Text 30] The Lord Slays the King of the Demons 149

TRANSLATION

As a snake captures a mouse or Garuda captures a very
venomous snake, Lord Nrsimhadeva captured Hiranyakasipu, who
could not be pierced even by the thunderbolt of King Indra. As
Hiranyakasipu moved his limbs here, there and all around, very
much afflicted at being captured, Lord Nrsirmhadeva placed the
demon on His lap, supporting him with His thighs, and in the
doorway of the assembly hall the Lord very easily tore the demon
to pieces with the nails of His hand.

PURPORT

Hiranyakasipu had received from Lord Brahma the benediction that
he would not die on the land or in the sky. Therefore, to keep the prom-
ise of Lord Brahma intact, Nrsitnhadeva placed Hiranyakasipu’s body on
His lap, which was neither land nor sky. Hiranyakasipu had received the
benediction that he would not die either during the day or at night.
Therefore, to keep this promise of Brahma, the Lord killed
Hiranyakasipu in the evening, which is the end of day and the beginning
of night but is neither day nor night. Hiranyakasipu had taken a
benediction from Lord Brahma that he would not die from any weapon
or be killed by any person, dead or alive. Therefore, just to keep the
word of Lord Brahma, Lord Nrsirnhadeva pierced Hiranyakasipu’s body
with His nails, which were not weapons and were neither living nor
dead. Indeed, the nails can be called dead, but at the same time they can
be said to be alive. To keep intact all of Lord Brahma’s benedictions,
Lord Nrsirnhadeva paradoxically but very easily killed the great demon
Hiranyakasipu.

TEXT 30
UAT ALTRI
arated fafserafiaan |
TT SAUPTO RMA
amare farecwat aft: Roll

sarnrambha-duspreksya-kardla-locano

vyattdnanantam vilihan sva-jihvaya
