> Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 7
> Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda
> (for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)

> Canto 7: "The Science of God"

> *******

> Chapter Four: Hiranyakasipu Terrorizes the Universe

> *******

> TEXT 1

> srî-nârada uvâca

> evam vrtah sata-dhrtir

> hiranyakasipor atha

> prâdât tat-tapasâ prîto

> varâms tasya sudurlabhân

> srî-nâradah uvâca--Srî Nârada Muni said; evam--thus; vrtah--solicited; sata-dhrtih--Lord Brahmâ; hiranyakasipoh--of Hiranyakasipu; atha--then; prâdât--delivered; tat--his; tapasâ--by the difficult austerities; prîtah--being pleased; varân--benedictions; tasya--unto Hiranyakasipu; su-durlabhân--very rarely obtained.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 2

> srî-brahmovâca

> tâteme durlabhâh pumsâm

> yân vrnîse varân mama

> tathâpi vitarâmy anga

> varân yadyapi durlabhân

> srî-brahmâ uvâca--Lord Brahmâ said; tâta--O dear son; ime--all these; durlabhâh--very rarely obtained; pumsâm--by men; yân--those which; vrnîse--you ask; varân--benedictions; mama--from me; tathâpi--still; vitarâmi--I shall deliver; anga--O Hiranyakasipu; varân--the benedictions; yadyapi--although; durlabhân--not generally available.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 3

> tato jagâma bhagavân

> amoghânugraho vibhuh

> pûjito 'sura-varyena

> stûyamânah prajesvaraih

> tatah--thereafter; jagâma--departed; bhagavân--the most powerful, Lord Brahmâ; amogha--without failure; anugrahah--whose benediction; vibhuh--the Supreme within this universe; pûjitah--being worshiped; asura-varyena--by the most exalted demon (Hiranyakasipu); stûyamânah--being praised; prajâ-îsvaraih--by many demigods, the masters of different regions.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 4

> evam labdha-varo daityo

> bibhrad dhemamayam vapuh

> bhagavaty akarod dvesam

> bhrâtur vadham anusmaran

> evam--thus; labdha-varah--having obtained his desired boon; daityah--Hiranyakasipu; bibhrat--acquiring; hema-mayam--possessing the luster of gold; vapuh--a body; bhagavati--unto Lord Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; akarot--maintained; dvesam--envy; bhrâtuh vadham--the killing of his brother; anusmaran--always thinking of.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXTS 5-7

> sa vijitya disah sarvâ

> lokâms ca trîn mahâsurah

> devâsura-manusyendra-

> gandharva-garudoragân

> siddha-cârana-vidyâdhrân

> rsîn pitr-patîn manûn

> yaksa-raksah-pisâcesân

> preta-bhûta-patîn api

> sarva-sattva-patîn jitvâ

> vasam ânîya visva-jit

> jahâra loka-pâlânâm

> sthânâni saha tejasâ

> sah--he (Hiranyakasipu); vijitya--conquering; disah--the directions; sarvâh--all; lokân--planetary systems; ca--and; trîn--three (upper, lower and middle); mahâ-asurah--the great demon; deva--the demigods; asura--the demons; manusya--of the human beings; indra--the kings; gandharva--the Gandharvas; garuda--the Garudas; uragân--the great serpents; siddha--the Siddhas;

> cârana--the Câranas; vidyâdhrân--the Vidyâdharas; rsîn--the great sages and saintly persons; pitr-patîn--Yamarâja and the other leaders of the Pitâs; manûn--all the different Manus; yaksa--the Yaksas; raksah--the Râksasas; pisâca-îsân--the leaders of Pisâcaloka; preta--of the Pretas; bhûta--and of the Bhûtas; patîn--the masters; api--also;

> sarva-sattva-patîn--the masters of all the different planets; jitvâ--conquering; vasam ânîya--bringing under control; visva-jit--the conqueror of the whole universe; jahâra--usurped; loka-pâlânam--of the demigods who manage the universal affairs; sthânâni--the places; saha--with; tejasâ--all their power.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 8

