Chapter Eight
Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva Slays the King of the Demons
TEXT 36
tadā vimānāvalibhir nabhastalaṁ
didṛkṣatāṁ saṅkulam āsa nākinām
surānakā dundubhayo ’tha jaghnire
gandharva-mukhyā nanṛtur jaguḥ striyaḥ
SYNONYMS
tadā—at that time; vimāna-āvalibhiḥ—with different types of airplanes; nabhastalam—the sky; didṛkṣatām—desirous of seeing; saṅkulam—crowded; āsa—became; nākinām—of the demigods; sura-ānakāḥ—the drums of the demigods; dundubhayaḥ—the kettledrums; atha—as well; jaghnire—were sounded; gandharva-mukhyāḥ—the chiefs of Gandharvaloka; nanṛtuḥ—began to dance; jaguḥ—sang; striyaḥ—heavenly society women.
TRANSLATION
At that time, the airplanes of the demigods, who desired to see the activities of the Supreme Lord, Nārāyaṇa, 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.
TEXTS 37–39
tatropavrajya vibudhā
brahmendra-giriśādayaḥ
ṛṣayaḥ pitaraḥ siddhā
vidyādhara-mahoragāḥ
manavaḥ prajānāṁ patayo
gandharvāpsara-cāraṇāḥ
yakṣāḥ kimpuruṣās tāta
vetālāḥ saha-kinnarāḥ
te viṣṇu-pārṣadāḥ sarve
sunanda-kumudādayaḥ
mūrdhni baddhāñjali-puṭā
āsīnaṁ tīvra-tejasam
īḍire nara-śārdulaṁ
nātidūracarāḥ pṛthak
SYNONYMS
tatra—there (in the sky); upavrajya—coming (in their respective airplanes); vibudhāḥ—all the different demigods; brahma-indra-giriśa-ādayaḥ—headed by Lord Brahmā, King Indra and Lord Śiva; ṛṣayaḥ—the great saintly sages; pitaraḥ—the inhabitants of Pitṛloka; siddhāḥ—the residents of Siddhaloka; vidyādhara—the residents of Vidyādharaloka; mahā-uragāḥ—the residents of the planets where great serpents reside; manavaḥ—the Manus; prajānām—of the living entities (on different planets); patayaḥ—the chiefs; gandharva—the residents of Gandharvaloka; apsara—the residents of the angelic planet; cāraṇāḥ—the residents of Cāraṇaloka; yakṣāḥ—the Yakṣas; kimpuruṣāḥ—the Kimpuruṣas; tāta—O dear one; vetālāḥ—the Vetālas; saha-kinnarāḥ—along with the Kinnaras; te—they; viṣṇu-pārṣadāḥ—the personal associates of Lord Viṣṇu (in the Vaikuṇṭhalokas); sarve—all; sunanda-kumuda-ādayaḥ—headed by Sunanda and Kumuda; mūrdhni—on their heads; baddha-añjali-puṭāḥ—with folded hands; āsīnam—who was sitting on the throne; tīvra-tejasam—exposing His great spiritual effulgence; īḍire—offered respectful worship; nara-śārdulam—unto the Lord, who had appeared as half man and half lion; na ati-dūracarāḥ—coming near; pṛthak—individually.
TRANSLATION
My dear King Yudhiṣṭhira, the demigods then approached the Lord. They were headed by Lord Brahmā, King Indra and Lord Śiva and included great saintly persons and the residents of Pitṛloka, Siddhaloka, Vidyādhara-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 Cāraṇas, the Yakṣas, the inhabitants of Kinnaraloka, the Vetālas, the inhabitants of Kimpuruṣa-loka, and the personal servants of Viṣṇu 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.
TEXT 40
śrī-brahmovāca
nato ’smy anantāya duranta-śaktaye
vicitra-vīryāya pavitra-karmaṇe
viśvasya sarga-sthiti-saṁyamān guṇaiḥ
sva-līlayā sandadhate ’vyayātmane
SYNONYMS
śrī-brahmā uvāca—Lord Brahmā said; nataḥ—bowed down; asmi—I am; anantāya—unto the unlimited Lord; duranta—very difficult to find an end to; śaktaye—who possesses different potencies; vicitra-vīryāya—having varieties of prowess; pavitra-karmaṇe—whose actions have no reaction (even though doing contrary things, He remains without contamination by the material modes); viśvasya—of the universe; sarga—creation; sthiti—maintenance; saṁyamān—and annihilation; guṇaiḥ—by the material qualities; sva-līlayā—very easily; sandadhate—performs; avyaya-ātmane—whose personality never deteriorates.
TRANSLATION
Lord Brahmā 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.
PURPORT
The activities of the Lord are always wonderful. His personal servants Jaya and Vijaya were confidential friends, yet they were cursed, and they accepted bodies of demons. Again, in the family of one such demon, Prahlāda Mahārāja was caused to take birth to exhibit the behavior of an exalted devotee, and then the Lord accepted the body of Nṛsiṁhadeva to kill that same demon, who by the Lord’s own will had taken birth in a demoniac family. Therefore, who can understand the Lord’s transcendental activities? Not to speak of understanding the transcendental activities of the Lord, no one can understand even the activities of His servants. In Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 23.39) it is said, tāṅra vākya, kriyā, mudrā vijñeha nā bhujhaya: no one can understand the activities of the Lord’s servants. Therefore, what to speak of the activities of the Lord? Who can understand how Kṛṣṇa is benefiting the entire world? The Lord is addressed as duranta-śakti because no one can understand His potencies and how He acts.
