The celestial voice continued,

“Yadā deveṣu vedeṣu goṣu vipreṣu sādhuṣu Dharme mayi ca vidveṣaḥ sa vā āśu vinaśyati

He who, at any point of time, despises Devatas, Vedas, cows, learned Vedic scholars, noble sat-puruṣās, the rules of righteousness (dharma) or Me will definitely face destruction. Hiraṇyakaśipu’s son Prahlada is a noble Mahatma who has no feelings of enmity towards anyone. He is an epitome of peace. When Hiraṇyakaśipu mercilessly torments this boy, I shall kill him, even though he is protected by all boons”.

Hearing these auspicious words uttered by Lord Nārāyaṇa through the medium of the celestial voice, the Devatas were reassured. Their fear was dispelled. Considering Hiraṇyakaśipu to be as good as dead they returned to their homes.

Hiraṇyakaśipu had 4 wonderful sons. Among them Prahlāda, who had the quality of serving great saints, was the best due to his transcendental qualities. Prahlāda, who was a repository of every good quality, was filled with devotion towards learned Vedic scholars. He had conquered all his senses was also bound to the discipline of truthfulness. Like the Supreme Self, he too always sought the well-being of every living entity and helped one and all.

Like a servant he would offer obeisance to the feet of noble Mahatmas. Like the father he showered love upon the poor and downtrodden. Even the slightest trace of arrogance and pride could not be seen in this prince, although he was the son of such a powerful king. He deeply revered and respected all elders, scholars, Mahatmas and devotees. He treated his equals like a friend. He respected his teachers considering them to be God.

Knowledge, opulence and beauty brimmed in him. To add to it, he was born in a very respectable family. Despite all these factors he was freed from any pride. Even in the most alarming situations, Prahlāda would remain calm. He who was free from desires realized that all things seen and heard in this world were illusory and that they had no real existence.

Desire had come to an end in Prahlāda, who had achieved total control over his senses, life-force, body and intellect. He therefore was a demon in whom demonic traits were absent. Poets in all the three worlds would profusely extol his noble qualities. Inspired by him, many Mahatmas would try to adopt his virtuous qualities. Even to-date people glorify his noble traits.

O emperor! In those assemblies where glories of noble saints were sung, Devatas would glorify Prahlāda although he belonged to the enemy demon camp. This being the case, is there any specific need to mention that supreme personalities like you, who have no enemy, will glorify him?

To understand his glory let me narrate just one instance. Prahlāda was naturally inclined towards the Supreme Lord Vasudeva. Even in infancy, this supreme Mahatma discarded all toys and fixed his mind solely upon the Supreme Lord. Due to his he would appear inert and dull. As attraction towards Srikrishna totally held sway over his mind, to him this world did not appear as filled with innumerable names and forms but instead appeared to be overflowing with Pure Consciousness. He could see the Lord as pervading everywhere.

Even in infancy, while performing activities such as walking, sitting, sleeping, eating, standing or talking his mind would be solely focused upon the Supreme Lord. As such he would perform these activities without being aware of them. Even when people spoke to him, his attention would be fixed upon the Lord. At times, the words uttered by others wouldn’t even enter his ears. Even if at all they entered, he would not attach any importance to them.

At times Prahlāda would weep that Srihari has not manifested before him. He would grieve at his inability to see the Lord. “I have not yet seen the Lord. I have not yet earned the Lord’s grace. O Lord, why have to kept me at such distance from you? Why this separation? Even when I search deeply you are not be found”- he would weep”.