The Story of Narasimha’s Incarnation


King Parikshit bowed his head and spoke with deep feeling.

“At the gate of Vaikuntha, Jaya and Vijaya were the greatest devotees of Shri Hari. But because of the anger of the sages Sanaka and Sanatana, why did they come to earth to die as enemies of Shri Hari, O great sage? Why did Shri Hari himself not protect them? Is dharma so cruel? Please remove my ignorance, Lord.”

Shukadeva Goswami looked at the king with kindness.

“You have reason in your question, O King,” he said. “You are deeply just, so such worry about dharma suits you. Listen, Parikshit, the path of dharma is very subtle. God himself lives as dharma. Can anyone fully know God, O King? No one. So no one can fully know dharma either. The curse on Jaya and Vijaya was really a blessing.”

Parikshit was surprised. “Is becoming an enemy also a blessing, O sage?”

“Certainly,” Shukadeva replied. “If Jaya and Vijaya had come to earth as devotees of the Lord, then they would have had to do hard penance to attain God. Even if one gets his vision in a human body, it is still almost impossible to gain the right to Vaikuntha. This cannot be completed fully in a human body, Parikshit.”

The king asked, “If one becomes God’s enemy, does one gain that right, O sage?”

Shukadeva said, “Jaya and Vijaya are blessed souls. They are the close companions of Shri Hari. Shri Hari himself is bound to rescue them. When it became certain, because of the curse of Sanaka, Sanatana, Sananda, and Sanat Kumara, that Jaya and Vijaya would come to earth, Narayana was pleased to see their sorrow and said, ‘Do not grieve, children. I will tell you the way to freedom. Listen. If you are born on earth as my devotees, then it will take seven births for you to gain freedom. But if you are born as my enemies, then within only four births you will be killed by my hand and be freed.’”

“‘How can that be possible, Lord?’” the king repeated softly, as if hearing the old words himself.

Shukadeva continued, “‘If you become enemies, you will not be able to forget me for even a moment. The thought of how to harm me will stay in your minds all the time. In any way at all, you will have to think of me every moment. And because of that, you will gain the wished-for result very quickly. Now choose your path yourselves. Will you be my devotees, or my enemies?’”

Then he told how Jaya and Vijaya had answered.

“‘Lord, we want to be killed by your hand and return quickly to Vaikuntha. We cannot bear separation from you. We can think of nothing except serving you. Since we must go to earth, let us become your enemies, Lord. Please grant us this blessing.’”

“And the Lord said, ‘So be it. To destroy you, I myself will take birth and die.’”

Shukadeva paused and then said, “Did you hear, Parikshit? The Lord himself is promising to come and free his devotees from the curse. Because they have taken shelter in him. This is true dharma. Now the darkness in your mind has gone.”

Parikshit folded his hands at once.

“Then forgive me, Brahmarshi. I have spoken wrongly. I showed doubt toward merciful Shri Hari. In your light, my ignorance has gone away. I bow to you again and again.”

Shukadeva answered gently, “Ignorance is the natural state of living beings. Without the grace of God, ignorance does not leave, O King. By his grace, you are hearing about him. And I too am blessed to speak of him.”

The king then asked eagerly, “After falling from Vaikuntha, what happened to Jaya and Vijaya? Please tell me, Acharyadev.”

Shukadeva began the tale.

“After coming from Vaikuntha to die on earth, Jaya and Vijaya were born. In their first birth they were born in the race of demons as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu.”


Parikshit asked, “Who are called demons, O sage?”

Shukadeva explained, “The great sage Kashyapa had many wives. Among them, one was named Diti. Another was Aditi. Those who were born from Diti’s womb were called Daityas, or demons. And from Aditi’s womb the gods were born. Another wife of Kashyapa was Danu, and the children born from her were called Danavas. Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu too were the children of Diti. They were twins.”

He went on in a grave voice.

“On the day these two children were born, many kinds of fear and trouble appeared in heaven, on earth, and in the underworld. Along with that came terrible disaster. A mighty storm arose. The waves of the sea seemed to touch the sky. A fearful earthquake shook the whole world. Lightning began to flash again and again across the sky. With it came dreadful thunder. Many even died because they could not bear that sound.”

Parikshit shuddered. “So much trouble happened at the birth of these two children, Acharyadev?”

“Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu were not born as helpless babies,” said Shukadeva. “From birth they had huge bodies. They were as strong as mountains. After Kashyapa Muni named his two sons, they bowed to their parents and left to do hard penance. They pleased Prajapati Brahma and became free from fear of death. After that their cruelty began.”

“Did these two demons defeat the gods in battle, O sage?”

“By Brahma’s boon they were unbeatable,” Shukadeva replied. “Indra, king of the gods, and the other gods were defeated by them in battle. Out of fear of Hiranyaksha, heaven became empty of gods. On earth too, the sacrifices, worship, and holy rites of the sages truly began to stop. Wherever he saw the sacred fire of sacrifice, he would rush there like a storm and put it out. The Brahmins and ascetics were all afraid to perform sacrifice. There was no one who could stop their power.”

Parikshit asked, “Why, Acharyadev? Did Lord Vishnu not protect the gods?”

“The strength of Hiranyaksha is also the strength of that very God, O King,” Shukadeva said. “Who else has power apart from him? He himself will withdraw that power. But the right time is needed.”


“Meanwhile,” Shukadeva continued, “not finding anyone in water, on land, or in the sky fit to fight with him, Hiranyaksha became frustrated. He plunged into the sea and with blows of his mace began crushing even the waves. Then he went to Varuna, the god of the sea, and mockingly said, ‘Accept my greetings, Varunadev. Among the gods, your place is next only to Indra, king of the gods. So I have come to you with a request. Please do not turn me away.’”

Varuna said, “‘A request? What do you want from me, Hiranyaksha?’”

The demon laughed. “‘I beg for alms, Lord. I have become tired because I have not fought for a long time. Give me the alms of battle. You destroy the pride of all. Everyone in creation follows you. Even the gods fear you. So I have come to you. Who else but you can give me this gift? Please fulfill my wish, Varunadev.’”

Varuna answered with calm words.

“‘Oh, that. But you have come at a very wrong time, king of demons. Perhaps you do not know that we are resting for some time from this play of war. After taking part in many battles, the gods have grown quite tired. They need some rest.’”

Hiranyaksha sneered. “‘So the gods no longer wish to come before me.’”

“‘I cannot say they are afraid, Hiranyaksha,’” said Varuna. “‘They are all tired. Besides, not everyone can satisfy a master of war like you. To satisfy you, one needs perfect skill, and no one but the gods knows that skill. But I cannot wake them from their rest now, Hiranyaksha. I myself am also very tired. Otherwise I would satisfy your desire for battle right now.’”

Then Varuna added, “‘No, no, do not be disappointed, O King. Just because the gods are tired does not mean you will not find an opponent.’”

At once Hiranyaksha demanded, “‘Who? Who will be my opponent? Tell me. Who has such courage?’”

Varuna’s voice became serious.

“‘There is. There is, there is. You have come very near to death, Hiranyaksha. Now you will meet him. He is waiting for a hero like you.’”

The demon’s eyes blazed. “‘Is there really such a hero in the world who can become the cause of my death? Then I must surely meet him. Who is he? Of whom are you speaking, Varunadev? Who is waiting for me?’”

Varuna said, “‘To call him a hero would make him too small. He is the first one. All that you see in creation has come from him. He is the eternal person. You will not even have to fight him. The moment you see him, your strength and your pride will break. He exists to destroy the wicked like you and to bless holy devotees. He is an avatar. He is the form of the Vedas. Go, go to that eternal Lord Bhagavan.’”

Hiranyaksha laughed harshly. “‘Bhagavan, Bhagavan? Then where is your eternal Bhagavan now, Varunadev? Let me go and defeat him in battle.’”

Varuna answered, “‘Go toward Rasatala, O king of demons. He is waiting there for you.’”


Hiranyaksha went down into the deep regions below.

“‘Rasatala? Your Bhagavan is now living in the deep underworld, Varunadev? Why, was there no place for him in heaven? Very well, very well. I am going deeper down now. Where are you, eternal person? Varunadev said you are somewhere here. Of course, there is no end to your tricks. There is no end to your magic either. You hide your weakness with the help of illusion. Listen, if you have courage, come before me. I have come down to Rasatala today searching for you. Come, fight with me. By killing you, I shall become eternal myself.’”

Then a mighty voice stopped him.

