॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
॥ चतुर्थोऽध्यायः - ४ ॥
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Discourse IV
Hiraṇyakaśipu's atrocities and Prahrāda's virtues recounted (Preamble)
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नारद उवाच ।
एवं वृतः शतधृतिर्हिरण्यकशिपोरथ ।
प्रादात्तत्तपसा प्रीतो वरांस्तस्य सुदुर्लभान् ॥ १॥
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Nārada began again : Thus solicited and pleased with the asceticism of Hiraṇyakaśipu, Brahmā then conferred on him boons which are most difficult to obtain. (1) (1)
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ब्रह्मोवाच ।
तातेमे दुर्लभाः पुंसां यान् वृणीषे वरान् मम ।
तथापि वितराम्यङ्ग वरान् यदपि दुर्लभान् ॥ २॥
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Brahmā said : These boons, my child, which you seek of me, cannot be easily secured by living beings. Nevertheless, I confer (on you), O dear one, those very boons though (so) difficult to obtain. (2) (2)
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ततो जगाम भगवानमोघानुग्रहो विभुः ।
पूजितोऽसुरवर्येण स्तूयमानः प्रजेश्वरैः ॥ ३॥
एवं लब्धवरो दैत्यो बिभ्रद्धेममयं वपुः ।
भगवत्यकरोद्द्वेषं भ्रातुर्वधमनुस्मरन् ॥ ४॥
स विजित्य दिशः सर्वा लोकांश्च त्रीन् महासुरः ।
देवासुरमनुष्येन्द्रान् गन्धर्वगरुडोरगान् ॥ ५॥
सिद्धचारणविद्याध्रानृषीन् पितृपतीन् मनून् ।
यक्षरक्षःपिशाचेशान् प्रेतभूतपतीनथ ॥ ६॥
सर्वसत्त्वपतीन् जित्वा वशमानीय विश्वजित् ।
जहार लोकपालानां स्थानानि सह तेजसा ॥ ७॥
देवोद्यानश्रिया जुष्टमध्यास्ते स्म त्रिविष्टपम् ।
महेन्द्रभवनं साक्षान्निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा ।
त्रैलोक्यलक्ष्म्यायतनमध्युवासाखिलर्द्धिमत् ॥ ८॥
यत्र विद्रुमसोपाना महामारकता भुवः ।
यत्र स्फाटिककुड्यानि वैदूर्यस्तम्भपङ्क्तयः ॥ ९॥
यत्र चित्रवितानानि पद्मरागासनानि च ।
पयःफेननिभाः शय्या मुक्तादामपरिच्छदाः ॥ १०॥
कूजद्भिर्नूपुरैर्देव्यः शब्दयन्त्य इतस्ततः ।
रत्नस्थलीषु पश्यन्ति सुदतीः सुन्दरं मुखम् ॥ ११॥
तस्मिन् महेन्द्रभवने महाबलो
महामना निर्जितलोक एकराट् ।
रेमेऽभिवन्द्याङ्घ्रियुगः सुरादिभिः
प्रतापितैरूर्जितचण्डशासनः ॥ १२॥
तमङ्ग मत्तं मधुनोरुगन्धिना
विवृत्तताम्राक्षमशेषधिष्ण्यपाः ।
उपासतोपायनपाणिभिर्विना
त्रिभिस्तपोयोगबलौजसां पदम् ॥ १३॥
जगुर्महेन्द्रासनमोजसा स्थितं
विश्वावसुस्तुम्बुरुरस्मदादयः ।
गन्धर्वसिद्धा ऋषयोऽस्तुवन् मुहु-
र्विद्याधराश्चाप्सरसश्च पाण्डव ॥ १४॥
स एव वर्णाश्रमिभिः क्रतुभिर्भूरिदक्षिणैः ।
इज्यमानो हविर्भागानग्रहीत्स्वेन तेजसा ॥ १५॥
अकृष्टपच्या तस्यासीत्सप्तद्वीपवती मही ।
तथा कामदुघा द्यौस्तु नानाश्चर्यपदं नभः ॥ १६॥
रत्नाकराश्च रत्नौघांस्तत्पत्न्यश्चोहुरूर्मिभिः ।
क्षारसीधुघृतक्षौद्रदधिक्षीरामृतोदकाः ॥ १७॥
शैला द्रोणीभिराक्रीडं सर्वर्तुषु गुणान् द्रुमाः ।
दधार लोकपालानामेक एव पृथग्गुणान् ॥ १८॥
स इत्थं निर्जितककुबेकराड् विषयान् प्रियान् ।
यथोपजोषं भुञ्जानो नातृप्यदजितेन्द्रियः ॥ १९॥
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The glorious and mighty Brahmā of unfailing grace thereupon returned (to his abode), worshipped by Hiranyakaśipu (the foremost of the demons) and being (still) extolled by the lords of created beings. (3)
Having thus secured boons (desired by him) and acquiring a golden (effulgent) form, the demon (Hiranyakaśipu) nursed a grudge against the Lord, constantly recollecting as he did the death (at His hands) of his (younger) brother (Hiranyākṣa). (4)
