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Monday, April 2, 2012

Devotee Prahlad decided to battle with Lord Vishnu

Chyavan Rishi and Prahlad Maharaj

After the Narsinh incarnation of Lord Vishnu killed the demon Hiranyakashyap, Prahlad was blessed to be the king of the demons until the end of the manvantara.   Once, when Chyavan Rushi went to bathe in a lake, some demons captured him and took him to Vaasukinaag, the serpent king of the netherworld. Due to his prayers, the serpent's deadly poison had no effect on Chyavan Rushi. However, Chyavan Rushi was unable to free from Vaasukinaag's grip.

When Prahlad saw Chyavan Rushi, he made a deal that if he was allowed to accompany the sage on a pilgrimage, the sage would be released. (Prahlad, though a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, was born into an asura (demon) family. Because of this, he was unable to visit the holy places of Mrutyulok.)  

Chyavan Rushi happily agreed to go on the pilgrimage. During their travels, Chyavan Rushi and Prahlad arrived at Badrikashram where they saw two saints, Nara and Narayan. Seeing Narayan doing penance while holding a bow and arrow, Prahlad inquired the need for weapons. Narayan responded, "To kill demons like you!" (Narayan responded in this way to remove Prahlad's remaining impurity. Otherwise, Prahlad was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu who recieved divine knowledge from Naradji while in the womb of his mother, Kayadhu.)   Upon hearing Narayan's statement, Prahlad became angry and challenged Narayan to a fight, thus forgetting his original purpose of coming as a pilgrim. The fight continued for 10 thousand years, but none of Prahlad's methods could even come close to defeating Narayan. Finally exhausted, Prahlad realized the identity of Narayan and prayed to him for forgiveness. By singing Narayan's praises with the tongue, listening to Narayan with the ears, etc. Prahlad became totally pure. Thus, in 6 months, Prahlad was able to earn Narayan's grace.

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