Hiranyakashipu's Tyranny and Prahlada's Devotion

Verse 1 (vishnu.1.17.1)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । मैत्रेय श्रूयतां सम्यक् चरितं तस्य धीमतः । प्रह्लादस्य सदोदारचरितस्य महात्मनः

śrīparāśara uvāca maitreya śrūyatāṁ samyak caritaṁ tasya dhīmataḥ prahlādasya sadodāracaritasya mahātmanaḥ

Parashara said: Maitreya, hear now in full the deeds of that wise Prahlada, great-souled, ever of noble conduct.

Verse 2 (vishnu.1.17.2)

दितेः पुत्रो महावीर्यो हिरण्यकशिपुः पुरा । त्रैलोक्यं वशम् आनिन्ये ब्रह्मणो वरदर्पितः

diteḥ putro mahāvīryo hiraṇyakaśipuḥ purā trailokyaṁ vaśam āninye brahmaṇo varadarpitaḥ

Of old, Hiranyakashipu, son of Diti, of great might, made arrogant by a boon from Brahma, brought the three worlds under his sway.

Verse 3 (vishnu.1.17.3)

इन्द्रत्वम् अकरोद् दैत्यः स चासीत् सविता स्वयम् । वायुर् अग्निर् अपां नाथः सोमश् चासीन् महासुरः

indratvam akarod daityaḥ sa cāsīt savitā svayam vāyur agnir apāṁ nāthaḥ somaś cāsīn mahāsuraḥ

That Daitya took on the role of Indra, and he himself became the sun; he was the wind, the fire, the lord of the waters, and became the great Asura who was the moon.

Verse 4 (vishnu.1.17.4)

धनानाम् अधिपः सोऽभूत् स एवासीत् स्वयं यमः । यज्ञभागान् अशेषांस् तु स स्वयं बुभुजेऽसुरः

dhanānām adhipaḥ so 'bhūt sa evāsīt svayaṁ yamaḥ yajñabhāgān aśeṣāṁs tu sa svayaṁ bubhuje 'suraḥ

He became the lord of wealth, and he himself became Yama; that Asura himself enjoyed all the shares of sacrifice without exception.

Verse 5 (vishnu.1.17.5)

देवाः स्वर्गं परित्यज्य तत्त्रासान् मुनिसत्तम । विचेरुर् अवनौ सर्वे बिभ्राणा मानुषीं तनुम्

devāḥ svargaṁ parityajya tattrāsān munisattama vicerur avanau sarve bibhrāṇā mānuṣīṁ tanum

O foremost of sages, the gods, abandoning heaven out of fear of him, all wandered upon the earth, bearing human forms.

Verse 6 (vishnu.1.17.6)

जित्वा त्रिभुवनं सर्वं त्रैलोक्यैश्वर्यदर्पितः । उद्गीयमानो गन्धर्वैर् बुभुजे विषयान् प्रियान्

jitvā tribhuvanaṁ sarvaṁ trailokyaiśvaryadarpitaḥ udgīyamāno gandharvair bubhuje viṣayān priyān

Having conquered all the three worlds, made arrogant by the sovereignty of the triple world, praised in song by the Gandharvas, he enjoyed the pleasures he loved.

Verse 7 (vishnu.1.17.7)

पानासक्तं महात्मानं हिरण्यकशिपुं तदा । उपासां चक्रिरे सर्वे सिद्धगन्धर्वपन्नगाः

pānāsaktaṁ mahātmānaṁ hiraṇyakaśipuṁ tadā upāsāṁ cakrire sarve siddhagandharvapannagāḥ

All the Siddhas, Gandharvas, and serpents then attended upon that great-souled Hiranyakashipu, given over to drink.

Verse 8 (vishnu.1.17.8)

अवादयञ् जगुश् चान्ये जयशब्दान् अथापरे । दैत्येश्वरस्य पुरतश् चक्रुः सिद्धा मुदान्विताः

avādayañ jaguś cānye jayaśabdān athāpare daityeśvarasya purataś cakruḥ siddhā mudānvitāḥ

Some played instruments and sang, others raised cries of victory; the Siddhas, filled with delight, performed before that lord of the Daityas.

Verse 9 (vishnu.1.17.9)

तत्र प्रनृत्ताप्सरसि स्फाटिकाभ्रमयेऽसुरः । पपौ पानं मुदा युक्तः प्रासादे सुमनोहरे

tatra pranṛttāpsarasi sphāṭikābhramaye 'suraḥ papau pānaṁ mudā yuktaḥ prāsāde sumanohare

There, in a beautiful crystal palace, where an Apsara danced, that Asura, filled with joy, drank his wine.

Verse 10 (vishnu.1.17.10)

तस्य पुत्रो महाभागः प्रह्लादो नाम नामतः । पपाठ बालपाठ्यानि गुरुगेहं गतोऽर्भकः

tasya putro mahābhāgaḥ prahlādo nāma nāmataḥ papāṭha bālapāṭhyāni gurugehaṁ gato 'rbhakaḥ

His greatly blessed son, known by the name Prahlada, went, a mere child, to the house of his teacher and studied the elementary lessons of childhood.

Verse 11 (vishnu.1.17.11)

एकदा तु स धर्मात्मा जगाम गुरुणा सह । पानासक्तस्य पुरतः पितुर् दैत्यपतेस् तदा

ekadā tu sa dharmātmā jagāma guruṇā saha pānāsaktasya purataḥ pitur daityapates tadā

One day that righteous-souled boy went, together with his teacher, before his father, the lord of the Daityas, then given over to drink.

Verse 12 (vishnu.1.17.12)

पादप्रणामावनतं तम् उत्थाप्य पिता सुतम् । हिरण्यकशिपुः प्राह प्रह्लादम् अमितौजसम्

pādapraṇāmāvanataṁ tam utthāpya pitā sutam hiraṇyakaśipuḥ prāha prahlādam amitaujasam

Raising up that son of measureless splendor, who had bowed to touch his feet, his father Hiranyakashipu said this to Prahlada.

Verse 13 (vishnu.1.17.13)

हिरण्यकशिपुर् उवाच । पठ्यतां भवता वत्स सारभूतं सुभाषितम् । कालेनैतावता यत् ते सदोद्युक्तेन शिक्षितम्

hiraṇyakaśipur uvāca paṭhyatāṁ bhavatā vatsa sārabhūtaṁ subhāṣitam kālenaitāvatā yat te sadodyuktena śikṣitam

Hiranyakashipu said: 'Recite, my child, the essential and well-spoken word, whatever you have learned in this time, ever diligent in your study.'

