PRAHLADA AND NARSIMHA INCARNATION :

Jai Shree Krishna

VISHNU PURANA
continues.......................................................................................................................

CHAPTER ELEVEN TALE OF PRAHLADA AND
NARSIMHA INCARNATION :

Parashar says- By the boon of Brahma, Hiranyakashipu had acquired tremendous power and
came to control all the three worlds. He had driven the gods out of heaven and used to receive
the oblations offered to Surya, Vayu, Agni, Varuna, Chandrama, Kubera, Yamaraj etc. Because
of his fear, all those gods roamed on earth.
All the creatures began to worship Hiranyakashipu. Beautiful and amorous elves danced in his
palace while Gandharvas accompanied them on instruments. Prahlada was the youngest son of
Hiranyakashipu. Like other children, he too was sent to Gurukula to be educated. One day, his
teachers took Prahlada to Hiranyakashipu who was engaged in drinking of wine at that moment.
Lovingly he took his son into his lap and asked- "O son, tell me, what you have learnt so far in
the auspices of your teachers?"
Prahlada said- "O father! I salute to that Sri Hari who has no beginning, no end and no mid-part,
who doesn't take birth and who is free from growth and decay." Hearing this, Hiranyakashipu
looked at the teachers with bloodshot eyes and shouted at them- "O wretched Brahmins! In sheer
violation of my orders, you have taught my son to praise my enemy." The teachers tried to
express their apology saying that what Prahlada was saying was not taught by them.
Hiranyakashipu asked then Prahlada who had taught him like that. Prahlada said- "O father! Lord
Vishnu who resides in the heart of us all is the supreme creature. Who can teach anybody
anything apart from Him?" Hiranyakashipu said- "O fool! Who is that Vishnu about whom you
are describing before me, the Lord of entire world?" Prahlada replied- "Lord Vishnu is he who is
contemplated about by the Yogis. He is the originator of the entire universe. His virtues cannot
be described in words. That Parmeshwar is Vishnu."
Hiranyakashipu said- "Fool! Who can be Parmeshwar other than me? Do you want to die that
you are babbling like that?" Prahlada said- "O father! Your anger is baseless. Lord Vishnu is the
creator of all of us including you and me. He controls our breaths."
Infuriated Hiranyakashipu then ordered the teachers to take Prahlada away at once and wash his
brain thoroughly. The teachers took Prahlada with them to their Gurukula. Prahlada began to
concentrate in his studies. After many months, Hiranyakashipu once again called Prahlada to his
palace and asked about his learning. Once again, Prahlada began to praise Lord Vishnu. This
time, Hiranyakashipu ordered his assassination. He began to see his son as a threat to his throne.
By the orders of Hiranyakashipu, many formidable demons attacked Prahlada with their weapons
but Prahlada stood unfazed. He said- "O fools! Lord Vishnu is present in you, in me and even in
your weapons. May your weapons have no effect on me." Indeed, the weapons of the demons
could not even touch Prahlada. Hiranyakashipu said- "I can still pardon your life provided that
you stop praising my opponent." Prahlada said- "O father! I fear nothing. By the God's grace, I
am free from the fear of birth and death." Hiranyakashipu then got Prahlada thrown amidst
venomous snakes. But, biting by the snakes had no effect on Prahlada because his mind was
contemplating in Lord Vishnu.Hiranyakashipu then got Prahlada trampled by big bull elephants. But even elephants could not
harm Prahlada. Instead their tusks were broken as soon as they touched Prahlada. Even then
Prahlada tried to pacify his father that it was Lord's strength that protected him every time.
Prahlada's teachers who were the sons of Shukracharya then assured Hiranyakashipu that
Prahlada was having a fickle mind because of his tender age. They also assured the demon king
of transforming Prahlada and took him to their hermitage once again.
Prahlada's Preaching-- But in the hermitage, Prahlada assembled other demon children and said-
" Friends, listen to my preaching carefully and don't take it for granted because I have no
personal interest in it. Every living being takes birth and suffers a lot while passing his life
through childhood, youth and old age. The end result of life is nothing but death. It is one's
Karma that accompany him birth after birth. But in every birth, this soul mistakes hunger, thirst,
cold or hot for the pleasures. More of the luxuries one collects, more the sorrow increases.
Attachment and passion are the greatest cause of sorrow. Even after passing a life that is full of
sorrow, one suffers the agony of death and rebirth again. This whole cycle continues again and
again. Lord Vishnu is the ultimate refuge for the soul, which feels drowned in the ocean of
sorrow."
Don't be confused with my young age. I am a boy like you. But the soul that stays within me is
eternal. The soul has no distinct stages in life. But a human being is inflicted with lot of
misconceptions. In the childhood, he prefers to play than contemplating on God. In the youth,
lust and carnal pleasures attract the mind. Still a human being doesn't get serious about his
benefit. He keeps on postponing his spiritual matters for his old age. But in old age, a human
being has no option but to see his trembling fingers and repent about his past. Thus a human
being spoils his whole life. A wise person hence must ignore the different stages of his body's
stay on earth and make efforts for his benefit right in his childhood.
What I have told you is unchangeable fact. Start reciting Lord Vishnu's name for my pleasure
atleast. His remembrance is enough to destroy all the sins. May your mind always contemplate
on Him day and night. Thus all your miseries shall come to an end.
.................................................................................................................................to be continued

JAI SHREE KRISHNA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!