“‘Stop, Hiranyaksha. Since you yourself have reached me, your death will not be delayed any longer. Your death is written by my hand.’”

The demon looked around in confusion.

“‘Who? Who said that? Why, I see a great boar.’”

The Lord answered, “‘Yes, Hiranyaksha. I said it. Did you not hear?’”

Hiranyaksha burst out laughing. “‘Yes, I will die by your hand? By you? First get a form like a man. How can I begin a fight with such a boar? You do not even have strength like mine, and you are supposed to be that eternal person? You will fight with me?’”

The Lord said, “‘Yes, I will fight with you, Hiranyaksha. I will fight in this boar body. First I will rescue this earth from terrible danger. After that I will end your pride.’”

The demon saw the earth raised upon the Lord’s tusks.

“‘Is that so? You will rescue the earth? I can see with my own eyes how you mean to rescue it. Why are you dragging the earth with your tusks? Where will you take it? Listen, you may take the earth wherever you wish, but you will not escape from my hand. I am telling you this, Boar. None of your tricks will work here. So be careful.’”

Then the Lord declared his identity.

“‘Hiranyaksha, perhaps you do not know who I am. I am the Varaha avatar. At the time of destruction, the earth had sunk into the endless ocean. I have come to rescue that drowning creation. I will place it in a safe place, and then I will fight with you.’”

Hiranyaksha mocked him again. “‘Are you running away, Vishnu?’”

The Lord answered, “‘There should be a limit to pride, Hiranyaksha. Mother Earth still trembles from fear of a demon like you. I will calm her by destroying you.’”

The demon shouted, “‘My death, my death? Foolish god, you have no power of your own. All is the power of Yogamaya. Without that Yogamaya, you yourself are like a dead body. Quiet. Who will honor you? I am Hiranyaksha, king of the demons. With the blow of my mace I will kill you and make the demon race safe. So fight with me.’”

Then Varaha showed his greatness.

“‘Hiranyaksha, you mocked me as only a little boar. Look now. See my vast form. Nowhere in heaven, on earth, or in the underworld will you find the end of this form. Such is the power of this boar body. Now see. Come, fight with me with the mace. I have come down to earth to destroy you completely.’”

Hiranyaksha roared in pride. “‘Come then, come, come. Let me see how much strength you have. Come, will you kill me, will you kill me?’”

At that moment the gods arrived and Indra prayed,

“Victory to Shri Vishnu, the supreme Lord in the form of Varaha. Accept the greetings of Indra, king of the gods, Lord. This demon king Hiranyaksha is the enemy of heaven, earth, and the underworld. By the blessing of Prajapati Brahma, this demon king has conquered the three worlds, Bhagavan. He has become the terror of the three worlds. Who but you can destroy this demon, Lord?”

The Lord said, “Do not be troubled, king of the gods. All the boasting of this demon king will now end. I will kill the demon Hiranyaksha.”

Hiranyaksha only laughed louder.

“‘You have such great courage! Such great courage! O Bhagavan, I am amazed at your boldness. You are proudly saying that you will kill me? Look there, look there at Indra, king of the gods. He is supposed to be the king of the gods, yet he is still trembling with fear. Wait, king of the gods. After killing this boar, I will come to you. Then it will be your turn. This boar, beware.’”

Then Indra cried out anxiously, “O Lord, do not keep this demon alive any longer. This demon is a great master of illusion. He knows many kinds of magic. There is no end to his tricks. Look this way, Lord. Evening is coming. In this darkness these demons grow even stronger. Do not keep him alive any longer, Lord. Destroy him now. Now.”

The Lord said, “So be it, king of the gods. It shall be so. Sudarshan, Sudarshan.”

At once Hiranyaksha tried to hide himself.

“‘Vishnu, Vishnu, look, look, now your tricks begin! So your own strength is truly finished. Now you think you will defeat me by the power of Sudarshan, is that it? No, no, no, I will not let that happen. You will never be able to find me. Can you see me, Vishnu? Can you see me? Look, look, look, before your eyes I am nowhere. I am nowhere at all. Then how will you kill me? Search, search, Vishnu, search. Search for me. Where am I? Where am I? Search, search.’”

But the Lord said, “Foolish demon, you want to deceive me? You want to confuse me with illusion? See now, my Sudarshan will destroy all your illusion.”

