Prahlada's Faith

The Tale of Prahlada and Narasimha

Prahlada was a devout devotee of Vishnu, the preserver God, but his father, Hiranyakashipu, was a powerful demon king who hated Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu demanded that everyone worship him instead of Vishnu.

Prahlada refused to obey his father and continued to worship Vishnu openly. Enraged by his son's defiance, Hiranyakashipu subjected Prahlada to various tortures and attempts to kill him, but each time, Vishnu protected Prahlada.

Finally, Hiranyakashipu challenged Prahlada, asking if Vishnu was present everywhere. Prahlada affirmed that Vishnu was indeed omnipresent, even in a pillar of the palace. In his arrogance, Hiranyakashipu struck the pillar with his mace.

From the broken pillar emerged Narasimha, a fierce avatar of Vishnu, with the head of a lion and the body of a man. Narasimha seized Hiranyakashipu and, keeping in mind the boon that Hiranyakashipu could not be killed by man or beast, inside or outside, during the day or night, on earth or in the sky, Narasimha killed him at twilight, on his lap, at the threshold of the palace.

Prahlada was then crowned as the king. This story illustrates the triumph of devotion and faith over evil and tyranny, showcasing Vishnu's protective power.