TEXT 41
śrī-rudra uvāca
kopa-kālo yugāntas te
hato ’yam asuro ’lpakaḥ
tat-sutaṁ pāhy upasṛtaṁ
bhaktaṁ te bhakta-vatsala
SYNONYMS
śrī-rudraḥ uvāca—Lord Śiva offered his prayer; kopa-kālaḥ—the right time for Your anger (for the purpose of annihilating the universe); yuga-antaḥ—the end of the millennium; te—by You; hataḥ—killed; ayam—this; asuraḥ—great demon; alpakaḥ—very insignificant; tat-sutam—his son (Prahlāda Mahārāja); pāhi—just protect; upasṛtam—who is surrendered and standing nearby; bhaktam—devotee; te—of Your Lordship; bhakta-vatsala—O my Lord, who are so affectionate to Your devotee.
TRANSLATION
Lord Śiva said: The end of the millennium is the time for Your anger. Now that this insignificant demon Hiraṇyakaśipu has been killed, O my Lord, who are naturally affectionate to Your devotee, kindly protect his son Prahlāda Mahārāja, who is standing nearby as Your fully surrendered devotee.
PURPORT
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the creator of the material world. There are three processes in creation—namely creation, maintenance and finally annihilation. During the period of annihilation, at the end of each millennium, the Lord becomes angry, and the part of anger is played by Lord Śiva, who is therefore called Rudra. When the Lord appeared in great anger to kill Hiraṇyakaśipu, everyone was extremely afraid of the Lord’s attitude, but Lord Śiva, knowing very well that the Lord’s anger is also His līlā, was not afraid. Lord Śiva knew that he would have to play the part of anger for the Lord. Kāla means Lord Śiva (Bhairava), and kopa refers to the Lord’s anger. These words, combined together as kopa-kāla, refer to the end of each millennium. Actually the Lord is always affectionate toward His devotees, even though He may appear very angry. Because He is avyayātmā—because He never falls down—even when angry the Lord is affectionate toward His devotees. Therefore Lord Śiva reminded the Lord to act like an affectionate father toward Prahlāda Mahārāja, who was standing by the Lord’s side as an exalted, fully surrendered devotee.
TEXT 42
śrī-indra uvāca
pratyānītāḥ parama bhavatā trāyatā naḥ sva-bhāgā
daityākrāntaṁ hṛdaya-kamalaṁ tad-gṛhaṁ pratyabodhi
kāla-grastaṁ kiyad idam aho nātha śuśrūṣatāṁ te
muktis teṣāṁ na hi bahumatā nārasiṁhāparaiḥ kim
SYNONYMS
śrī-indraḥ uvāca—Indra, the King of heaven, said; pratyānītāḥ—recovered; parama—O Supreme; bhavatā—by Your Lordship; trāyatā—who are protecting; naḥ—us; sva-bhāgāḥ—shares in the sacrifices; daitya-ākrāntam—afflicted by the demon; hṛdaya-kamalam—the lotuslike cores of our hearts; tat-gṛham—which is actually Your residence; pratyabodhi—it has been illuminated; kāla-grastam—devoured by time; kiyat—insignificant; idam—this (world); aho—alas; nātha—O Lord; śuśrūṣatām—for those who are always engaged in the service; te—of You; muktiḥ—liberation from material bondage; teṣām—of them (the pure devotees); na—not; hi—indeed; bahumatā—thought very important; nāra-siṁha—O Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, half lion and half human being; aparaiḥ kim—then what is the use of other possessions.
TRANSLATION
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 Hiraṇyakaśipu 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 kāma, artha and dharma.
PURPORT
In this material world there are two kinds of people—the devatās (demigods) and the asuras (demons). Although the demigods are attached to material enjoyment, they are devotees of the Lord who act according to the rules and regulations of the Vedic injunctions. During the reign of Hiraṇyakaśipu, everyone was disturbed in the routine duties of Vedic civilization. When Hiraṇyakaśipu was killed, all the demigods, who had always been disturbed by Hiraṇyakaśipu, felt relief in their general way of life.
Because the government in Kali-yuga is full of demons, the living conditions of devotees are always disturbed. Devotees cannot perform yajña, and thus they cannot partake of the remnants of food offered in yajña for the worship of Lord Viṣṇu. The hearts of the demigods are always filled with fear of the demons, and therefore they cannot think of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The engagement of the demigods is to think of the Lord always within the cores of their hearts. The Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (6.47):
yoginām api sarveṣāṁ
mad gatenāntarātmanā
śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ
sa me yuktatamo mataḥ
“And of all yogīs, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all.” The demigods fully absorb themselves in meditation upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead to become perfect yogīs, but because of the presence of demons, their hearts are filled with the activities of the demons. Thus their hearts, which are meant to be the abode of the Supreme Lord, are practically occupied by the demons. All the demigods felt relieved when Hiraṇyakaśipu was dead, for they could easily think of the Lord. They could then receive the results of sacrifices and become happy even though in the material world.
TEXT 43
śrī-ṛṣaya ūcuḥ
tvaṁ nas tapaḥ paramam āttha yad ātma-tejo
yenedam ādi-puruṣātma-gataṁ sasarktha
tad vipraluptam amunādya śaraṇya-pāla
rakṣā-gṛhīta-vapuṣā punar anvamaṁsthāḥ
SYNONYMS
śrī-ṛṣayaḥ ūcuḥ—the great sages said; tvam—You; naḥ—our; tapaḥ—austerity; paramam—topmost; āttha—instructed; yat—which; ātma-tejaḥ—Your spiritual power; yena—by which; idam—this (material world); ādi-puruṣa—O supreme original Personality of Godhead; ātma-gatam—merged within Yourself; sasarktha—(You) created; tat—that process of austerity and penance; vipraluptam—stolen; amunā—by that demon (Hiraṇyakaśipu); adya—now; śaraṇya-pāla—O supreme maintainer of those who need to be sheltered; rakṣā-gṛhīta-vapuṣā—by Your body, which You accept to give protection; punaḥ—again; anvamaṁsthāḥ—You have approved.