> devodyâna-sriyâ justam

> adhyâste sma tri-pistapam

> mahendra-bhavanam sâksân

> nirmitam visvakarmanâ

> trailokya-laksmy-âyatanam

> adhyuvâsâkhilarddhimat

> deva-udyâna--of the famous garden of the demigods; sriyâ--by the opulences; justam--enriched; adhyâste sma--remained in; tri-pistapam--the higher planetary system, where various demigods live; mahendra-bhavanam--the palace of Indra, the King of heaven; sâksât--directly; nirmitam--constructed; visvakarmanâ--by the famous architect of the demigods, Visvakarmâ; trailokya--of all the three worlds; laksmî-âyatanam--the residence of the goddess of fortune; adhyuvâsa--lived in; akhila-rddhi-mat--possessing the opulence of the entire universe.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXTS 9-12

> yatra vidruma-sopânâ

> mahâ-mârakatâ bhuvah

> yatra sphâtika-kudyâni

> vaidûrya-stambha-panktayah

> yatra citra-vitânâni

> padmarâgâsanâni ca

> payah-phena-nibhâh sayyâ

> muktâdâma-paricchadâh

> kûjadbhir nûpurair devyah

> sabda-yantya itas tatah

> ratna-sthalîsu pasyanti

> sudatîh sundaram mukham

> tasmin mahendra-bhavane mahâ-balo

> mahâ-manâ nirjita-loka eka-rât

> reme 'bhivandyânghri-yugah surâdibhih

> pratâpitair ûrjita-canda-sâsanah

> yatra--where (the residential quarters of King Indra); vidruma-sopânâh--steps made of coral; mahâ-mârakatâh--emerald; bhuvah--floors; yatra--where; sphâtika--crystal; kudyâni--walls; vaidûrya--of vaidûrya stone; stambha--of pillars; panktayah--lines;

> yatra--where; citra--wonderful; vitânâni--canopies; padmarâga--bedecked with rubies; âsanâni--seats; ca--also; payah--of milk; phena--the foam; nibhâh--just like; sayyâh--beds; muktâdâma--of pearls; paricchadâh--having borders;

> kûjadbhih--jingling; nûpuraih--with ankle bells; devyah--celestial ladies; sabda-yantyah--making sweet vibrations; itah tatah--here and there; ratna-sthalîsu--in places bedecked with jewels and gems; pasyanti--see; su-datîh--having nice teeth; sundaram--very beautiful; mukham--faces;

> tasmin--in that; mahendra-bhavane--the residential quarters of the heavenly King; mahâ-balah--the most powerful; mahâ-manâh--highly thoughtful; nirjita-lokah--having everyone under his control; eka-rât--the powerful dictator; reme--enjoyed; abhivandya--worshiped; anghri-yugah--whose two feet; sura-âdibhih--by the demigods; pratâpitaih--being disturbed; ûrjita--more than expected; canda--severe; sâsanah--whose ruling.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 13

> tam anga mattam madhunoru-gandhinâ

> vivrtta-tâmrâksam asesa-dhisnya-pâh

> upâsatopâyana-pânibhir vinâ

> tribhis tapo-yoga-balaujasâm padam

> tam--him (Hiranyakasipu); anga--O dear King; mattam--intoxicated; madhunâ--by wine; uru-gandhinâ--strong-smelling; vivrtta--rolling; tâmra-aksam--having eyes like copper; asesa-dhisnya-pâh--the principal men of all the planets; upâsata--worshiped; upâyana--full with paraphernalia; pânibhih--by their own hands; vinâ--without; tribhih--the three principal deities (Lord Visnu, Lord Brahmâ and Lord Siva); tapah--of austerity; yoga--mystic power; bala--bodily strength; ojasâm--and power of the senses; padam--the abode.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 14

