Bhagat Prahlad

Bhakt Prahlad – The Divine Devotee of Lord Vishnu

Bhakt Prahlad is one of the most inspiring and divine figures in Hinduism. His story, filled with devotion, faith, and divine grace, is mentioned in the Shrimad Bhagwat Purana. Despite being born in a demon family, Prahlad remained a pure-hearted devotee of Lord Vishnu. His unwavering faith in God, even in the face of extreme torture by his father, makes him an eternal symbol of devotion (bhakti). His life teaches us that true faith can overcome any obstacle, and God always protects His sincere devotees.

Birth and Childhood of Prahlad

Prahlad was born to Hiranyakashipu, a powerful demon king, and his wife, Kayadhu. Hiranyakashipu was the brother of Hiranyaksha, a demon who was killed by Lord Vishnu in His Varaha Avatar. After his brother’s death, Hiranyakashipu developed deep hatred towards Lord Vishnu and decided to take revenge. He performed severe penance to please Lord Brahma and received a boon that made him almost invincible. He could not be killed by any human or animal, neither during the day nor night, neither inside nor outside, neither on land nor in the sky, and neither by any weapon.

With this powerful boon, Hiranyakashipu became arrogant and declared himself as the supreme ruler of the universe. He demanded that everyone should worship only him and not any other gods, especially Vishnu. However, his own son, Prahlad, was completely devoted to Lord Vishnu.

Even before his birth, when Kayadhu was pregnant, she stayed in the ashram of Narad Muni. During this time, Narad Muni taught her about devotion to God. Prahlad, still in his mother’s womb, absorbed these teachings and became a great devotee of Vishnu from birth.

Prahlad’s Faith and Opposition from His Father

As Prahlad grew up, he was sent to a Gurukul (school) where his teachers, Shanda and Amarka, tried to instill in him the teachings of his father. They taught him that Hiranyakashipu was the supreme lord and that he should worship him. However, Prahlad rejected these teachings and instead glorified Lord Vishnu. He told his classmates that Vishnu was the real protector of the universe and that surrendering to Him would bring true happiness.

When Hiranyakashipu heard about Prahlad’s devotion to Vishnu, he became furious. He tried to convince his son to give up Vishnu worship and accept him as the supreme lord, but Prahlad refused. He said:

"O father, Lord Vishnu is the supreme protector of all. He resides in every being, in every corner of the universe. Surrendering to Him brings eternal peace."

This enraged Hiranyakashipu, and he decided to punish Prahlad. He ordered his soldiers to kill his son in various ways, but every attempt failed because Lord Vishnu protected Prahlad.

The Severe Tests and Lord Vishnu’s Protection

Hiranyakashipu tried several ways to kill Prahlad, but each time, Lord Vishnu saved His devotee:

1. Throwing him from a cliff: Soldiers pushed Prahlad off a high mountain, but he landed safely as Vishnu held him in His divine hands.

2. Trampling by elephants: Wild elephants were set upon Prahlad, but they refused to harm him.

3. Poisoning: Prahlad was given poison, but instead of harming him, it turned into nectar.

4. Drowning: He was thrown into the ocean, but Vishnu rescued him.

5. Fire Test (Holika Dahan): His aunt, Holika, who had a boon that fire could not burn her, sat with Prahlad in a blazing fire. However, by Vishnu’s grace, Holika burned, while Prahlad remained unharmed. This event is now celebrated as Holika Dahan before the festival of Holi.

Despite facing death multiple times, Prahlad never wavered in his devotion. He remained fearless, constantly chanting Vishnu’s name.

The Appearance of Lord Narasimha

Frustrated and enraged, Hiranyakashipu finally challenged Prahlad. He pointed at a pillar and asked:

"If your Vishnu is everywhere, is He also in this pillar?"

Prahlad confidently replied:

"Yes, father, He is in everything, in you, in me, and in this pillar too."

Hiranyakashipu, in his arrogance, struck the pillar with his mace. To his shock, the pillar cracked open, and Lord Vishnu appeared in His Narasimha Avatar—half-lion, half-man. This divine form was neither human nor animal, and it was neither day nor night, but twilight (sandhya kaal). Lord Narasimha grabbed Hiranyakashipu, took him to the threshold of the palace (neither inside nor outside), placed him on His lap (neither on land nor in the sky), and tore him apart with His nails (without using a weapon).

Thus, Vishnu fulfilled the conditions of Brahma’s boon and ended the tyrant's reign.

Prahlad’s Rule and His Later Life

After Hiranyakashipu’s death, the gods, including Brahma and Lakshmi, praised Lord Narasimha, but He remained in a fierce form, unwilling to calm down. The universe trembled in fear. Seeing this, Prahlad humbly bowed before the Lord and sang divine praises. His devotion melted Narasimha’s anger, and He gently placed His hand on Prahlad’s head, blessing him with wisdom and love.

Lord Narasimha then crowned Prahlad as the king of the demons, and under his rule, the kingdom became righteous and peaceful. He ruled with justice, love, and devotion, spreading the path of dharma (righteousness).

Teachings from Prahlad’s Life

1. Unwavering Faith in God: Even in the worst situations, Prahlad never lost faith in Vishnu.

2. Fearlessness: True devotion removes all fear. Prahlad faced death with a smile, knowing God was with him.

3. Equality of All Beings: He saw Vishnu in everything and everyone, teaching us to respect all life.

4. Power of Bhakti (Devotion): No power, not even a mighty king, can harm a true devotee. God always protects His followers.

5. Victory of Good over Evil: No matter how powerful evil appears, it is always destroyed when faced with divine grace.

Prahlad’s Later Life and Salvation

Prahlad continued ruling with devotion and righteousness. Eventually, he renounced his kingdom and spent the rest of his life meditating on Lord Vishnu. At the end of his mortal journey, he attained moksha (liberation) and merged with the divine.

Conclusion

Bhakt Prahlad’s story is one of the greatest examples of devotion, patience, and divine grace. His life reminds us that God is always with His true devotees, no matter how difficult the circumstances. His faith, love for Vishnu, and undying devotion make him an eternal figure in Hindu mythology.

Even today, the festival of Holika Dahan and the stories of Narasimha Jayanti are celebrated to honor the victory of Prahlad’s devotion and the divine grace of Lord Vishnu. His life continues to inspire millions to follow the path of truth, devotion, and righteousness.