TRANSLATION
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 Nṛsiṁhadeva, which is meant just to give us protection, and by killing this demon, You have again approved the process of austerity.
PURPORT
The living entities wandering within the jurisdiction of the 8,400,000 species of life get the opportunity for self-realization in the human form and gradually in such other elevated forms as those of the demigods, Kinnaras and Cāraṇas, as will be described below. In the higher statuses of life, beginning from human life, the main duty is tapasya, or austerity. As Ṛṣabhadeva advised His sons, tapo divyaṁ putrakā yena sattvaṁ śuddhyet. To rectify our material existence, austerity (tapasya) is absolutely necessary. However, when people in general come under the control of a demon or a demoniac ruling power, they forget this process of tapasya and gradually also become demoniac. All the saintly persons, who were generally engaged in austerity, felt relieved when Hiraṇyakaśipu was killed by the Lord in the form of Nṛsiṁhadeva. They realized that the original instruction concerning human life—that it is meant for tapasya for self-realization—was reaffirmed by the Lord when He killed Hiraṇyakaśipu.
TEXT 44
śrī-pitara ūcuḥ
śrāddhāni no ’dhibubhuje prasabhaṁ tanūjair
dattāni tīrtha-samaye ’py apibat tilāmbu
tasyodarān nakha-vidīrṇa-vapād ya ārcchat
tasmai namo nṛharaye ’khila-dharma-goptre
SYNONYMS
śrī-pitaraḥ ūcuḥ—the inhabitants of Pitṛloka said; śrāddhāni—the performances of the śrāddha ceremony (offering of food grains to dead forefathers by a particular process); naḥ—our; adhibubhuje—enjoyed; prasabham—by force; tanūjaiḥ—by our sons and grandsons; dattāni—offered; tīrtha-samaye—at the time of bathing in the holy places; api—even; apibat—drank; tila-ambu—offerings of water with sesame seeds; tasya—of the demon; udarāt—from the abdomen; nakha-vidīrṇa—pierced by the nails of the hand; vapāt—the skin of the intestines of which; yaḥ—He who (the Personality of Godhead); ārcchat—obtained; tasmai—unto Him (the Supreme Personality of Godhead); namaḥ—respectful obeisances; nṛ-haraye—who has appeared as half lion and half man (Nṛhari); akhila—universal; dharma—religious principles; goptre—who maintains.
TRANSLATION
The inhabitants of Pitṛloka prayed: Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, the maintainer of the religious principles of the universe. He has killed Hiraṇyakaśipu, the demon who by force enjoyed all the offerings of the śrāddha 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.
PURPORT
It is the duty of all householders to offer food grains to all their departed forefathers, but during the time of Hiraṇyakaśipu this process was stopped; no one would offer śrāddha oblations of food grains to the forefathers with great respect. Thus when there is a demoniac rule, everything concerning the Vedic principles is turned upside down, all the religious ceremonies of yajña are stopped, the resources meant to be spent for yajña are taken away by the demoniac government, everything becomes chaotic, and consequently the entire world becomes hell itself. When the demons are killed by the presence of Nṛsiṁhadeva, everyone feels comfortable, irrespective of the planet upon which he lives.
TEXT 45
śrī-siddhā ūcuḥ
yo no gatiṁ yoga-siddhām asādhur
ahārṣīd yoga-tapo-balena
nānā darpaṁ taṁ nakhair vidadāra
tasmai tubhyaṁ praṇatāḥ smo nṛsiṁha
SYNONYMS
śrī-siddhāḥ ūcuḥ—the inhabitants of Siddhaloka said; yaḥ—the person who; naḥ—our; gatim—perfection; yoga-siddhām—achieved by mystic yoga; asādhuḥ—most uncivilized and dishonest; ahārṣīt—stole away; yoga—of mysticism; tapaḥ—and austerities; balena—by the power; nānā darpam—proud due to wealth, opulence and strength; tam—him; nakhaiḥ—by the nails; vidadāra—pierced; tasmai—unto him; tubhyam—unto You; praṇatāḥ—bowed down; smaḥ—we are; nṛsiṁha—O Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva.
TRANSLATION
The inhabitants of Siddhaloka prayed: O Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, because we belong to Siddhaloka, we automatically achieve perfection in all eight kinds of mystic power. Yet Hiraṇyakaśipu 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.
PURPORT
On earth there are many yogīs who can exhibit some feeble mystic power by manufacturing pieces of gold like magic, but the inhabitants of the planet Siddhaloka are actually extremely powerful in mysticism. They can fly from one planet to another without airplanes. This is called laghimā-siddhi. They can actually become very light and fly in the sky. By a severe type of austerity, however, Hiraṇyakaśipu excelled all the inhabitants of Siddhaloka and created disturbances for them. The residents of Siddhaloka were also beaten by the powers of Hiraṇyakaśipu. Now that Hiraṇyakaśipu had been killed by the Lord, the inhabitants of Siddhaloka also felt relieved.
TEXT 46
śrī-vidyādharā ūcuḥ
vidyāṁ pṛthag dhāraṇayānurāddhāṁ
nyaṣedhad ajño bala-vīrya-dṛptaḥ
sa yena saṅkhye paśuvad dhatas taṁ
māyā-nṛsiṁhaṁ praṇatāḥ sma nityam
SYNONYMS
śrī-vidyādharāḥ ūcuḥ—the inhabitants of Vidyādhara-loka prayed; vidyām—mystic formulas (by which one can appear and disappear); pṛthak—separately; dhāraṇayā—by various meditations within the mind; anurāddhām—attained; nyaṣedhat—stopped; ajñaḥ—this fool; bala-vīrya-dṛptaḥ—puffed up by bodily strength and his ability to conquer anyone; saḥ—he (Hiraṇyakaśipu); yena—by whom; saṅkhye—in battle; paśu-vat—exactly like an animal; hataḥ—killed; tam—unto Him; māyā-nṛsiṁham—appearing as Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva by the influence of His own energy; praṇatāḥ—fallen; sma—certainly; nityam—eternally.
