Enraged Entrance

Chapter 8

When he heard of Prahlada’s preaching exploits and unrelenting devotion to Vishnu, Hiranyakasipu decided to kill his son there and then. He asked his son where he got his power from, and Prahlada boldly replied, “The same place as you – Lord Vishnu!” Hiranyakasipu was aghast! The demon challenged the young boy as to whether his God existed within the pillars of the palace, and Prahlada Maharaja unhesitatingly replied that the all-pervading Lord was indeed present everywhere.

Hiranyakasipu sniggered at his son’s statement, thinking it childish and sentimental, and angrily struck the pillar with his fist. There was a tumultuous reverberation, and a terrifying form appeared, never seen before – half-man and half-lion, with raging eyes like molten gold and a deafening roar. Lord Nrsinghadeva had made his enraged entrance from the pillar!

He headed towards Hiranyakasipu and violently attacked the demon, launching powerful blows in a terrible trial of arms. The Lord then grabbed him, placed him on His lap, and, in the doorway of the assembly hall, effortlessly tore the demon to pieces, keeping all the benedictions of Brahma intact. The enraged Lord then annihilated all his demoniac henchmen and victoriously sat upon the throne of Hiranyakasipu. All the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, were completely awestruck and offered prayers of deep gratitude.