> jagur mahendrâsanam ojasâ sthitam

> visvâvasus tumburur asmad-âdayah

> gandharva-siddhâ rsayo 'stuvan muhur

> vidyâdharâs câpsarasas ca pândava

> jaguh--sung of the glories; mahendra-âsanam--the throne of King Indra; ojasâ--by personal power; sthitam--situated on; visvâvasuh--the chief singer of the Gandharvas; tumburuh--another Gandharva singer; asmat-âdayah--including ourselves (Nârada and others also glorified Hiranyakasipu); gandharva--the inhabitants of Gandharva-loka; siddhâh--the inhabitants of Siddhaloka; rsayah--the great sages and saintly persons; astuvan--offered prayers; muhuh--again and again; vidyâdharâh--the inhabitants of Vidyâdhara-loka; ca--and; apsarasah--the inhabitants of Apsaroloka; ca--and; pândava--O descendant of Pându.

> TRANSLATION

> 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 planets. 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.

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> TEXT 15

> sa eva varnâsramibhih

> kratubhir bhûri-daksinaih

> ijyamâno havir-bhâgân

> agrahît svena tejasâ

> sah--he (Hiranyakasipu); eva--indeed; varna-âsramibhih--by persons who strictly followed the regulative principles of the four varnas and four âsramas; kratubhih--by ritualistic ceremonies; bhûri--abundant; daksinaih--offered with gifts; ijyamânah--being worshiped; havih-bhâgân--the portions of the oblations; agrahît--usurped; svena--by his own; tejasâ--prowess.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 16

> akrsta-pacyâ tasyâsît

> sapta-dvîpavatî mahî

> tathâ kâma-dughâ gâvo

> nânâscarya-padam nabhah

> akrsta-pacyâ--bearing grains without being cultivated or plowed; tasya--of Hiranyakasipu; âsît--was; sapta-dvîpa-vatî--consisting of seven islands; mahî--the earth; tathâ--so much so; kâma-dughâh--which can deliver as much milk as one desires; gâvah--cows; nânâ--various; âscarya-padam--wonderful things; nabhah--the sky.

> TRANSLATION

> As if in fear of Hiranyakasipu, the planet 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.

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> TEXT 17

> ratnâkarâs ca ratnaughâms

> tat-patnyas cohur ûrmibhih

> ksâra-sîdhu-ghrta-ksaudra-

> dadhi-ksîrâmrtodakâh

> ratnâkarâh--the seas and oceans; ca--and; ratna-oghân--various kinds of gems and valuable stones; tat-patnyah--the wives of the oceans and seas, namely the rivers; ca--also; ûhuh--carried; ûrmibhih--by their waves; ksâra--the salt ocean; sîdhu--the ocean of wine; ghrta--the ocean of clarified butter; ksaudra--the ocean of sugarcane juice; dadhi--the ocean of yogurt; ksîra--the ocean of milk; amrta--and the very sweet ocean; udakâh--water.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 18

> sailâ dronîbhir âkrîdam

> sarvartusu gunân drumâh

> dadhâra loka-pâlânâm

> eka eva prthag gunân

> sailâh--the hills and mountains; dronîbhih--with the valleys between them; âkrîdam--pleasure grounds for Hiranyakasipu; sarva--all; rtusu--in the seasons of the year; gunân--different qualities (fruits and flowers); drumâh--the plants and trees; dadhâra--executed; loka-pâlânâm--of the other demigods in charge of different departments of natural activity; ekah--alone; eva--indeed; prthak--different; gunân--qualities.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

> *******

> TEXT 19

> sa ittham nirjita-kakub

> eka-râd visayân priyân

> yathopajosam bhunjâno

> nâtrpyad ajitendriyah

> sah--he (Hiranyakasipu); ittham--thus; nirjita--conquered; kakup--all directions within the universe; eka-rât--the one emperor of the whole universe; visayân--material sense objects; priyân--very pleasing; yathâ-upajosam--as much as possible; bhunjânah--enjoying; na--did not; atrpyat--was satisfied; ajita-indriyah--being unable to control the senses.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 20

