31. Srimad Bhagavata - Prahlada's Devotion and Hiranyakashipu’s Fear
Who is Prahlada? What were his teachings to fellow demon boys?
Prahlada, son of Demon Hiranyakashipu, was studious and learned all the lessons taught by his gurus, Chanda and Amaka, sons of Shukracharya He contemplated it but had his own views.
Eager to know the progress, Hiranyakashipu sent words to bring his son. Hiranyakashipu, on seeing his son, hugged and made him sit on his lap.
Prahlada recited all that he had learned from his gurus. He said this knowledge is of little use when one doesn't contemplate on Srihari. He said it is better to forgo everything and lead a life of a recluse in the forest.
Hiranyakashipu wasn't angry because he felt someone would have misguided him. On further probing, Prahlada said he would fill his mind only on Shrihari’s deeds and related stories and avoid all external distractions.
Hiranyakashipu called his guru and warned them that such situations shouldn't arise next time. Prahlad was back to school, and his teachers Chanda and Amaka, as instructed by Hiranyakashipu, taught only administrative topics needed for a future king. Prahlad absorbed all the teachings and did not oppose them.
Chanda and Amaka questioned Prahlada as to who had taught him devotion to Srihari.
Prahlada replied it is Srihari in me who is prompting to spread the message of devotion. Just as iron pieces get attracted towards magnets, so also my thoughts are always with Srihari.
When teachers were away for a break, fellow students desired to play games. Prahlad called them and began to teach on spiritual enlightenment. Hearing this, the teachers immediately reported to Hiranyakashipu.
Prahlad’s Teaching to Demon Boys
Man must make total surrender to Srihari, and that is the only course for lasting happiness.
Sensual pleasures are obtained in every birth by destiny and are without any effort. Hence, no effort should be made as it is a mere waste of one’s life.
When the body is young and sound, one must strive for the blessedness to avoid rebirth.
If a hundred years is the lifespan of a human body, half of it is spent on sleep (approximately 50 years), 20 years elapses in infancy, last 20 years is spent helplessly when his body is engulfed in disease or old age. The remaining 10 years pass away in ignorance of ‘I’ and ‘Mine’. Man gets attached to his home and family, and the desires or demands are insatiable.
Prahlada received teachings from Sage Narada even before his birth
Prahlada received spiritual lessons from Sage Narada while he was in his mother's womb. Sage Narada protected Kayadhu, Hiranyakashipu’s wife, from Indra as the latter wanted to kill Hiranyakashipu’s progeny.
The spiritual lessons were keenly heard and absorbed by Prahlad in the fetus itself. He could remember all the teachings, but his mother Kayadhu couldn't remember due to age and natural forces.
What was Hiranyakashipu’s fear?
Hiranyakashipu suspected danger from his son and decided to get rid of him. He
ordered his demons who had sharp teeth and fearful faces to dispose of his son Prahlad.
Prahlad was poisoned, was thrown from a hill, boulders were thrown on him, wild elephants were made to stamp on him and was thrown in dark caves. Yet Prahlad was least affected by the atrocities.
Hiranyakashipu was aghast to see Prahlad not getting affected by the atrocities meted on him by his ferocious demons. He also noticed that Prahlad was not getting any visible support from anyone, nor was he seeking any help through prayers or weapons. All the more, Prahlad remained calm and fearless.
This baffled Hiranyakashipu, and he remembered Sage Shunashepa, who was sold for a price by his own father. Shunashepa wasn't angry with his father, but at an appropriate time, he relinquished his father's lineage. Vedas speaks highly of Sage Shunashepa.
Hiranyakashipu, who had knowledge of Vedas, felt Prahlad, though not opposing him, would someday take revenge on him.
Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana
