SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM - Prabhupada

CHAPTER FOURHiryaka8ipu Terrorizes the UniverseThis chapter fully describes how Hirayakasipu obtained power fromLord Brahma and misused it by harassing all the living entities withinthis universe.By severe austerities, Hiryakasipu satisfied Lord Brahma and obtainedthe benedictions he desired. Mter he received these benedictions,his body, which had been almost entirely consumed, was revived withfull beauty and a luster like gold. Nonetheless, he continued to be enviousof Lord Viu, unable to forget Lord Viu's having killed hisbrother. Hirayakasipu conquered everyone in the ten directions and thethree worlds and brought all living entities, both demigods and asuras,under his control. Becoming the master of all places, including the residenceof lndra, whom he had driven out, he began enjoying life in greatluxury and thus became mad. All the demigods but Lord Viu, LordBrahma and Lord Siva came under his control and began serving him,but despite all his material power he was dissatisfied because he was alwayspuffed up, proud of transgressing the Vedic regulations. All thebrahmar:ms were dissatisfied with him, and they cursed him with determination.Eventually, all the living entities within the universe, representedby the demigods and sages, prayed to the Supreme Lord for relieffrom Hirayaka8ipu's rule.Lord Viu informed the demigods that they and the other living entitieswould be saved from the fearful conditions created byHirayakasipu. Since Hirayakasipu was the oppressor of all thedemigods, the followers of the Vedas, the cows, the brahmar:ms and thereligious, saintly persons, and since he was envious of the Supreme Lord,he would naturally be killed very soon. Hiryakasipu's last exploitwould be to torment his own son Prahlada, who was a maha-bhiigavata,an exalted Vaiava. Then his life would end. When the demigods werethus reassured by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, everyone wassatisfied, knowing that the miseries inflicted upon them byHirayakasipu would come to an end.169