“You still have to die”
Meanwhile Hiranyakashipu performed his austerities very rigidly. He had only one mission and that was to be the sole ruler of all planetary system, from the lower regions to the higher Lord Brahma’s planet.
The son of Kaspaya Munistood on his toes and raised his arms into the air. He turned his face towards the sky and continuously looked up. As he stood there for many years fire emanated from the hairs on his head. The fire was so hot that all the planets began to feel the heat. The oceans and rivers of the world began to rise. The islands and mountains in these oceans began to tremble. The fire that came out of the demon’s head caused all the demigods to flee from their respective homes and take shelter of Lord Brahma.
Pleading to Lord Brahma they exposed the demon’s evil plans.Just as a misguided servant desires to take the position of his master, Hiranyakasipu also desired to take over the position of Lord Brahma. When he is award that post, he will reserve the good and bad effects. The good will see the land of Hell and the bad will enjoy in the heavenly planets. Material enjoyment will be the new pious activities and restrictions placed on this type of enjoyment will be a sin. Lord Brahma was made aware of all plans of the son of Kasyapa Muni. The demigods pleaded to him to please see if he can intervene to stop Hiranyakasipu’s severe austerities.
Because Hiranyakasipu had performed meditation for such a long time, his body was eaten by worms, earthworms and ants. An anthill had covered his body. This made it difficult for Lord Brahma to see him. But he understood that Hiranyakasipu was powerful and had kept his soul within the bones of his body, which kept him alive. As Lord Brahma, seated on his swan carrier, came closer to the anthill, he noticed the light of the fire emanating. Hiranyakasipu looked like a sun covered by monsoon clouds.
Lord Brahma was very pleased with the penances of Hiranyakasipu. He appeared before the demon and was glad to award him some kind of benediction. Taking spiritualized water from his pot, Lord Brahma sprinkled the water on the skeleton of Hiranyakasipu. The touch of water rejuvenated the demon’s decomposed body transforming it into a well built youthful form. He was strong and he gave out an effulgent like melted gold.
When the father of Prahlada saw Lord Brahma, he humbly threw himself at his feet. In a meek voice to praised the first created being. Then he asked for his benedictions. First Hiranyakasipu asked that He will become immortal. But Lord Brahma informed the confused demon that even he has to die. When he understood that this plan was a failure, Hiranyakasipu tried to cheat Lord Brahma to become immortal.
He asked that he never be killed by any creature created by Lord Brahma.He asked Brahma to grant him that he will not die within any residence or outside any residence, during the daytime or at night, nor on the ground or in the sky. Hiranyakasipu desired that his death not be brought by any weapon because he knew that Lord Visnu carried the Sudhasana Chakra with which he could slay of his head. The brother of Hiranyaksha, experienced that Lord Visnu had taken the form of Boar to kill his brother, therefore he prayed that he is never killed by any animal.
The demon asked for a benediction that he would not die in the sky or on earth. This had an inner meaning where he would not be killed in the upper planetarysystems(sky) or the seven lower(earth). Thinking that condition has made him immortal, Hiranyakasipu asked Lord Brahma for the benediction whereby he will become superior and lord of all living entities and presding deities of all the lands.
After hearing to the demand of the demon Lord Brahma granted him but also indirectly told him that such benediction are very rare and often times those that receive such benedictions are never peacefully. In this way Lord Brahma indirectly told him that although he was going to give him these boons, still he will die.
After Hiranyakasipu received the benediction, He returned to his palace. His wife Kayadhu returned from the hermitage of Narada Muni. Then Her husband started making plans to rebuild his empire and take revenge on the demigods. His main aim was to kill Lord Visnu. His plan was to conquer the demigods and brahamana class. The Brahmanas are the mouth of Lord Visnu. Lord Visnu partake in the sacrificial offerings by the mantras recited by the Brahmanas. He also eats through the mouth of the Brahmanas. So Hiranyakasipu want stopped all the Brahmanas from doing any kind of sacrifice.
He then conquered the heavenly planet and drove lord Indra out. Everyone except Lord Visnu, Lord Siva and Lord Brahma came under the control of Hiranyakasipu. Everyone including the demigods became the servant of the great demon.
When it became unbearable to live, the demigods along with the Brahmanas, went to Lord Visnu for help. The Lord then told them that Hiranyakashipu will have a son that will be a great devotee of Krsna. The day will come when Hiranyakashipu will commit the mad elephant offense by trying to kill his Vaisnava son. At the time, He will come and end the terror of Hiranyakashipu.