TRANSLATION
The inhabitants of Vidyādhara-loka prayed: Our acquired power to appear and disappear in various ways according to varieties of meditation was banned by that foolish Hiraṇyakaśipu 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 Nṛsiṁhadeva, we eternally offer our respectful obeisances.
TEXT 47
śrī-nāgā ūcuḥ
yena pāpena ratnāni
strī-ratnāni hṛtāni naḥ
tad-vakṣaḥ-pāṭanenāsāṁ
dattānanda namo ’stu te
SYNONYMS
śrī-nāgāḥ ūcuḥ—the inhabitants of Nāgaloka, who look like serpents, said; yena—by which person; pāpena—the most sinful (Hiraṇyakaśipu); ratnāni—the jewels on our heads; strī-ratnāni—beautiful wives; hṛtāni—taken away; naḥ—our; tat—his; vakṣaḥ-pāṭanena—by the piercing of the chest; āsām—of all the women (who were kidnapped); datta-ānanda—O Lord, You are the source of the pleasure; namaḥ—our respectful obeisances; astu—let there be; te—unto You.
TRANSLATION
The inhabitants of Nāgaloka said: The most sinful Hiraṇyakaśipu 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.
PURPORT
No one is peaceful if his wealth and wife are forcibly taken away. All the inhabitants of Nāgaloka, which is situated below the earthly planetary system, were in great anxiety because their wealth had been stolen and their wives kidnapped by Hiraṇyakaśipu. Now, Hiraṇyakaśipu having been killed, their wealth and wives were returned, and their wives felt satisfied. The inhabitants of various lokas, or planets, offered their respectful obeisances unto the Lord because they were relieved by the death of Hiraṇyakaśipu. Disturbances similar to those created by Hiraṇyakaśipu are now taking place all over the world because of demoniac governments. As stated in the Twelfth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the men of the governments of Kali-yuga will be no better than rogues and plunderers. Thus the populace will be harassed on one side by scarcity of food and on another by heavy taxation by the government. In other words, the people in most parts of the world in this age are harassed by the ruling principles of Hiraṇyakaśipu.
TEXT 48
śrī-manava ūcuḥ
manavo vayaṁ tava nideśa-kāriṇo
ditijena deva paribhūta-setavaḥ
bhavatā khalaḥ sa upasaṁhṛtaḥ prabho
karavāma te kim anuśādhi kiṅkarān
SYNONYMS
śrī-manavaḥ ūcuḥ—all the Manus offered their respectful obeisances by saying; manavaḥ—the leaders of the universal affairs (especially in connection with giving knowledge to humanity about how to live lawfully under the protection of the Supreme Personality of Godhead); vayam—we; tava—of Your Lordship; nideśa-kāriṇaḥ—the carriers of the orders; diti-jena—by Hiraṇyakaśipu, the son of Diti; deva—O Lord; paribhūta—disregarded; setavaḥ—whose laws of morality concerning the varṇāśrama system in human society; bhavatā—by Your Lordship; khalaḥ—the most envious rascal; saḥ—he; upasaṁhṛtaḥ—killed; prabho—O Lord; karavāma—shall we do; te—Your; kim—what; anuśādhi—please direct; kiṅkarān—Your eternal servants.
TRANSLATION
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, Hiraṇyakaśipu, our laws for maintaining varṇāśrama-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.
PURPORT
In many places in Bhagavad-gītā, the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa, refers to the varṇāśrama-dharma of four varṇas and four āśramas. He teaches people about this varṇāśrama-dharma so that all of human society can live peacefully by observing the principles for the four social divisions and four spiritual divisions (varṇa and āśrama) and thus make advancement in spiritual knowledge. The Manus compiled the Manu-saṁhitā. The word saṁhitā means Vedic knowledge, and manu indicates that this knowledge is given by Manu. The Manus are sometimes incarnations of the Supreme Lord and sometimes empowered living entities. Formerly, many long years ago, Lord Kṛṣṇa instructed the sun-god. The Manus are generally sons of the sun-god. Therefore, while speaking to Arjuna about the importance of Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa said, imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ proktavān aham avyayam vivasvān manave prāha: [Bg. 4.1] “This instruction was given to Vivasvān, the sun-god, who in turn instructed his son Manu.” Manu gave the law known as Manu-saṁhitā, which is full of directions based on varṇa and āśrama concerning how to live as a human being. These are very scientific ways of life, but under the rule of demons like Hiraṇyakaśipu, human society breaks all these systems of law and order and gradually becomes lower and lower. Thus there is no peace in the world. The conclusion is that if we want real peace and order in the human society, we must follow the principles laid down by the Manu-saṁhitā and confirmed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.
TEXT 49
śrī-prajāpataya ūcuḥ
prajeśā vayaṁ te pareśābhisṛṣṭā
na yena prajā vai sṛjāmo niṣiddhāḥ
sa eṣa tvayā bhinna-vakṣā nu śete
jagan-maṅgalaṁ sattva-mūrte ’vatāraḥ
SYNONYMS
śrī-prajāpatayaḥ ūcuḥ—the great personalities who created the various living beings offered their prayers by saying; prajā-īśāḥ—the prajāpatis created by Lord Brahmā, who have created generations of living entities; vayam—we; te—of You; para-īśa—O Supreme Lord; abhisṛṣṭāḥ—born; na—not; yena—by whom (Hiraṇyakaśipu); prajāḥ—living entities; vai—indeed; sṛjāmaḥ—we create; niṣiddhāḥ—being forbidden; saḥ—he (Hiraṇyakaśipu); eṣaḥ—this; tvayā—by You; bhinna-vakṣāḥ—whose chest has been split; nu—indeed; śete—lies down; jagat-maṅgalam—for the auspiciousness of the whole world; sattva-mūrte—in this transcendental form of pure goodness; avatāraḥ—this incarnation.
