Prahlad: Unwavering Faith
The power of devotion.

The tale of Prahlad is a story about unwavering faith, courage, and the power of true devotion.
The previous blog explained that from a tender age, Prahald was not attracted to the world. He glorified and worshipped Lord Narayan and disagreed with the sons of sage Sukuracharya, who were his teachers appointed by his father, Hiranyakashipu. In this blog, we will continue to narrate Prahlad's story.
King Indra kidnaps Prahlad's mother
While Hiranyakashipu performed penance to please Lord Brahma, Indra, believing him to be dead, declared war on his kingdom. The demons fought fiercely but ended up defeated and fled the battlefield.

Indra kidnapped Hiranyakashipu’s wife, Kayadhu, while he forcefully took her away. Sage Narad arrived on the scene and admonished Indra for taking another man’s wife. Indra explained that Kayadhu was pregnant with his enemy’s child. He revealed his plan to keep her hostage until she gave birth, then kill the child and set her free. Sage Narad persuaded Indra not to harm an innocent child and urged him to release Kayadhu.
Sage Narad Rescues Prahlad's mother

Sage Narad took Kayadhu to his hermitage and requested her to stay there until her husband returned. During her stay, he instructed her on devotion, and Prahlad, still in her womb, absorbed these teachings. This experience sowed the seeds of devotion within him, illustrating the profound impact of early spiritual influence. After his birth, he remembered Sage Narad's teachings and eagerly shared them with his classmates.
When the teachers heard about the teachings Prahlad was sharing, they grew alarmed. They reported the matter to the King, who decided to kill Prahlad himself this time.
The Clash of Wills
Hiranyakashipu summoned his son Prahlad, a storm brewing in his heart over the disobedience that had infuriated him. With a fierce glare, he demanded an explanation. But Prahlad, unfazed, stood his ground, his voice steady and filled with conviction.
"Father, you see me as a bad son, but I assure you, that’s far from the truth! I am here to guide you, and to help save you from your misguided desires. If only you would heed my words! The Lord is brimming with mercy, and I implore you to recognize that He holds a power far greater than your own. He is not your enemy; it’s your mind that’s leading you astray. Subdue that enemy, not my Lord Narayan!"
The air crackled with tension as Prahlad’s passionate plea echoed.
Hiranyakashipu was trembling with rage as he faced his son.
"How dare you presume to guide me on the righteous path? You, who should bow down and honour me as your guru and god! But enough of this meaningless chatter—Prahlad, you claim that your God is everywhere and more powerful than I am. So tell me, where is this God of yours? Show me the might that you speak of!"
The Ultimate Showdown
The tension in the hall was palpable as Prahlad's calm demeanour contrasted sharply with the fury of his father, Hiranyakashipu. The air was thick with anticipation as Prahlad met his father’s piercing gaze, unfazed by the looming threat.
“He is the Lord of the Lords - Narayan, my father, and He is everywhere,” Prahald declared, his voice steady and unwavering.
Hiranyakashipu, taken aback by his son’s conviction, erupted with fury.
“Everywhere?”
Hiranyakashipu bellowed, his red eyes scanning the hall with disdain. They settled on a massive pillar, a symbol of strength within the hall. An insidious smile curled at the corners of his lips as he pointed to it.

“Is your God inside this pillar?” he sneered, challenging Prahlad’s faith.
The Pillar falls
Prahlad bowed humbly before the pillar without hesitation, a gesture that spoke volumes.
“Yes,” he proclaimed with unshakeable faith.
Hiranyakashipu took a closer look at the pillar and could not find anything.
He said sharply, " I have had enough of you. Now I am going to kill you. Let your Lord Narayan that you speak of come and save you from death at my hands."

Hiranyakashipu jumped down from his throne, and in a fit of rage, smashed the pillar with his fist.
To be continued........
Hold onto your seats because we’re about to take a thrilling pause right here! This is just the beginning of the wild twists and turns ahead, but you'll have to wait for the next blog to experience the jaw-dropping excitement coming your way!
Summary
This story recounts a portion of the Prahlad story, highlighting Prahlad's unwavering devotion to Lord Narayan despite his father Hiranyakashipu's attempts to dissuade him. As the story unfolds Hiranyakashipu's rage mounts and he attempts to destroy Prahlad's faith. A pivotal moment occurs when Prahlad declares God's presence within a pillar, and Hiranyakashipu raises his fist to smash the pillar foreshadowing a future divine intervention. The story's structure emphasizes the conflict between good (Prahlad's devotion) and evil (Hiranyakashipu's tyranny), with Sage Narad's role in shaping Prahlad's faith adding another layer.
Let's Reflect
What part of the story resonates with you the most?
If you could ask Prahlad one question, what would it be?