Having completely subjugated all the (four) quarters as well as the three spheres (heaven, earth and the intermediate region) and having conquered and brought under control the gods and demons, rulers of men, Gandharvas (celestial musicians), birds of the species known by the name of Garuḍa (secretary bird) and serpents, Siddhas (a class of demigods endowed with mystic powers from their very birth), Cāraṇas (celestial bards) and Vidyādharas (heavenly artistes), Ṛṣis (seers), the chiefs of the manes, Manus (progenitors of mankind, each presiding over a Manvantara), the lords of the Yakṣas (another class of demigods), Rākṣasas (ogres) and Piśācas (goblins), the leaders of the Pretas (evil spirits) and Bhūtas (ghosts) as well as the rulers of all other species of living beings, the great Asura (Hiranyakaśipu), who had (thus) conquered the (whole) universe, now usurped the thrones of guardians of the (various) spheres along with their glory. (5—7)
He established himself in heaven, (which is) enriched with the beauty of the celestial garden (known by the name of Nandana), and took up his residence in the palace of the mighty Indra, built by Viśwakarmā (the architect of the gods) himself, the abode of the wealth of all the three worlds and rich in all luxuries, where there are stairs of corals, floors of most precious emeralds, walls of crystals and rows of pillars of cat's-eyes, canopies of various designs and wonderful workmanship, thrones of rubies and beddings white as the foam of milk and fringed with festoons of pearls, and where celestial ladies possessed of charming teeth and producing a sweet sound with their jingling anklets here and there see their pretty faces (reflected) in the pavements of precious stones. (8—11)
In that palace of the great Indra revelled the mighty and proud Hiranyakaśipu, who had conquered (all) the worlds and was (now) their sole monarch, (nay,) whose feet were respectfully tended by gods and others severely oppressed by him and who ruled with a strong and iron hand. (12)
Upon him, O dear one—who remained inebriate with a strong-smelling wine and whose coppery eyes ever kept rolling (through intoxication), (nay,) who was a reservoir of austerity, Yoga (concentration of mind) and strength of body and acuteness of the senses—waited with presents (of various kinds) in their hands all the protectors of the worlds barring (of course) three (viz., Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva). (13)
Him, who had occupied the throne of the great Indra by (sheer) force, glorified (the celebrated Gandharvas) Viśwāvasu and Tumburu and singers such as myself (Nārada). (Nay, other) Gandharvas and Siddhas as well as seers, Vidyādharas and Apsarās (celestial nymphs), O son of Pāṇḍu, extolled him again and again. (14)
Propitiated by men belonging to the different Varṇas (grades of society) and Āśramas (stages in life) through sacrifices with liberal gifts, he alone appropriated (all) the sacrificial offerings by his own might. (15)
The earth consisting of its seven Dvipas (principal divisions) yielded to him (all) its produce unploughed; even so heaven showered (on him) everything desired; while the sky presented many a wonderful phenomenon. (16)
The (seven) oceans (lit., reservoirs of precious stones of various kinds), full of salt water, wine, clarified butter, sugar-cane juice, curds, milk and pure water respectively, as well as the rivers falling into them (which are spoken of as so many wives of the oceans in view of the fact that each of the seven oceans is presided over by a male deity who has a number of wives each presiding over a river) bore (to him) heaps of jewels on their waves. (17)
