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trary, he had taken the side of the Devas, under the pretence of
Upasana.
He then consoled his nephew and his brother's wife by words
of wisdom explaining to them the transitory character of the world
and the permanence of Atma. He also told them several stories to
illustrate the point.
Hiranya-kasipu vowed enmity to Vishnu. He prayed hard
for immortality and supremacy over the Triloki. Brahma became
pleased with his asceticism and enquired what boon he wanted.
Said Hyranyakasipu: "Let me have no death from any one created
by Thee. Let not those that are not created by Thee kill me inside
or outside, by day or by night, with any weapon, either on the earth or
in the air. Let no man or animal, with or without life (asu\ Deva, Daitya
or serpent kill me. As thou art without a rival in battle, the one
glorious lord of all beings and all Lokapalas, so let me be too. Let
me possess all the Siddhis, (Anima ??c.)" Brahma said, Amen.
Hiranyakasipu then ruled the Universe. He took the place of
Indra. All the Devas worshipped him.
Brahmanas and other Grihasthas performed Yajna in his honor
and gave offerings to him. The earth yielded plenty even withont
much effort. There was prosperity all around. The Shastras were
however not duly respected. (All this is a description of the material
period, the reign of Materiality). A long, long time passed on in
this way. At last the Lokapalas could bear it no longer. They
prayed to Vishnu for relief. The Devas heard a voice from heaven
"Wait ye all. The time has not yet come for the fall of Hiranya-
kasipu. He shall be the enemy of his own son. I kill him then"
Assured by these words, the Devas went to their own place,
HIRANYAKASIPU AND PRAHLADA.
SKANDHA VII. CHAP. 4-9.
Hiranya-kasipu had 4 sons. Of these Prahlada was great in
his virtues. He was respectful, well-behaved, truthful, self-controlled,
friendly to all beings, and great in his devotion. Even in his infancy,
he gave up play and constantly meditated on Vasudeva. The things
of the world had no relish for him. In the exuberance of devo-
tional feelings, he sometimes laughed, sometimes wept, semetimes
sang and sometimes danced. At times when the feelings were pro-
found, he remained quiet with hair standing on end while tears flowed
down his cheeks.
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