PLATE SEVEN

When the attempts of the demon Raksasas to kill Prahlada Maharaja
were futile, the King of the demons, Hiranyakasipu, being most fearful,
began contriving other means to kill him. Hiranyakasipu thought,
‘Although Prahlada is only five years old, even at this young age he has
given up his affectionate relationship with his father and mother.
Prahlada is so treacherous that he has become a devotee of Visnu, who
killed his uncle Hiranyaksa. If a limb of one’s body is poisoned by dis-
ease, it must be amputated so that the rest of the body may live happily.
Similarly, even one’s own son, if unfavorable, must be rejected, although
born of one’s own body.” Thus Hiranyakasipu planned a campaign to kill
Prahlada Maharaja. He thought he would kill his son by throwing him
beneath the feet of big elephants, throwing him among huge, fearful
snakes, employing destructive spells, conjuring up illusory tricks, ad-
ministering poison, starving him, exposing him to severe cold, winds,
fire and water, throwing heavy stones to crush him, or hurling him from

the top of a mountain. But Prahlada Maharaja, who was completely sin-
less, could not be harmed in any way. ( pp. 276-278, 282)