Verse 14 (vishnu.1.17.14)

श्रीप्रह्लाद उवाच । श्रूयतां तात वक्ष्यामि सारभूतं तवाज्ञया । समाहितमना भूत्वा यन् मे चेतस्य् अवस्थितम्

śrīprahlāda uvāca śrūyatāṁ tāta vakṣyāmi sārabhūtaṁ tavājñayā samāhitamanā bhūtvā yan me cetasy avasthitam

Shri Prahlada said: 'Hear, father; at your command I shall speak the essential truth which, my thoughts composed, abides fixed in my mind—'

Verse 15 (vishnu.1.17.15)

अनादिमध्यान्तम् अजम् अवृद्धिक्षयम् अच्युतम् । प्रणतोऽस्म्य् अन्तसंतानं सर्वकारणकारणम्

anādimadhyāntam ajam avṛddhikṣayam acyutam praṇato 'smy antasaṁtānaṁ sarvakāraṇakāraṇam

'I bow to him who is without beginning, middle, or end, unborn, free of growth and decay, the Undying One, the continuous thread within all endings, the cause of all causes.'

Verse 16 (vishnu.1.17.16)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । एतन् निशम्य दैत्येन्द्रः कोपसंरक्तलोचनः । विलोक्य तद्गुरुं प्राह स्फुरिताधरपल्लवः

śrīparāśara uvāca etan niśamya daityendraḥ kopasaṁraktalocanaḥ vilokya tadguruṁ prāha sphuritādharapallavaḥ

Parashara said: Hearing this, the lord of the Daityas, his eyes reddened with fury, his lower lip quivering, looked at his teacher and spoke.

Verse 17 (vishnu.1.17.17)

हिरण्यकशिपुर् उवाच । ब्रह्मबन्धो किम् एतत् ते विपक्षस्तुतिसंहितम् । असारं ग्राहितो बालो माम् अवज्ञाय दुर्मते

hiraṇyakaśipur uvāca brahmabandho kim etat te vipakṣastutisaṁhitam asāraṁ grāhito bālo mām avajñāya durmate

Hiranyakashipu said: 'O kinsman of Brahmins, what is this, filled with praise of the opposing side, that you have taught this worthless thing to my child, disregarding me, O evil-minded one?'

Verse 18 (vishnu.1.17.18)

गुरुर् उवाच । दैत्येश्वर न कोपस्य वशम् आगन्तुम् अर्हसि । ममोपदेशजनितं नायं वदति ते सुतः

gurur uvāca daityeśvara na kopasya vaśam āgantum arhasi mamopadeśajanitaṁ nāyaṁ vadati te sutaḥ

The teacher said: 'O lord of the Daityas, you ought not to fall under the sway of anger; this is not spoken by your son as taught by me.'

Verse 19 (vishnu.1.17.19)

हिरण्यकशिपुर् उवाच । अनुशिष्टोऽसि केनेदृग् वत्स प्रह्लाद कथ्यताम् । मयोपदिष्टं नेत्य् एष प्रब्रवीति गुरुस् तव

hiraṇyakaśipur uvāca anuśiṣṭo 'si kenedṛg vatsa prahlāda kathyatām mayopadiṣṭaṁ nety eṣa prabravīti gurus tava

Hiranyakashipu said: 'By whom, my child Prahlada, have you been taught such a thing — tell me; your teacher here says it was not taught by me.'

Verse 20 (vishnu.1.17.20)

श्रीप्रह्लाद उवाच । शास्ता विष्णुर् अशेषस्य जगतो यो हृदि स्थितः । तम् ऋते परमात्मानं तात कः केन शास्यते

śrīprahlāda uvāca śāstā viṣṇur aśeṣasya jagato yo hṛdi sthitaḥ tam ṛte paramātmānaṁ tāta kaḥ kena śāsyate

Shri Prahlada said: 'Vishnu is the ruler of the entire universe, who dwells within the heart; apart from him, that Supreme Self, father, who could rule whom?'

Verse 21 (vishnu.1.17.21)

हिरण्यकशिपुर् उवाच । कोऽयं विष्णुः सुदुर्बुद्धे यं ब्रवीषि पुनः पुनः । जगताम् ईश्वरस्येह पुरतः प्रसभं मम

hiraṇyakaśipur uvāca ko 'yaṁ viṣṇuḥ sudurbuddhe yaṁ bravīṣi punaḥ punaḥ jagatām īśvarasyeha purataḥ prasabhaṁ mama

Hiranyakashipu said: 'Who is this Vishnu, O utterly foolish one, whom you speak of again and again, right before me, forcibly, though I am here the lord of the worlds?'

Verse 22 (vishnu.1.17.22)

श्रीप्रह्लाद उवाच । न शब्दगोचरं यस्य योगिध्येयं परं पदम् । यतो यश् च स्वयं विश्वं स विष्णुः परमेश्वरः

śrīprahlāda uvāca na śabdagocaraṁ yasya yogidhyeyaṁ paraṁ padam yato yaś ca svayaṁ viśvaṁ sa viṣṇuḥ parameśvaraḥ

Shri Prahlada said: 'That supreme state which does not fall within the range of speech, which is to be contemplated by yogis, from whom, and who himself as the universe — he is Vishnu, the supreme lord.'

Verse 23 (vishnu.1.17.23)

हिरण्यकशिपुर् उवाच । परमेश्वरसंज्ञोऽज्ञ किम् अन्यो मय्य् अवस्थिते । तवास्ति मर्तुकामस् त्वं प्रब्रवीषि पुनः पुनः

hiraṇyakaśipur uvāca parameśvarasaṁjño 'jña kim anyo mayy avasthite tavāsti martukāmas tvaṁ prabravīṣi punaḥ punaḥ

Hiranyakashipu said: 'What is this other one called the supreme lord, O ignorant one, while I stand here? You seem eager for death, that you speak thus again and again.'