TRANSLATION
The prajāpatis offered their prayers as follows: O Supreme Lord, Lord of even Brahmā and Śiva, we, the prajāpatis, were created by You to execute Your orders, but we were forbidden by Hiraṇyakaśipu 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.
TEXT 50
śrī-gandharvā ūcuḥ
vayaṁ vibho te naṭa-nāṭya-gāyakā
yenātmasād vīrya-balaujasā kṛtāḥ
sa eṣa nīto bhavatā daśām imāṁ
kim utpathasthaḥ kuśalāya kalpate
SYNONYMS
śrī-gandharvāḥ ūcuḥ—the inhabitants of Gandharvaloka (who are usually engaged as musicians of the heavenly planets) said; vayam—we; vibho—O Lord; te—Your; naṭa-nāṭya-gāyakāḥ—dancers and singers in dramatic performances; yena—by whom; ātmasāt—under subjection; vīrya—of his valor; bala—and bodily strength; ojasā—by the influence; kṛtāḥ—made (brought); saḥ—he (Hiraṇyakaśipu); eṣaḥ—this; nītaḥ—brought; bhavatā—by Your Lordship; daśām imām—to this condition; kim—whether; utpathasthaḥ—anyone who is an upstart; kuśalāya—for auspiciousness; kalpate—is capable.
TRANSLATION
The inhabitants of Gandharvaloka prayed: Your Lordship, we ever engage in Your service by dancing and singing in dramatic performances, but this Hiraṇyakaśipu, 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 Hiraṇyakaśipu?
PURPORT
By being a very obedient servant of the Supreme Lord, one becomes extremely powerful in bodily strength, influence and effulgence, whereas the fate of demoniac upstarts is ultimately to fall down like Hiraṇyakaśipu. Hiraṇyakaśipu and persons like him may be very powerful for some time, but the obedient servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead like the demigods remain powerful always. They are victorious over the influence of Hiraṇyakaśipu by the grace of the Supreme Lord.
TEXT 51
śrī-cāraṇā ūcuḥ
hare tavāṅghri-paṅkajaṁ
bhavāpavargam āśritāḥ
yad eṣa sādhu-hṛc-chayas
tvayāsuraḥ samāpitaḥ
SYNONYMS
śrī-cāraṇāḥ ūcuḥ—the inhabitants of the Cāraṇa planet said; hare—O Lord; tava—Your; aṅghri-paṅkajam—lotus feet; bhava-apavargam—the only shelter for becoming free from the contamination of material existence; āśritāḥ—sheltered at; yat—because; eṣaḥ—this; sādhu-hṛt-śayaḥ—stake in the hearts of all honest persons; tvayā—by Your Lordship; asuraḥ—the demon (Hiraṇyakaśipu); samāpitaḥ—finished.
TRANSLATION
The inhabitants of the Cāraṇa planet said: O Lord, because You have destroyed the demon Hiraṇyakaśipu, 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.
PURPORT
The Supreme Personality of Godhead in His transcendental form of Narahari, Nṛsiṁhadeva, is always ready to kill the demons, who always create disturbances in the minds of honest devotees. To spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, devotees have to face many dangers and impediments all over the world, but a faithful servant who preaches with great devotion to the Lord must know that Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva is always his protector.
TEXT 52
śrī-yakṣā ūcuḥ
vayam anucara-mukhyāḥ karmabhis te mano-jñais
ta iha diti-sutena prāpitā vāhakatvam
sa tu jana-paritāpaṁ tat-kṛtaṁ jānatā te
narahara upanītaḥ pañcatāṁ pañca-viṁśa
SYNONYMS
śrī-yakṣāḥ ūcuḥ—the inhabitants of the Yakṣa planet prayed; vayam—we; anucara-mukhyāḥ—the chief among Your many servants; karmabhiḥ—by services; te—unto You; mano-jñaiḥ—very pleasing; te—they; iha—at the present moment; diti-sutena—by Hiraṇyakaśipu, the son of Diti; prāpitāḥ—forced to engage as; vāhakatvam—the palanquin carriers; saḥ—he; tu—but; jana-paritāpam—the miserable condition of everyone; tat-kṛtam—caused by him; jānatā—knowing; te—by You; nara-hara—O Lord in the form of Nṛsiṁha; upanītaḥ—is put to; pañcatām—death; pañca-viṁśa—O twenty-fifth principle (the controller of the other twenty-four elements).
TRANSLATION
The inhabitants of Yakṣaloka 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 Hiraṇyakaśipu, the son of Diti. O Lord in the form of Nṛsiṁhadeva, 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.
PURPORT
The Supreme Lord is the controller of the ten senses, the five material elements, the five sense objects, the mind, the intelligence, the false ego and the soul. Therefore He is addressed as pañca-viṁśa, the twenty-fifth element. The inhabitants of the Yakṣa planet are supposed to be the best of all servants, but Hiraṇyakaśipu engaged them as palanquin carriers. The entire universe was in trouble because of Hiraṇyakaśipu, but now that Hiraṇyakaśipu’s body was mixing with the five material elements—earth, water, fire, air and sky—everyone felt relief. Upon Hiraṇyakaśipu’s death, the Yakṣas were reinstated in their original service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus they felt obliged to the Lord and offered their prayers.
