A demon king's son who could not be killed by poison, fire, cliffs or elephants, and who asked for nothing when offered everything.
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.
Vamana and Bali — Skandha 8, adhyayas 15-23 — A dwarf asks a generous king for three steps of land, and the king keeps his word after learning who the dwarf is.
Embodies
Devotion under trial — A boy thrown from cliffs, a child sent out by his stepmother: faith in the Bhagavatam is proven where it costs the most.
Devotion as the highest dharma — The Bhagavatam's own thesis (1.2.6): the highest dharma is devotion with no motive, which nothing can interrupt.
Questions to explore
Why did Prahlada pray for his father's liberation?
What did Prahlada teach the other boys at school?
Why did Prahlada refuse every boon Narasimha offered?
