178 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 7, Ch. 4

crystal, and the columns of vaidirya stone. The wonderful
canopies were beautifully decorated, the seats were bedecked with
rubies, and the silk bedding, as white as foam, was decorated with
pearls. The ladies of the palace, who were blessed with beautiful
teeth and the most wonderfully beautiful faces, walked here and
there in the palace, their ankle bells tinkling melodiously, and saw
their own beautiful reflections in the gems. The demigods,
however, being very much oppressed, had to bow down and offer
obeisances at the feet of HiranyakaSipu, who chastised the
demigods very severely and for no reason. Thus Hiranyakasipu
lived in the palace and severely ruled everyone.

PURPORT

Hiranyakasipu was so powerful in the heavenly planets that all the
demigods except Lord Brahma, Lord Siva and Lord Visnu were forced to
engage in his service. Indeed, they were afraid of being severely
punished if they disobeyed him. Srila ViSvanatha Cakravarti has com-
pared Hiranyakasipu to Maharaja Vena, who was also atheistic and
scornful of the ritualistic ceremonies mentioned in the Vedas. Yet
Maharaja Vena was afraid of some of the great sages such as Bhrgu,
whereas Hiranyakasipu ruled in such a way that everyone feared him but
Lord Visnu, Lord Brahma and Lord Siva. Hiranyakagipu was so alert
against being burnt to ashes by the anger of great sages like Bhrgu that
by dint of austerity he surpassed their power and placed even them
under his subordination. It appears that even in the higher planetary
systems, to which people are promoted by pious activities, disturbances
are created by asuras like Hiranyakasipu. No one in the three worlds can
live in peace and prosperity without disturbance.

Frfreaatarre strat Teall 2 311