Verse 24 (vishnu.1.17.24)

श्रीप्रह्लाद उवाच । न केवलं तात मम प्रजानां स ब्रह्मभूतो भवतश् च विष्णुः । धाता विधाता परमेश्वरश् च प्रसीद कोपं कुरुषे किमर्थम्

śrīprahlāda uvāca na kevalaṁ tāta mama prajānāṁ sa brahmabhūto bhavataś ca viṣṇuḥ dhātā vidhātā parameśvaraś ca prasīda kopaṁ kuruṣe kimartham

Shri Prahlada said: 'Not to me alone, father, but to all your subjects, that Vishnu is the very self become Brahman; he is Dhatri, Vidhatri, and the Supreme Lord — be gracious; why do you grow angry?'

Verse 25 (vishnu.1.17.25)

हिरण्यकशिपुर् उवाच । प्रविष्टः कोऽस्य हृदयं दुर्बुद्धेर् अतिपापकृत् । येनेदृशान्य् असाधूनि वदत्य् आविष्टमानसः

hiraṇyakaśipur uvāca praviṣṭaḥ ko 'sya hṛdayaṁ durbuddher atipāpakṛt yenedṛśāny asādhūni vadaty āviṣṭamānasaḥ

Hiranyakashipu said: 'Who has entered the heart of this ill-minded, most sinful one, that he, his mind possessed, speaks such unworthy things?'

Verse 26 (vishnu.1.17.26)

श्रीप्रह्लाद उवाच । न केवलं मद्धृदयं स विष्णुर् आक्रम्य लोकान् अखिलान् अवस्थितः । स मां त्वदादींश् च पितः समस्तान् समस्तचेष्टासु युनक्ति सर्वगः

śrīprahlāda uvāca na kevalaṁ maddhṛdayaṁ sa viṣṇur ākramya lokān akhilān avasthitaḥ sa māṁ tvadādīṁś ca pitaḥ samastān samastaceṣṭāsu yunakti sarvagaḥ

Shri Prahlada said: 'Not into my heart alone has Vishnu entered and taken his stand, pervading all the worlds; he, going everywhere, yokes me, you, father, and all others, to all their activities.'

Verse 27 (vishnu.1.17.27)

हिरण्यकशिपुर् उवाच । निष्क्राम्यताम् अयं दुष्टः शास्यतां च गुरोर् गृहे । योजितो दुर्मतिः केन विपक्षवितथस्तुतौ

hiraṇyakaśipur uvāca niṣkrāmyatām ayaṁ duṣṭaḥ śāsyatāṁ ca guror gṛhe yojito durmatiḥ kena vipakṣavitathastutau

Hiranyakashipu said: 'Let this wicked one be taken away, and let him be disciplined in his teacher's house; by whom has this fool been made to utter praise, false and belonging to the opposing side?'

Verse 28 (vishnu.1.17.28)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । इत्य् उक्ते स तदा दैत्यैर् नीतो गुरुगृहं पुनः । जग्राह विद्याम् अनिशं गुरुशुश्रूषणोद्यतः

śrīparāśara uvāca ity ukte sa tadā daityair nīto gurugṛhaṁ punaḥ jagrāha vidyām aniśaṁ guruśuśrūṣaṇodyataḥ

Parashara said: Thus commanded, he was then taken by the Daityas back to his teacher's house, and, diligent in service to his teacher, he continually studied that learning.

Verse 29 (vishnu.1.17.29)

कालेऽतीतेऽतिमहति प्रह्लादम् असुरेश्वरः । समाहूयाब्रवीद् गाथा काचित् पुत्रक गीयताम्

kāle 'tīte 'timahati prahlādam asureśvaraḥ samāhūyābravīd gāthā kācit putraka gīyatām

When a very great length of time had passed, the lord of the Asuras summoned Prahlada and said, 'Recite some verse, my son.'

Verse 30 (vishnu.1.17.30)

श्रीप्रह्लाद उवाच । यतः प्रधानपुरुषौ यतश् चैतच् चराचरम् । कारणं सकलस्यास्य स नो विष्णुः प्रसीदतु

śrīprahlāda uvāca yataḥ pradhānapuruṣau yataś caitac carācaram kāraṇaṁ sakalasyāsya sa no viṣṇuḥ prasīdatu

Shri Prahlada said: 'He from whom come Pradhana and Purusha, and from whom this moving and unmoving world proceeds, the cause of this entire universe — may that Vishnu be gracious to us.'

Verse 31 (vishnu.1.17.31)

हिरण्यकशिपुर् उवाच । दुरात्मा वध्यताम् एष नानेनार्थोऽस्ति जीवता । स्वपक्षहानिकर्तृत्वाद् यः कुलाङ्गारतां गतः

hiraṇyakaśipur uvāca durātmā vadhyatām eṣa nānenārtho 'sti jīvatā svapakṣahānikartṛtvād yaḥ kulāṅgāratāṁ gataḥ

Hiranyakashipu said: 'Let this vile-souled one be slain; there is no purpose in his living, since, by bringing ruin upon his own side, he has become a mere firebrand of the family.'

Verse 32 (vishnu.1.17.32)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । इत्य् आज्ञप्तास् ततस् तेन प्रगृहीतमहायुधाः । उद्यतास् तस्य नाशाय दैत्याः शतसहस्रशः

śrīparāśara uvāca ity ājñaptās tatas tena pragṛhītamahāyudhāḥ udyatās tasya nāśāya daityāḥ śatasahasraśaḥ

Parashara said: Thus commanded by him, Daityas by the hundred thousand, seizing great weapons, then rose up for his destruction.

Verse 33 (vishnu.1.17.33)

श्रीप्रह्लाद उवाच । विष्णुः शस्त्रेषु युष्मासु मयि चासौ यथा स्थितः । दैतेयास् तेन सत्येन मा क्रामन्त्व् आयुधानि वः

śrīprahlāda uvāca viṣṇuḥ śastreṣu yuṣmāsu mayi cāsau yathā sthitaḥ daiteyās tena satyena mā krāmantv āyudhāni vaḥ

Shri Prahlada said: 'As Vishnu abides equally in your weapons and likewise in me — by that very truth, may your weapons not touch me, O Daityas.'

Verse 34 (vishnu.1.17.34)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । ततस् तैः शतशो दैत्यैः शस्त्रौघैर् आहतोऽपि सन् । नावाप वेदनाम् अल्पाम् अभूच् चैव पुनर् नवः

śrīparāśara uvāca tatas taiḥ śataśo daityaiḥ śastraughair āhato 'pi san nāvāpa vedanām alpām abhūc caiva punar navaḥ

Parashara said: Then, though struck by hundreds of those Daityas with a mass of weapons, he felt not even the slightest pain, and remained ever fresh and unharmed.

