानि स्त्रीरत्नानि हृतानि न: । तद्वक्ष:पाटनेनासां दत्तानन्द नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ ४७ ॥
sri-naga ucuh yena papena ratnani stri-ratnani hrtani nah tad-vaksah-patanenasam dattananda namo ’stu te
The inhabitants of Nagaloka said: The most sinful Hiranyakasipu took away all the jewels on our hoods and all our beautiful wives. Now, since his chest has been pierced by Your nails, You are the source of all pleasure to our wives. Thus we together offer our respectful obeisances unto You.
श्रीमनव ऊचु: मनवो वयं तव निदेशकारिणो दितिजेन देव परिभूतसेतव: । भवता खल: स उपसंहृत: प्रभो करवाम ते किमनुशाधि किङ्करान् ॥ ४८ ॥
sri-manava ucuh manavo vayam tava nidesa-karino ditijena deva paribhuta-setavah bhavata khalah sa upasamhrtah prabho karavama te kim anusadhi kinkaran
All the Manus offered their prayers as follows: As Your order carriers, O Lord, we, the Manus, are the law-givers for human society, but because of the temporary supremacy of this great demon, Hiranyakasipu, our laws for maintaining varnasrama-dharma were destroyed. O Lord, now that You have killed this great demon, we are in our normal condition. Kindly order us, Your eternal servants, what to do now.
श्रीप्रजापतय ऊचु: प्रजेशा वयं ते परेशाभिसृष्टा न येन प्रजा वै सृजामो निषिद्धा: । स एष त्वया भिन्नवक्षा नु शेते जगन्मङ्गलं सत्त्वमूर्तेऽवतार: ॥ ४९ ॥
sri-prajapataya ucuh prajesa vayam te paresabhisrsta na yena praja vai srjamo nisiddhah sa esa tvaya bhinna-vaksa nu sete jagan-mangalam sattva-murte ’vatarah
The prajapatis offered their prayers as follows: O Supreme Lord, Lord of even Brahma and Siva, we, the prajapatis, were created by You to execute Your orders, but we were forbidden by Hiranyakasipu to create any more good progeny. Now the demon is lying dead before us, his chest pierced by You. Let us therefore offer our respectful obeisances unto You, whose incarnation in this form of pure goodness is meant for the welfare of the entire universe.
श्रीगन्धर्वा ऊचु: वयं विभो ते नटनाट्यगायका येनात्मसाद्वीर्यबलौजसा कृता: । स एष नीतो भवता दशामिमां किमुत्पथस्थ: कुशलाय कल्पते ॥ ५० ॥
sri-gandharva ucuh vayam vibho te nata-natya-gayaka yenatmasad virya-balaujasa krtah sa esa nito bhavata dasam imam kim utpathasthah kusalaya kalpate
The inhabitants of Gandharvaloka prayed: Your Lordship, we ever engage in Your service by dancing and singing in dramatic performances, but this Hiranyakasipu, by the influence of his bodily strength and valor, brought us under his subjugation. Now he has been brought to this low condition by Your Lordship. What benefit can result from the activities of such an upstart as Hiranyakasipu?
श्रीचारणा ऊचु: हरे तवाङ्घ्रिपङ्कजं भवापवर्गमाश्रिता: । यदेष साधुहृच्छयस्त्वयासुर: समापित: ॥ ५१ ॥
sri-carana ucuh hare tavanghri-pankajam bhavapavargam asritah yad esa sadhu-hrc-chayas tvayasurah samapitah
The inhabitants of the Carana plane said: O Lord, because You have destroyed the demon Hiranyakasipu, who was always a stake in the hearts of all honest men, we are now relieved, and we eternally take shelter of Your lotus feet, which award the conditioned soul liberation from materialistic contamination.
