Prahlada was the high-souled one and was full of marvellous glory. He was an effulgent worshipper of Lord Vishnu. As the legend of Prahlada proceeds it says that in the days of yore the three worlds were brought into subjection by the valiant son of Diti Hiranyakasipu, proud of the boon conferred on him by Lord Brahma. The Daitya Hiranyakasipu had usurped the sovereignty of Indra and had exercised the functions the sun of air of the lord of waters, of fire and of the moon. Hiranyakasipu himself became the lord of riches and Lord Yama: and that Asuri appropriated to himself, without reserve all that was offered in sacrifice to the celestials. The celestials became afraid and wandered on the earth disguised in mortal shapes.
Vishnu Purana narrates that Hiranyakasipu having conquered the three worlds was inflated with the pride of the riches, and being eulogised by the Gandharvas, enjoyed all wished for objects. Thereupon all the Siddhas, Gandharvas and Pannagas worshipped the valiant Hiranyakasipu addicted to drinking. The Siddhas stood delighted before the demon chief, some singing, some playing on musical instruments and others shouting out cries of victory.
Prahlada was the son of Hiranyakasipu. Once he had approached his father and had said that his motto in life is to bow to the Great Being who has neither any beginning nor any end. Prahlada said that Lord Vishnu was the teacher of the entire world and everyone gets the real lesson from the lord. This is because it is the lord who is all things and from whom all things are produced. According to Prahlada the glory of god cannot be described in words.
Seeing such behaviour of Prahlada Hirnyakasipu ordered that his son should be killed as he was a wicked boy. According to Hiranyakasipu Prahlada was being a fraud to his own family. Thus, all Daityas being ordered by Hiarnyakasipu made several attempts to injure and kill Hiranyakasipu but every time he did not feel the least pain and his strength was ever renewed.
It has been said that with his mind solely devoted to Lord Krishna Prahlada remained in that pleasurable recollection; he could not feel anything although he was bitten by deadliest serpents. Vishnu Purana states that Prahlada believed that Lord Vishnu has the capacity to protect oneself from all kinds of danger. He also said that birth is consequent upon the virtue and vice of pristine actions. All conditions from conception to re-birth are tinged with pain. He believed that birth, youth and decay are the properties of the body not of the soul.
Prahlada in Vishnu Purana has said that the whole world is the manifestation- of Vishnu who is identified with all beings. The wise therefore do not regard any difference between themselves and all other creatures. He has said that the beatitude, which can not be destroyed by others which is pure and eternal, can be enjoyed by him, who fixes his mind on Kesava. All creatures in this world should be regarded with impartiality. An individual should attempt to acquire exhaustless true knowledge and wisdom and then only can he attain the fruits of emancipation.