> evam aisvarya-mattasya

> drptasyocchâstra-vartinah

> kâlo mahân vyatîyâya

> brahma-sâpam upeyusah

> evam--thus; aisvarya-mattasya--of one who was intoxicated by opulences; drptasya--greatly proud; ut-sâstra-vartinah--transgressing the regulative principles mentioned in the sâstras; kâlah--duration of time; mahân--a great; vyatîyâya--passed; brahma-sâpam--a curse by exalted brâhmanas; upeyusah--having obtained.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 21

> tasyogra-danda-samvignâh

> sarve lokâh sapâlakâh

> anyatrâlabdha-saranâh

> saranam yayur acyutam

> tasya--of him (Hiranyakasipu); ugra-danda--by the very fearful chastisement; samvignâh--disturbed; sarve--all; lokâh--the planets; sa-pâlakâh--with their principal rulers; anyatra--anywhere else; alabdha--not obtaining; saranâh--shelter; saranam--for shelter; yayuh--approached; acyutam--the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> TRANSLATION

> Everyone, including the rulers of the various planets, 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.

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> TEXTS 22-23

> tasyai namo 'stu kâsthâyai

> yatrâtmâ harir îsvarah

> yad gatvâ na nivartante

> sântâh sannyâsino 'malâh

> iti te samyatâtmânah

> samâhita-dhiyo 'malâh

> upatasthur hrsîkesam

> vinidrâ vâyu-bhojanâh

> tasyai--unto that; namah--our respectful obeisances; astu--let there be; kâsthâyai--direction; yatra--wherein; âtmâ--the Supersoul; harih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; îsvarah--the supreme controller; yat--which; gatvâ--approaching; na--never; nivartante--return; sântâh--peaceful; sannyâsinah--saintly persons in the renounced order of life; amalâh--pure;

> iti--thus; te--they; samyata-âtmânah--having controlled minds; samâhita--steadied; dhiyah--intelligences; amalâh--purified; upatasthuh--worshiped; hrsîkesam--the master of the senses; vinidrâh--without sleeping; vâyu-bhojanâh--eating only air.

> TRANSLATION

> "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.

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> TEXT 24

> tesâm âvirabhûd vânî

> arûpâ megha-nihsvanâ

> sannâdayantî kakubhah

> sâdhûnâm abhayankarî

> tesâm--in front of all of them; âvirabhût--appeared; vânî--a voice; arûpâ--without a form; megha-nihsvanâ--resounding like the sound of a cloud; sannâdayantî--causing to vibrate; kakubhah--all directions; sâdhûnâm--of the saintly persons; abhayankarî--driving away the fearful situation.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXTS 25-26

> mâ bhaista vibudha-sresthâh

> sarvesâm bhadram astu vah

> mad-darsanam hi bhûtânâm

> sarva-sreyopapattaye

> jnâtam etasya daurâtmyam

> daiteyâpasadasya yat

> tasya sântim karisyâmi

> kâlam tâvat pratîksata

> mâ--do not; bhaista--fear; vibudha-sresthâh--O best of learned persons; sarvesâm--of all; bhadram--the good fortune; astu--let there be; vah--unto you; mat-darsanam--the seeing of Me (or offering of prayers to Me or hearing about Me, all of which are absolute); hi--indeed; bhûtânâm--of all living entities; sarva-sreya--of all good fortune; upapattaye--for the attainment;

> jnâtam--known; etasya--of this; daurâtmyam--the nefarious activities; daiteya-apasadasya--of the great demon, Hiranyakasipu; yat--which; tasya--of this; sântim--cessation; karisyâmi--I shall make; kâlam--time; tâvat--until that; pratîksata--just wait.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

> *******

> TEXT 27

> yadâ devesu vedesu

> gosu vipresu sâdhusu

> dharme mayi ca vidvesah

> sa vâ âsu vinasyati

> yadâ--when; devesu--unto the demigods; vedesu--unto the Vedic scriptures; gosu--unto the cows; vipresu--unto the brâhmanas; sâdhusu--unto the saintly persons; dharme--unto religious principles; mayi--unto Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ca--and; vidvesah--envious; sah--such a person; vai--indeed; âsu--very soon; vinasyati--is vanquished.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