TEXT 53
śrī-kimpuruṣā ūcuḥ
vayaṁ kimpuruṣās tvaṁ tu
mahā-puruṣa īśvaraḥ
ayaṁ kupuruṣo naṣṭo
dhik-kṛtaḥ sādhubhir yadā
SYNONYMS
śrī-kimpuruṣāḥ ūcuḥ—the inhabitants of Kimpuruṣa-loka said; vayam—we; kimpuruṣāḥ—the inhabitants of Kimpuruṣa-loka, or insignificant living entities; tvam—Your Lordship; tu—however; mahā-puruṣaḥ—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; īśvaraḥ—the supreme controller; ayam—this; ku-puruṣaḥ—most sinful person, Hiraṇyakaśipu; naṣṭaḥ—slain; dhik-kṛtaḥ—being condemned; sādhubhiḥ—by the saintly persons; yadā—when.
TRANSLATION
The inhabitants of Kimpuruṣa-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.
PURPORT
The cause of the Supreme Lord’s appearance upon this earth is stated in Bhagavad-gītā (4.7–8) by the Lord Himself:
yadā yadā hi dharmasya
glānir bhavati bhārata
abhyutthānam adharmasya
tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham
[Bg. 4.7]
paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ
vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām
dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya
sambhavāmi yuge yuge
[Bg. 4.8]
“Whenever and wherever there is a decrease in religious principles and a predominant rise in irreligion, at that time I descend Myself. To deliver the pious and annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I advent Myself, millennium after millennium.” The Lord appears in order to execute two kinds of activities—to kill the demons and to protect the devotees. When the devotees are too disturbed by the demons, the Lord certainly appears in different incarnations to give the devotees protection. The devotees following in the footsteps of Prahlāda Mahārāja should not be disturbed by the demoniac activities of the nondevotees. Rather, they should stick to their principles as sincere servants of the Lord and rest assured that the demoniac activities directed against them will not be able to stop their devotional service.
TEXT 54
śrī-vaitālikā ūcuḥ
sabhāsu satreṣu tavāmalaṁ yaśo
gītvā saparyāṁ mahatīṁ labhāmahe
yas tām anaiṣīd vaśam eṣa durjano
dviṣṭyā hatas te bhagavan yathāmayaḥ
SYNONYMS
śrī-vaitālikāḥ ūcuḥ—the inhabitants of Vaitālika-loka said; sabhāsu—in great assemblies; satreṣu—in the arenas of sacrifice; tava—Your; amalam—without any spot of material contamination; yaśaḥ—reputation; gītvā—singing; saparyām—respectful position; mahatīm—great; labhāmahe—we achieved; yaḥ—he who; tām—that (respectful position); anaiṣīt—brought under; vaśam—his control; eṣaḥ—this; durjanaḥ—crooked person; dviṣṭyā—by great fortune; hataḥ—killed; te—by You; bhagavan—O Lord; yathā—exactly like; āmayaḥ—a disease.
TRANSLATION
The inhabitants of Vaitālika-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.
TEXT 55
śrī-kinnarā ūcuḥ
vayam īśa kinnara-gaṇās tavānugā
ditijena viṣṭim amunānukāritāḥ
bhavatā hare sa vṛjino ’vasādito
narasiṁha nātha vibhavāya no bhava
SYNONYMS
śrī-kinnarāḥ ūcuḥ—the inhabitants of the Kinnara planet said; vayam—we; īśa—O Lord; kinnara-gaṇāḥ—the inhabitants of the Kinnara planet; tava—Your; anugāḥ—faithful servants; diti-jena—by the son of Diti; viṣṭim—service without remuneration; amunā—by that; anukāritāḥ—caused to perform; bhavatā—by You; hare—O Lord; saḥ—he; vṛjinaḥ—most sinful; avasāditaḥ—destroyed; narasiṁha—O Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva; nātha—O master; vibhavāya—for the happiness and opulence; naḥ—of us; bhava—You please be.
TRANSLATION
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 Nṛsiṁhadeva, our master, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You. Please continue to be our patron.
TEXT 56
śrī-viṣṇu-pārṣadā ūcuḥ
adyaitad dhari-nara-rūpam adbhutaṁ te
dṛṣṭaṁ naḥ śaraṇada sarva-loka-śarma
so ’yaṁ te vidhikara īśa vipra-śaptas
tasyedaṁ nidhanam anugrahāya vidmaḥ
SYNONYMS
śrī-viṣṇu-pārṣadāḥ ūcuḥ—the associates of Lord Viṣṇu in Vaikuṇṭhaloka said; adya—today; etat—this; hari-nara—of half lion and half human being; rūpam—form; adbhutam—very wonderful; te—Your; dṛṣṭam—seen; naḥ—of us; śaraṇa-da—the everlasting bestower of shelter; sarva-loka-śarma—which brings good fortune to all the various planets; saḥ—he; ayam—this; te—of Your Lordship; vidhikaraḥ—order carrier (servant); īśa—O Lord; vipra-śaptaḥ—being cursed by the brāhmaṇas; tasya—of him; idam—this; nidhanam—killing; anugrahāya—for the special favor; vidmaḥ—we understand.
TRANSLATION
The associates of Lord Viṣṇu in Vaikuṇṭha offered this prayer: O Lord, our supreme giver of shelter, today we have seen Your wonderful form as Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, meant for the good fortune of all the world. O Lord, we can understand that Hiraṇyakaśipu was the same Jaya who engaged in Your service but was cursed by brāhmaṇas and who thus received the body of a demon. We understand that his having now been killed is Your special mercy upon him.
PURPORT
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s coming to this earth and acting as the Lord’s enemy was prearranged. Jaya and Vijaya were cursed by the brāhmaṇas Sanaka, Sanat-kumāra, Sanandana and Sanātana because Jaya and Vijaya checked these four Kumāras. The Lord accepted this cursing of His servants and agreed that they would have to go to the material world and would then return to Vaikuṇṭha after serving the term of the curse. Jaya and Vijaya were very much perturbed, but the Lord advised them to act as enemies, for then they would return after three births; otherwise, ordinarily, they would have to take seven births. With this authority, Jaya and Vijaya acted as the Lord’s enemies, and now that these two were dead, all the Viṣṇudūtas understood that the Lord’s killing of Hiraṇyakaśipu was special mercy bestowed upon them.
