In the previous episode, we had witnessed Hiranya Kashibu’s “snake bid” ending up to be a failure. Previously, the elephant bid, mountain bid and the ocean bid ended up in the same result too, and with the snake bid also falling apart, Hiranya Kashibu is clearly getting jitters within himself, more than ever! He now charts out a plan – Perhaps, one last plan, before he decides to take on Bhagawan Vishnu head on. Rather than depending upon other people to kill Prahlaada, he decides to take it upon himself to do the needful. Now the strategy changes a bit – Hiranya Kashibu is directly going to give poison to Little Prahlaada and kill him straight away! The plan was made! He thus comes with a cup full of poison and talks to Prahlaada thus, “Oh Prahlaada! Even now it is not too late. You’ve betrayed me as a son, for all these days. Atleast now change your mind, and turn yourself away from that Narayana. Chant my name. Please realize that Narayana is our enemy and you’re insulting me by following the footsteps of our enemy, more than your father! Change your mind now, else you’re going to meet with a ghastly end to your life. Here’s a cup of treacherous poison. If you’re not changing your mind now, I’m going to make you drink this cup of poison in front of me!”
As Hiranya Kashibu poses the “poison challenge” thus, Little Prahlaada is unmoved as usual. He’s as solid as a rock. He replies to his father thus, “Oh father! Please realize that Bhagawan Narayana is not our enemy. He is our savior. If you’re devoted to him, He is the most compassionate person in this world. Hence, my devotion towards Bhagawan Narayana is unending, and it shall be that way, no matter what happens to me. Even if I’ve to consume this poison and die, I’m happy to do so, because ultimately I’m sure that Bhagawan Narayana will take care of me and perhaps this is the way through which I’ve to attain Moksha. If that’s the case, then I’m very happy to consume the poison that you’re going to give me. However, I’m not going to change my stance for all these things. Nobody else in this world can be a savior other than Bhagawan Vishnu!”
This firm and stubborn answer from Prahlaada frustrates Hiranya Kashibu to bits. Every word that Prahlaada spoke were like “swords of insult” thrown upon Hiranya Kashibu. He thus decides that he has had enough with this little reckless boy! He’s not going to change his mind even a bit. Hiranya Kashibu thus decides to go ahead with his “poison plan”. He thus hands over the cup of poison to Prahlaada and orders him to consume it in front of him. Little Prahlaada obeys! He consumes the cup of poison, and is becoming still with Bhaagwan Vishnu’s “Naama-Sankeertana” (Chanting of Bhagawan’s divine names). As the poison enters into the little child’s body, he becomes blue in color with the impact of the poison. This is a critical time yet again, wherein Bhagawan Vishnu had to act! He has to come to the rescue of His ardent devotee once again! As Prahlaada is calling out to Bhagawan Vishnu for help, Bhagawan Vishnu immediately responds by making sure that the poison has “Zero” impact on Prahlaada! As minutes pass by, Little Prahlaada is recovering from the impact of the poison, rather than deteriorating! Thus, finally, to the utter surprise and horror for Hiranya Kashibu, Little Prahlaada opens his eyes, only to be safe and secure, despite the poison being so intense and powerful enough to kill anybody!
Hiranya Kashibu couldn’t believe his eyes here! He has given the poison in person to Prahlaada, and still, he managed to escape unscathed! Till now, he had doubted his people whether they had executed the punishments to Prahlaada properly or not. But now, that doubt has been cleared. It was not the fault of the people, but it is Bhagawan Narayana who is playing an “invisible hand” in protecting Prahlaada everytime! Hiranya Kashibu is perplexed for a moment, and doesn’t know how to react! Now what is going to be his next move? Is he still sticking on with his plan of taking Bhagawan Vishnu head on? Let’s wait for the next episode to find out! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 