> *******

> TEXT 28

> nirvairâya prasântâya

> sva-sutâya mahâtmane

> prahrâdâya yadâ druhyed

> dhanisye 'pi varorjitam

> nirvairâya--who is without enemies; prasântâya--very sober and peaceful; sva-sutâya--unto his own son; mahâ-âtmane--who is a great devotee; prahrâdâya--Prahlâda Mahârâja; yadâ--when; druhyet--will commit violence; hanisye--I shall kill; api--although; vara-ûrjitam--blessed by the boons of Lord Brahmâ.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

> *******

> TEXT 29

> srî-nârada uvâca

> ity uktâ loka-gurunâ

> tam pranamya divaukasah

> nyavartanta gatodvegâ

> menire câsuram hatam

> srî-nâradah uvâca--the great saint Nârada Muni said; iti--thus; uktâh--addressed; loka-gurunâ--by the supreme spiritual master of everyone; tam--unto Him; pranamya--offering obeisances; divaukasah--all the demigods; nyavartanta--returned; gata-udvegâh--relieved of all anxieties; menire--they considered; ca--also; asuram--the demon (Hiranyakasipu); hatam--killed.

> TRANSLATION

> 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 planets, they offered their respectful obeisances unto Him and returned, confident that the demon Hiranyakasipu was now practically dead.

> *******

> TEXT 30

> tasya daitya-pateh putrâs

> catvârah paramâdbhutâh

> prahrâdo 'bhûn mahâms tesâm

> gunair mahad-upâsakah

> tasya--of him (Hiranyakasipu); daitya-pateh--the King of the Daityas; putrâh--sons; catvârah--four; parama-adbhutâh--very qualified and wonderful; prahrâdah--the one named Prahlâda; abhût--was; mahân--the greatest; tesâm--of all of them; gunaih--with transcendental qualities; mahat-upâsakah--being an unalloyed devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

> *******

> TEXTS 31-32

> brahmanyah sîla-sampannah

> satya-sandho jitendriyah

> âtmavat sarva-bhûtânâm

> eka-priya-suhrttamah

> dâsavat sannatâryânghrih

> pitrvad dîna-vatsalah

> bhrâtrvat sadrse snigdho

> gurusv îsvara-bhâvanah

> vidyârtha-rûpa-janmâdhyo

> mâna-stambha-vivarjitah

> brahmanyah--cultured as a good brâhmana; sîla-sampannah--possessing all good qualities; satya-sandhah--determined to understand the Absolute Truth; jita-indriyah--fully controlling the senses and mind; âtma-vat--like the Supersoul; sarva-bhûtânâm--of all living entities; eka-priya--the one beloved; suhrt-tamah--the best friend; dâsa-vat--like a menial servant; sannata--always obedient; ârya-anghrih--at the lotus feet of great persons;

> pitr-vat--exactly like a father; dîna-vatsalah--kind to the poor; bhrâtr-vat--exactly like a brother; sadrse--to his equals; snigdhah--very affectionate; gurusu--unto the spiritual masters; îsvara-bhâvanah--who considered exactly like the Supreme Personality of Godhead; vidyâ--education; artha--riches; rûpa--beauty; janma--aristocracy or nobility; âdhyah--endowed with; mâna--pride; stambha--impudence; vivarjitah--completely free from.

> TRANSLATION

> [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.

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> TEXT 33

> nodvigna-citto vyasanesu nihsprhah

> srutesu drstesu gunesv avastu-drk

> dântendriya-prâna-sarîra-dhîh sadâ

> prasânta-kâmo rahitâsuro 'surah

> na--not; udvigna--agitated; cittah--whose consciousness; vyasanesu--in dangerous conditions; nihsprhah--without desire; srutesu--in things heard of (especially elevation to heavenly planets because of pious activities); drstesu--as well as in temporal things seen; gunesu--the objects of sense gratification under the modes of material nature; avastu-drk--seeing as if insubstantial; dânta--controlling; indriya--the senses; prâna--the living force; sarîra--the body; dhîh--and intelligence; sadâ--always; prasânta--quieted; kâmah--whose material desires; rahita--completely devoid of; asurah--demoniac nature; asurah--although born in a demoniac family.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 34

