PRAHLAD
The story of Prahlad is one of the most inspiring and powerful tales in Hindu mythology, especially in the Vaishnava tradition. It symbolises the triumph of devotion (bhakti) and righteousness over pride and evil, while also highlighting the omnipresence and protective grace of Lord Vishnu.
The Demon King Hiranyakashipu: The tale begins with the mighty Asura king, Hiranyakashipu, who was filled with anger and revenge. His younger brother, Hiranyaksh, had been slain by Vishnu in His Varaha (boar) avatar. Consumed by grief and fury, Hiranyakashipu performed severe penance to please Lord Brahma, seeking a boon that would make him virtually immortal.
His boon was carefully worded:
He could not be killed by man or beast,
Neither by day nor night,
Neither indoors nor outdoors,
Neither on land, water, nor in the air,
And not by any weapon.
Brahma granted this boon, and Hiranyakashipu, believing himself invincible, grew arrogant. He declared himself the supreme ruler and god, demanding that all his subjects worship him alone. Those who resisted were punished or killed.
Prahlad’s birth and devotion: While Hiranyakashipu was deep in penance, his wife Kayadhu was taken into the care of the sage Narad. During this time, Narad narrated stories of Lord Vishnu to her, and these divine teachings reached her unborn child. Thus, Prahlad, even before birth, was filled with unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu.
From childhood, Prahlad was extraordinary. He constantly chanted Vishnu’s name, meditated on Him, and spread His glory. This enraged his father, who could not tolerate his son worshipping his sworn enemy. Despite Hiranyakashipu’s threats and harsh punishments, Prahlad’s devotion remained firm and fearless.
The Trials of Prahlad
Blinded by anger, Hiranyakashipu tried in many ways to kill his son:
Prahlad was thrown from a cliff, but survived.
He was trampled by elephants, but remained unharmed.
Venomous snakes were set upon him, but their poison did not work.
He was given poisoned food, but it turned harmless.
Each time, Prahlad emerged safe under the divine protection of Vishnu.
One of the most famous trials involved Hiranyakashipu’s sister Holika, who had a boon that made her immune to fire. She sat on a burning pyre with Prahlad in her lap, hoping to burn him alive.
But Prahlad’s devotion saved him. Holika perished in the flames, while Prahlad came out unhurt. This incident is remembered in the festival of Holi, where bonfires symbolise the victory of good over evil.
The Arrival of Narasimha: At last, enraged by his son’s defiance, Hiranyakashipu confronted Prahlad.
“Where is your Vishnu now?” he thundered.
Calmly, Prahlad replied, “He is everywhere.”
Mocking him, Hiranyakashipu pointed to a pillar in his palace. “Is He in this pillar too?”
“Yes,” answered Prahlad with unshaken faith.
In furious disbelief, Hiranyakashipu struck the pillar with his mace. To everyone’s astonishment, the pillar cracked open and from it emerged Lord Vishnu in the form of Narasimha—a terrifying half-man, half-lion incarnation.
Narasimha seized Hiranyakashipu and fulfilled the conditions of the boon in a divine way:
He killed him at twilight (neither day nor night),
On the threshold of the palace (neither indoors nor outdoors),
Placed him on His lap (neither on earth, water, nor air),
And tore him apart with His claws (not a weapon, neither man nor beast).
Thus, Vishnu destroyed the tyrant without breaking Brahma’s boon, proving that divine justice always prevails.
The Aftermath: Narasimha’s anger was so fierce that even the gods trembled, but Prahlad, with his pure heart and humility, approached Him fearlessly. With folded hands, he sang praises of Vishnu, and it was only his devotion that calmed Narasimha’s fury.
Prahlad was then blessed and made king. He ruled the Asuras with wisdom, justice, and righteousness. His story became a shining example of unwavering faith, the power of devotion, and the ultimate victory of good over evil.
✨ Moral of the Story: True devotion and faith in God can protect us from even the greatest dangers. Pride and arrogance may seem powerful, but in the end, humility and righteousness always triumph.
