Prahlad - The Story of Prahlada | Story Prahlada

The Story of Prahlada

Prahlada

Hinduism


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Prahlada was born to Hiranyakashipu and Kayadu, an evil king who had been granted a boon that he could not be killed by man or animal, day or night, inside or outside. Despite several warnings from his father Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada continues to worship Vishnu instead of him. His father then decided to commit filicide and poison him, but he survived. Then he trampled the boy with elephants, but he lived. Then he put him in a room with venomous snakes, and they made a bed for him with their bodies.

Holika, the sister of Hiranyakashipu, was blessed in that she could not be hurt by fire. Hiranyakashipu finally puts Prahlada on the lap of Holika as she sits on a pyre. Prahlad prays to Vishnu to keep him safe. Holika burns to death as Prahlada is unscathed. This event is celebrated as the Hindu festival of Holi.

After tolerating abuse from Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada is eventually saved by Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion avatar, who kills the king at the entrance to his home at dusk.

There is a pillar know as Prahlad khamba in Dharahra village, in Purnea District of Bihar,India.It is said to be the pillar from which Narasimha came out and killed Hiranyakashipu. The pillar is held deep inside the ground and it is said the many people has tried to dug it out or to move it but has failed all the time. A big temple of Lord Narasimha exists beside the pillar.There is also a temple in Maharashtra near banks of river "krishna" in Sangli district.It is underground temple and one has to literally crawl down to reach the inside to witness the beautiful stone carved sculpture of "Narasimha and Laxmi"

The story of Prahlada teaches that:

Faith in God is paramount.
God will always prevail.
God saves his devotees.
Devotion can be practiced at any time. Age does not matter.
Evil will be punished.

Prahlada eventually becomes king of the Daityas and attains a place in the abode of Vishnu (Vaikuntha) after his death.

Famous quotes containing the word story:

“A story of particular facts is a mirror which obscures and distorts that which should be beautiful; poetry is a mirror which makes beautiful that which it distorts.”
—Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822)

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