Prahlada
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An asura (see Asuras) devotee of Viṣṇu (see Viṣṇu), who would become lord of the Underworld (see Underworld) after Viṣṇu in the form of Narasiṃha (see Narasiṃha, see Avatars of Viṣṇu), the man-lion, killed his father, the wicked asura king Hiranṇyakaśipu (Hiraṇya), brother of another demon, Hiraṇyāksa.
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Prahlada
Prahlada or Prahalad is a saintly character from the Puranic texts of Hinduism, wherein he is famed for his exclusive devotion (bhakti) to Vishnu, despite attempts in the story by his father, Hiranyakashipu, to turn him to the contrary.[1] He is considered to be a mahājana, or great devotee, by followers of Vaishnava traditions and is of special importance to devotees of the avatār Narasimha (the Man-Lion). A philosophical treatise is accredited to him in the Bhagavata Purana wherein Prahlada describes the process of loving worship to his lord, Vishnu. The majority of stories in the Puranas are based around the activities of Prahlada as a young boy, and thus he is more commonly depicted as such in paintings and illustrations.
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The story of Prahlada
Main article: The Story of Narasimha
Prahlada was born to Hiranyakashipu and Kayadu. Despite several warnings from his father Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada continues to worship Vishnu. His father tries to poison him, get him trampled by the elephants, and put him in a room with venomous snakes, but Prahlada survives each and every time.
Holika, the sister of Hiranyakashipu, was specially blessed that she would not be hurt by fire in any way. One day, Hiranyakashipu orders Prahlada to sit on a pyre on the lap of Holika. Prahlad prays to Lord Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire starts, Holika burns to death, while Prahlada remains unharmed. This incident is celebrated as the Hindu festival of Holi.[2]
After tolerating much abuse from his father Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada is eventually saved by Vishnu in the form of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion avatar.[3]
The story of Prahlada gives a number of moral instructions such as:
- God prevails everywhere.
- God will always save his devotees.
- Devotion can be practised at any point of time. Age does not matter.
- Constant faith in God leads to devotion.
- The people who are practising evil will be punished.
Within the Bhagavata Purana, Prahlada eventually becomes king of the Daityas and attains a place in the abode of Vishnu (Vaikuntha) after his death.[4]
Raghavendra Swami in the 17th century is considered by his devotees to be a reincarnation of Prahlada.
Scriptural references
In the Bhagavad Gita (10.30) Krishna makes the following statement in regard to Prahlada, showing his favour towards him:
Translation: "Among the Daitya demons I am the devoted Prahlada, among subduers I am time, among beasts I am the lion, and among birds I am Garuda."[5]
Prahlad in Sikhism
Prahlada is regarded as one of the devotees of God in Satyuga . Sikhism also believes Prahlada was a devotee of Paramatma (Supreme God) or Waheguru.
Scriptural references
Prahlada is mentioned 27 times in Guru Granth Sahib. As in Hinduism, Guru Granth Sahib also mentions that Prahlada's father Harnakash wanted to kill him , but Lord appeared in form of man-lion (Narasimha) to save Prahlada .
Prahlaad was placed in a cell, and the door was locked. The fearless child was not afraid at all. He said, "Within my being, is the Guru, the Lord of the World. The created being tried to compete with his Creator, but he assumed this name in vain. That which was predestined for him has come to pass; he started an argument with the Lord's humble servant. ||7|| The father raised the club to strike down Prahlaad, saying, Where is your God, the Lord of the Universe, now? He replied, "The Life of the World, the Great Giver, is my Help and Support in the end. Wherever I look, I see Him permeating and prevailing."||8|| Tearing down the pillars, the Lord Himself appeared. The egotistical demon was killed and destroyed. The minds of the devotees were filled with bliss, and congratulations poured in. He blessed His servant with glorious greatness. ||9|| (Guru Granth Sahib , page no: 1154) [6]
Pilgrimage sites
The following sites in Andhra Pradesh, India, are associated with Prahlada, or Narasimhadeva as places of pilgrimage:
See also
References
- ^ "THE STORY OF PRAHLADA". http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_4/lectures_and_discourses/the_story_of_prahlada.htm.
- ^ Varadaraja V. Raman - Variety in Religion And Science: Daily Reflections, iUniverse, 2005, ISBN 0-595-35840-3, p.259
- ^ Dimmitt, Cornelia; Johannes Adrianus Bernardus Buitenen (1978). Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the Sanskrit Purāṇas. translated by J. A. Van Buitenen. Temple University Press. p. 312. ISBN 0-87722-122-7.
- ^ P. 452 The Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism By Benjamin Walker Summary
- ^ B-Gita 10.30
- ^ http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=Page&Param=1154&punjabi=t&id=49563#l49563
Further reading
- Cole, W. Owen; Judith Evans-Lowndes, Judith Lowndes (1995). The Story of Prahlad. Heinemann Educational. ISBN 0-431-07756-8.
External links
- Bhagavata Purana Canto 7 - The Story of Prahlada (srimadbhagavatam.com)
- Dharma-Nirnayam (short story on Prahlada (moralstories.wordpress.com)
- The Transcendental Teachings of Prahlada (pdf) (krishna.com)
- Prahlada in the Vishnu Purana (sacred-texts.com)
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Oxford Dictionary of Asian Mythology
A Dictionary of Asian Mythology. Copyright © 2001, 2002 by David Leeming. All rights reserved.
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