Verse 35 (vishnu.1.17.35)

हिरण्यकशिपुर् उवाच । दुर्बुद्धे विनिवर्तस्व वैरिपक्षस्तवाद् अतः । अभयं ते प्रयच्छामि मातिमूढमतिर् भव

hiraṇyakaśipur uvāca durbuddhe vinivartasva vairipakṣastavād ataḥ abhayaṁ te prayacchāmi mātimūḍhamatir bhava

Hiranyakashipu said: 'Turn back from this, O ill-minded one, from this praise of the enemy's side; I grant you safety — but do not be so utterly foolish.'

Verse 36 (vishnu.1.17.36)

श्रीप्रह्लाद उवाच । भयं भयानाम् अपहारिणि स्थिते मनस्य् अनन्ते मम कुत्र तिष्ठति । यस्मिन् स्मृते जन्मजरान्तकादि भयानि सर्वाण्य् अपयान्ति तात

śrīprahlāda uvāca bhayaṁ bhayānām apahāriṇi sthite manasy anante mama kutra tiṣṭhati yasmin smṛte janmajarāntakādi bhayāni sarvāṇy apayānti tāta

Shri Prahlada said: 'Fear, the very taker-away of fears — where, father, could it stand, when my mind rests in the Infinite, remembering whom all fears of birth, old age, death, and the rest depart?'

Verse 37 (vishnu.1.17.37)

हिरण्यकशिपुर् उवाच । भो भोः सर्पाः दुराचारम् एनम् अत्यन्तदुर्मतिम् । विषज्वालाविलैर् वक्त्रैः सद्यो नयत संक्षयम्

hiraṇyakaśipur uvāca bho bhoḥ sarpāḥ durācāram enam atyantadurmatim viṣajvālāvilair vaktraiḥ sadyo nayata saṁkṣayam

Hiranyakashipu said: 'Ho, serpents! This one of evil conduct, of the most perverse mind — bring him at once to his utter destruction with your mouths, foul with the flame of poison.'

Verse 38 (vishnu.1.17.38)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । इत्य् उक्तास् तेन ते सर्पाः कुहकास् तक्षकादयः । अदंशन्त समस्तेषु गात्रेष्व् अतिविषोल्बणाः

śrīparāśara uvāca ity uktās tena te sarpāḥ kuhakās takṣakādayaḥ adaṁśanta samasteṣu gātreṣv ativiṣolbaṇāḥ

Parashara said: Thus commanded by him, those deceitful, most virulent serpents, Takshaka and the rest, bit him upon every limb.

Verse 39 (vishnu.1.17.39)

स त्व् आसक्तमतिः कृष्णे दंश्यमानो महोरगैः । न विवेदात्मनो गात्रं तत्स्मृत्याह्लादसंस्थितः

sa tv āsaktamatiḥ kṛṣṇe daṁśyamāno mahoragaiḥ na vivedātmano gātraṁ tatsmṛtyāhlādasaṁsthitaḥ

But he, his mind fixed on Krishna, though bitten by the great serpents, did not even become aware of his own body, so absorbed was he in the bliss of remembering him.

Verse 40 (vishnu.1.17.40)

सर्पा ऊचुः । दंष्ट्रा विशीर्णा मणयः स्फुटन्ति फणेषु तापो हृदयेषु कम्पः । नास्य त्वचः स्वल्पम् अपीह भिन्नं प्रशाधि दैत्येश्वर कर्म चान्यत्

sarpā ūcuḥ daṁṣṭrā viśīrṇā maṇayaḥ sphuṭanti phaṇeṣu tāpo hṛdayeṣu kampaḥ nāsya tvacaḥ svalpam apīha bhinnaṁ praśādhi daityeśvara karma cānyat

The serpents said: 'Our fangs are shattered, the jewels in our hoods burst apart, there is burning and trembling in our hearts — not even this one's skin is pierced in the least; O lord of the Daityas, command us some other task.'

Verse 41 (vishnu.1.17.41)

हिरण्यकशिपुर् उवाच । हे दिग्गजाः संकटदन्तमिश्रा घ्नतैनम् अस्मद्रिपुपक्षभिन्नम् । तज्जा विनाशाय भवन्ति तस्य यथारणेः प्रज्वलितो हुताशः

hiraṇyakaśipur uvāca he diggajāḥ saṁkaṭadantamiśrā ghnatainam asmadripupakṣabhinnam tajjā vināśāya bhavanti tasya yathāraṇeḥ prajvalito hutāśaḥ

Hiranyakashipu said: 'Ho, elephants of the quarters, your tusks fierce and terrible! Slay this one, split apart by hostility toward our own side; let his very birth become the cause of his destruction, as fuel is consumed by kindled fire.'

Verse 42 (vishnu.1.17.42)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । ततः स दिग्गजैर् बालो भूभृच्छिखरसंनिभैः । पातितो धरणीपृष्ठे विषाणैर् अप्य् अपीड्यत

śrīparāśara uvāca tataḥ sa diggajair bālo bhūbhṛcchikharasaṁnibhaiḥ pātito dharaṇīpṛṣṭhe viṣāṇair apy apīḍyata

Parashara said: Then that boy was thrown down upon the surface of the earth by the elephants of the quarters, whose tusks were like mountain-peaks, and was tormented by their tusks as well.

Verse 43 (vishnu.1.17.43)

स्मरतस् तस्य गोविन्दम् इभदन्ताः सहस्रशः । शीर्णा वक्षःस्थलं प्राप्य स प्राह पितरं ततः

smaratas tasya govindam ibhadantāḥ sahasraśaḥ śīrṇā vakṣaḥsthalaṁ prāpya sa prāha pitaraṁ tataḥ

As he remembered Govinda, thousands of elephant-tusks, on reaching his breast, shattered to pieces; then he spoke to his father.

