The Rise of Hiraṇyakaśipu

Because Diti, overcome by passion and eager for offspring, approached the sage Kaśyapa at an inauspicious hour, the cursed gatekeepers of Vaikuṇṭha—Jaya and Vijaya—were born from her womb as demons. From birth they possessed cruel and destructive tendencies and became great tormentors of the worlds. Among these two brothers, Hiraṇyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu, the former was eventually slain by Śrī Hari, who assumed the Varāha Avatāra.

Deeply shaken by the death of his brother, Hiraṇyakaśipu first consoled Hiraṇyākṣa’s sons—Śakuni, Śambara, Dhṛṣṭa, Bhūta-santāpana, Vṛka, Kālanābha, Hariśmaśru, and Utkaca. He also comforted Hiraṇyākṣa’s wife Ṛṣabhānu and their mother Diti. Addressing them, he said:

“Hiraṇyākṣa was an incomparable warrior. He offered his life on the battlefield while fighting his enemy. Such a death is the most glorious end any heroic warrior could desire. Therefore, do not grieve.”

However, within his heart he resolved to avenge his brother’s death upon the devas. He reasoned that if the power of the gods was to be weakened, then Śrī Hari—the eternal protector who grants them refuge—must first be deprived of His strength. The strength of the Lord, he believed, came from the righteous acts performed by sages, brāhmaṇas, and virtuous men upon the earth.

Therefore, Hiraṇyakaśipu commanded his demonic followers:

“Go at once to the earthly realm. Create obstacles for the sages, the brāhmaṇas, and all those engaged in sacred rites and dharmic activities. Disturb their sacrifices and righteous works. By doing so, you will weaken the power of Hari.”

Having issued these orders, and determined to conquer the heavens and rule the worlds as an invincible emperor, Hiraṇyakaśipu went to Mount Mandara and began a severe penance directed toward Lord Brahmā. Standing only upon the tips of his toes, with both arms raised upward, he immersed himself in an extraordinarily austere meditation.

As he continued his penance for many years, a blazing fire of ascetic energy arose from his head and spread in all directions. The flames began to scorch the entire universe. Rivers and oceans started to boil, the earth trembled violently, and the planets and stars seemed to fall from their courses. The ten directions blazed with the heat of Hiraṇyakaśipu’s penance.

Unable to bear this terrible heat, the devas fled to Brahmaloka and prayed to Lord Brahmā:

“O revered Creator, father of the universe and worshipped even by the gods! The flames arising from Hiraṇyakaśipu’s penance are consuming all the worlds. We cannot endure this scorching heat. Before the entire creation is destroyed, please pacify this blazing austerity. If sovereignty over the worlds falls into the hands of such a wicked being, the righteous will perish and the universe will descend into chaos. Protect us and safeguard the worlds from this calamity.”

Hearing their distress, Lord Brahmā set out with the Prajāpatis and arrived at the hermitage where Hiraṇyakaśipu was performing his penance. When they reached the spot, they saw an astonishing sight. The demon’s body had been entirely covered by anthills, grass, and bamboo growth. Ants had eaten away his skin, flesh, blood, and fat, leaving only the skeleton. Yet even in that condition, sustained by the power of his austerity, Hiraṇyakaśipu continued to radiate a fiery energy that threatened the entire universe.

Witnessing such unimaginable tapas, Brahmā himself was filled with wonder. Addressing Hiraṇyakaśipu, he said:

“My child, may auspiciousness be yours. Today I have witnessed the extraordinary power of your penance. Though ants and insects have devoured your body, your life force still remains. Never before has any sage performed such severe austerity, nor will such penance be possible in the future. I am pleased with your devotion and have come to grant you a boon. Ask for whatever you desire.”

Saying this, Brahmā sprinkled sacred water from his kamaṇḍalu upon the demon. Instantly, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s body was restored—strong, radiant, and endowed with full vigor and senses. Opening his eyes, he saw Brahmā standing before him in the sky upon his swan vehicle. Overwhelmed with joy, he bowed deeply and offered reverential praises.

With folded hands he prayed:

“O Lord, if you are pleased to grant me a boon, then let me not meet death at the hands of any being created by you—whether man, animal, god, serpent, or any other creature. Let me not die indoors or outdoors, neither during the day nor at night. Let no weapon, no place on earth or in the sky be the cause of my death. May I have no equal in battle. Grant that I may become the supreme ruler over all beings in this universe. May the glory and authority possessed by the guardians of the worlds also belong to me. Bestow upon me the powers enjoyed by great ascetics and yogis.”

Lord Brahmā granted these boons exactly as Hiraṇyakaśipu desired.

Empowered by these extraordinary blessings, Hiraṇyakaśipu grew even more arrogant and intoxicated with power. He conquered the three worlds and subdued the gods, kings, yakṣas, kinnaras, gandharvas, and even the sages. Having seized control of heaven, he lived there indulging in its pleasures. Constantly intoxicated with wine and pride, he ruled tyrannically.

All beings—devas and asuras alike—trembled before him and bowed at his feet. Except for Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva, all the other gods were forced to offer tribute and serve him. The sacred offerings made by virtuous men in great sacrifices were seized by him through his overwhelming power. The earth was compelled to yield crops without cultivation. Whatever he desired appeared before him from the sky. The heavens entertained him with wondrous sights, the oceans presented treasures through their waves, and mountains created pleasure gardens upon their slopes for his delight. Trees bore fruits and flowers in every season for his enjoyment.

Thus Hiraṇyakaśipu alone embodied the powers and glories that once belonged separately to the guardians of the worlds. Having conquered all directions, he ruled as a tyrannical emperor, freely indulging his desires while tormenting all living beings with cruelty and oppression.

How this terrible demon would ultimately meet his end, and what divine plan the Lord would unfold to destroy him, will be revealed in the next episode.