> yasmin mahad-gunâ râjan

> grhyante kavibhir muhuh

> na te 'dhunâ pidhîyante

> yathâ bhagavatîsvare

> yasmin--in whom; mahat-gunâh--exalted transcendental qualities; râjan--O King; grhyante--are glorified; kavibhih--by persons who are thoughtful and advanced in knowledge; muhuh--always; na--not; te--these; adhunâ--today; pidhîyante--are obscured; yathâ--just as; bhagavati--in the Supreme Personality of Godhead; isvare--the supreme controller.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 35

> yam sâdhu-gâthâ-sadasi

> ripavo 'pi surâ nrpa

> pratimânam prakurvanti

> kim utânye bhavâdrsâh

> yam--whom; sâdhu-gâthâ-sadasi--in an assembly where saintly persons gather or exalted characteristics are discussed; ripavah--persons who were supposed to have been Prahlâda Mahârâja's enemies (even such a devotee as Prahlâda Mahârâja had enemies, including even his own father); api--even; surâh--the demigods (the demigods are enemies of the demons, and since Prahlâda Mahârâja was born in a family of demons, the demigods should have been his enemies); nrpa--O King Yudhisthira; pratimânam--a substantial example of the best among the devotees; prakurvanti--they make; kim uta--what to speak of; anye--others; bhavâdrsâh--exalted personalities such as yourself.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 36

> gunair alam asankhyeyair

> mâhâtmyam tasya sûcyate

> vâsudeve bhagavati

> yasya naisargikî ratih

> gunaih--with spiritual qualities; alam--what need; asankhyeyaih--which are innumerable; mâhâtmyam--the greatness; tasya--of him (Prahlâda Mahârâja); sûcyate--is indicated; vâsudeve--to Lord Krsna, the son of Vasudeva; bhagavati--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; yasya--of whom; naisargikî--natural; ratih--attachment.

> TRANSLATION

> 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].

> *******

> TEXT 37

> nyasta-krîdanako bâlo

> jadavat tan-manastayâ

> krsna-graha-grhîtâtmâ

> na veda jagad îdrsam

> nyasta--having given up; krîdanakah--all sportive activities or tendencies for childhood play; bâlah--a boy; jada-vat--as if dull, without activities; tat-manastayâ--by being fully absorbed in Krsna; krsna-graha--by Krsna, who is like a strong influence (like a graha, or planetary influence); grhîta-âtmâ--whose mind was fully attracted; na--not; veda--understood; jagat--the entire material world; îdrsam--like this.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

> *******

> TEXT 38

> âsînah paryatann asnan

> sayânah prapiban bruvan

> nânusandhatta etâni

> govinda-parirambhitah

> âsînah--while sitting; paryatan--while walking; asnan--while eating; sayânah--while lying down; prapiban--while drinking; bruvan--while talking; na--not; anusandhatte--knew; etâni--all these activities; govinda--by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who enlivens the senses; parirambhitah--being embraced.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 39

> kvacid rudati vaikuntha-

> cintâ-sabala-cetanah

> kvacid dhasati tac-cintâ-

> hlâda udgâyati kvacit

> kvacit--sometimes; rudati--cries; vaikuntha-cintâ--by thoughts of Krsna; sabala-cetanah--whose mind was bewildered; kvacit--sometimes; hasati--laughs; tat-cintâ--by thoughts of Him; âhlâdah--being jubilant; udgâyati--chants very loudly; kvacit--sometimes.

> TRANSLATION

> Because of advancement in Krsna consciousness, he sometimes cried, sometimes laughed, sometimes expressed jubilation and sometimes sang loudly.

