Hiraṇyakaśipu, King of the Demons – Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 7 Chapter 2

Section 1 – 7.2.1 – 7.2.12 – Hiraṇyakaśipu orders destruction of Brahminical culture

Śrī Nārada Muni describes Hiraṇyakaśipu’s anger and his instruction to the demons to destroy brahminical culture and cows on earth

Philosophical Conclusions

• samo ’haṁ sarva-bhūteṣu: (BG 9.29) the Lord is equal to all living entities.
• Demigods are devotees who are victorious over the demons because of their sincerity in strictly following the orders of the Supreme Lord
• Demons most of the time know Visnu is the Supreme Lord, but due to envy they do not follow His instructions
• Demons have the opportunity to think of Viṣṇu unfavorably. They are being absorbed in thoughts of Viṣṇu’s form to kill Him. Therefore, in general, they attain sāyujya-mukti.
• Demons are ordinary human beings and their minds change and being materially conditioned they consider the Supreme Lord like them.
• Krishna is very merciful and is bhakta-vatsala, very favorable to the devotees
• The actions of the Lord to favor His devotees are not disqualifications but signs of His natural affection.
• The demigods always follow the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whereas the demons simply plan to disturb or kill Him.
• People in the material world can be happy by the godly arrangement of brahminical culture
• Kali-yuga is missing brahminical culture and kṣatriya government
• This aim of life is attained by the performance of yajñas.
• The saṅkīrtana-yajña can be performed by anyone. Chanting of the holy name of the Lord will revive brahminical culture very easily.
• Lord Viṣṇu is the central point of brahminical culture.
• To live peacefully we require brāhmaṇa to guide, a kṣatriya to rule perfectly, and a perfect vaiśya to produce food and protect the cows
• The cutting of trees simply to manufacture paper for the publication of unwanted literature is the greatest sinful act.
• ISKCON literature clarifies our relationship with Lord Viṣṇu, and therefore it is the performance of yajña and not sinful

Section 2 – 7.2.13 – 7.2.16 – Daityas force people to stop Vedic sacrifices

The Daityas, on instructions of Hiraṇyakaśipu, create havoc on earth and make people cease Vedic sacrifices

Philosophical Conclusions

• Demons are envious of the general populace
• Modern Scientific advancement exemplifies envy because ultimately their discoveries will be inauspicious for everyone
• Our only duty and the highest goal of human life is to please the Supreme Godhead.
• Any tree that produces nice fruit for the maintenance of the people should not be cut at all.
• The performance of yajña brings reciprocal good fortune for both human beings and the demigods.

Section 3 – 7.2.17 – 7.2.26 – Hiraṇyakaśipu pacifies his nephews

Hiraṇyakaśipu pacifies his nephews and other family members by explaining to them about the eternality of the soul

Section 4 – 7.2.27 – 7.2.49 – The advise of Yamaraj to widows of King Suyajna.

Hiraṇyakaśipu describes the story of King Suyajna and the advice of Yamaraj to the widows of King Suyajna.

Section 5 – 7.2.50 – 7.2.60 – Yamaraj tells the story of the two Kulinga birds

Yamaraj tells the story of the two Kulinga birds

Section 6 – 7.61 – Diti and others pacified

Hiraṇyakaśipu successfully pacifies Diti and his nephews through his philosophical discourse