The demon cried out in alarm. “‘What is this! Why can I not become invisible? Why are clouds not forming around me, around me? Why am I becoming visible? With the blow of this trident I will finish you, Vishnu.’”

The Lord struck him down.

“‘Go, lie there on the ground. I will kill you there.’”

Even then Hiranyaksha shouted, “‘Vishnu, after throwing me to the ground, you yourself will not survive either. I will do the same to you.’”

But the Lord finished him. And then the gods offered praise.

“Greetings, Lord, greetings. By the blow of your holy feet, this mad demon has died, and today the three worlds are at peace, Lord. O protector, I bow to you. For age after age, sages do penance just to see your feet. Hiranyaksha lost his life by the blow of those feet. Who could be more blessed than he? I bow to that pure gatekeeper of Vaikuntha.”


King Parikshit listened with joy and wonder.

“O revered one, I was deeply pleased to hear of Hiranyaksha’s liberation. Now I wish to hear of Hiranyakashipu. Please also tell me how he gained freedom through Narayana’s fierce form, Lord.”

Shukadeva said, “By hearing of Prahlad, the greatest child devotee of Shri Hari, we too may gain the company of Narayana in this very world. Now I will tell you about Hiranyakashipu, Maharaj.”

“After Hiranyaksha was killed,” Shukadeva began, “Hiranyakashipu became wild with grief for his brother. Flames of anger seemed to burst from his body. From the heat of that fire, terrible disaster arose all around. With a dreadful cry to the demon race he began to say, ‘Now the false race of gods has drawn him to their side and created terrible enmity. They have caused the death of my innocent brother. There can be no forgiveness for the gods. Let there be war, war. All the gods act by Vishnu’s command. First Vishnu must be killed. There is no end to his tricks. Again and again he takes different forms, becoming a fish, becoming a tortoise. Unless I end all the illusion of this wicked magician, I will have no peace. If Vishnu is not killed, he will go on killing the demons. No, never, I will never let that happen. We will kill the gods. We will destroy Vishnu. With this trident I will cut off Vishnu’s head. With his blood I will offer water to my brother. And then, then I will destroy the whole race of gods. Listen, O demons, all of you together create obstacles in all the works of Brahmins and Kshatriyas. I want revenge for my brother’s death. Until I can do that, I will not let anyone live in peace. Harm must be done to all living beings in earth and heaven.’”

Shukadeva continued, “Obeying Hiranyakashipu’s command, the bands of demons spread in all directions. After comforting his mother, who had carried him in her womb, Hiranyaksha’s wife, and the other family members, Hiranyakashipu himself set out for Mount Mandara. He had to conquer the fear of death and become the strongest being in creation. For that he needed spiritual practice. At the time Hiranyakashipu left for penance, his wife was expecting a child.”


“Meanwhile,” said Shukadeva, “seeing that the demon king had left his kingdom, Indra, king of the gods, came with his army to plunder the demon kingdom. Without any resistance, he destroyed Hiranyakashipu’s realm and set out for heaven with its riches. As he left, he also took Hiranyakashipu’s wife with him. On the way he met the divine sage Narada. Seeing that pregnant woman being carried away like this, he felt great pain. The divine sage said, ‘O king of the gods, Hiranyakashipu’s wife is near childbirth. Why are you taking her like this? This is not righteous. No one in heaven will support this act. You will be blamed, king of the gods.’”

Indra answered, “‘In this woman’s womb is the heir of Hiranyakashipu, divine sage. After the child is born, I will kill him and then free this woman. Until then she will stay with honor in my palace. But I will not leave behind any heir of that cruel demon. Otherwise he too will one day become cruel like his father.’”

Narada said at once, “‘No, king of the gods, no. This is your mistake. Hiranyakashipu’s child will not be like his father. He will be a great devotee of Shri Vishnu. He will be the crest jewel among devotees. Shri Hari will love him greatly. So I say, release Hiranyakashipu’s wife, king of the gods, release her.’”

Indra was astonished.

“‘What are you saying, divine sage? The child of that cruel demon will be a devotee of Shri Hari? Hearing this, I am blessed. O lady, I bow to you. Please forgive my offense. I set you free.’”

