CHAPTER THREE
Hiranyakasipu’s

Plan to Become Immortal
This chapter describes how Hiranyakasipu performed a severe type of
austerity for material benefit, thus causing great distress throughout the
universe. Even Lord Brahmi, the chief personality within this universe,
became somewhat disturbed and personally went to see why
Hiranyakasipu was engaged in such a severe austerity.

Hiranyakasipu wanted to become immortal. He wanted not to be con-
quered by anyone, not to be attacked by old age and disease, and not to be
harassed by any opponent. Thus he wanted to become the absolute ruler
of the entire universe. With this desire, he entered the valley of Mandara
Mountain and began practicing a severe type of austerity and meditation.
Seeing Hiranyakasipu engaged in this austerity, the demigods returned
to their respective homes, but while Hiranyakasipu was thus engaged, a
kind of fire began blazing from his head, disturbing the entire universe
and its inhabitants, including the birds, beasts and demigods. When all
the higher and lower planets became too hot to live on, the demigods,
being disturbed, left their abodes in the higher planets and went to see
Lord Brahma, praying to him that he curtail this unnecessary heat. The
demigods disclosed to Lord Brahma Hiranyakasipu’s ambition to become
immortal, overcoming his short duration of life, and to be the master of
all the planetary systems, even Dhruvaloka.

Upon hearing about the purpose of HiranyakaSipu’s austere medita-
tion, Lord Brahma, accompanied by the great sage Bhrgu and great per-
sonalities like Daksa, went to see Hiranyakasipu. He then sprinkled
water from his kamandalu, a type of waterpot, upon Hiranyakasipu’s
head.

Hiranyakasipu, the King of the Daityas, bowed down before Lord
Brahmi, the creator of this universe, offering respectful obeisances again
and again and offering prayers. When Lord Brahma agreed to give him
benedictions, he prayed not be killed by any living entity, not to be killed
in any place, covered or uncovered, not to die in the daytime or at night,

129
