Long ago, in an age of ancient kings and sages, there livedLong ago, in an age of ancient kings and sages, there lived two powerful brothers named Hiranyaksha andtwo powerful brothers named Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. They were mighty beings who desiredHiranyakashipu. They were mighty beings who desired great power. Their story would eventually lead to thegreat power. Their story would eventually lead to the appearance of Lord Narasimha.appearance of Lord Narasimha. Long ago, in an age of ancient kings and sages, there lived two powerful brothers named Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. They were mighty beings who desired great power. Their story would eventually lead to the appearance of Lord Narasimha.
Hiranyaksha became extremely powerful and troubledHiranyaksha became extremely powerful and troubled the worlds. Lord Vishnu appeared as Varaha, the divinethe worlds. Lord Vishnu appeared as Varaha, the divine boar, and defeated him, restoring peace.boar, and defeated him, restoring peace. Hiranyakashipu became furious when he learned thatHiranyakashipu became furious when he learned that Vishnu had defeated his brother.Vishnu had defeated his brother. Hiranyaksha became extremely powerful and troubled the worlds. Lord Vishnu appeared as Varaha, the divine boar, and defeated him, restoring peace. Hiranyakashipu became furious when he learned that Vishnu had defeated his brother.
Determined to become nearly impossible to defeat,Determined to become nearly impossible to defeat, Hiranyakashipu went into the forest and performed anHiranyakashipu went into the forest and performed an extraordinary penance. He stood in meditation for aextraordinary penance. He stood in meditation for a very long time, seeking a powerful boon from Lordvery long time, seeking a powerful boon from Lord Brahma.Brahma. Determined to become nearly impossible to defeat, Hiranyakashipu went into the forest and performed an extraordinary penance. He stood in meditation for a very long time, seeking a powerful boon from Lord Brahma.
Pleased with his penance, Lord Brahma appearedPleased with his penance, Lord Brahma appeared before Hiranyakashipu.before Hiranyakashipu. The king asked for protection from death in manyThe king asked for protection from death in many ways. He wanted to avoid being killed by gods,ways. He wanted to avoid being killed by gods, humans, animals, indoors, outdoors, during day orhumans, animals, indoors, outdoors, during day or night, and in other circumstances.night, and in other circumstances. Pleased with his penance, Lord Brahma appeared before Hiranyakashipu. The king asked for protection from death in many ways. He wanted to avoid being killed by gods, humans, animals, indoors, outdoors, during day or night, and in other circumstances.
After receiving his boon, Hiranyakashipu returned toAfter receiving his boon, Hiranyakashipu returned to his kingdom. He became extremely proud of hishis kingdom. He became extremely proud of his power.power. He ordered everyone to honor him and began toHe ordered everyone to honor him and began to believe that he was greater than all others.believe that he was greater than all others. After receiving his boon, Hiranyakashipu returned to his kingdom. He became extremely proud of his power. He ordered everyone to honor him and began to believe that he was greater than all others.
Hiranyakashipu had a son named Prahlada. From hisHiranyakashipu had a son named Prahlada. From his earliest days, Prahlada was gentle, kind, and deeplyearliest days, Prahlada was gentle, kind, and deeply devoted to Lord Vishnu.devoted to Lord Vishnu. Even though he was born into a powerful royalEven though he was born into a powerful royal family, his heart was filled with humility.family, his heart was filled with humility. Hiranyakashipu had a son named Prahlada. From his earliest days, Prahlada was gentle, kind, and deeply devoted to Lord Vishnu. Even though he was born into a powerful royal family, his heart was filled with humility.
Prahlada grew into a gentle young boy. He constantlyPrahlada grew into a gentle young boy. He constantly remembered Lord Vishnu and lovingly chanted Hisremembered Lord Vishnu and lovingly chanted His name.name. His teachers tried to teach him about royal power andHis teachers tried to teach him about royal power and politics, but Prahlada spoke instead about devotion,politics, but Prahlada spoke instead about devotion, kindness, and remembering God.kindness, and remembering God. Prahlada grew into a gentle young boy. He constantly remembered Lord Vishnu and lovingly chanted His name. His teachers tried to teach him about royal power and politics, but Prahlada spoke instead about devotion, kindness, and remembering God.