“Hearing the words of the divine sage Narada,” Shukadeva said, “Indra released Hiranyakashipu’s wife Kayadhu, circled her in respect, and returned to his own home. Then the divine sage Narada said to that woman, ‘Lady, until your child is born, stay in my hermitage. This hermitage is very safe. Your child will be born here. Hear from me the knowledge of dharma and the scriptures, lady. This knowledge will bless you and the child in your womb.’”

“Until the child was born, Kayadhu stayed in the hermitage of the divine sage Narada. For Hiranyakashipu’s wife and her unborn child, Narada kept speaking of scriptural wisdom and devotion to Hari. From his mother’s womb itself, Hiranyakashipu’s son Prahlad listened to that unmatched love and devotion from the sage’s mouth. Wonderful was his power. Even while still in the womb, Prahlad had the amazing power to hear everything and remember it. Later his mother Kayadhu forgot those teachings, but Prahlad never forgot a single word of the divine sage Narada. Prahlad was the perfect example of single-minded devotion to Hari.”


Parikshit asked, “Hiranyakashipu was the greatest enemy of Shri Hari. Did this devotion of his son Prahlad not push him into danger, O sage? And by danger I mean terrible danger.”

Shukadeva answered, “Hiranyakashipu tried many times to kill Prahlad. But I will come to that later. First let me say this. Pleased by Hiranyakashipu’s hard penance, Prajapati Brahma appeared before him. To fulfill his prayer, Brahma gave him a strange boon. He said, ‘Hiranyakashipu, no one will be able to kill you by day or by night. You will not die by the hand of beast or man. No weapon of heaven or earth will be able to kill you.’”

Hiranyakashipu then prayed, “‘By your endless grace, Prajapati, I am blessed. Please, please give me one more boon. Let the ascetics not receive the full fruit of the sacrifices they perform. I alone wish to gain all that merit.’”

Brahma replied, “‘So be it. It shall be so. Wherever sacrifices and penance are done in heaven or on earth, you alone will enjoy all their merit, king of demons.’”

“Receiving a boon from Brahma himself,” said Shukadeva, “Hiranyakashipu returned to his kingdom in great power. Under his leadership the demon race now became reckless. With fierce courage they spread terror among gods, gandharvas, sages, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and all the dwellers of heaven and earth. Great wrongs appeared on earth. The gods no longer received their share in sacrifices. The demons threw impure things into the Brahmins’ sacred fires and made those sacrifices unclean. A cry of distress rose throughout creation.”

Parikshit asked, “And Prahlad? How did Hiranyakashipu behave toward his own son, O sage?”

Shukadeva said, “Prahlad had nothing in common with the demon race. In the middle of all their wrongdoing, Prahlad slowly grew up as the image of knowledge, devotion, kindness, and sweetness. After Hiranyakashipu returned as ruler of the three worlds, he was filled with joy when he saw his son. He placed him on his lap and loved him dearly. Then he asked the boy, ‘Tell me, Prahlad, who is the greatest of all in the three worlds? Whom should one remember always?’”

The child answered fearlessly, “‘In the three worlds, there is only one who is the greatest for all time, Father. He is Shri Hari. There is no one greater than him. He alone should be worshiped. He alone should always be remembered.’”

Hiranyakashipu was shaken with anger.

“‘What am I hearing? My own son is singing the praises of Hari! Surely some foolish holy man or monk is trying to spoil the boy. Find that sinner quickly.’”

But the attendants said, “‘No, Maharaj. No one taught Prahlad about Hari. He says these things by himself. And not only that, Prahlad enchants the other demon boys too by telling them stories of Hari. That is why we always stay alert. We fear that our children may become like Prahlad.’”

Then Hiranyakashipu said, “‘My own son has fallen into the same delusion. This is a very bad sign. Gurudev Shukracharya, please take my Prahlad to your hermitage and make him fit for the demon race, Lord. Prahlad must not worship my enemy.’”

Shukracharya answered, “‘I will teach Prince Prahlad the ways of the demon race, Maharaj. Do not worry. Child Prahlad, come with me to my hermitage today. Your education will begin from today.’”


“Taking Prahlad and the other boys of the demon race with him,” Shukadeva said, “the demon guru Shukracharya then went to his own hermitage. There Prahlad’s studies and other training began. Prahlad was always a very humble student. At the same time, he was also very attentive. His memory and intelligence were very sharp. So Prahlad quickly mastered the teachings of his guru. In this way many years passed. One day the demon guru came to the king and said, ‘Maharaj, your son’s education is complete.’”