श्रीयक्षा ऊचु: वयमनुचरमुख्या: कर्मभिस्ते मनोज्ञै- स्त इह दितिसुतेन प्रापिता वाहकत्वम् । स तु जनपरितापं तत्कृतं जानता ते नरहर उपनीत: पञ्चतां पञ्चविंश ॥ ५२ ॥
sri-yaksa ucuh vayam anucara-mukhyah karmabhis te mano-jnais ta iha diti-sutena prapita vahakatvam sa tu jana-paritapam tat-krtam janata te narahara upanitah pancatam panca-vimsa
The inhabitants of Yaksaloka prayed: O controller of the twenty-four elements, we are considered the best servants of Your Lordship because of rendering services pleasing to You, yet we engaged as palanquin carriers by the order of Hiranyakasipu, the son of Diti. O Lord in the form of Nrsimhadeva, You know how this demon gave trouble to everyone, but now You have killed him, and his body is mixing with the five material elements.
श्रीकिम्पुरुषा ऊचु: वयं किम्पुरुषास्त्वं तु महापुरुष ईश्वर: । अयं कुपुरुषो नष्टो धिक्कृत: साधुभिर्यदा ॥ ५३ ॥
sri-kimpurusa ucuh vayam kimpurusas tvam tu maha-purusa isvarah ayam kupuruso nasto dhik-krtah sadhubhir yada
The inhabitants of Kimpurusa-loka said: We are insignificant living entities, and You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller. Therefore how can we offer suitable prayers unto You? When this demon was condemned by devotees because they were disgusted with him, he was then killed by You.
श्रीवैतालिका ऊचु: सभासु सत्रेषु तवामलं यशो गीत्वा सपर्यां महतीं लभामहे । यस्तामनैषीद् वशमेष दुर्जनो द्विष्टया हतस्ते भगवन्यथामय: ॥ ५४ ॥
sri-vaitalika ucuh sabhasu satresu tavamalam yaso gitva saparyam mahatim labhamahe yas tam anaisid vasam esa durjano dvistya hatas te bhagavan yathamayah
The inhabitants of Vaitalika-loka said: Dear Lord, because of chanting Your spotless glories in great assemblies and arenas of sacrifice, we were accustomed to great respect from everyone. This demon, however, usurped that position. Now, to our great fortune, You have killed this great demon, exactly as one cures a chronic disease.
श्रीकिन्नरा ऊचु: वयमीश किन्नरगणास्तवानुगा दितिजेन विष्टिममुनानुकारिता: । भवता हरे स वृजिनोऽवसादितो नरसिंह नाथ विभवाय नो भव ॥ ५५ ॥
sri-kinnara ucuh vayam isa kinnara-ganas tavanuga ditijena vistim amunanukaritah bhavata hare sa vrjino ’vasadito narasimha natha vibhavaya no bhava
The Kinnaras said: O supreme controller, we are ever-existing servants of Your Lordship, but instead of rendering service to You, we were engaged by this demon in his service, constantly and without remuneration. This sinful man has now been killed by You. Therefore, O Lord Nrsimhadeva, our master, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You. Please continue to be our patron.
श्रीविष्णुपार्षदा ऊचु: अद्यैतद्धरिनररूपमद्भुतं ते दृष्टं न: शरणद सर्वलोकशर्म । सोऽयं ते विधिकर ईश विप्रशप्त- स्तस्येदं निधनमनुग्रहाय विद्म: ॥ ५६ ॥
sri-visnu-parsada ucuh adyaitad dhari-nara-rupam adbhutam te drstam nah saranada sarva-loka-sarma so ’yam te vidhikara isa vipra-saptas tasyedam nidhanam anugrahaya vidmah
The associates of Lord Visnu in Vaikuntha offered this prayer: O Lord, our supreme giver of shelter, today we have seen Your wonderful form as Lord Nrsimhadeva, meant for the good fortune of all the world. O Lord, we can understand that Hiranyakasipu was the same Jaya who engaged in Your service but was cursed by brahmanas and who thus received the body of a demon. We understand that his having now been killed is Your special mercy upon him.
