None of the so called overpowered demons including his own elder brother Hiranyakashipu, who scared Indra and other Gods just by knitting eyebrows, can't come close to Hiranyaksha’s valor, strength and destructive abilities. Just like his next life Kumbhakarna, he also never depends upon any boons to accomplish tasks. Devas feared to even face him and ran away just by his mere sight. He lifted the whole Earth like a Basket Ball and drowned it into Garbodaka Samudra. And probably after that asura duo Madhu - Kaitabha, it's Hiranyaksha who gave a tough fight to Supreme Lord Vishnu. He fought with Lord Varaha (3rd Incarnation of Supreme Lord Vishnu) about 1000 years, made his mace fell down and also managed to exchange blows with him. And during his fight with Lord Varaha, everyone thought that the destruction of the universe is very near when Hiranyaksha invoked his Maya in the battle.
And the best part of the fight is :
- ततः सपत्न मुखतश कारन्तं अकु-भयम् पौराणिक गदा हनाव असुरं अक्षजः
- The Lord, who had appeared from the nostril of Brahmā, sprang and aimed His mace at the chin of His enemy, the Hiraṇyākṣa demon, who was stalking fearlessly before Him
SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM : CANTO - 3 : Text 2
- सा हता तेन गदाया विहता भागवत-कारत् विघूर्णितापतद् वल्कलम् अथ अद्भूतं इवभवत्
- Struck by the demon’s mace, however, the Lord’s mace slipped from His hand and looked splendid as it fell down whirling. This was miraculous, for the mace was blazing wonderfully.
SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM : CANTO - 3 : Text 3
- स तादा लब्ध-तीर्थो ’पि न बबाधे निरयुधां मानायन् स मृधे धर्मम् विष्वक्सेनं प्रकोपायन
- Even though the demon had an excellent opportunity to strike his unarmed foe without obstruction, he respected the law of single combat, thereby kindling the fury of the Supreme Lord.
SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM : CANTO - 3 : Text 4
- गदादयम् अपविद्धायं हाहा-करे विनिर्गते मनायं आस तद्-धर्मम् सुनाभं चस्मारद विभुः
- As the Lord’s mace fell to the ground and a cry of alarm arose from the witnessing crowd of gods and ṛṣis, the Personality of Godhead acknowledged the demon’s love of righteousness and therefore invoked His Sudarśana discus.
SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM : CANTO - 3 : Text 5
When Lord Varaha’s mace fell down due to the strike of Hiranyaksha’s mace, Hiranyaksha allowed Lord Varaha to pick up the mace instead of striking him with his mace despite having a chance to do so. And Lord Varaha also impressed with Hiranyaksha’s valor. Giving this type of fight with Lord Vishnu is not an easy task.
So Hiranyaksha is the most powerful, fearless and dreaded demon in the entire Sanatana Dharma.
OM NAMO NARAYANAYA NAMAH ||
JAI SHREE RAM ||
HARE KRISHNA ||
