Prahalada Charitam - Unknown Author(-- to --)                                                                         BACK

This story is taken from the Bhagavatha. The author and period of this play is not known. However, the language looks primitive. Hiranya Kashipu defeated Indra in a war. Further as per his instruction Ghora Damshtra and Vivida arrested Narada and Parvata Raja and tied them up and forced them to pray to Hiranya Kashipu instead of Vishnu. However Narada escaped and reported the matter to Brahma. They together met Vishnu and told him about the tragedy that was taking place. Vishnu said he will see to this matter and sent them off.

However Hiranyakashipu's son Prahalada alone always prayed to Vishnu. He was sent to Shukracharya to be corrected. Shukracharya tried to correct Prahalada in various ways but did not succeed. An Asura lady called Vakra Danthi tried to kill Prahalada but failed. She was burnt to death in the Bhakti of Prahalada.

Later Hiranya Kashipu tries to punish Prahalada in various ways. He was bitten by poisonous snakes, thrown out from towers, thrown into seas etc., but every time Prahalada survives.

Tired of all this Hiranyakashipu calls upon Vishnu for a fight. Hearing that all-pervasive Vishnu may also be dwelling in a pillar he breaks one pillar with his sword. But from the broken pillar jumps out Narasimha an Avatara of Vishnu, kills Hiranya Kashipu and blesses Prahalada. The way this story is built up to a superb climax and the way Narasimha appears from the pillar with an icy cold expression which terrifies Hiranyakashipu out of his wits makes the story unforgettable.

In this story, Hiranya Kashipu is a Kathi Vesha. Prahalada is Pacha. Shukracharya is Minuku. Narsimha is a white beard.