Verse 44 (vishnu.1.17.44)

श्रीप्रह्लाद उवाच । दन्ता गजानां कुलिशाग्रनिष्ठुराः शीर्णा यद् एते न बलं ममैतत् । महाविपत्पापविनाशनोऽयं जनार्दनानुस्मरणानुभावः

śrīprahlāda uvāca dantā gajānāṁ kuliśāgraniṣṭhurāḥ śīrṇā yad ete na balaṁ mamaitat mahāvipatpāpavināśano 'yaṁ janārdanānusmaraṇānubhāvaḥ

Shri Prahlada said: 'That these tusks of the elephants, hard as the edge of a thunderbolt, have shattered — this is not my own strength; this is the power of the remembrance of Janardana, the destroyer of great calamity and sin.'

Verse 45 (vishnu.1.17.45)

हिरण्यकशिपुर् उवाच । ज्वाल्यताम् असुरा वह्निर् अपसर्पत दिग्गजाः । वायो समेधयाग्निं त्वं दह्यताम् एष पापकृत्

hiraṇyakaśipur uvāca jvālyatām asurā vahnir apasarpata diggajāḥ vāyo samedhayāgniṁ tvaṁ dahyatām eṣa pāpakṛt

Hiranyakashipu said: 'Let fire be kindled, Asuras! Elephants of the quarters, withdraw! O wind, feed the fire! Let this doer of evil be burned!'

Verse 46 (vishnu.1.17.46)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । महाकाष्ठचयच्छन्नम् असुरेन्द्रसुतं ततः । प्रज्वाल्य दानवा वह्निं ददहुः स्वामिचोदिताः

śrīparāśara uvāca mahākāṣṭhacayacchannam asurendrasutaṁ tataḥ prajvālya dānavā vahniṁ dadahuḥ svāmicoditāḥ

Parashara said: Then, having covered the son of the lord of the Asuras with a great heap of firewood and kindled the fire, the Danavas, urged on by their lord, burned him.

Verse 47 (vishnu.1.17.47)

श्रीप्रह्लाद उवाच । तातैष वह्निः पवनेरितोऽपि न मां दहत्य् अत्र समन्ततोऽहम् । पश्यामि पद्मास्तरणास्तृतानि शीतानि सर्वाणि दिशां मुखानि

śrīprahlāda uvāca tātaiṣa vahniḥ pavanerito 'pi na māṁ dahaty atra samantato 'ham paśyāmi padmāstaraṇāstṛtāni śītāni sarvāṇi diśāṁ mukhāni

Shri Prahlada said: 'Father, this fire, even fanned by the wind, does not burn me here; I see, on every side, the quarters of the sky spread over with cool beds of lotus, all around me.'

Verse 48 (vishnu.1.17.48)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । अथ दैत्येश्वरं प्रोचुर् भार्गवस्यात्मजा द्विजाः । पुरोहिता महात्मानः साम्ना संस्तूय वाग्मिनः

śrīparāśara uvāca atha daityeśvaraṁ procur bhārgavasyātmajā dvijāḥ purohitā mahātmānaḥ sāmnā saṁstūya vāgminaḥ

Parashara said: Then the sons of Bhargava, those great-souled, eloquent household priests, spoke to the lord of the Daityas, praising him with conciliating words.

Verse 49 (vishnu.1.17.49)

पुरोहिता ऊचुः । राजन् नियम्यतां कोपो बालेऽत्र तनये निजे । कोपो देवनिकायेषु तत्र ते सफलो यतः

purohitā ūcuḥ rājan niyamyatāṁ kopo bāle 'tra tanaye nije kopo devanikāyeṣu tatra te saphalo yataḥ

The priests said: 'O king, let your anger toward this child, your own son, be restrained; your anger is fruitful when directed against the hosts of the gods.'

Verse 50 (vishnu.1.17.50)

तथा तथैनं बालं ते शासितारो वयं नृप । यथा विपक्षनाशाय विनीतस् ते भविष्यति

tathā tathainaṁ bālaṁ te śāsitāro vayaṁ nṛpa yathā vipakṣanāśāya vinītas te bhaviṣyati

'We ourselves shall so discipline this boy, O king, that he shall become obedient to you, for the destruction of your enemies.'

Verse 51 (vishnu.1.17.51)

बालत्वं सर्वदोषाणां दैत्यराजास्पदं यतः । ततोऽत्र कोपम् अत्यर्थं योक्तुम् अर्हसि नार्भके

bālatvaṁ sarvadoṣāṇāṁ daityarājāspadaṁ yataḥ tato 'tra kopam atyarthaṁ yoktum arhasi nārbhake

'Childhood is the seat of every fault, since it is present here in the Daitya king's own son; therefore you ought not to direct such excessive anger toward this child.'

Verse 52 (vishnu.1.17.52)

न त्यक्ष्यति हरेः पक्षम् अस्माकं वचनाद् यदि । ततः कृत्यां वधायास्य करिष्यामोऽनिवर्तिनीम्

na tyakṣyati hareḥ pakṣam asmākaṁ vacanād yadi tataḥ kṛtyāṁ vadhāyāsya kariṣyāmo 'nivartinīm

'If, at our word, he does not abandon Hari's side, then we shall employ an unfailing sorcery for his destruction.'

Verse 53 (vishnu.1.17.53)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । एवम् अभ्यर्थितस् तैस् तु दैत्यराजः पुरोहितैः । दैत्यैर् निष्क्रामयाम् आस पुत्रं पावकसंचयात्

śrīparāśara uvāca evam abhyarthitas tais tu daityarājaḥ purohitaiḥ daityair niṣkrāmayām āsa putraṁ pāvakasaṁcayāt

Parashara said: Thus entreated by those priests, the king of the Daityas had his son removed by the Daityas from that mass of fire.

Verse 54 (vishnu.1.17.54)

ततो गुरुगृहे बालः स वसन् बालदानवान् । अध्यापयाम् आस मुहुर् उपदेशान्तरे गुरोः

tato gurugṛhe bālaḥ sa vasan bāladānavān adhyāpayām āsa muhur upadeśāntare guroḥ

Then, dwelling in his teacher's house, that boy repeatedly taught the young sons of the Danavas, during the intervals of his teacher's instruction.

Verse 55 (vishnu.1.17.55)

श्रीप्रह्लाद उवाच । श्रूयतां परमार्थो मे दैतेया दितिजात्मजाः । न चान्यथैतन् मन्तव्यं नात्र लोभादिकारणम्

śrīprahlāda uvāca śrūyatāṁ paramārtho me daiteyā ditijātmajāḥ na cānyathaitan mantavyaṁ nātra lobhādikāraṇam

Shri Prahlada said: 'Hear my highest truth, O Daityas, sons of Diti; and let this not be thought otherwise — there is no motive of greed or the like in it.'

