Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 7 Chapter 5:42-57

Book 7: Chapter 5

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 7: Chapter 5: Verses 42-57 Hiranyakasipu attempts the life of Prahrada On that effort having been foiled, Hiranyakasipu (the ruler of the demons) felt greatly alarmed and resorted with pertinacity to (various) devices of despatching the boy, O Yudhisthira ! When (however) the demon failed to get rid of his sinless boy by means of the elephants guarding the (four) quarters, serpents and destructive spells, by hurling him down (from great heights), employing conjuring tricks, confining him (in caves etc.) and administering poison, (nay,) by starving him, exposing him to frost, winds, fire and floods and even crushing him under rocks, and could not lay his hands on any (other) means to dispose of him, he was plunged in the deepest anxiety. (He said to himself,) "The boy was reproached by me in a number of ways and devices were (also) employed to kill him. But (lo !) he escaped (unhurt) from all those mischiefs and destructive spells by virtue of his own glory. Though standing close to me and a child yet, the fellow is really undaunted in mind and powerful (too). . Like Sunahsepa he will not forget my wrongs (and is sure to retaliate sooner or later). Possessed of infinite glory and fearing none, he is immortal (to all appearance). My death will surely follow as a result of hostility to him. Or else it may not occur (at all). 'Sunahtepa was the second son of a sage, Ajigarta by name. Having been sold by his parents in favour of the famous king Hariscandra, the boy joined his father's enemy, the celebrated Viswamitra, and adopted the latter's line as his parentage. To him, who sat with his face downward, his splendour having been blasted to some extent by his anxious thought as aforementioned, Sanda and Amarka, the sons of the sage Usana (Sukracarya, the preceptor of the demon race), as the tradition goes, spoke thus in private:- "You have conquered single-handed all the three worlds, whose guardians are frightened by the (mere) play of your eyebrows. Such as you are, we see nothing for you to be anxious about, O lord !Indeed the behaviour of children is no topic for judgment as good or bad. Until, however, your preceptor (and our father), Sukracarya (son of Bhrgu), comes back, (please) keep the boy bound with the cords of Varuna (the god of water) so that he may not abscond through fear. A man's reason returns with (advanced) age as well as through the service of exalted souls." Having accepted the advice of the sons of his preceptor (Sukracarya), saying "Let it be so," Hiranyakasipu spoke as follows : "As a matter of fact, such duties (alone) should be taught to him as are proper to kings leading the life of a householder." To Prahrada, who was not only modest but meek as well, O king (Yudhisthira), they always taught in the proper order only Dharma (the code of right conduct), Artha (the ways and means of producing and enhancing wealth), and Kama (the correct way of enjoying the pleasures of sense). Prahrada, (however,) did not approve of the (aforesaid) three objects of human pursuit even when properly taught to him by his teachers, much less the teaching imparted by those who feasted their mind upon the objects of sense through feelings of attachment and aversion etc. (One day,) when the preceptor was away (from the school) in connection with his household duties, he (Prahrada) was called there (for play) by the boys of his own age, who had (now) found time to make merry. Answering their call in sweet words, Prahrada (who was very wise and) who was aware of their devotion (to himself), then kindly addressed them as though smiling. Laying aside (their) playthings out of respect for him, however, all those boys, whose judgment had not (yet) been vitiated by the precepts and actions of those who delighted in sense-enjoyments through feelings of attachment and aversion etc., sat round him, O king of kings, with their heart and eyes fixed on him; and the Asura (Prahrada), who was an eminent votary of the Lord and who was (most) compassionate and friendly (towards them), spoke to them (as follows). Thus ends the fifth discourse, forming part of the narrative of Prahrada, in Book Seven of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.