Lakshmi Narayan
On August 7, 2024, the tale of devotion and divine intervention unfolded in the epic story of Lakshmi Narayan. The episode began with Kayadu expressing her concerns to her son, Prahlad. She warned him that people would gather again for a meeting the next day, and every time they gathered, she feared for her son’s safety. She urged Prahlad to understand the danger his father, Hiranyakashyap, posed. Prahlad tried to reassure her, but Kayadu insisted that he needed to be cautious and act wisely in the upcoming meeting. She pleaded with him to apologize to his father and fulfill his wishes to prevent any further conflict.
Lakshmi Narayan- Prahlad prayed to Narayan
Prahlad prayed to Narayan for guidance and to stop his mother from crying. Narayan and Lakshmi, disguised as ordinary people, appeared and sat beside Prahlad. Lakshmi, seeing Prahlad distressed, asked him why he was crying. Prahlad, mistaking Lakshmi for his mother, told her about his fears and his mother’s concerns. Lakshmi assured him that his mother would understand soon, and Narayan, sensing Prahlad’s exhaustion, encouraged him to rest. As Prahlad slept on Lakshmi’s lap, Naradar observed them and admired the pure relationship between god and devotee.
Lakshmi Narayan- Hiranyakashyap addressed Prahlad
The next day, Prahlad awoke to the sound of people praising his father, Hiranyakashyap, who had arrived. Hiranyakashyap addressed Prahlad, acknowledging what he had heard from Sukhracharya about Prahlad’s actions the previous day. He reminded Prahlad of his mother’s plea and asked him to acknowledge Hiranyakashyap as the only god. Kayadu also urged Prahlad to praise Hiranyakashyap. However, Prahlad, while expressing his love for his parents, declared that his devotion to Narayan was unwavering and that he could not accept his father as a god.
Hiranyakashyap was furious at Prahlad’s defiance. He recounted how, during a crisis, people had prayed to him for help, but it was Narayan who had saved them. Angered, Hiranyakashyap ordered Sukhracharya to bring the book of punishments to determine the consequences of Prahlad’s actions. Lakshmi, watching the scene, felt it was unfair for Hiranyakashyap to treat his son so harshly. The punishment for mentioning Narayan’s name was death, and Prahlad was bound by the servants despite Kayadu’s pleas.
Prahlad, undeterred, continued to chant “Om Namo Narayana,” showing his unshakable faith. Hiranyakashyap, attempting to persuade his son, reminded him of the grand celebrations held at his birth and the sweets distributed in his honor. He begged Prahlad to return his love and stop mentioning Narayan’s name. Prahlad, steadfast in his devotion, refused to abandon his love for Narayan.
Lakshmi, witnessing the events, urged Narayan to intervene and kill Hiranyakashyap to save Prahlad. Narayan, however, decided to give Hiranyakashyap one last chance to change his ways, inspired by his son’s devotion. If Hiranyakashyap failed, his death would be certain. The episode ended with Prahlad remaining firm in his devotion, continually chanting “Om Namo Narayana.”