Verse 56 (vishnu.1.17.56)

जन्म बाल्यं ततः सर्वो जन्तुः प्राप्नोति यौवनम् । अव्याहतैव भवति ततोऽनुदिवसं जरा

janma bālyaṁ tataḥ sarvo jantuḥ prāpnoti yauvanam avyāhataiva bhavati tato 'nudivasaṁ jarā

'Birth, then childhood — after that, every creature attains youth; then, unhindered, day by day, comes old age.'

Verse 57 (vishnu.1.17.57)

ततश् च मृत्युम् अभ्येति जन्तुर् दैत्येश्वरात्मजाः । प्रत्यक्षं दृश्यते चैतद् अस्माकं भवतां तथा

tataś ca mṛtyum abhyeti jantur daityeśvarātmajāḥ pratyakṣaṁ dṛśyate caitad asmākaṁ bhavatāṁ tathā

'And then the creature comes to death, O sons of the lord of the Daityas; this is seen directly, both for us and for you.'

Verse 58 (vishnu.1.17.58)

मृतस्य च पुनर् जन्म भवत्य् एतच् च नान्यथा । आगमोऽयं तथा तच् च नोपादानं विनोद्भवः

mṛtasya ca punar janma bhavaty etac ca nānyathā āgamo 'yaṁ tathā tac ca nopādānaṁ vinodbhavaḥ

'And birth again for the one who has died — this comes to pass, and not otherwise; this is the received teaching, and there is no arising without a material cause.'

Verse 59 (vishnu.1.17.59)

गर्भवासादि यावत् तु पुनर्जन्मोपपादनम् । समस्तावस्थकं तावद् दुःखम् एवावगम्यताम्

garbhavāsādi yāvat tu punarjanmopapādanam samastāvasthakaṁ tāvad duḥkham evāvagamyatām

'From dwelling in the womb up until the bringing about of rebirth, throughout every state, know this to be nothing but suffering.'

Verse 60 (vishnu.1.17.60)

क्षुत्तृष्णोपशमं तद्वच् शीताद्युपशमं सुखम् । मन्यते बालबुद्धित्वाद् दुःखम् एव हि तत् पुनः

kṣuttṛṣṇopaśamaṁ tadvac śītādyupaśamaṁ sukham manyate bālabuddhitvād duḥkham eva hi tat punaḥ

'Likewise, the mere relief of hunger and thirst, or of cold and the rest, is thought by the childish mind to be happiness — but that too, in truth, is only suffering again.'

Verse 61 (vishnu.1.17.61)

अत्यन्तस्तिमिताङ्गानां व्यायामेन सुखैषिणाम् । भ्रान्तिज्ञानवतां पुंसां प्रहारोऽपि सुखायते

atyantastimitāṅgānāṁ vyāyāmena sukhaiṣiṇām bhrāntijñānavatāṁ puṁsāṁ prahāro 'pi sukhāyate

'For men whose limbs are utterly numb from exertion, seeking ease, whose knowledge is confused — even a blow comes to feel like pleasure.'

Verse 62 (vishnu.1.17.62)

क्व शरीरम् अशेषाणां श्लेष्मादीनां महाचयः । क्व चाङ्गशोभासौरभ्यकमनीयादयो गुणाः

kva śarīram aśeṣāṇāṁ śleṣmādīnāṁ mahācayaḥ kva cāṅgaśobhāsaurabhyakamanīyādayo guṇāḥ

'Where is the body, but a great mass of phlegm and the rest, and where are the qualities of bodily beauty, fragrance, and loveliness?'

Verse 63 (vishnu.1.17.63)

मांसासृक्पूयविण्मूत्रस्नायुमज्जास्थिसंहतौ । देहे चेत् प्रीतिमान् मूढो भविता नरकेऽपि सः

māṁsāsṛkpūyaviṇmūtrasnāyumajjāsthisaṁhatau dehe cet prītimān mūḍho bhavitā narake 'pi saḥ

'In a body that is but an aggregate of flesh, blood, pus, excrement, urine, sinew, marrow, and bone — if a fool takes delight in it, he shall find such delight even in hell.'

Verse 64 (vishnu.1.17.64)

अग्नेः शीतेन तोयस्य तृषा भक्तस्य च क्षुधा । क्रियते सुखकर्तृत्वं तद्विलोमस्य चेतरैः

agneḥ śītena toyasya tṛṣā bhaktasya ca kṣudhā kriyate sukhakartṛtvaṁ tadvilomasya cetaraiḥ

'The coolness of water relieves the heat of fire, and food relieves the hunger of the famished — thus the giving of pleasure is attributed to their very opposites.'

Verse 65 (vishnu.1.17.65)

करोति हे दैत्यपुत्रा यावन्मात्रं परिग्रहम् । तावन्मात्रं स एवास्य दुःखं चेतसि यच्छति

karoti he daityaputrā yāvanmātraṁ parigraham tāvanmātraṁ sa evāsya duḥkhaṁ cetasi yacchati

'O sons of the Daityas, whatever attachment a man forms, to that very extent he places suffering into his own mind.'

Verse 66 (vishnu.1.17.66)

यावतः कुरुते जन्तुः संबन्धान् मनसः प्रियान् । तावन्तोऽस्य निखन्यन्ते हृदये शोकशङ्कवः

yāvataḥ kurute jantuḥ saṁbandhān manasaḥ priyān tāvanto 'sya nikhanyante hṛdaye śokaśaṅkavaḥ

'As many pleasant bonds as a creature forms in his mind, so many stakes of grief are driven into his heart.'

Verse 67 (vishnu.1.17.67)

यद् यद् गृहे तन् मनसि यत्र तत्रावतिष्ठतः । नाशदाहापहरणं कुतस् तत्रैव तिष्ठति

yad yad gṛhe tan manasi yatra tatrāvatiṣṭhataḥ nāśadāhāpaharaṇaṁ kutas tatraiva tiṣṭhati

'Whatever thing dwells in the mind, wherever it is kept — its destruction, its burning, its loss, remains lodged right there.'

