The deadly halahala poison, brought forth by those who had slain the Daitya lord, was given to Prahlada. Yet, he who was utterly free of pride and delusion consumed and digested it with ease. His mind, ever tranquil and impartial, regarded all beings with supreme friendliness, seeing no difference between himself and others. Righteousness was his very nature; he was a living treasury of truth, valor, and every virtue, a shining example for all the virtuous. At this point, Maitreya, full of wonder, addressed the great sage Parashara, “You have narrated to me the lineage of Manu, and declared that Vishnu alone is the eternal cause of this universe. You have also recounted what the Blessed Lord said to Prahlada, foremost among the Daityas—that neither fire burned him, nor weapons harmed him, nor did he ever abandon his life. When Prahlada was held beneath the water, the very earth trembled; even when bound and tossed about, or struck by herds of cows, he remained unharmed. When mountains were pressed upon his body, he did not die; you yourself have told me of the extraordinary might of this wise one.” “I wish to hear more,” Maitreya continued, “of the incomparable power of this devotee of Vishnu, whose glorious deeds you have described. Why, O sage, was he struck with weapons by the Daityas? Why was that righteous one cast into the ocean’s waters? Why was he pressed by mountains, or confronted by mighty serpents? Why was he hurled from a mountain peak or thrown into blazing fire? Why was he made to lie on the ground trampled by the elephants of the quarters? For what reason did the asuras set the scorching wind upon him? What sorcery did the Daitya teachers employ, and what thousand illusions did Shambara unleash? Why was the deadly halahala poison given to him, and how did he digest it? All this, O most fortunate one, I long to hear—the deeds of the great-souled Prahlada, which reveal his supreme greatness. Truly, it is not surprising that he was not slain by the Daityas, for who, with a mind devoted solely to Vishnu, can ever be cast down?” “In him, ever steadfast in righteousness and intent on the destruction of Keshava’s enemies, it was exceedingly difficult for the Daityas—his own kin—to harm him or even look upon him with enmity. Since the Daityas attacked that great soul, whose very nature is righteousness, who is devoted to Vishnu and free from envy, you must tell me about this. Even adversaries of great souls do not attack those endowed with such virtues and truthfulness; how much less, then, would birds or other creatures? Therefore, O best of sages, narrate all this in detail; I wish to hear fully the deeds of the lord of the Daityas.” Thus addressed, Parashara replied, “O Maitreya, listen attentively to the story of Prahlada, the wise and noble-hearted one. Diti’s son, the mighty Hiraṇyakaśipu, once brought the three worlds under his sway, empowered by a boon from Brahma. This Daitya assumed the role of Indra, and became himself the Sun, the Wind, the Fire, the Lord of Waters, and even Soma. He became the lord of wealth and Yama, the lord of death; indeed, this Asura enjoyed all the shares of sacrifice, leaving none for the gods.” “O best of sages, the gods, terrified, abandoned their realms and wandered the earth disguised as humans. Having conquered the three worlds, Hiraṇyakaśipu, intoxicated with the pride of universal sovereignty, reveled in his pleasures, praised by the Gandharvas. At that time, all the Siddhas, Gandharvas, and serpents attended upon him, the great-souled Hiraṇyakaśipu, who was addicted to wine. Some played instruments, others sang, and yet others shouted cries of victory; the Siddhas, filled with joy, performed before the Daitya king. There, as the Apsaras danced upon crystal floors, the Asura, delighted, drank wine in his most charming palace.” “In the midst of all this, his son, the illustrious Prahlada, went as a child to the house of his teacher and recited his lessons. One day, this righteous soul accompanied his teacher before his father, the lord of the Daityas, who was then absorbed in drinking. Hiraṇyakaśipu, raising his son who had bowed respectfully at his feet, spoke to Prahlada, whose energy was immeasurable: ‘O child, among all you have studied and recited, what is the best and most excellent saying you have learned in this time?’” “Listen, dear father,” replied Prahlada, “by your command, I shall speak the essence; with a focused mind, I will express what is established in my heart. I bow to the great soul, the cause of all causes—beginningless, endless, unborn, unaging, undecaying, and unchanging.” Hearing these words, the king of the Daityas, his eyes reddened with anger, looked furiously at his son’s teacher and spoke, his lips quivering, “O false Brahmin! What is this, filled with praise for the enemy? Foolish one, you have led this child astray, disregarding me!” The teacher replied, “Lord of the Daityas, you should not give in to anger; your son does not speak what I have taught him.” Hiraṇyakaśipu then turned to Prahlada, “By whom and how have you been instructed, child? Tell me, Prahlada. This is not what I have taught—so says your teacher.” Prahlada answered, “Vishnu, who abides in the heart, is the ruler of the entire world; apart from that Supreme Self, dear father, who can instruct whom?” At this, Hiraṇyakaśipu, enraged, demanded, “Who is this Vishnu, you fool, whom you keep mentioning again and again, right here before me, the lord of the worlds?