Lakshmi Narayan
On August 12, 2024, the story of “Lakshmi Narayan” unfolded with intense drama. Hiranyakashyap, a powerful yet cruel king, asked his son Prahlad to make a promise that he would stop mentioning the name of Narayana, the deity whom Prahlad deeply worshipped. However, Prahlad, being a devout follower of Narayana, firmly refused his father’s demand. Hiranyakashyap, accepting his son’s decision, decided to take a drastic and deadly step.
Lakshmi Narayan- Prahlad’s favorite laddo
Hiranyakashyap ordered his servant to bring Prahlad’s favorite laddo, a traditional sweet, which he intended to poison with his own hands. His wife, Kayadu, was shocked by his words and pleaded with him to reconsider. Hiranyakashyap, cold and unwavering, accused her of loving their son more than her husband, leading to Prahlad’s disobedience. He sternly warned Kayadu not to go against his wishes, leaving her with no choice but to obey.
Lakshmi Narayan- Prahlad presented his father with a punishment book
Meanwhile, the divine beings, Narayan and Lakshmi, watched the unfolding events. Sukhracharya, the guru, questioned Prahlad’s devotion to Narayan and urged him to reconsider his stance against his father. In response, Prahlad presented his father with a punishment book, a symbol of his unwavering faith. He challenged his father, stating that if he survived after eating the poisoned laddo, Hiranyakashyap must accept his devotion to Narayan and stop preventing him from chanting Narayana’s name.
Lakshmi Narayan- Hiranyakashyap, determined to prove his power
Despite the deadly venom, Prahlad was confident that Narayan would protect him. Hiranyakashyap, determined to prove his power, extracted poison from a snake and mixed it into the laddo. He believed that Prahlad would receive death as a gift. Kayadu, overcome with fear and love for her son, begged Hiranyakashyap to show mercy. However, Prahlad remained calm, expressing his willingness to sacrifice his life for Narayan. He assured his mother that Narayan would save him, urging her not to worry.
Lakshmi Narayan- Lakshmi, deeply concerned
Lakshmi, deeply concerned, asked Narayan about the potency of the poison. Narayan confirmed that it was indeed deadly. Lakshmi anxiously questioned how he would save Prahlad from this peril. Hiranyakashyap, still resolute, instructed Prahlad to eat the laddo and demanded a promise that he would fulfill the condition. Confident in the venom’s fatal power, Hiranyakashyap asked why Prahlad hesitated to promise him.
Prahlad, undeterred, began eating the laddo. As he did so, Narayan took the poison upon himself, absorbing its deadly effects. He grew weak and collapsed, but Lakshmi was there to support him. Prahlad’s parents, witnessing their son still alive, were filled with disbelief. Narayan reassured Lakshmi that Prahlad’s pure devotion and unwavering trust in him would ensure his survival. Lakshmi, acknowledging Narayan’s sacrifice for his devotee, expressed that his divine power would only grow stronger through this act.
In a final act of faith, Prahlad informed his father that Narayan had saved him. Hiranyakashyap, in denial, accused Prahlad of using magic. However, Prahlad insisted that it was the power of his love and devotion that had protected him. He then requested his father to grant him the wish to perform puja, a ritual of worship, for Narayan.
The episode ended with Prahlad’s unwavering faith prevailing over his father’s cruelty. His devotion was not only a testament to his belief in Narayan but also a powerful message about the strength of true faith. Despite the dangers posed by his father, Prahlad’s trust in Narayan remained unshaken, and his life was spared by divine intervention.
The story of Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap serves as a reminder of the power of devotion and the protection offered by the divine to those who believe wholeheartedly. It also highlights the conflict between a father’s ego and a son’s faith, where love and devotion ultimately triumph over hatred and cruelty. This episode leaves viewers with a sense of awe at the lengths to which Narayan went to protect his devotee, showcasing the deep bond between the divine and the faithful.
