Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.19.11
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesPower Alone Cannot Find Lord Viṣṇu
“Upon seeing that the residence of Lord Viṣṇu was vacant, Hiraṇyakaśipu began searching for Lord Viṣṇu everywhere. Angry at not seeing Him, Hiraṇyakaśipu screamed loudly and searched the entire universe, including the surface of the earth, the higher planetary systems, all directions and all the caves and oceans. But Hiraṇyakaśipu, the greatest hero, did not see Viṣṇu anywhere.”
What the purport teaches
- Finding Lord Viṣṇu’s residence vacant, Hiraṇyakaśipu became angry and screamed loudly.
- He searched the earth, higher planetary systems, all directions, caves and oceans.
- Although Hiraṇyakaśipu was a great hero, he did not see Lord Viṣṇu anywhere.
Try this today
Take a quiet moment today to reflect on how even Hiraṇyakaśipu’s great power could not make Lord Viṣṇu visible to him.
Ask yourself
What does Hiraṇyakaśipu’s unsuccessful search show you about the limits of personal power?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.