A little boy named Prahlad was born into the household of a demon king-Hiranyakashipu. While Prahlad was still in his mother Kayadu's womb, he had listened to the discourses from sage Narad. Needless to say, Prahlad was born a lover of the Lord.However, his father was apprehensive of Prahlad's devotion. He applied various means to deter him, and then to intimidate and at last to kill him. Initially he threatened, then he beat him up and finally when he saw nothing could stop Prahlad from taking Name of Lord Vishnu, Hiranyakashipu ordered his demons to throw Prahlad from the top of a mountain. Prahlad came back unhurt. He was saved by none other than Lord Vishnu himself.
Hiranyakashipu's sister Holika had once received a boon from Bramha. She was immune to fire. So, she tried to kill Prahlad by putting him on her lap and dousing herself in fire. But, the fire deity couldn't even touch the devotee of Lord Vishnu. Instead, Holika was burnt to ashes.
Hiranyakashipu was so enraged that he started strangulating Prahlad. "What Vishnu Vishnu you are chanting, where is your Vishnu?" shouted Hiranyakashipu. "If he is so mighty, why doesn't he come in front, why is he hiding?"
Prahlad calmly answered that Lord Vishnu is everywhere in this world. He is the omnipresent Lord and he resides within all.
Hiranyakashipu was all the more furious. In the fits of rage he started banging everything around him. He shouted "where is he, where is he?" Trembling with anger, he took a mace (gada) and hit a nearby concrete pillar. "Is Vishnu in this pillar?" shouted Hiranyakashipu.
Suddenly a big roar came from the pillar. Everything started to tremble. And from within the pillar appeared Lord Vishnu in the form of Narshimha-half man half lion. He came out of the pillar, pulled Hiranyakashipu to His lap and tore apart his stomach with His long sharp nails.
After killing Hiranyakashipu, Lord Narshimha lovingly took Prahlad on His lap and ordered him to rule the neither world.
Prahlad, thus, showed the world that age is no bar in practicing devotion. He famously said कौमारे आचरेत प्राज्ञोधर्मान् भागवतानिहू . Which means devotion to the Supreme Lord should be started from young age itself. Shree Kripaluji Maharaj also cites this example many times in his lectures.
Hiranyakashipu's sister Holika had once received a boon from Bramha. She was immune to fire. So, she tried to kill Prahlad by putting him on her lap and dousing herself in fire. But, the fire deity couldn't even touch the devotee of Lord Vishnu. Instead, Holika was burnt to ashes.
Hiranyakashipu was so enraged that he started strangulating Prahlad. "What Vishnu Vishnu you are chanting, where is your Vishnu?" shouted Hiranyakashipu. "If he is so mighty, why doesn't he come in front, why is he hiding?"
Prahlad calmly answered that Lord Vishnu is everywhere in this world. He is the omnipresent Lord and he resides within all.
Hiranyakashipu was all the more furious. In the fits of rage he started banging everything around him. He shouted "where is he, where is he?" Trembling with anger, he took a mace (gada) and hit a nearby concrete pillar. "Is Vishnu in this pillar?" shouted Hiranyakashipu.
Suddenly a big roar came from the pillar. Everything started to tremble. And from within the pillar appeared Lord Vishnu in the form of Narshimha-half man half lion. He came out of the pillar, pulled Hiranyakashipu to His lap and tore apart his stomach with His long sharp nails.
After killing Hiranyakashipu, Lord Narshimha lovingly took Prahlad on His lap and ordered him to rule the neither world.
Prahlad, thus, showed the world that age is no bar in practicing devotion. He famously said कौमारे आचरेत प्राज्ञोधर्मान् भागवतानिहू . Which means devotion to the Supreme Lord should be started from young age itself. Shree Kripaluji Maharaj also cites this example many times in his lectures.
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