Hiranyakashipu was delighted.

“‘Is that so? Prahlad has learned all that you taught him? What joyful news! Bring my son before me, Gurudev. My joy cannot be held back. Let me touch him once. Prahlad, Prahlad.’”

The boy came and bowed.

“‘Greetings, Father. You called for me?’”

“‘Come, son, come,’” said Hiranyakashipu. “‘You are the only heir to my throne. I have many hopes in you, Prahlad. You have finished your studies and returned from your teacher’s house. Tell me, Prahlad, what exactly did you learn there? I am eager, eager to hear.’”

Prahlad answered with perfect calm.

“‘To be devoted to Shri Vishnu is true education. One who has no devotion to Vishnu is not truly educated, Father. Shri Vishnu is the root of all knowledge. Without him all other knowledge is false.’”

At once Hiranyakashipu turned on the guru.

“‘You wicked Brahmin! You live on the wealth I gave, and you teach my own son the name of Vishnu? Do you not know, do you not know, Vishnu is my enemy. Vishnu is the enemy of this demon society. He killed my elder brother. And Prahlad is praising that enemy! Together with the gods, together with the gods, you too are plotting, Brahmin!’”

Shukracharya quickly replied, “‘O King, be calm. I am the guru of the demons. Could I ever teach something harmful to the demons? What Prahlad has said to you now is his own thought. I did not teach him these words. Do not be so angry, Maharaj. Do not falsely blame me.’”

Hiranyakashipu then looked at his son.

“‘Prahlad, is what this Brahmin says true? Did your guru not teach you these things? Do not lie, Prahlad. Whatever you say, say the truth.’”

Prahlad answered, “‘God himself is truth, Father. Why would I lie as his devotee? Guru Shukracharya truly did not teach me these things.’”

“‘If this Brahmin did not teach you these things, then from whom did you hear such words? Tell me. Tell me his name at once.’”

Prahlad said, “‘No one needs to teach this separately, Father. God is within everyone. In the hearts of those who do not know him or accept him, he lies asleep. And those who are his devotees and sing his name day and night, he himself guides them on the path. Shri Hari himself is my teacher. He is my goal. I want only him, Father.’”


Hiranyakashipu’s anger became terrible.

“‘What did you say? You worship that Vishnu who killed my elder brother? Demons, kill this boy in whatever way you can. Strike him with clubs, pierce him with spears, throw him from a mountain, burn him in fire, or drown him in water. Kill him somehow, somehow. He has no right to live.’”

Shukadeva said, “The demon soldiers began trying in many ways to kill Prahlad. But Prahlad knew yoga. He also knew meditation. The yogi Prahlad sat in meditation. No one could harm him. When all their efforts failed, Hiranyakashipu became very afraid. But he was not one to give up. He kept thinking of new ways every day to kill Prahlad. He threw him into storms, into fire, into the raging sea. But nothing happened to Prahlad. Every time he came back alive. Even Hiranyakashipu’s sister, the demoness Holika, did not stop trying to kill Prahlad. She herself died. Yet Prahlad remained alive.”

At last the demon king came before the boy and asked in a harsh voice,

“‘Have you learned Vishnu’s magic? Tell me the truth, Prahlad. Who saves you every time? Who protects you from all danger? Tell me.’”

Prahlad replied, “‘I know no magic, Father. I know only the Supreme Lord. He alone is my one object of worship. He alone saves me.’”

Hiranyakashipu demanded, “‘How does your Supreme Lord see you? Yes, where does he live?’”

Prahlad answered, “‘He is everywhere. He is in all places. If he were not, this world itself would not exist, Father.’”

The demon king pointed to a pillar.

“‘So that Vishnu is everywhere? Very well. This pillar standing before us, is he in that too?’”

Prahlad said, “‘Certainly he is.’”

Then Hiranyakashipu shouted to all in the hall, “‘Listen to what this foolish boy says, all of you, listen. Prahlad, I am striking this pillar with my foot. Let us see whether your Supreme Lord breaks out from this pillar.’”