Mountains provided him with a pleasure-ground in the shape of their valleys, while trees bore him (excellent) flowers and fruits in all seasons. (And) he singly possessed (usurped) all the distinctive qualities (functions) of the guardians of the (various) spheres. (18)
Having thus conquered (all) the (four) quarters, the demon (who was the undisputed sovereign of all the three worlds) did not feel satiated even though enjoying as he pleased his beloved objects, since he had not been able to subdue his senses and mind. (19) (3-19)
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एवमैश्वर्यमत्तस्य दृप्तस्योच्छास्त्रवर्तिनः ।
कालो महान् व्यतीयाय ब्रह्मशापमुपेयुषः ॥ २०॥
तस्योग्रदण्डसंविग्नाः सर्वे लोकाः सपालकाः ।
अन्यत्रालब्धशरणाः शरणं ययुरच्युतम् ॥ २१॥
तस्यै नमोऽस्तु काष्ठायै यत्रात्मा हरिरीश्वरः ।
यद्गत्वा न निवर्तन्ते शान्ताः सन्न्यासिनोऽमलाः ॥ २२॥
इति ते संयतात्मानः समाहितधियोऽमलाः ।
उपतस्थुर्हृषीकेशं विनिद्रा वायुभोजनाः ॥ २३॥
तेषामाविरभूद्वाणी अरूपा मेघनिःस्वना ।
सन्नादयन्ती ककुभः साधूनामभयङ्करी ॥ २४॥
मा भैष्ट विबुधश्रेष्ठाः सर्वेषां भद्रमस्तु वः ।
मद्दर्शनं हि भूतानां सर्वश्रेयोपपत्तये ॥ २५॥
ज्ञातमेतस्य दौरात्म्यं दैतेयापसदस्य च ।
तस्य शान्तिं करिष्यामि कालं तावत्प्रतीक्षत ॥ २६॥
यदा देवेषु वेदेषु गोषु विप्रेषु साधुषु ।
धर्मे मयि च विद्वेषः स वा आशु विनश्यति ॥ २७॥
निर्वैराय प्रशान्ताय स्वसुताय महात्मने ।
प्रह्लादाय यदा द्रुह्येद्धनिष्येऽपि वरोर्जितम् ॥ २८॥
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In this way a considerable time slipped past Hiranyakaśipu, who, having been subjected to an execration by the Brāhmaṇas (Sanaka and his three brothers), was (not only) arrogant and drunk with power and pelf, but violated (the injunctions of) the Śāstras (holy books). (20)
Unnerved by his stern rule and finding no shelter elsewhere, the inhabitants of all the worlds along with their guardian deities resorted to the immortal Lord (Viṣṇu) for protection. (21)
(They prayed as follows :-) "Salutation be to that quarter where resides the almighty Śrī Hari, the Universal Spirit, and on reaching which the pure-hearted recluses of tranquil mind do not return (to the mortal plane)." (22)
With their mind and intellect (duly) controlled and rid of (all) impurities, they waited upon Lord Viṣṇu (the Controller of the senses) with the aforesaid prayer, remaining without sleep and subsisting on air (alone all the time). (23)
A voice without (any trace of the speaker's) form and deep as the rumbling of clouds, was heard by them, filling the quarters with its echo and bringing with it assurances of safety to the righteous: (24)
"Do not be afraid, O jewels among gods; may good betide you all! My sight (as well as the hearing of My voice) is undoubtedly conducive to the attainment of all blessings for created beings. (25)
The wickedness (tyranny) of this vile demon is (already) known (to Me) and I shall put an end to it. (Please) wait till then. (26)
When hatred develops in the mind of an individual towards the gods, the Vedas, the bovine race, the Brāhmaṇas and (other) pious souls, nay, towards righteousness and Myself, the fellow surely perishes before long. (27)
When the demon seeks to harm his own high-souled son, Prahrāda, who is free from animosity and extremely calm, I shall slay him, even though he is powerful by virtue of boons (bestowed on him by Brahmā)." (28) (20-28)
