The battle between father Hiranyakashipu and son Prahalada was entirely one-sided. Prahalada wanted to worship Sri Narayana while still respecting his father. However, Hiranyakashipu could not appreciate Prahalada’s ability to reconcile both loyalties. He demanded that Prahalada choose either him or Sri Narayana. This false dichotomy felt unnatural to Prahalada.In the end, Hiranyakashipu resolved to eliminate both Prahalada and Sri Narayana. But Sri Nrisimha Deva, in slaying Hiranyakashipu, not only protected Prahalada physically but also fulfilled his inner desire—to love and serve Sri Nrisimha Deva. Remarkably, Prahalada even requested that Sri Nrisimha help transform Hiranyakashipu’s consciousness and elevate his soul.Prahalada stands as a master reconciler, while Hiranyakashipu represents an unyielding exclusivist. His rigid, demoniac exclusivity was unsustainable. Despite his quest for immortality, he was eliminated well before schedule.

Lesson learned: Any exclusive claim—be it philosophical, religious, or ideological—will eventually be dismantled by time, nature, Ishwara, or a very angry half-man, half-lion deity with impeccable timing.

The exclusivist—whether a philosopher, religionist, or ideologue—can be challenged through strong, inclusive narratives. If that doesn’t work, we can always wait for nature, time, or Ishwara to do a bit of cosmic housekeeping.

Bharata, at its core, reflects Prahalada’s psychology. And let’s not forget—Sri Prahalada did eventually become a great warrior too, all while upholding the noble spirit of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah” (May all beings be happy

Jai Sri Nrisimha dev
Jai Prahalada Maharaja
Jai Bharata the punya bhumi.

– Govinda Das (ISKCON Member)