"Famous Indian Mythology Story"

Prahlad and Hiranyakashap

Brahma, however, declined, saying "All living beings must face death Hiranyakashap. You can, however, choose your death wish." Hiranyakashap then asked for three conditions, as his death wish, "'O Brahma, grant that neither man, nor devil, nor god shall cause my death by day or night with steel or stone or wood, and in a place which is neither inside nor outside." Brahma agreed and Hiranyakashap got his death wishes granted. Thus he became practically immortal.

Hiranyakashap, 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. The gods approached Lord Vishnu for his help. Vishnu assured that He will take rebirth when the time comes.

Soon Hiranyakashap 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 a devotee of Vishnu. Hiranyakashap, however, wanted his son to be the king of the Asuras, strong and ruthless. One day Hiranyakashap lovingly asked his son, "Dear Son, what do you think is the best thing in life?"

Prahlad replied, "To renounce the world and seek refuge in Vishnu." Hiranyakashap was shocked to hear this. He could 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. To find this out, Hiranyakashap 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 cane and beat Prahlad mercilessly. Prahlad stayed quiet and completed his education.

After his graduation, Prahlad returned to his father. Hiranyakashap expected his son to behave like an Asura prince. So he loving asked, "What worthwhile occupation 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 the Universe."

Hiranyakashap raged in anger and ordered his subordinates to kill Prahlad.
He threw Prahlad down from a mountain; but he was not injured. He was given food containing poison and was forced to be bitten by snakes; but he was not affected.

Prahlad continued to pray to God Vishnu and chant His name fearlessly.

Hiranyakashap compelled Prahlad to stand in front of a mad elephant. Surprisingly the elephant lifted Prahlad carefully with its trunk and made him sit on it.
As a next step, Hiranyakashap decided to burn Prahlad alive with the help of his sister Holika who was a dare-devil. Holika sat on a pyre of wood with Prahlad in her lap.

The pyre of wood was lit, but   Holika was burnt to ashes while Prahlad continued to chant the name of Vishnu with a smile on his face.

At last, Hiranyakashap thought of a very nasty plan. He got a huge pillar of iron heated till it was red-hot. He asked Prahlad, ' Do you think your God Vishnu dwells   even in this red-hot iron pillar?' Prahlad said, " Yes Father, God Vishnu exists everywhere, even in this extremely hot pillar"."If that is so, embrace this pillar', said Hiranyakashap.

Prahlad looked at the burning hot pillar for a moment with his eyes wide open; and what did he see? He saw a number of ants marching in a line on the red-hot pillar.

 'God is great!' he shouted and embraced the pillar.When Hiranyakashap kicked the pillar with great force, to his utter surprise, he saw the pillar burst open and Lord Vishnu emerged as Nara-simha, half human and half lion. Hiranyakashap remembered his first death wish, "To be killed by some one who is neither human nor beast." It was also the twilight hour, neither day nor night, the second death wish. Nara-simha caught Hiranyakashap and carried to the threshold of the courtroom. The place was neither inside nor outside. This was Hiranyakashap’s third death wish. There Hiranyakashap was killed by the fourth incarnation of Vishnu, Nara-simha. Other three were fish, turtle and wild boar. After killing Hiranyakashap, Narasimha sat at his thrown and peace came back to the earth.

Vishnu in the form of Nar- Shima blessed Prahlad and asked him to reign in his place and perform the duties of a   ruler. Prahlad ruled wisely and well ever after.

The End