Like many other demons and Asuras, he also had the intense desire to become immortal.
He performed some hard Tapa (penances) until he was granted a boon by Lord Brahmaa.
Having received that boon, he became very egotistic and ordered everyone in his kingdom to worship him.
However, his son Prehlad refused to do so.
He said none other than Ram* (the Almighty God), which is Omnipresent and all-pervading - prevalent in the earth, waters, and the sky is worthy of worship.
It made Hiranyakashyap extremely angry, and he made several attempts to kill Prehlad - his own son.
But every time, he was miraculously saved.
After failing several attempts, King Hiranyakashayap called upon his sister Holika for help.
According to the story, Holika had a special cloak - a garment that prevented her from being harmed by fire.
She proposed that she would sit on a bonfire wearing that cloak while holding young Prahlad on her lap.
She knew that she would not be harmed by the fire, but Prehlad will burn.
However, as the fire roared, the garment flew away from Holika and fell over Prahlad - covering him completely. Therefore, Holika was burnt to death, and Prehlad came out unharmed.
Like all other ancient Hindu stories, regardless of whether it is a true story or not - it has a deeper, symbolic - metaphorical meaning.
Holika was a demon - a person with evil thoughts.
But she was always able to cover her evil intentions by wearing her special cloak - the mask of goodness.
Meaning - a cover of charity with a smiling face and charming personality that would prevent her from the fire of people's anger.
However, when she faced the fire of the people's test along with Prehlad - her cover was blown away.
Everyone saw her face without the mask, and the goodness and truthfulness of Prehlad became evident to all.
She lost, and Prehlad came out unharmed.
We often see these kinds of scenarios in our life as well.
Many people pretend to be genuinely good - to be saints - by hiding their real intentions behind the masks of sainthood and charity.
He performed some hard Tapa (penances) until he was granted a boon by Lord Brahmaa.
Having received that boon, he became very egotistic and ordered everyone in his kingdom to worship him.
However, his son Prehlad refused to do so.
He said none other than Ram* (the Almighty God), which is Omnipresent and all-pervading - prevalent in the earth, waters, and the sky is worthy of worship.
It made Hiranyakashyap extremely angry, and he made several attempts to kill Prehlad - his own son.
But every time, he was miraculously saved.
After failing several attempts, King Hiranyakashayap called upon his sister Holika for help.
According to the story, Holika had a special cloak - a garment that prevented her from being harmed by fire.
She proposed that she would sit on a bonfire wearing that cloak while holding young Prahlad on her lap.
She knew that she would not be harmed by the fire, but Prehlad will burn.
However, as the fire roared, the garment flew away from Holika and fell over Prahlad - covering him completely. Therefore, Holika was burnt to death, and Prehlad came out unharmed.
Like all other ancient Hindu stories, regardless of whether it is a true story or not - it has a deeper, symbolic - metaphorical meaning.
Holika was a demon - a person with evil thoughts.
But she was always able to cover her evil intentions by wearing her special cloak - the mask of goodness.
Meaning - a cover of charity with a smiling face and charming personality that would prevent her from the fire of people's anger.
However, when she faced the fire of the people's test along with Prehlad - her cover was blown away.
Everyone saw her face without the mask, and the goodness and truthfulness of Prehlad became evident to all.
She lost, and Prehlad came out unharmed.
We often see these kinds of scenarios in our life as well.
Many people pretend to be genuinely good - to be saints - by hiding their real intentions behind the masks of sainthood and charity.
They think that they cannot be harmed by anyone - because they are wearing that special cloak - mask of goodness over their face - which will save them from the fire of people's anger.
But, when real Saints like Prehlad appear on the scene, the falsehood is blown away - and the Truth prevails.
When we understand the hidden meanings and messages behind these stories, the celebration of these festivals makes more sense and becomes beneficial to all.
' Rajan Sachdeva '
But, when real Saints like Prehlad appear on the scene, the falsehood is blown away - and the Truth prevails.
When we understand the hidden meanings and messages behind these stories, the celebration of these festivals makes more sense and becomes beneficial to all.
' Rajan Sachdeva '
* Sarveshu Ramtay iti Raamah
(That - which is all-pervading - prevalent everywhere - and in everyone, is called Rama)
(That - which is all-pervading - prevalent everywhere - and in everyone, is called Rama)
Dhan Nirankar ji, thanks for your great articles ji��♂️��
ReplyDeleteWow Uncle Ji !!! Powerful....never looked at it that way. You see the benefits of Saints like yourself....bring another dimension ��
ReplyDelete