Activities of Sri Prahlada
Hiranyakashipu’s wife was Kayadhu, who was the daughter of Jambha. Together they had four sons, Samhlada, Anuladha, Hlada and Praladha. They also had one daughter, Simihka who was married to the demon Vipracit. They had a demon son named Rahu, who’s head was cut off by Lord Visnu when he drank the nectar that was meant to the demigods.
Praladha had one son Virocana, who’s wife gave birth to Bali Maharaja. Both Bali Maharaj and Prahlada were great devotees of Lord Krsna.
Although born in a demon family Praladha was always remembering Krsna, the son of Vasudeva. Just a hen-pecked lover sees nothing but his beloved, Praladha saw nothing but Krsna everywhere. For a small boy playing is difficult to give up, but Sri Praladha he would never engaged in activities of mundane playing. He was quite and sometimes even dull. He never saw any good in material activities.
Hiranyakasipu wanted to teach his son the art of politics. Although Sukracaya was a brahamana he still became the spiritual master of the atheist Hiranyakasipu. He had two sons, Sanda and Amarka. Prahlada Maharaj was given to them to increase his knowledge on economics and politics.
Although only a five year old boy, Sri Praladha understood that politics was a philosophy were you have choose friends and make enemies. He did not look this. Been a great devotee he saw everything and everyone equally. He did not like the system of education that was taught by the son’s of Sukracarya. Although he was forced feed this knowledge, he still maintained his knowledge of Krsna.
One day his father called him and placed him on his lap. Thinking that Praladha was a small boy and could not yet understand complicated topics, Hiranyakasipu asked his son what he had learnt from his teachers.
To his surprise, Praladha began talking about the temporary body. He explained how household life is also temporary and that a true seeker should leave everything and go to the Vrndavan and worship Sri Krsna.
Hiranyakasipu became a bit perturbed since the philosophy his son was speaking goes against his desires. His son spoke about temporary body, whereas he got the so-called benediction to live eternally and giving up the temporary household life is like a dark well filled with anxiety is just the opposite of what he was doing. He was enjoying the heavenly planets. So what Praladha was speaking to him was annoying to him.
Hiranyakasipu taught the enemy Lord Visnu had been influencing his son. So he called for the two teachers to take his son and protect him from the enemy. At the guru-kula, school, the two sons of Sukracarya inquired from Prahlada how he got the knowledge since all the other boys had not deviated from they had been taught.
The five year old devotee started to explain to his teaches how his consciousness is naturally attracted to Krsna just like iron is naturally attracted to magnets. Sanda and Amarka became very anger at Praladha and chastised him comparing him to a thorn tree in the forest of sandal-wood trees. They then began teaching him he art of politics, economic development and sense gratification.
After some time of this kind of education, Srila Prahlada Maharaj was brought back to his father. After He offered his father respects by touching his feet and Hiranyakasipu blessing his son by smelling his head, the demon asked his son to enlighten him in some of his education.
The great devotee of Krsna replied that hearing, chanting and remembering of Lord Visnu, Krsna is the highest perfection. One should serve the Lotus feet of the Lord, offer worship with the sixteen items, one should offer prayers, one should become the servant of Krsna, become the best friend, and surrender everything to Krsna.
When Hiranyakasipu heard this he became extremely angry at the two teachers. He called them up with a loud voice and demand answers as to how his son was contaminated with such knowledge. He accused them of been enemies in the garb of false friendship. Sanda spoke against the anger of Hiranyakasipu. He reported that Praladha had not learnt any of this from him nor his brother, or anyone in the gurukula. He explained to the demon king how this knowledge has come natural to Praladha. Hiranyakasipu, boiling with anger threw his son on the floor and commanded that the boy be killed.
