Varuṇa Deals with the Arrogant Hiraṇyākṣa and Surrenders to Lord Kṛṣṇa

This article presents a thematic survey of Varuṇa's interactions with an arrogant demon, a cunning king, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It organizes the verses found in the Vaniquotes category Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Verses Spoken by Varuṇa.

The recorded words of Varuṇa, the demigod presiding over the aquatic regions, span three distinct pastimes across the Third, Ninth, and Tenth Cantos of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In the Third Canto, the incredibly arrogant demon Hiraṇyākṣa dives into the ocean to challenge Varuṇa to a fight. Curbing his anger, Varuṇa brilliantly deflects the demon, pointing him directly toward Lord Viṣṇu. In the Ninth Canto, Varuṇa deals with King Hariścandra, who promises to sacrifice his son but continuously invents excuses to delay the offering, testing the demigod's patience as the boy grows. Finally, in the Tenth Canto, an ignorant servant of Varuṇa mistakenly arrests Kṛṣṇa's father, Nanda Mahārāja. When Lord Kṛṣṇa personally travels to the underwater abode to retrieve him, Varuṇa is overwhelmed with ecstasy. He offers beautiful prayers of absolute surrender, declares his life completely fulfilled, and humbly begs the Lord for forgiveness.

Deflecting the Arrogant Demon

In the Third Canto, the powerful demon Hiraṇyākṣa, intoxicated by his own physical strength, searches the universe for a worthy opponent. He plunges into the depths of the ocean and mockingly challenges Varuṇa to battle.

Directed to the Ancient Person

Though initially angered by the demon's boundless vanity, Varuṇa controls himself. Using his intelligence, he claims to be too old for combat and instead directs Hiraṇyākṣa to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu, prophesying the demon's imminent demise.

  • "Thus mocked by an enemy whose vanity knew no bounds, the worshipful lord of the waters waxed angry, but by dint of his reason he managed to curb the anger that had sprung up in him, and he replied: O dear one, we have now desisted from warfare, having grown too old for combat."
  • "You are so skilled in war that I do not see anyone else but the most ancient person, Lord Viṣṇu, who can give satisfaction in battle to you. Therefore, O chief of the asuras, approach Him, whom even heroes like you mention with praise."
  • "Varuṇa continued: On reaching Him you will be rid of your pride at once and will lie down on the field of battle, surrounded by dogs, for eternal sleep. It is in order to exterminate wicked fellows like you and to show His grace to the virtuous that He assumes His various incarnations like Varāha."

The Delayed Sacrifice of King Hariścandra

In the Ninth Canto, the childless King Hariścandra makes a desperate vow: he begs Varuṇa for a son, promising to offer the child back to the demigod in a sacrifice. Varuṇa grants the benediction, and the boy Rohita is born.

Waiting for Purity

However, the King cannot bear to sacrifice his newborn son. When Varuṇa repeatedly returns to claim his offering, Hariścandra employs a series of clever, stalling tactics based on ritualistic purity, delaying the sacrifice through every stage of the boy's childhood.

  • "O King Parīkṣit, Hariścandra begged Varuṇa, "My lord, if a son is born to me, with that son I shall perform a sacrifice for your satisfaction." When Hariścandra said this, Varuṇa replied, "Let it be so." Because of Varuṇa's benediction, Hariścandra begot a son named Rohita."
  • "Thereafter, when the child was born, Varuṇa approached Hariścandra and said, "Now you have a son. With this son you can offer me a sacrifice." In answer to this, Hariścandra said, "After ten days have passed since an animal's birth, the animal becomes fit to be sacrificed.""
  • "After ten days, Varuṇa came again and said to Hariścandra, "Now you can perform the sacrifice." Hariścandra replied, "When an animal grows teeth, then it becomes pure enough to be sacrificed.""
  • "When the teeth grew, Varuṇa came and said to Hariścandra, "Now the animal has grown teeth, and you can perform the sacrifice." Hariścandra replied, "When all its teeth have fallen out, then it will be fit for sacrifice.""
  • "When the teeth had fallen out, Varuṇa returned and said to Hariścandra, "Now the animal's teeth have fallen out, and you can perform the sacrifice." But Hariścandra replied, "When the animal's teeth grow in again, then he will be pure enough to be sacrificed.""
  • "When the teeth grew in again, Varuṇa came and said to Hariścandra, "Now you can perform the sacrifice." But Hariścandra then said, "O King, when the sacrificial animal becomes a kṣatriya and is able to shield himself to fight with the enemy, then he will be purified.""

Surrendering to the Supreme Lord

In the Tenth Canto, Nanda Mahārāja enters the Yamunā River to bathe at an inauspicious time. An ignorant servant of Varuṇa arrests him and brings him to the aquatic kingdom. To rescue His father, Lord Kṛṣṇa personally travels to Varuṇa's underwater abode.

The Ultimate Goal Achieved

Upon seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead in his own home, Varuṇa is overwhelmed with joy. He immediately offers his humble obeisances, apologizing for his foolish servant's mistake, and declares that his life has now achieved its ultimate perfection.

  • "Śrī Varuṇa said: Now my body has fulfilled its function. Indeed, now the goal of my life is achieved, O Lord. Those who accept Your lotus feet, O Personality of Godhead, can transcend the path of material existence."
  • "My obeisances unto You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Soul, within whom there is no trace of the illusory energy, which orchestrates the creation of this world."
  • "Your father, who is sitting here, was brought to me by a foolish, ignorant servant of mine who did not understand his proper duty. Therefore, please forgive us."
  • "O Kṛṣṇa, O seer of everything, please give Your mercy even to me. O Govinda, You are most affectionate to Your father. Please take him home."

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

This article is a thematic compilation of the teachings presented in the Vaniquotes category Bhagavatam Verses Spoken by Varuna. We invite you to visit the link to read the complete collection of verses presented in alphabetical order.

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