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नारद उवाच ।
इत्युक्ता लोकगुरुणा तं प्रणम्य दिवौकसः ।
न्यवर्तन्त गतोद्वेगा मेनिरे चासुरं हतम् ॥ २९॥
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Nārada continued : Thus addressed by Lord Viṣṇu (the Preceptor of the universe), and bowing down to Him, the denizens of heaven, who were (now) free from anxiety, returned and accounted the demon (already) slain. (29) (29)
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तस्य दैत्यपतेः पुत्राश्चत्वारः परमाद्भुताः ।
प्रह्लादोऽभून्महांस्तेषां गुणैर्महदुपासकः ॥ ३०॥
ब्रह्मण्यः शीलसम्पन्नः सत्यसन्धो जितेन्द्रियः ।
आत्मवत्सर्वभूतानामेकः प्रियसुहृत्तमः ॥ ३१॥
दासवत्सन्नतार्याङ्घ्रिः पितृवद्दीनवत्सलः ।
भ्रातृवत्सदृशे स्निग्धो गुरुष्वीश्वरभावनः ।
विद्यार्थरूपजन्माढ्यो मानस्तम्भविवर्जितः ॥ ३२॥
नोद्विग्नचित्तो व्यसनेषु निःस्पृहः
श्रुतेषु दृष्टेषु गुणेष्ववस्तुदृक् ।
दान्तेन्द्रियप्राणशरीरधीः सदा
प्रशान्तकामो रहितासुरोऽसुरः ॥ ३३॥
यस्मिन् महद्गुणा राजन् गृह्यन्ते कविभिर्मुहुः ।
न तेऽधुनापिधीयन्ते यथा भगवतीश्वरे ॥ ३४॥
यं साधुगाथासदसि रिपवोऽपि सुरा नृप ।
प्रतिमानं प्रकुर्वन्ति किमुतान्ये भवादृशाः ॥ ३५॥
गुणैरलमसङ्ख्येयैर्माहात्म्यं तस्य सूच्यते ।
वासुदेवे भगवति यस्य नैसर्गिकी रतिः ॥ ३६॥
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Four most marvellous sons were born to that ruler of the Daityas. Prahrāda, (who was) a votary of exalted souls, was pre-eminent among them (all) in point of virtues. (30)
Devoted to the Brāhmaṇas, rich in amiability and true to his word, he had his senses under control and was the unique beloved friend and the greatest well-wisher of all living beings as their own self. (31)
Like a servant he bowed low at the feet of the venerable; like a father, he was kind to the poor; he was affectionate like a brother to his equals and looked upon his elders as God Himself. Though endowed with learning, wealth, personal charm and high birth, he was altogether free from pride and arrogance. (32)
Always unperturbed at heart in the midst of calamities, he had no craving for sense, objects seen or heard of, since he looked upon them as unreal. He had not only controlled his senses, breath, body and intellect, but he had thoroughly conquered his desires (too); though a demon (by birth), he had relinquished the characteristics of a demon. (33)
The qualities of exalted souls (present) in him. O king (Yudhiṣṭhira), are constantly imbibed by the wise and are not obscured even now (at this distant date), any more than the excellences present in the Lord. (34)
Even gods, his enemies, O king, treat him as a model (of virtue) in their assemblies holding discourses on the lives of pious souls ! What wonder, then, that others, like you should do it ? (35)
It is futile (indeed) to recount his excellences which are innumerable. The greatness of Prahrāda, in whom could be seen a natural affinity for Lord Vāsudeva, is (only) hinted at (in the following words). (36) (30-36)
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न्यस्तक्रीडनको बालो जडवत्तन्मनस्तया ।
कृष्णग्रहगृहीतात्मा न वेद जगदीदृशम् ॥ ३७॥
आसीनः पर्यटन्नश्नन् शयानः प्रपिबन् ब्रुवन् ।
नानुसन्धत्त एतानि गोविन्दपरिरम्भितः ॥ ३८॥
क्वचिद्रुदति वैकुण्ठचिन्ताशबलचेतनः ।
क्वचिद्धसति तच्चिन्ताह्लाद उद्गायति क्वचित् ॥ ३९॥
नदति क्वचिदुत्कण्ठो विलज्जो नृत्यति क्वचित् ।
क्वचित्तद्भावनायुक्तस्तन्मयोऽनुचकार ह ॥ ४०॥
क्वचिदुत्पुलकस्तूष्णीमास्ते संस्पर्शनिर्वृतः ।
अस्पन्दप्रणयानन्दसलिलामीलितेक्षणः ॥ ४१॥
