Text 15] Hiranyakagipu, King of the Demons 77
TEXT 15
Sfrcatrafifiq: Iquarcitye |
orfronifaragdard a rcregTiers: |
ME TUNIS TAL SAferteTs? 124
kecit khanitrair bibhiduh
setu-prakdra-gopuran
Gjivyars cicchidur urksan
kecit parasu-padnayah
pradahafi saranany eke
prajanam jvalitolmukaih
kecit—some of the demons; khanitraih—with digging instruments;
bibhiduh—broke to pieces; setu—bridges; prakdra—protective walls;
gopurdn—city gates; djivyan—the source of livelihood; cicchiduh—cut
down; urksan—trees; kecit—some; parasu-panayah—taking axes in
hand; pradahan—burned down; saranani—the dwellings; eke—other
demons; prajandm—of the citizens; jvalita—blazing; ulmukaih—with
firebrands.
TRANSLATION
Some of the demons took digging instruments and broke down
the bridges, the protective walls and the gates [gopuras] of the
cities. Some took axes and began cutting the important trees that
produced mango, jackfruit and other sources of food. Some of the
demons took firebrands and set fire to the residential quarters of
the citizens.
PURPORT
The cutting of trees is generally prohibited. In particular, trees that
produce nice fruit for the maintenance of human society should not be
cut. In different countries there are different types of fruit trees. In
India the mango and jackfruit trees are prominent, and in other places
there are mango trees, jackfruit trees, coconut trees and berry trees. Any
tree that produces nice fruit for the maintenance of the people should not
be cut at all. This is a S4stric injunction.
