The Devotee’s Background
In ancient times, there ruled a mighty demon king named Hiraṇyakaśipu, whose power spread across the three worlds. Through intense austerities, he received a boon from Brahmā that no man, beast, or god could kill him—neither indoors nor outdoors, neither by weapon nor by hand, neither by day nor by night.
Drunk with power, he declared himself supreme, forbidding all worship of Lord Viṣṇu. The universe trembled before him. But destiny planted a seed of devotion in his own household: his son, Prahlāda, was born a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa.
Even as a child, Prahlāda displayed extraordinary serenity and wisdom. When his teachers asked what he considered best in life, he replied:
“The best thing is to give up the blind pursuit of worldly pleasures and, from early childhood, take shelter of Lord Hari.”
These words enraged his father. “Who has poisoned your mind with this nonsense about Viṣṇu?” roared Hiraṇyakaśipu.
Prahlāda replied softly, “No one has taught me, Father. Devotion arises in the heart by the Lord’s mercy.”
The Father’s Fury
Hiraṇyakaśipu could not tolerate his son’s devotion. He ordered the teachers, “Take him away and correct him. Fill his mind with loyalty to me.”
The teachers tried every method—education, fear, persuasion—but Prahlāda continued to speak only of Viṣṇu’s glories.
When they complained to the king, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s fury knew no bounds. “If the boy will not listen, he must die!”
He ordered his soldiers to kill Prahlāda in every possible way:
- They threw him beneath elephants, but the beasts refused to trample him.
- They hurled him from cliffs, but the wind carried him gently to the ground.
- They set serpents upon him, but the snakes bit themselves instead.
- They threw him into the ocean, but the waves brought him back to shore.
Each time, Prahlāda sat chanting, “Om Namo Nārāyaṇāya,” smiling in peace.
The celestial sages watching from above marveled: “How wondrous is the faith of this child! Even fear cannot touch him.”
The Final Challenge
At last, blinded by rage, Hiraṇyakaśipu shouted, “Where is your Viṣṇu now? Is He in this pillar?”
Prahlāda bowed his head and replied, “He is everywhere.”
The demon struck the pillar with his sword, and instantly a tremendous sound filled the universe—so terrifying that the gods trembled.
From within the pillar burst forth the Lord Himself in a form never before seen: half man, half lion — Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva.
With a roar that shook the worlds, Nṛsiṁha seized Hiraṇyakaśipu, placed him on His lap at the threshold of the palace (neither indoors nor outdoors), and tore him apart with His claws (neither weapon nor hand), at twilight (neither day nor night).
The boon was fulfilled, and the tyrant was slain.
The Lord’s Tenderness
After destroying the demon, Nṛsiṁhadeva’s fury blazed like the fire of a thousand suns. None dared approach Him. Even the gods stood trembling.
But little Prahlāda, unafraid, walked up to the Lord and fell at His feet. Seeing His devotee, the Lord’s anger melted. He lifted the boy, placed His hand upon his head, and said,
“My child, because of your unshakable devotion, all the worlds are purified. Ask from Me any boon you desire.”
Prahlāda bowed and said, “O Lord, please forgive my father for his offenses. Grant him liberation.”
The Lord smiled. “Because you have prayed for him, your father is already delivered. Those who even once chant My name are purified — what then of one remembered by a pure devotee like you?”
Overwhelmed, Prahlāda replied, “My Lord, I do not seek anything for myself. If You wish to grant me a boon, let my heart never desire anything except service to You.”
The Lord said, “So be it.”
The Law of Divine Attraction
When the Lord withdrew His fierce form, the sages glorified Prahlāda as the embodiment of bhakti. They said, “Just as iron is irresistibly drawn to a magnet, so the Lord, though all-powerful, is drawn by the love of His devotee.”
Even though Hiraṇyakaśipu had conquered the universe, he was conquered by a child’s faith.
Prahlāda did not gain the Lord by strength, wealth, or ritual, but by love alone — the greatest gravitational force in the cosmos.
Reflection
Prahlāda Mahārāja’s story illustrates the law of divine gravitation — that the Lord is irresistibly drawn to a heart full of faith and surrender.
While all material forces act mechanically, love alone moves the Divine will.
The same God who hides from the proud appears instantly before the innocent who calls upon Him with trust.
Prahlāda teaches us that bhakti is not about age, caste, or intellect — it is the natural attraction of the soul for its beloved Lord.
As Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (7.9.24) declares:
“My Lord, even a poor person covered in rags, if devoted to You, is more glorious than a proud emperor who forgets Your name.”
Source
Source: “Experiences in Bhakti: The Science Celestial,” by O. B. L. Kapoor — Chapter Two: Verification of the Law of Gravitation (place: Hiraṇyakaśipu’s palace, ancient India).
