Hiranyakashyap, Prahlad, and the Man-Lion

The Demon Twins: Origins of Hiranyakshyap and Hiranyaksh

Maharshi Kashyap was one of the Saptarshis, the seven ancient rishis of the Rigved. He and his wife, Diti, had three demon children: Hiranyaksh, Hiranyakashyap, and Holika. Hiranyakshyap and Hiranyaksh were avatars of Jay and Vijay—the gatekeepers of Vaikunth (the abode of Lord Vishnu)—respectively, born as demon twins on Earth in the Satya era as a result of the Kumaras' curse. Though they were twins, Hiranyakshyap is regarded as the elder of the two as he was born first. After they grew up, Hiranyakshyap and Hiranyaksh ruled the demons. One day, Hiranyaksh stole the Earth and immersed her in the cosmic ocean. Vishnu assumed his Boar avatar to kill Hiranyaksh and rescue the Earth. When Hiranyakshyap learned of his younger brother's death, he vowed revenge against Vishnu.

Hiranyakashyap's Quest for Immortality

Kayadhu, Hiranyakashyap's wife, informed him she was pregnant. At the advice of Shukracharya, the guru of the demons, Hiranyakashyap decided to pray to Lord Brahma for immortality. He instructed his Prime Minister Vidal to care for Kayadhu in his absence.

Indra's Futile Attempts to Stop Hiranyakashyap 

Terrified at the prospect of Hiranyakshyap pleasing Brahma and becoming immortal, Indra and the other gods tried to disturb Hiranyakashyap's prayers. The Fire god tried to burn Hiranyakashyap, but Shukracharya thwarted his efforts. The Rain god then unleashed a torrent of rain on the demon, but Shukracharya again saved his disciple. Then Indra, the king of the gods, tried to kill Hiranyakshyap, but his efforts were also rendered futile by Shukracharya.

Vishnu's Intervention: Saving Hiranyakshyap's Unborn Son

Frustrated by Shukracharya, Indra decided to target Hiranyakshyap's unborn son instead. He sent the Fire god to burn the innocent baby, but Lord Vishnu rescued him.

Indra's Abduction and Narad's Intervention

Indra stormed into Hiranyakashyap's palace to kidnap his wife, Kayadhu. Entrusted with Kayadhu's safety, Prime Minister Vidal fought Indra but perished at his hands. Indra then carried Kayadhu away, planning to imprison her and kill her son when he was born. But Narad, the rishi of the gods, intercepted Indra and convinced him that what he was doing was immoral. He persuaded Indra to let Kayadhu go and took her to his ashram.

Hiranyakashyap's Boon: The Illusion of Invincibility

Brahma finally appeared before Hiranyakashyap and asked him to make a wish. The latter first wished for immortality, but Brahma declined, saying that every creature that is born must die. 

Hiranyakashyap then wished that he would be killed:

neither by a human nor by an animal,

neither on the earth nor in the sky,

neither inside nor outside a house, 

neither during the day nor night, 

and not with a weapon.

Brahma granted this boon, and Hiranyakashyap thought he had become invincible, but Brahma knew a loophole was hidden deep within it. Hiranyakashyap declared himself God and demanded that he be worshipped.

Hiranyakashyap's Wrath: The Search for Kayadhu

Hiranyakashyap returned to his palace to find Kayadhu missing. Shukracharya informed him about what had transpired in his absence. Furious, Hiranyakashyap traveled to the land of the gods, where he defeated Indra's army and asked Indra about Kayadhu's whereabouts. Narad informed him that Kayadhu was staying at his ashram.

Reunion at Narad's Ashram

Narad took Hiranyakashyap to his ashram, where he met Kayadhu. She expressed the desire to give birth to her baby in the ashram.

The Birth of Prahlad

Kayadhu went into labor and gave birth to a baby boy in Narad's ashram. Narad named the boy Prahlad. Narad said he wanted Kayadhu and Prahlad to stay at his ashram for some more time, and Hiranyakshyap agreed.

Prahlad's Formative Years: From Ashram to Palace

In the ashram, Prahlad grew into a handsome young boy. Narad taught him all about Vishnu. Later, he advised Prahlad and Kayadhu to return to Hiranyashyap's palace. Hiranyakashyap gave his wife and son a warm welcome.

Prahlad's Defiance: Rejecting Demonic Ways

Shukracharya took Prahlad to his ashram to train him in the ways of the demons. But Prahlad refused to accept Hiranyakashyap as God and continued to worship Vishnu. He also refused to learn fighting and martial arts as he felt they predisposed the soul toward violence. The teachers at the ashram decided Prahlad was a bad influence on the other demon students.

Hiranyakashyap's Failed Attempts: Prahlad's Miraculous Escapes

Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu, and Hiranyakshyap hated Vishnu as he had killed his younger brother, Hiranyaksh. So, Hiranyakashyap ordered his soldiers to hurl Prahlad from the top of a cliff. His soldiers obeyed, but Vishnu came to Prahlad's rescue. When Prahlad returned to the palace unharmed, Hiranyakashyap ordered his soldiers to imprison him. He then mixed deadly poison in Prahlad's food; Prahlad consumed this food, but Lord Shiv nullified the poison's effect, and the boy survived again.

The Burning of Holika: The Origin of Holi

The demoness Holika, the sister of Hiranyaksh and Hiranyakashyap, had a boon that fire could not burn her. She placed her nephew, Prahlad, in her lap and climbed onto a burning pyre. Since Holika used her boon for nefarious purposes, she was burned alive while Prahlad escaped unscathed. Holika's burning is celebrated annually as Holi, the festival of colors, by Hindus to signify the triumph of good over evil.

Hiranyakashyap's Fury: The Challenge to Vishnu

Hiranyakashyap now blamed Vishnu for the death of his sister as well. He was also furious that Prahlad had survived yet another attempt on his life. So, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

"Prahlad, where is your Lord Vishnu? If he is everywhere, why is he not present before me in this pillar?" Hiranyakashyap asked Prahlad. 

"He is in the pillar, just as in the slightest dust," answered Prahlad. 

Hiranyakashyap could no longer control his anger and smashed the pillar with his mace.

The Man-Lion's Victory: The Defeat of Hiranyakashyap 

A deafening sound was heard, followed by a creature with a human torso and lower body and a lion's face and claws, appearing from the broken pillar. The Man-Lion (neither human nor animal), who was really an avatar of Vishnu, caught Hiranyakashyap and placed him on his lap (neither on the earth nor in the sky) on the threshold of the courtyard (neither inside nor outside a house) at twilight (neither during the day nor night). He then disemboweled Hiranyakashyap with his claws (not a weapon). Thus, Brahma's boon was not violated. Prahlad was crowned king of the demons after his father's death. Unlike most demon kings, he was a just and wise ruler.