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PRAHLAD

The mythological story of Prahlad, is described in Vishnu Puran as the fourthincarnation of Vishnu, Nara-simhavatar.

Prahlad was the son of the Asura king Hiranyakashipu. The Asuras were super-humans who lived in the underworld, unrighteous in act and were hostile to gods.

Hiranyakashipu wanted to be the undisputed ruler of the three worlds - the heaven,

the earth and the underworld. He performed severe penance to seek blessing of

Brahma for immortality.

Brahma, however, declined, saying "All living beings must face death

Hiranyakashipul. You can, however, choose your death wish." Hiranyakashiputhen asked for three conditions, as his death wish, "He be killed by someone who is

neither human nor a beast, in a time which is neither during the day nor during thenight, and in a place which is neither inside nor outside." Brahma agreed and

Hiranyakashipu got his death wishes granted. Thus he became practically

immortal.

Hiranyakashipu, with his new powers, attacked heaven and subdued all the gods.He then declared himself to be the king of all the three worlds. He soon ordered all

people to worship him and no one else. His hostilities knew no bounds. The gods

approached Lord Vishnu for His help. Vishnu assured that He will take rebirth

when the time comes.

Soon Hiranyakashipu got a son. He was named Prahlad. Prahlad grew up to be a

lovely boy. His father was unaware of the fact that Prahlad was an ardent devotee

of Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu, however, wanted his son to be the king of the Asuras,strong and ruthless. One day Hiranyakashipu lovingly asked his son, "Dear Son,

what do you think is the best thing in life?" Prahlad replied, "To renounce theworld and seek refuge in Vishnu." Hiranyakashipu was shocked to hear this. Hecould not tolerate the idea that his son loves the sworn enemy of the Asuras, Lord

Vishnu. He felt that someone deliberately trying to brainwash his son, undermininghis future dreams. To find this out, Hiranyakashipu sent Prahlad to his teacher.

The teacher lovingly asked Prahlad, "Who has taught you about Vishnu?" Prahlad

calmly replied, "Vishnu himself." The teacher was furious. He called for his caneand beat Prahlad mercilessly. Prahlad stayed quiet and completed his education. He

quietly shared his feelings with his friends without the knowledge of his teacher.

His serene behavior and thoughts of divine happiness appealed the young students.

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They believed that Vishnu is all prevailing, caring and the true preserver of the

universe.

After his graduation, Prahlad returned to his father. Hiranyakashipu expected his

son to behave like an Asura prince. So he loving asked, "What worthwhileoccupation did you learn from the teacher?"

Prahlad unhesitatingly said, "Father, the only worthwhile occupation that I learnt is

to dedicate my life in the work of Vishnu, the Lord of Preservation."

Hiranyakashipu shouted, "You wicked teacher, you taught my son to worship my

worst enemy, Vishnu!" The teacher repeatedly tried to assure that he did not teachsuch a thing.

Prahlad tried to convince his father"Father, my friends in the school believedme when I said Lord Vishnu revealsHimself to all who devoted to Him. You

should also do the same and humblyaccept Vishnu as the Lord of theUniverse."

Hiranyakashipu raged in anger and orderedhis subordinates to kill Prahlad. They tried

different means but Prahlad stayed in deepmeditation of Vishnu and nothing hurthim.

Hiranyakashipu became thoughtful. "This boy is immortal and fears nothing. Will

he be the cause of my death?" He shouted in anger, "You wicked wretch! Are you

trying to destroy me and my race! The rulers of the three worlds quake before me.What is the source of your power?"

"Oh father" replied Prahlad, "It is Vishnu. He is the source of our power. He is

present everywhere and protects all who believed in Him."

Impatient Hiranyakashipu could not bear any longer. He pulled out his sword andchallenged Prahlad, "I will see how Vishnu can protect you." Hiranyakashipu

pointed towards the pillar outside the hall and shouted, "Is He present in this

pillar?"

"Yes father" was the calm reply from little Prahlad. Hiranyakashipu outrageously

ran towards the pillar shouting, "I will first kick the pillar to prove that you arewrong and then I will kill you."

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When Hiranyakashipu kicked the pillar with

great force, to his utter surprise, he saw the

pillar burst open and Lord Vishnu emergedas Nara-simha, half human and half lion.

Hiranyakashipu remembered his first deathwish, "To be killed by some one who isneither human nor beast." It was also the

twilight hour, neither day nor night, thesecond death wish. Nara-simha caught

Hiranyakashipu and carried to the threshold

of the courtroom. The place was neitherinside nor outside. This was Hiranyakashipus third death wish. There

Hiranyakashipu was killed by the fourth incarnation of Vishnu, Nara-simha. Other

three were fish, turtle and wild boar. After killing Hiranyakashipu, Narasimha sat

at his thrown and peace came back to the earth.

All the gods came to pay homage to the incarnation of Vishnu and asked Prahlad,who was not the least afraid of the horrible beast, to pacify him so that He comes

back to his normal peaceful form. Narsimha was touched by Prahlads devotion.He came back to his normal form and asked Prahlad to ask for any boon. Prahlad

humbly said, "Let my father be purified of all his sins." Vishnu blessed Prahlad andasked him to reign in his place and perform the duties of a just ruler. Prahlad ruledwisely and well ever after.