The king shall not die during the day or night

Nor shall he die by any weapon’s might

No human, creature or devil can cause his death

Neither inside nor out can one end his breath

Such a king exclaimed, “Where is he?

Where is he, you speak of so lovingly?

Is he so afraid to even show his face?

Still chanting his name, you beget mighty disgrace!

When I acquired such power, where was he?

When I killed so many where was he?

He couldn’t even bother protecting his fame

As I destroyed every land that chanted his name!”

To his angered remarks came the calmest reply

“O’ Father, wherefore his grace do you deny?

Why bother looking for air, when you breathe it in?

Why bother looking for him, when he lies in every atom within?”

“If he is of the virtue foretold by thee

Wherefore does he fail to appear before me?

He didn’t even bother saving his people grim

When I destroyed every temple that worshipped him

Where is Vishnu? I ask thee right now

Is he so afraid to bring himself somehow?

Ha! The wind of my power seemed to put off his flame!

For I have burned every city that uttered his name!”

“O’ Father, no blazing wind can extinguish the sun

And no gale of dust survives once the storm has begun

And no darkness can ever escape his light

And no evil can ever escape his might

No call for him can ever evade his ear

And from his warmth can escape no fear

Father, his might makes mountains mere grains of sand

And his presence can be sought in every inch of this land”

“Enough!” ordered the demon king

“Such blind praises for him you sing

Tell him to stand thus before me

If he matches half the valour described by thee

And watch as I defeat him right before you!

And watch as I see his end through!

Where is that Vishnu? I order him to come!

And watch as in my hands, your hopes succumb!

Wherefore is he not here still?

Is he truly of your proclaimed skill?

If so wherefore is he hiding hence

Is he so afraid and looking for a better defense?”

Prahlada smiled and calmly replied

“O’ Father, what reason does he have to hide?

Do you not see him all around?

Do you not feel his presence profound?”

“Ha! I know not to be blinded like you!

Do you truly believe such words to be true?”

Scoffed the king as he pointed to a pillar near

“So are you saying he is even in this pillar here?”

“Yes, he is, father” answered the son

“He is in that pillar, the door and each and everyone”

“Then tell me,” the father questioned once more

As he struck the pillar with the mace he bore

“If I break this pillar through and through

Will I force that Vishnu to come into view?”

And the answer was proved by the pillar itself

As out of it came Maha Vishnu himself

In a form that is neither lion nor man

With might that even the skies couldn’t span

With a roar that deafened the worlds three

Came Sri Narasimha upon Prahlada’s plea

He dragged Hiranyakashyapu though the doorway

During the dusk that is neither night nor day

To witness it was the most fearsome view

As with his bare claws he slit the demon through

Even through the sight of the blood oozing everywhere

Prahlada could feel the lord’s warmth and care

And so his devotees, the lord came to save

As he came as the answer Prahlada gave

-Veda Samhita

29/12/2024