“Hiranyakashipu struck the pillar with his foot,” Shukadeva said, his voice growing deep. “And at that very moment the huge stone pillar split apart with a cracking sound, and a terrible deep roar came out. Hiranyakashipu could not understand from where the sound was coming. Full of wonder and fear, he looked all around. The whole royal court stood staring in shock. Just then they all saw in amazement a terrible form of Narasimha coming out from inside the pillar. Half the form was man and half was lion. No one had ever seen such a form before. All the demons in the hall began to tremble in fear.”

Shukadeva described that divine form.

“At the roar of that terrible form, great fear entered even Hiranyakashipu’s mind. The teeth of Narayana in the form of Narasimha shone like sharp blades. His color was like the burning sun. He opened a huge lion-like mouth. Around it his mane swelled and became frightening. His two terrible eyes seemed to burn and blaze. His tongue was sharp like a spear. His frown was fierce. He had two huge ears. Fearsome sharp claws. Countless arms. In those hands were discus, thunderbolt, and many other weapons. The proud expression on his face left the demons completely helpless with fear. Seeing such a terrible form, many demons died on the spot.”

“Seeing Narasimha’s form, Hiranyakashipu stood stunned for a few moments. Narasimha Avatar kept roaring again and again at him. Then Hiranyakashipu came to fight that dreadful form. He began striking Narasimhadev with his mace. And seeing the way he swung that mace, Vishnu in the form of Narasimha burst into fearful laughter. Narasimhadev fought with Hiranyakashipu with complete ease. Then he pushed him little by little to the doorway of the hall. Holding him with one hand, he laid him across his thigh and tore Hiranyakashipu open with his claws. He pulled out his heart and flung it away. And after that Narasimha Narayana began to roar terribly in great anger. Even after killing that proud demon king, his anger did not grow calm. Great danger appeared across the three worlds.”


“Then,” said Shukadeva, “after all the prayers, requests, and praises of the gods failed, Prajapati Brahma called the boy Prahlad and said, ‘Child Prahlad, all our efforts have failed. Narasimha Narayana is not calming down at all. You are young, and on top of that you are Narayana’s dear devotee. You go before him and calm him, Prahlad.’”

Prahlad bowed and said, “‘I bow to your command, Lord.’”

“Then Prahlad came with folded hands and bowed head and stood before the roaring Narasimha Narayana. Seeing that calm, gentle, innocent boy, the mighty Narasimhadev stopped roaring and became still. The fire that had been pouring from his mouth, eyes, and nose stopped. His face slowly grew soft. A smile appeared there. His two eyes filled with affection. He lifted Prahlad into his lap. With deep tenderness he stroked the boy’s head. Just as a lioness touches her cub with loving strokes of her tongue, in the same way Vishnu in the form of Narasimha passed his tongue gently over Prahlad and freed him from fear. Then he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Prahlad. What do you want? Ask for a boon. I will fulfill all your wishes.’”

Prahlad answered with tears of devotion.

“‘Your sight and your touch are my highest gain, Lord. Beyond this I want nothing more. Only please free my father from all his sins, Narayana. May he gain the highest path. Please forgive him, Bhagavan.’”

The Lord replied, “‘Your father has gained the highest path, son. He has the right to dwell in my Vaikuntha. He is the gatekeeper of Vaikuntha who fell under a curse. That is why I myself had to come for the breaking of his curse, Prahlad. Ask for some other boon for yourself.’”

But Prahlad asked for nothing worldly.

“‘After seeing you, I want nothing else, Lord. Only do this, that I may never forget you. May I always have steady devotion to you, even till death. Keep me surrendered at your feet, Lord.’”

Shukadeva concluded, “After blessing Prahlad and seating him on the throne of the demon race, Narasimhadev departed for his own abode. Creation and the world became peaceful again. Jaya and Vijaya of Vaikuntha returned to Vaikuntha. But their curse was not yet fully removed. To break that curse, Narayana had to come again in two more avatars. As long as creation remains, those two forms full of compassion will stay forever drawn in the hearts of devotees.”

Then Shukadeva looked at King Parikshit and said, “Maharaj Parikshit, by hearing of those two forms, a person can rise above the fear of death.”

The king leaned forward eagerly.

“Tell me, Lord. Tell me that story. I am waiting eagerly. Tell me about those two beautiful and greatly desired forms, O sage. My life is drawing to its end. Tell me, O sage, tell me that story.”