FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.2.13

इति ते भर्तृनिर्देशमादाय शिरसाद‍ृता: । तथा प्रजानां कदनं विदधु: कदनप्रिया: ॥ १३ ॥
iti te bhartṛ-nirdeśam
[iti te bhartri-nirdesham]
ādāya śirasādṛtāḥ
[aadaaya shirasaadritaah]
tathā prajānāṁ kadanaṁ
[tathaa prajaanaam kadanam]
vidadhuḥ kadana-priyāḥ
[vidadhuh kadana-priyaah]
Word-for-word
iti — thus te — they bhartṛ — of the master nirdeśam — the direction ādāya — receiving śirasā — with their heads ādṛtāḥ — respecting tathā — so also prajānām — of all the citizens kadanam — persecution vidadhuḥ — executed kadana-priyāḥ — who are expert in persecuting others.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
iti te bhartṛ-nirdeśam
iti
thus
te
they
bhartṛ
of the master
nirdeśam
the direction
ādāya śirasādṛtāḥ
ādāya
receiving
śirasā
with their heads
ādṛtāḥ
respecting
tathā prajānāṁ kadanaṁ
tathā
so also
prajānām
of all the citizens
kadanam
persecution
vidadhuḥ kadana-priyāḥ
vidadhuḥ
executed
kadana-priyāḥ
who are expert in persecuting others.
Thus the demons, being fond of disastrous activities, took Hiraṇyakaśipu’s instructions on their heads with great respect and offered him obeisances. According to his directions, they engaged in envious activities directed against all living beings.
Purport

The followers of demoniac principles, as described here, are thoroughly envious of the general populace. In the present day, scientific advancement exemplifies such envy. The discovery of nuclear energy has been disastrous to people in general because demons all over the world are manufacturing nuclear weapons. The word kadana-priyāḥ is very significant in this regard. The demoniac persons who want to kill the Vedic culture are extremely envious of the feeble citizens, and they act in such a way that ultimately their discoveries will be inauspicious for everyone ( jagato ’hitāḥ ). The Sixteenth Chapter of Bhagavad-gītā fully explains how the demons engage in sinful activities for the destruction of the populace.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Thus the demons, being fond of evil, took Hiraṇyakaśipu's instructions on their heads with great respect and began persecuting the citizens. Kadanam means difficulties.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
The demons receive Hiraṇyakaśipu's orders with reverence and go forth envious of all beings. Modern parallels include weapons of mass destruction — discoveries celebrated as progress that ultimately harm everyone. Watch which 'advances' are really envy in disguise.
Reflection Questions
  • Which celebrated innovation in your field is quietly born of envy or fear?
  • What would 'progress' that benefits all beings actually look like in your work?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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