Verse 68 (vishnu.1.17.68)

जन्मन्य् अत्र महद् दुःखं म्रियमाणस्य चापि तत् । यातनासु यमस्योग्रं गर्भसंक्रमणेषु च

janmany atra mahad duḥkhaṁ mriyamāṇasya cāpi tat yātanāsu yamasyograṁ garbhasaṁkramaṇeṣu ca

'Great suffering exists in this birth, and likewise at the time of dying; it is fierce too in the torments of Yama, and in the passage into the womb.'

Verse 69 (vishnu.1.17.69)

गर्भे च सुखलेशोऽपि भवद्भिर् अनुमीयते । यदि तत् कथ्यताम् एवं सर्वं दुःखमयं जगत्

garbhe ca sukhaleśo 'pi bhavadbhir anumīyate yadi tat kathyatām evaṁ sarvaṁ duḥkhamayaṁ jagat

'And even the least trace of pleasure that you infer to exist in the womb — if that too be granted, then indeed this whole world is nothing but suffering.'

Verse 70 (vishnu.1.17.70)

तद् एतद् अतिदुःखानाम् आस्पदेऽत्र भवार्णवे । भवतां कथ्यते सत्यं विष्णुर् एकः परायणः

tad etad atiduḥkhānām āspade 'tra bhavārṇave bhavatāṁ kathyate satyaṁ viṣṇur ekaḥ parāyaṇaḥ

'Therefore, in this ocean of existence, this seat of the most extreme sufferings, I tell you the truth — Vishnu alone is the true refuge.'

Verse 71 (vishnu.1.17.71)

मा जानीत वयं बाला देही देहेषु शाश्वतः । जरायौवनजन्माद्या धर्मा देहस्य नात्मनः

mā jānīta vayaṁ bālā dehī deheṣu śāśvataḥ jarāyauvanajanmādyā dharmā dehasya nātmanaḥ

'Do not think, as children do, that the embodied self is eternal within bodies; old age, youth, birth, and the rest are properties of the body, not of the self.'

Verse 72 (vishnu.1.17.72)

बालोऽहं तावद् इच्छातो यतिष्ये श्रेयसे युवा । युवाहं वार्द्धके प्राप्ते करिष्याम्य् आत्मनो हितम्

bālo 'haṁ tāvad icchāto yatiṣye śreyase yuvā yuvāhaṁ vārddhake prāpte kariṣyāmy ātmano hitam

''I am a child now; when I grow to be a youth, I shall strive for what is good; when I am a youth, and old age comes, I shall then do what is beneficial for myself.''

Verse 73 (vishnu.1.17.73)

वृद्धोऽहं मम कार्याणि समस्तानि न गोचरे । किं करिष्यामि मन्दात्मा समर्थेन न यत् कृतम्

vṛddho 'haṁ mama kāryāṇi samastāni na gocare kiṁ kariṣyāmi mandātmā samarthena na yat kṛtam

''I am old now; all my duties are beyond my reach — what, feeble-minded as I am, shall I do, that I did not do when I was capable?''

Verse 74 (vishnu.1.17.74)

एवं दुराशयाक्षिप्तमानसः पुरुषः सदा । श्रेयसोऽभिमुखं याति न कदाचित् पिपासितः

evaṁ durāśayākṣiptamānasaḥ puruṣaḥ sadā śreyaso 'bhimukhaṁ yāti na kadācit pipāsitaḥ

'Thus a man, his mind ever seized by such vain hope, never turns toward what is truly good, though he ever thirsts for it.'

Verse 75 (vishnu.1.17.75)

बाल्ये क्रीडनकासक्ता यौवने विषयोन्मुखाः । अज्ञानयन्त्य् अशक्त्या च वार्द्धकं समुपस्थितम्

bālye krīḍanakāsaktā yauvane viṣayonmukhāḥ ajñānayanty aśaktyā ca vārddhakaṁ samupasthitam

'Attached to their toys in childhood, and turned toward sensual objects in youth, through their very incapacity they let approaching old age go unnoticed.'

Verse 76 (vishnu.1.17.76)

तस्माद् बाल्ये विवेकात्मा यतेत श्रेयसे सदा । बाल्ययौवनवृद्धाद्यैर् देहभावैर् असंयुतः

tasmād bālye vivekātmā yateta śreyase sadā bālyayauvanavṛddhādyair dehabhāvair asaṁyutaḥ

'Therefore a discerning soul should, from childhood itself, ever strive for what is truly good, unattached to the states of the body — childhood, youth, old age, and the rest.'

Verse 77 (vishnu.1.17.77)

तद् एतद् वो मयाख्यातं यदि जानीत नानृतम् । तद् अस्मत्प्रीतये विष्णुः स्मर्यतां बन्धमुक्तिदः

tad etad vo mayākhyātaṁ yadi jānīta nānṛtam tad asmatprītaye viṣṇuḥ smaryatāṁ bandhamuktidaḥ

'This I have told you; if you understand it to be no falsehood, then, for our mutual good, let Vishnu, the releaser from bondage, be remembered.'

Verse 78 (vishnu.1.17.78)

आयासः स्मरणे कोऽस्य स्मृतो यच्छति शोभनम् । पापक्षयश् च भवति स्मरतां तम् अहर्निशम्

āyāsaḥ smaraṇe ko 'sya smṛto yacchati śobhanam pāpakṣayaś ca bhavati smaratāṁ tam aharniśam

'What effort is there in remembering him? Remembered, he grants what is auspicious, and the destruction of sin comes about for those who remember him day and night.'

Verse 79 (vishnu.1.17.79)

सर्वभूतस्थिते तस्मिन् मतिर् मैत्री दिवानिशम् । भवतां जायताम् एवं सर्वक्लेशान् प्रहास्यथ

sarvabhūtasthite tasmin matir maitrī divāniśam bhavatāṁ jāyatām evaṁ sarvakleśān prahāsyatha

'Since he abides within all beings, let your understanding turn, day and night, toward friendliness for all; thus you shall be freed from all afflictions.'

Verse 80 (vishnu.1.17.80)

तापत्रयेणाभिहतं यद् एतद् अखिलं जगत् । तदा शोच्येषु भूतेषु द्वेषं प्राज्ञः करोति कः

tāpatrayeṇābhihataṁ yad etad akhilaṁ jagat tadā śocyeṣu bhūteṣu dveṣaṁ prājñaḥ karoti kaḥ

'Since this entire universe is struck by threefold suffering, what wise man harbors hatred toward beings who are themselves objects of pity?'

