Victory of Hiraṇyākṣa Over All the Directions of the Universe

Terrible omens accompany the demons’ appearance, and Hiraṇyākṣa spreads fear through his strength and pride.

Themes of SB 3.17Rakṣā5 Kṛpā3 Dharma3 Abhaya3 from its story phase

Connected storiesHiraṇyakaśipuJarāsandha and the Rājasūya

Who is speakingSūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraEvery voice in this chapter ›

What this chapter speaks about · the ten subjects

In this chapter

Who · Lord Varāha, Hiraṇyākṣa, Hiraṇyakaśipu, Nārada, Brahmā, Diti

The story · Terrible disturbances accompanied the appearance of two powerful demons, and Hiraṇyākṣa’s strength and pride terrified the gods and ocean creatures. Learning the Lord’s whereabouts from Nārada, he hurried into the ocean and challenged Lord Varāha over the earth He carried. The Lord brought the frightened earth out of the water and fought the demon with His mace. Brahmā prayed for the defeat of this tormentor of the demigods, brāhmaṇas, cows, and innocent persons. After killing Hiraṇyākṣa, the Lord returned to His own abode, praised by the demigods.

What it teaches · The Lord protects those who depend upon His lotus feet. Brahmā regarded even Hiraṇyākṣa’s death at the Lord’s hands as blessed.

SB 3.18.22-23 SB 3.19.27 SB 3.19.31 Read chapter 17 ›

Beyond this chapter

Connected stories across the Bhāgavatam

Stories told in other chapters that this chapter's verses or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purports bring in, the other Bhāgavatam verses the purports quote, and stories in other cantos with the same themes. Each link shows the sentence it comes from.

Hiraṇyakaśipu

SB 7.2 · Hiraṇyakaśipu’s anger and words of consolation SB 7.3–4 · Austerity followed by oppression

What it teaches · The soul does not die when the body dies. Material association brings meeting and separation, but the living entity is distinct from the changing body.

The elder child, Hiraṇyakaśipu, was unafraid of death from anyone within the three worlds because he received a benediction from Lord Brahmā.
In the verse · SB 3.17.19 (Text 19)

As will be revealed in later chapters, Hiraṇyakaśipu underwent severe austerity and penance to satisfy Brahmā and thus receive a benediction of immortality.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.17.19 (Text 19)

Read the story in SB 7.2

Jarāsandha and the Rājasūya

SB 10.71–75 · Jarāsandha’s defeat and the Rājasūya SB 10.50–51 · Dvārakā and Mucukunda’s prayer

What it teaches · The liberated kings recognize the danger of pride in temporary power. Kṛṣṇa directs them to worship Him, protect their subjects, and remain steady in happiness and distress.

Having crushed the might of arrogant and conceited warriors and having conquered all the Daityas and Dānavas in the world, you once performed a Rājasūya sacrifice to the Lord.
In the verse · SB 3.17.28 (Text 28)

Read the story in SB 10.71–75

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