One day, Hiranyakashipu lovingly called Prahlada to hisOne day, Hiranyakashipu lovingly called Prahlada to his throne.throne. He asked, “My son, what is the greatest thing you haveHe asked, “My son, what is the greatest thing you have learned?”learned?” Prahlada answered peacefully that remembering andPrahlada answered peacefully that remembering and serving Lord Vishnu was the greatest treasure.serving Lord Vishnu was the greatest treasure. One day, Hiranyakashipu lovingly called Prahlada to his throne. He asked, “My son, what is the greatest thing you have learned?” Prahlada answered peacefully that remembering and serving Lord Vishnu was the greatest treasure.
Hearing Vishnu's name made HiranyakashipuHearing Vishnu's name made Hiranyakashipu furious. He could not understand how his ownfurious. He could not understand how his own son could worship the one he considered hisson could worship the one he considered his enemy.enemy. But Prahlada remained calm.But Prahlada remained calm. Hearing Vishnu's name made Hiranyakashipu furious. He could not understand how his own son could worship the one he considered his enemy. But Prahlada remained calm.
The king sent Prahlada back to his teachers andThe king sent Prahlada back to his teachers and ordered them to teach him only the king's ideas.ordered them to teach him only the king's ideas. Yet Prahlada continued teaching his friendsYet Prahlada continued teaching his friends about kindness, devotion, and the importance ofabout kindness, devotion, and the importance of remembering Lord Vishnu.remembering Lord Vishnu. The king sent Prahlada back to his teachers and ordered them to teach him only the king's ideas. Yet Prahlada continued teaching his friends about kindness, devotion, and the importance of remembering Lord Vishnu.
Hiranyakashipu became more determinedHiranyakashipu became more determined to stop Prahlada.to stop Prahlada. According to the traditional story, manyAccording to the traditional story, many dangerous trials were arranged for thedangerous trials were arranged for the young prince. Yet Prahlada remainedyoung prince. Yet Prahlada remained fearless and continued remembering Lordfearless and continued remembering Lord Vishnu.Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu became more determined to stop Prahlada. According to the traditional story, many dangerous trials were arranged for the young prince. Yet Prahlada remained fearless and continued remembering Lord Vishnu.
Prahlada did not respond with anger or hatred.Prahlada did not respond with anger or hatred. He simply prayed:He simply prayed: “Lord Vishnu is always with me. He is everywhere.”“Lord Vishnu is always with me. He is everywhere.” His faith became stronger whenever he facedHis faith became stronger whenever he faced difficulties.difficulties. Prahlada did not respond with anger or hatred. He simply prayed: “Lord Vishnu is always with me. He is everywhere.” His faith became stronger whenever he faced difficulties.
At last, Hiranyakashipu could no longerAt last, Hiranyakashipu could no longer control his anger.control his anger. He called Prahlada before him andHe called Prahlada before him and asked, “Where is your Vishnu?”asked, “Where is your Vishnu?” Prahlada calmly replied, “He isPrahlada calmly replied, “He is everywhere.”everywhere.” At last, Hiranyakashipu could no longer control his anger. He called Prahlada before him and asked, “Where is your Vishnu?” Prahlada calmly replied, “He is everywhere.”
Hiranyakashipu pointed toward a massive pillar.Hiranyakashipu pointed toward a massive pillar. “Is your Lord in this pillar too?” he demanded.“Is your Lord in this pillar too?” he demanded. Prahlada answered, “Yes. He is there too.”Prahlada answered, “Yes. He is there too.” Hiranyakashipu pointed toward a massive pillar. “Is your Lord in this pillar too?” he demanded. Prahlada answered, “Yes. He is there too.”
Suddenly, the pillar shook!Suddenly, the pillar shook! A tremendous sound filled the palace. The stone began toA tremendous sound filled the palace. The stone began to crack, and a brilliant divine light burst forth.crack, and a brilliant divine light burst forth. Everyone stood amazed.Everyone stood amazed. Suddenly, the pillar shook! A tremendous sound filled the palace. The stone began to crack, and a brilliant divine light burst forth. Everyone stood amazed.
From the pillar emerged Lord Narasimha, theFrom the pillar emerged Lord Narasimha, the extraordinary form of Lord Vishnu—part humanextraordinary form of Lord Vishnu—part human and part lion.and part lion. His majestic form showed that the Divine cannotHis majestic form showed that the Divine cannot be limited by ordinary ideas.be limited by ordinary ideas. From the pillar emerged Lord Narasimha, the extraordinary form of Lord Vishnu—part human and part lion. His majestic form showed that the Divine cannot be limited by ordinary ideas.