Verse 81 (vishnu.1.17.81)

अथ भद्राणि भूतानि हीनशक्तिर् अहं परम् । मुदं तथापि कुर्वीत हानिर् द्वेषफलं यतः

atha bhadrāṇi bhūtāni hīnaśaktir ahaṁ param mudaṁ tathāpi kurvīta hānir dveṣaphalaṁ yataḥ

'Or rather, though beings be gracious and I myself be lacking in power, still one should show them only joy; for hatred bears loss as its fruit.'

Verse 82 (vishnu.1.17.82)

बद्धवैराणि भूतानि द्वेषं कुर्वन्ति चेत् ततः । शोच्यान्य् अहोऽतिमोहेन व्याप्तानीति मनीषिणाम्

baddhavairāṇi bhūtāni dveṣaṁ kurvanti cet tataḥ śocyāny aho 'timohena vyāptānīti manīṣiṇām

'If beings, bound in enmity, act with hatred, then, ah, they are to be pitied by the wise, since they are utterly overcome by delusion.'

Verse 83 (vishnu.1.17.83)

एते भिन्नदृशां दैत्या विकल्पाः कथिता मया । कृत्वाभ्युपगमं तत्र संक्षेपः श्रूयतां मम

ete bhinnadṛśāṁ daityā vikalpāḥ kathitā mayā kṛtvābhyupagamaṁ tatra saṁkṣepaḥ śrūyatāṁ mama

'These are the alternatives, told by me, that belong to those of divided vision, O Daityas; having accepted the true position, hear now my conclusion in brief.'

Verse 84 (vishnu.1.17.84)

विस्तारः सर्वभूतस्य विष्णोर् विश्वम् इदं जगत् । द्रष्टव्यम् आत्मवत् तस्माद् अभेदेन विचक्षणैः

vistāraḥ sarvabhūtasya viṣṇor viśvam idaṁ jagat draṣṭavyam ātmavat tasmād abhedena vicakṣaṇaiḥ

'This whole universe is but the expansion of Vishnu, who is the self of all beings; therefore it should be seen by the discerning, without difference, as one's own self.'

Verse 85 (vishnu.1.17.85)

समुत्सृज्यासुरं भावं तस्माद् यूयं यथा वयम् । तथा यत्नं करिष्यामो यथा प्राप्स्याम निर्वृतिम्

samutsṛjyāsuraṁ bhāvaṁ tasmād yūyaṁ yathā vayam tathā yatnaṁ kariṣyāmo yathā prāpsyāma nirvṛtim

'Therefore, casting off this demonic nature, just as we are, we shall make the same effort as you, that we may attain to supreme peace.'

Verse 86 (vishnu.1.17.86)

नैवाग्निना न चार्केण नेन्दुना न च वायुना । पर्जन्यवरुणाभ्यां वा न सिद्धैर् न च राक्षसैः

naivāgninā na cārkeṇa nendunā na ca vāyunā parjanyavaruṇābhyāṁ vā na siddhair na ca rākṣasaiḥ

'Not by fire, nor by the sun, nor by the moon, nor by the wind, nor by the rain-god and Varuna, nor by the Siddhas, nor by Rakshasas,'

Verse 87 (vishnu.1.17.87)

न यक्षैर् न च दैत्येन्द्रैर् नोरगैर् न च किंनरैः । न मनुष्यैर् न पशुभिर् दोषैर् नैवात्मसंभवैः

na yakṣair na ca daityendrair noragair na ca kiṁnaraiḥ na manuṣyair na paśubhir doṣair naivātmasaṁbhavaiḥ

'nor by Yakshas, nor by the lords of the Daityas, nor by serpents, nor by Kinnaras, nor by men, nor by beasts, nor by faults born of one's own self,'

Verse 88 (vishnu.1.17.88)

ज्वराक्षिरोगातीसारप्लीहगुल्मादिकैस् तथा । द्वेषेर्ष्यामत्सराद्यैर् वा रागलोभादिभिः क्षयम्

jvarākṣirogātīsāraplīhagulmādikais tathā dveṣerṣyāmatsarādyair vā rāgalobhādibhiḥ kṣayam

'nor by fever, eye-disease, dysentery, disorders of the spleen and the like, nor by hatred, envy, jealousy, and the like, nor by passion, greed, and the rest, is it destroyed—'

Verse 89 (vishnu.1.17.89)

न चान्यैर् नीयते कैश्चिन् नित्या यात्यन्तनिर्मला । ताम् आप्नोत्य् अमले न्यस्य केशवे हृदयं नरः

na cānyair nīyate kaiścin nityā yātyantanirmalā tām āpnoty amale nyasya keśave hṛdayaṁ naraḥ

'nor by any other thing whatsoever is it ever carried away — that eternal, utterly stainless state which a man attains by placing his heart in the stainless Keshava.'

Verse 90 (vishnu.1.17.90)

असारसंसारविवर्तनेषु मा यात तोषं प्रसभं ब्रवीमि । सर्वत्र दैत्याः समताम् उपेत समत्वम् आराधनम् अच्युतस्य

asārasaṁsāravivartaneṣu mā yāta toṣaṁ prasabhaṁ bravīmi sarvatra daityāḥ samatām upeta samatvam ārādhanam acyutasya

'Do not take delight, forcibly, in the meaningless turnings of this worthless round of existence — this I tell you; O Daityas, attain everywhere to equanimity; equanimity is the very worship of the Undying One.'

Verse 91 (vishnu.1.17.91)

तस्मिन् प्रसन्ने किम् इहास्त्य् अलभ्यं धर्मार्थकामैर् अलम् अल्पकास् ते । समाश्रिताद् ब्रह्मतरोर् अनन्तान् निःसंशयं प्राप्स्यथ वै महत् फलम्

tasmin prasanne kim ihāsty alabhyaṁ dharmārthakāmair alam alpakās te samāśritād brahmataror anantān niḥsaṁśayaṁ prāpsyatha vai mahat phalam

'When he is pleased, what is there in this world that cannot be obtained? Dharma, artha, and kama are but trifling things; taking refuge in that infinite tree of Brahman, you shall, without doubt, attain the great fruit.'