SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM - Prabhupada

178 Srimad-Bhigavatam [Canto 7, Ch. 4crystal, and the columns of vaidlirya stone. The wonderfulcanopies were beautifully decorated, the seats were bedecked withrubies, and the silk bedding, as white as foam, was decorated withpearls. The ladies of the palace, who were blessed with beautifulteeth and the inost wonderfully beautiful faces, walked here andthere in the palace, their ankle bells tinkling melodiously, and sawtheir own beautiful reflections in the gems. The demigods,however, being very much oppressed, had to bow down and offerobeisances at the feet of Hirlll,lyak8Sipu, who chastised thedemigods very severely and for no reason. Thus Hirlll,lyaki!Sipulived in the palace and severely ruled everyone.PURPORTHiraQ.yakasipu was so powerful in the heavenly planets that all thedemigods except Lord Brahma, Lord Siva and Lord Vi!)U were forced toengage in his service. Indeed, they were afraid of being severelypunished if they disobeyed him. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti has comparedHiraiJyakasipu to Maharaja Vena, who was also atheistic andscornful of the ritualistic ceremonies mentioned in the Vedas. YetMaharaja Vena was afraid of some of the great sages such as Bhgu,whereas HiraQ.yakasipu ruled in such a way that everyone feared him butLord Vi!)u, Lord Brahma and Lord Siva. Hira!)yakasipu was so alertagainst being burnt to ashes by the anger of great sages like Bhgu thatby dint of austerity he surpassed their power and placed even themunder his subordination. It appears that even in the higher planetarysystems, to which people are promoted by pious activities, disturbancesare created by asuras like Hira!)yakasipu. No one in the three worlds canlive in peace and prosperity without disturbance.TEXT 13 'Ri t*I(IIWI! I341(1al41Wi41f0l«etillilillilei II I I