Text 14] Hiranyakasipu, King of the Demons 75

tatha—so also; prajandm—of all the citizens; kadanam—persecution;
vidadhuh—executed; kadana-priyah—who are expert in persecuting
others.

TRANSLATION

Thus the demons, being fond of disastrous activities, took
HiranyakaSipu’s instructions on their heads with great respect and
offered him obeisances. According to his directions, they engaged
in envious activities directed against all living beings.

PURPORT

The followers of demoniac principles, as described here, are
thoroughly envious of the general populace. In the present day, scientific
advancement exemplifies such envy. The discovery of nuclear energy has
been disastrous to people in general because demons all over the world
are manufacturing nuclear weapons. The word kadana-priyah is very
significant in this regard. The demoniac persons who want to kill the
Vedic culture are extremely envious of the feeble citizens, and they act in
such a way that ultimately their discoveries will be inauspicious for
everyone (jagato *hitah). The Sixteenth Chapter of Bhagavad-gitd fully
explains how the demons engage in sinful activities for the destruction of
the populace.

TEXT 14

OICERIDIECE ICDC ICs) i
aeaeaia ag: waa Tze

pura-gradma-vrajodyana-
ksetraramasramakaran

kheta-kharvata-ghosams ca
dadahuh pattanani ca

pura—cities and towns; grama—villages; vraja—pasturing grounds;
udydna—gardens; ksetra—agricultural fields; adrama—natural forests;
asrama—hermitages of saintly persons; dkaran—and mines (that pro-
duce valuable metals to maintain brahminical culture); kheta—farm