Chapter Nine
Prahlāda Pacifies Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva with Prayers
TEXT 1
śrī-nārada uvāca
evaṁ surādayaḥ sarve
brahma-rudra-puraḥ sarāḥ
nopaitum aśakan manyu-
saṁrambhaṁ sudurāsadam
SYNONYMS
śrī-nārada uvāca—the great saintly sage Nārada Muni said; evam—thus; sura-ādayaḥ—the groups of demigods; sarve—all; brahma-rudra-puraḥ sarāḥ—represented by Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva; na—not; upaitum—to go before the Lord; aśakan—able; manyu-saṁrambham—in a completely angry mood; su-durāsadam—very difficult to approach (Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva).
TRANSLATION
The great saint Nārada Muni continued: The demigods, headed by Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and other great demigods, dared not come forward before the Lord, who at that time was extremely angry.
PURPORT
Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has sung in his prema-bhakti-candrikā, ‘krodha’ bhakta-dveṣi jane: anger should be used to punish a demon who is envious of devotees. Kāma, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and mātsarya—lust, anger, greed, illusion, pride and envy—all have their proper use for the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotee. A devotee of the Lord cannot tolerate blasphemy of the Lord or His other devotees, and the Lord also cannot tolerate blasphemy of a devotee. Thus Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva was so very angry that the great demigods like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva and even the goddess of fortune, who is the Lord’s constant companion, could not pacify Him, even after offering prayers of glorification and praise. No one was able to pacify the Lord in His anger, but because the Lord was willing to exhibit His affection for Prahlāda Mahārāja, all the demigods and the others present before the Lord pushed Prahlāda Mahārāja forward to pacify Him.
TEXT 2
sākṣāt śrīḥ preṣitā devair
dṛṣṭvā taṁ mahad adbhutam
adṛṣṭāśruta-pūrvatvāt
sā nopeyāya śaṅkitā
SYNONYMS
sākṣāt—directly; śrīḥ—the goddess of fortune; preṣitā—being requested to go forward before the Lord; devaiḥ—by all the demigods (headed by Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva); dṛṣṭvā—after seeing; tam—Him (Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva); mahat—very big; adbhutam—wonderful; adṛṣṭa—never seen; aśruta—never heard of; pūrvatvāt—due to being previously; sā—the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī; na—not; upeyāya—went before the Lord; śaṅkitā—being very much afraid.
TRANSLATION
The goddess of fortune, Lakṣmījī, was requested to go before the Lord by all the demigods present, who because of fear could not do so. But even she had never seen such a wonderful and extraordinary form of the Lord, and thus she could not approach Him.
PURPORT
The Lord has unlimited forms and bodily features (advaitam acyutam anādim ananta-rūpam [Bs 5.33]). These are all situated in Vaikuṇṭha, yet Lakṣmīdevī, the goddess of fortune, being inspired by līlā-śakti, could not appreciate this unprecedented form of the Lord. In this regard, Śrīla Madhvācārya recites the following verses from the Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa:
adṛṣṭāśruta-pūrvatvād
anyaiḥ sādhāraṇair janaiḥ
nṛsiṁhaṁ śaṅkiteva śrīr
loka-mohāyano yayau
prahrāde caiva vātsalya-
darśanāya harer api
jñātvā manas tathā brahmā
prahrādaṁ preṣayat tadā
ekatraikasya vātsalyaṁ
viśeṣād darśayed dhariḥ
avarasyāpi mohāya
krameṇaivāpi vatsalaḥ
In other words, for the common men the form of the Lord as Nṛsiṁhadeva is certainly unseen and wonderful, but for a devotee like Prahlāda Mahārāja such a fearsome form of the Lord is not at all extraordinary. By the grace of the Lord, a devotee can very easily understand how the Lord can appear in any form He likes. Therefore the devotee is never afraid of such a form. Because of special favor bestowed upon Prahlāda Mahārāja, he remained silent and unafraid, even though all the demigods, including even Lakṣmīdevī, were afraid of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva. Nārāyaṇa-parāḥ sarve na kutaścana bibhyati (Bhāg. 6.17.28). Not only is a pure devotee of Nārāyaṇa like Prahlāda Mahārāja unafraid of any dangerous condition of material life, but also if the Lord appears to mitigate the fear of a devotee, the devotee maintains his status of fearlessness in all circumstances.
TEXT 3
prahrādaṁ preṣayām āsa
brahmāvasthitam antike
tāta praśamayopehi
sva-pitre kupitaṁ prabhum
SYNONYMS
prahrādam—Prahlāda Mahārāja; preṣayām āsa—requested; brahmā—Lord Brahmā; avasthitam—being situated; antike—very near; tāta—my dear son; praśamaya—just try to appease; upehi—go near; sva-pitre—because of your father’s demoniac activities; kupitam—greatly angered; prabhum—the Lord.
TRANSLATION
Thereafter Lord Brahmā requested Prahlāda Mahārāja, who was standing very near him: My dear son, Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva is extremely angry at your demoniac father. Please go forward and appease the Lord.
TEXT 4
tatheti śanakai rājan
mahā-bhāgavato ’rbhakaḥ
upetya bhuvi kāyena
nanāma vidhṛtāñjaliḥ
SYNONYMS
tathā—so be it; iti—thus accepting the words of Lord Brahmā; śanakaiḥ—very slowly; rājan—O King (Yudhiṣṭhira); mahā-bhāgavataḥ—the great, exalted devotee (Prahlāda Mahārāja); arbhakaḥ—although only a small boy; upetya—gradually going near; bhuvi—on the ground; kāyena—by his body; nanāma—offered respectful obeisances; vidhṛta-añjaliḥ—folding his hands.