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> TEXT 40

> nadati kvacid utkantho

> vilajjo nrtyati kvacit

> kvacit tad-bhâvanâ-yuktas

> tanmayo 'nucakâra ha

> nadati--exclaims loudly (addressing the Lord, "O Krsna"); kvacit--sometimes; utkanthah--being anxious; vilajjah--without shame; nrtyati--he dances; kvacit--sometimes; kvacit--sometimes; tat-bhâvanâ--with thoughts of Krsna; yuktah--being absorbed; tat-mayah--thinking as if he had become Krsna; anucakâra--imitated; ha--indeed.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 41

> kvacid utpulakas tûsnîm

> âste samsparsa-nirvrtah

> aspanda-pranayânanda-

> salilâmîliteksanah

> kvacit--sometimes; utpulakah--with the hairs of his body standing on end; tûsnîm--completely silent; âste--remains; samsparsa-nirvrtah--feeling great joy by contact with the Lord; aspanda--steady; pranaya-ânanda--due to transcendental bliss from a relationship of love; salila--filled with tears; âmîlita--half-closed; îksanah--whose eyes.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 42

> sa uttama-sloka-padâravindayor

> nisevayâkincana-sanga-labdhayâ

> tanvan parâm nirvrtim âtmano muhur

> duhsanga-dînasya manah samam vyadhât

> sah--he (Prahlâda Mahârâja); uttama-sloka-pada-aravindayoh--to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is worshiped by transcendental prayers; nisevayâ--by constant service; akincana--of devotees who have nothing to do with the material world; sanga--in the association; labdhayâ--obtained; tanvan--expanding; parâm--highest; nirvrtim--bliss; âtmanah--of the spirit soul; muhuh--constantly; duhsanga-dînasya--of a person poor in spiritual understanding due to bad association; manah--the mind; samam--peaceful; vyadhât--made.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

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> TEXT 43

> tasmin mahâ-bhâgavate

> mahâ-bhâge mahâtmani

> hiranyakasipû râjann

> akarod agham âtmaje

> tasmin--unto him; mahâ-bhâgavate--an exalted devotee of the Lord; mahâ-bhâge--most fortunate; mahâ-âtmani--whose mind was very broad; hiranyakasipuh--the demon Hiranyakasipu; râjan--O King; akarot--performed; agham--very great sin; âtma-je--to his own son.

> TRANSLATION

> My dear King Yudhisthira, the demon Hiranyakasipu tormented this exalted, fortunate devotee, although Prahlada was his own son.

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> TEXT 44

> srî-yudhisthira uvâca

> devarsa etad icchâmo

> veditum tava suvrata

> yad âtmajâya suddhâya

> pitâdât sâdhave hy agham

> srî-yudhisthirah uvâca--Mahârâja Yudhisthira inquired; deva-rse--O best saintly person among the demigods; etat--this; icchâmah--we wish; veditum--to know; tava--from you; su-vrata--having the determination for spiritual advancement; yat--because; âtma-jâya--unto his own son; suddhâya--who was pure and exalted; pitâ--the father, Hiranyakasipu; adât--gave; sâdhave--a great saint; hi--indeed; agham--trouble.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

> *******

> TEXT 45

> putrân vipratikûlân svân

> pitarah putra-vatsalâh

> upâlabhante siksârtham

> naivâgham aparo yathâ

> putrân--sons; vipratikûlân--who act against the will of the father; svân--their own; pitarah--fathers; putra-vatsalâh--being very affectionate to the children; upâlabhante--chastise; siksa-artham--to teach them lessons; na--not; eva--indeed; agham--punishment; aparah--an enemy; yathâ--like.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

> *******

> TEXT 46

> kim utânuvasân sâdhûms

> tâdrsân guru-devatân

> etat kautûhalam brahmann

> asmâkam vidhama prabho

> pituh putrâya yad dveso

> maranâya prayojitah

> kim uta--much less; anuvasân--to obedient and perfect sons; sâdhûn--great devotees; tâdrsân--of that sort; guru-devatân--honoring the father as the Supreme Personality of Godhead; etat--this; kautûhalam--doubt; brahman--O brâhmana; asmâkam--of us; vidhama--dissipate; prabho--O my lord; pituh--of the father; putrâya--unto the son; yat--which; dvesah--envy; maranâya--for killing; prayojitah--applied.

> TRANSLATION

> 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.

> Back to the running text