The revered sages, those great-souled yogis like Sanaka, meditate deeply upon Krishna, while Brahma, Shiva, Indra, and the entire host of gods worship him with devotion. By merely a sidelong glance from Krishna’s divine consort, the dwellers of heaven—Brahma, Indra, Rudra, Varuna, Yama, Soma, and Kubera—can be seen. Simply remembering Krishna’s name is so powerful that even the most sinful quickly attain liberation, a state difficult for even beings like Brahma to reach. He alone, united with Lakshmi, is the protector and lord of Sri, ever the guardian of the gods. Only he, the infallible one, is worthy of worship. With unwavering faith, Prahlada declares that he will easily attain the supreme abode of Vishnu. Hearing Prahlada’s words, Rudra recounts how Hiranyakashipu was overcome by great anger, blazing like a fire. The demon king, maddened by rage, looked around at the Daityas and spoke fiercely: “With terrifying weapons, kill Prahlada, the evildoer, by my command—he who is devoted to worshiping the enemy. If Hari alone is the protector and shields him out of affection, then today I shall witness the truth of that protection.” At the king’s command, the Daityas, weapons raised, surrounded Prahlada, the great-souled son of their lord. Yet Prahlada, meditating on Vishnu in the lotus of his heart and reciting the eight-syllabled mantra, stood firm like a mountain. The warriors attacked him with spears, javelins, and lances, but Prahlada’s body, blessed by his remembrance of Hari, remained unharmed. Through Vishnu’s power, his body became unassailable, like adamant. The mighty weapons of the enemies fell to the ground, scattered like blue lotus petals; not even a small part of his body could be broken. Astonished and speechless, the warriors stood before Hiranyakashipu, having witnessed the greatness of Prahlada. Filled with wonder and anger, the demon king ordered all the venomous serpents, led by Vasuki, to devour Prahlada. The fierce serpents, with blazing mouths and terrifying forms, attacked the devotee of Garuda’s banner, biting him with their venomous fangs. Yet their venom vanished, their fangs broke, and they became wind-eaters, wounded by Vainateya’s thousand attacks, fleeing in distress, blood flowing profusely. Seeing the mighty serpents defeated, Hiranyakashipu angrily ordered the elephants of the quarters, intoxicated and powerful, to attack. The elephants, maddened with pride, surrounded Prahlada and struck fiercely with their tusks, but their tusks broke at the root and fell to the ground. Terrified, the elephants fled. Enraged further, Hiranyakashipu kindled a great fire and cast his own son into it. Yet Agni, seeing Prahlada, beloved of the Lord who rests on water, did not burn him; the flames became cool. When the king saw the child unharmed by fire, he was greatly astonished. He then gave Prahlada dreadful poison, meant to destroy all beings, but by Vishnu’s power, the poison became nectar. By offering it to the divine one, the poison was transformed into nectar. Thus, by various deadly means—terrible and fierce—Hiranyakashipu tried to delude his son. Seeing Prahlada’s invulnerability, the king, overwhelmed with wonder, finally spoke gently to him. Hiranyakashipu said, “You have rightly spoken of Vishnu’s supremacy before me; because he pervades all beings, he is called Vishnu. That god who is all-pervading is indeed the Supreme Lord; show me directly his all-pervasiveness. His lordly powers, energies, brilliance, knowledge, strength, and might—these are the supreme form and divine glories of that transcendent one. Having truly and diligently seen Vishnu, I consider that among the gods there is no one in the world who can match my power. By receiving a boon from Īśāna, I have attained invulnerability among all beings and unconquerability over all creatures. Vishnu could only gain lordship by defeating me in strength and valor.” Rudra continues: Hearing these words, Prahlada, amazed yet steadfast in his vows, began to speak of Hari’s glory and the humility of the wretched. Prahlada said, “That illustrious Narayana, the supreme soul, eternal, who dwells in all beings, is called Vasudeva. He is the sustainer of the entire universe and is called Vishnu; there is nothing else in this world, whether moving or unmoving, apart from him. Everywhere, the form of both sentient and insentient things is only his; his threefold pervasion is in the supreme sky, and his single-footed pervasion is a wondrous portion. He who holds the discus and mace in his hands, who wears yellow garments—Janardana—is seen by yogis through devotion, but never seen without devotion. Janardana cannot be seen out of anger or envy; yet, pervading all—gods, animals, humans, even immobile beings—he abides in all, from the smallest to the greatest.” Rudra says: Hearing Prahlada’s words, Hiranyakashipu, the foremost of the Daityas, his eyes reddened with anger, repeatedly rebuked his son. He demanded, “If this Vishnu is truly all-pervading and the supreme person, then show me proof today; what use are many words?