Brother of the demon Varaha slew, he won a boon that closed every door to death except one he never imagined.
Appears in
Prahlada and his father — Skandha 7, adhyayas 3-7 — A boy asked what the best thing he learned at school is answers 'devotion to Vishnu' — to the father who wants Vishnu dead.
Narasimha appears from the pillar — Skandha 7, adhyayas 8-10 — 'Is he in this pillar?' The king strikes it, and the Lord comes out in a form the boon never thought to forbid.
Embodies
Pride humbled — Brahma, Indra and the sage Durvasa each try to measure the Lord, and each one ends up on his knees asking pardon.
Questions to explore
What exactly did Hiranyakashipu ask Brahma for?
Why did Hiranyakashipu hate Vishnu?
Who was Hiranyakashipu in his earlier and later births?
