The Killing of the Demon Hiraṇyākṣa

Lord Varāha defeats Hiraṇyākṣa and returns to His abode amid the demigods’ praises.

Themes of SB 3.19Rakṣā5 Kṛpā3 Dharma3 Abhaya3 from its story phase

Connected storiesDiti and KaśyapaAmbarīṣa Mahārāja

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.

Diti and Kaśyapa

SB 3.14–15 · Diti’s troubled desire SB 6.18–19 · Diti’s vow and the Lord’s mercy

What it teaches · Diti’s account shows how lust can lead to forbidden action and trouble for others. The Lord who would descend to kill her sons is described as the well-wisher of all living entities.

At Hiraṇyākṣa’s last moment, his mother, Diti, remembered what her husband had said.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.19.23 (Text 23)

…at close quarters with the chief of His Vaikuṇṭha attendants, who had been born as Hiraṇyākṣa, a vile son of Diti, there issued from every direction strange expressions uttered by those who were witnessing from airplanes.
In the verse · SB 3.19.6 (Text 6)

Read the story in SB 3.14–15

Ambarīṣa Mahārāja

SB 9.4–5 · Ambarīṣa protects Durvāsā

What it teaches · A devotee finds happiness in serving Kṛṣṇa rather than in wealth or mystic achievements. Ambarīṣa’s humility and compassion extended even to the person who had offended him.

The instance of the quarrel between Durvāsā Muni and Mahārāja Ambarīṣa is a practical example in this matter.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.19.22 (Text 22)

For example, there are pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa and narrations of devotees like Prahlāda, Dhruva and Mahārāja Ambarīṣa.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.19.34 (Text 34)

Read the story in SB 9.4–5

Next in Learn · 4 of 11 · 5 minStudy a verseOne verse with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and three study points from the purport.Back · LearnPreface & Introduction