Lakshmi Narayan
On 13th August 2024, the ongoing tension in Hiranyakashyap’s kingdom escalated as the tyrant king confronted his son Prahlad’s unwavering devotion to Narayan. The day was marked by a significant conflict between faith and authority, with Hiranyakashyap becoming increasingly disturbed by his son’s loyalty to Narayan, despite his attempts to impose his own divinity on him.
Lakshmi Narayan- Prahlad devotion to Narayan was unshakeable
The day began with Prahlad boldly asserting that his devotion to Narayan was unshakeable, even in the face of his father’s growing anger. He declared that his faith had triumphed over fear and that it was time to fulfill his promise to worship Narayan. With a statue of Narayan in hand, Prahlad performed a puja right in the palace, much to the dismay of his father.
Lakshmi Narayan- Prahlad refused to back down from his beliefs
Hiranyakashyap, claiming to be the supreme god, was enraged by this act of defiance. However, Prahlad remained steadfast and refused to back down from his beliefs, stating that he would continue his devotion regardless of his father’s demands. As Prahlad continued with his worship, Narayan and Lakshmi, watching from their divine abode, were pleased with the boy’s devotion. However, this scene was not well received in the Asurlok, where Hiranyakashyap’s followers began to fear that the king was losing control over his own son.
Lakshmi Narayan- Mahabali provoke Hiranyakashyap against Narayan
Mahabali, one of the king’s advisors, saw the opportunity to further provoke Hiranyakashyap against Narayan. He suggested that Prahlad’s public worship was not merely a religious act but a conspiracy against the king’s authority. If the assembly were to witness such defiance, it would undermine Hiranyakashyap’s power and make the world believe that he could not even control his own child, let alone rule the world. Kayadu, Prahlad’s mother, tried to intervene, pleading with her husband to show mercy towards their son. She reminded him that Prahlad was just a seven-year-old boy with no malice towards anyone, including his father. She even offered to take Prahlad far away from the palace if it would spare his life. However, Hiranyakashyap was resolute. He insisted that Prahlad would not be allowed to leave until he accepted him as god.
Lakshmi Narayan- Holika immune to fire
In a dramatic turn of events, Hiranyakashyap ordered his servants to summon his sister, Holika. Holika was known for her ruthlessness, and at that very moment, she was terrorizing innocent people, demanding they hand over their money. When they threatened to set her on fire, she remained unfazed, as she had been granted a boon by a Brahman that made her immune to fire. Upon receiving the summons, Holika left the terrified crowd and met with her brother.
Lakshmi Narayan- Hiranyakashyap insisted Holika
Hiranyakashyap informed Holika of Prahlad’s unwavering devotion to Narayan and asked her to help him put an end to it. He instructed her to sit on a pyre with Prahlad on her lap, confident that her fire immunity would protect her while the flames would consume his son. Holika, initially hesitant, suggested using someone else for the task, but Hiranyakashyap insisted that Narayan was cunning and could thwart their plans if anyone else were involved. He believed that Holika was the only one who could carry out the plan successfully.
Lakshmi Narayan- Lakshmi called upon Agni Dev
Meanwhile, Lakshmi, observing the unfolding events, became furious and called upon Agni Dev, the god of fire. She commanded him not to harm Prahlad, but Agni Dev, bound by his nature, expressed that he could not go against his duty to engulf everything in flames. Disheartened by his response, Lakshmi turned to Vaayu Dev, asking him to intervene and protect Prahlad. However, he too declined, citing the natural order of things. Lakshmi then urged Narayan to step in and kill Hiranyakashyap, but Narayan reminded her that the time for that had not yet come. He assured her that Prahlad’s faith would not go unrewarded and that he would protect his devotee when the time was right.
Lakshmi Narayan- Kayadu begged Prahlad
As the situation grew more dire, Kayadu, aware of the plot against her son, begged Prahlad to leave with her, warning him that his father was planning to kill him. However, Prahlad, unafraid and confident in his faith, refused to run away. He believed that Narayan had given him life and that if it was his time to die, he would do so without fear. He willingly sat on Holika’s lap, ready to face whatever fate awaited him.
Lakshmi Narayan- Narayan remained calm
As Holika prepared to carry out her brother’s orders, Lakshmi made one final attempt to save Prahlad. She pleaded with Narayan to protect the boy, reminding him that it was his duty to safeguard his devotees. However, Narayan remained calm, knowing that Prahlad’s faith would ultimately save him.
As the episode concluded, Hiranyakashyap ordered Holika to sit on the pyre with Prahlad on her lap. The young boy, unshaken, began chanting Narayan’s name, placing his trust entirely in the divine. The scene ended with the flames beginning to rise, setting the stage for the next chapter in this epic battle between faith and tyranny.
The tension in Hiranyakashyap’s kingdom continues to rise, with each day bringing new challenges to the young devotee Prahlad. As the conflict between father and son intensifies, the world watches to see if faith can indeed triumph over fear and oppression.