स उत्तमश्लोकपदारविन्दयो-
र्निषेवयाकिञ्चनसङ्गलब्धया ।
तन्वन् परां निर्वृतिमात्मनो मुहु-
र्दुःसङ्गदीनान्यमनःशमं व्यधात् ॥ ४२॥
तस्मिन् महाभागवते महाभागे महात्मनि ।
हिरण्यकशिपू राजन्नकरोदघमात्मजे ॥ ४३॥
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Having laid aside playthings even as a child, Prahrāda, who looked like a dunce by reason of his mind being (fully) absorbed in the Lord, and whose soul was possessed by Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as though by some spirit, did not view the world as such (as it appears to worldly men, but as full of Śrī Kṛṣṇa). (37)
Sitting or walking, eating or drinking, lying down or speaking, he was never conscious of these acts, finding himself constantly folded in the arms of Lord Govinda (the Protector of cows). (38)
Now he would cry (in agony at the sudden disappearance of the Lord), his mind overwhelmed with the thought of Lord Viṣṇu; now (when the Lord appeared again) he laughed and full of delight at His thought he would now sing His praises at the pitch of his voice. (39)
Now he shrieked with open throat and now he would dance casting all bashfulness to the winds (as it were). Now imagining himself to be (none else than) the Lord and completely merged in Him, he imitated His doings. (40)
Enraptured by the thought of having become one with Him, he would now sit mute with the hair on his body standing erect and his half-closed eyes brimful with tears of joy brought by constant love. (41)
By devoted service to the lotus-feet of the Lord of excellent renown, obtained as a reward of the fellowship of devotees claiming nothing as their own, he not only brought supreme felicity to himself but also soothed the mind of others (other Daitya boys who were his fellow-students), miserable through evil inclination (attachment to the pleasures of sense). (42)
It was such an illustrious and high-souled son, a great devotee of the Lord, O Yudhiṣṭhira, that Hiranyakaśipu sought to harm. (43) (37-43)
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युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।
देवर्ष एतदिच्छामो वेदितुं तव सुव्रत ।
यदात्मजाय शुद्धाय पितादात्साधवे ह्यघम् ॥ ४४॥
पुत्रान् विप्रतिकूलान् स्वान् पितरः पुत्रवत्सलाः ।
उपालभन्ते शिक्षार्थं नैवाघमपरो यथा ॥ ४५॥
किमुतानुवशान् साधूंस्तादृशान् गुरुदेवतान् ।
एतत्कौतूहलं ब्रह्मन्नस्माकं विधम प्रभो ।
पितुः पुत्राय यद्द्वेषो मरणाय प्रयोजितः ॥ ४६॥
इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां
सप्तमस्कन्धे प्रह्लादचरिते चतुर्थोऽध्यायः ॥ ४॥
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Yudhiṣṭhira submitted : O celestial sage of excellent vows, we are anxious to know from you wherefore Hiranyakaśipu (Prahrāda's father) actually inflicted suffering on his innocent and righteous son (Prahrāda). (44)
Fathers fond of their sons do admonish their refractory sons in order to correct them; but in no case do they persecute them as an enemy would. Much less would they oppress obedient and pious sons like Prahrāda, who look upon their father as a deity. (Pray,) remove this curiosity of ours, O holy one, as to how the hatred of the father for his son was directed towards the latter's death, my lord ! (45-46)
Thus ends the fourth discourse forming part of the narrative of Prahrāda,
in Book Seven of the great and glorious Bhāgavata-Purāṇa,
otherwise known as the Paramahārhsa-Sarhhitā. (44-46)
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