TRANSLATION
Nārada Muni continued: O King, although the exalted devotee Prahlāda Mahārāja was only a little boy, he accepted Lord Brahmā’s words. He gradually proceeded toward Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva and fell down to offer his respectful obeisances with folded hands.
TEXT 5
sva-pāda-mūle patitaṁ tam arbhakaṁ
vilokya devaḥ kṛpayā pariplutaḥ
utthāpya tac-chīrṣṇy adadhāt karāmbujaṁ
kālāhi-vitrasta-dhiyāṁ kṛtābhayam
SYNONYMS
sva-pāda-mūle—at His lotus feet; patitam—fallen; tam—him (Prahlāda Mahārāja); arbhakam—only a little boy; vilokya—seeing; devaḥ—Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva; kṛpayā—out of His causeless mercy; pariplutaḥ—very much afflicted (in ecstasy); utthāpya—raising; tat-śīrṣṇi—on his head; adadhāt—placed; kara-ambujam—His lotus hand; kāla-ahi—of the deadly snake of time, (which can cause immediate death); vitrasta—afraid; dhiyām—to all of those whose minds; kṛta-abhayam—which causes fearlessness.
TRANSLATION
When Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva saw the small boy Prahlāda Mahārāja prostrated at the soles of His lotus feet, He became most ecstatic in affection toward His devotee. Raising Prahlāda, the Lord placed His lotus hand upon the boy’s head because His hand is always ready to create fearlessness in all of His devotees.
PURPORT
The necessities of the material world are four—āhāra, nidrā, bhaya and maithuna (eating, sleeping, defending and mating). In this material world, everyone is in fearful consciousness (sadā samudvigna-dhiyām), and the only means to make everyone fearless is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. When Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva appeared, all the devotees became fearless. The devotee’s hope of becoming fearless is to chant the holy name of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva. Yato yato yāmi tato nṛsiṁhaḥ: wherever we go, we must always think of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva. Thus there will be no fear for the devotee of the Lord.
TEXT 6
sa tat-kara-sparśa-dhutākhilāśubhaḥ
sapady abhivyakta-parātma-darśanaḥ
tat-pāda-padmaṁ hṛdi nirvṛto dadhau
hṛṣyat-tanuḥ klinna-hṛd-aśru-locanaḥ
SYNONYMS
saḥ—he (Prahlāda Mahārāja); tat-kara-sparśa—because of being touched on the head by the lotus hand of Nṛsiṁhadeva; dhuta—being cleansed; akhila—all; aśubhaḥ—inauspiciousness or material desires; sapadi—immediately; abhivyakta—manifested; para-ātma-darśanaḥ—realization of the Supreme Soul (spiritual knowledge); tat-pāda-padmam—Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva’s lotus feet; hṛdi—within the core of the heart; nirvṛtaḥ—full of transcendental bliss; dadhau—captured; hṛṣyat-tanuḥ—having transcendental ecstatic bliss manifested in the body; klinna-hṛt—whose heart was softened due to transcendental ecstasy; aśru-locanaḥ—with tears in his eyes.
TRANSLATION
By the touch of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva’s hand on Prahlāda Mahārāja’s head, Prahlāda was completely freed of all material contaminations and desires, as if he had been thoroughly cleansed. Therefore he at once became transcendentally situated, and all the symptoms of ecstasy became manifest in his body. His heart filled with love, and his eyes with tears, and thus he was able to completely capture the lotus feet of the Lord within the core of his heart.
PURPORT
As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (14.26):
māṁ ca yo ’vyabhicāreṇa
bhakti-yogena sevate
sa guṇān samatītyaitān
brahma-bhūyāya kalpate
“One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in any circumstance, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.” Elsewhere in Bhagavad-gītā (9.32) the Lord says:
māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya
ye ’pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ
striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrās
te ’pi yānti parāṁ gatim
“O son of Pṛthā, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth—women, vaiśyas [merchants], as well as śūdras [workers]—can approach the supreme destination.”
On the strength of these verses from Bhagavad-gītā, it is evident that although Prahlāda Mahārāja was born in a demoniac family and although virtually demoniac blood flowed within his body, he was cleansed of all material bodily contamination because of his exalted position as a devotee. In other words, such impediments on the spiritual path could not stop him from progressing, for he was directly in touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Those who are physically and mentally contaminated by atheism cannot be situated on the transcendental platform, but as soon as one is freed from material contamination he is immediately fit to be situated in devotional service.
TEXT 7
astauṣīd dharim ekāgra-
manasā susamāhitaḥ
prema-gadgadayā vācā
tan-nyasta-hṛdayekṣaṇaḥ
SYNONYMS
astauṣīt—he began to offer prayers; harim—unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ekāgra-manasā—the mind being completely fixed upon the lotus feet of the Lord; su-samāhitaḥ—very attentive (without diversion to any other subject); prema-gadgadayā—faltering because of feeling transcendental bliss; vācā—with a voice; tat-nyasta—being fully dedicated to Him (Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva); hṛdaya-īkṣaṇaḥ—with heart and sight.
TRANSLATION
Prahlāda Mahārāja fixed his mind and sight upon Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva with full attention in complete trance. With a fixed mind, he began to offer prayers in love with a faltering voice.
PURPORT
The word susamāhitaḥ means “very attentive” or “fully fixed.” The ability to fix the mind in this way is a result of yoga-siddhi, mystic perfection. As it is stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (12.13.1), dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ. One attains yogic perfection when he is freed from all material diversions and his mind is fixed upon the lotus feet of the Lord. This is called samādhi or trance. Prahlāda Mahārāja attained that stage beyond the senses. Because he was engaged in service, he felt transcendentally situated, and naturally his mind and attention became saturated in transcendence. In that condition, he began to offer his prayers as follows.
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