How Prahlada Maharaj was born in a demon family
While the demons went off to attack the brahmana class and the Kings of the planet, Hiranyakashipu went to the mountains to perform severe austerities.
As he was starting his journey inauspicious signs began to manifest in the world. The earth began to tremble due to unforeseen earthquakes. Fires started to spring out the ground. Wolves howled and the sounds of owls could be heard throughout the kingdom. Intoxicated with false pride, Hiranyakashipu reached Mount Kailash. At the foot of Mount Kailash, the demon began to perform severe austerities and irreligious activities to gain greater demoniac powers.
Lord Brahma could foresee the danger that would manifest from Hiranyakasipu’s austerities. He became very perturbed and worried. He began to think to himself, how he can stop Hiranyaksipu from his fulfilling his vows.
At that time Narada Muni appeared. Narada Muni could see that his father was perplexed and inquired what the problem was. Lord Brahma expressed to his son the dissatisfaction he felt just witnessing the demon, Hiranyakasipu engaging in austerities. Narada Muni offered his father respects and along with Angira Muni left on a mission.
The two sages transformed their transcendental body into the bodies of sparrows. They perched themselves on a nearby tree and began to beautifully sing the names of Lord Narayana. Their singing was not loud but it was justthe right volume to reach the ears of Hiranyakasipu.
As the demon sat cross-legged the Holy Mantra, Om Narayana Namaha, entered his right ear. Hearing the transcendental names, Hiranyakasipu became agitated. As he opened his eyes, rays of anger was directed to the birds. Narada and Angira Muni sang the Om NarayanaNamaha in beautiful poetry. Hiranyakasipu got up, picked up his sword, fuming with anger, he rushed to the tree. Avoiding the danger, the two sages flew off chanting Om NarayanaNamaha.
Having his mediation broken Hiranyakasipu, returned to his palace. His wife Kayadhu was curious as to why he returned to the palace without completing his vows. Her husband related the story of the sages and how they chanted Om NarayanaNamaha. In this way he purified her with the holy name. While chanting the mantra, he took his wife into her inner chambers. With the mantra, ringing in his consciousness, Hiranyakasipu and his wife engaged in the act of procreation.
Due to the fortune of hearing Om NarayanaNamaha from the great sage, then repeating that mantra and finally, having the mantra in his consciousness, at the time when he was uniting with his wife, Hiranyakasipu attracted a pure devotee into the womb of his wife Kayadhu. In this way PraladhaMaharaj became the son of the demon Hiranyakasipu.
