In due course of time, Prahlada inherited the throne of demonic kingdom. He earned unprecedented power and glory with his sublime qualities of the character and crystal clear image. No blemish could spoil his character and image.
With that power Prahlada defeated the celestial Lord Indra in a battle. It was no hard fought battle. Infact, against the might of king Prahlada of demons Lord Indra proved no match. After defeating Indra, the demon king made celestial domain a part of the demonic kingdom. Behind it was the grace of Lord Vishnu who wanted Indra taught some lessons as letter every now and then became arrogant by habit. Lord works in many ways to reform his faithful and put them on the right course.
Powerless and glum faced Indra went to the celestial guru Acharya Brihaspati to seek his guidance. With folded hands he asked, “Holy sir! I am very puzzled as how a person born in the demonic race could so easily defeat me and become the Lord of the celestial world as well?”
“There is no puzzle about it, Indra”, Brihaspati revealed to the celestial Lord, “By the power of his sublime character and fine qualities Prahlada gained the victory over you. The qualities of one’s character empowers one spiritually so strong that the physical powers don’t overcome them. That is the real source of the power of the demon lord. And then, we all know that he had the blessings of Almighty Lord to pave his way to triumph.”
“Holy sir, we perform so many rites, rituals, yajnas etc. that our religious credit should be far greater than demons. So, why does Lord Vishnu go on presently patronising the demonic forces?”
“That is where you are seriously wrong Indra,” Brihaspati spoke shaking his head. “Lord does not discriminate between the gods, demons, yakshas, nagas or gandharvas on racial lines. For him all are equal. But he does evaluate the thoughts and sentiments of the mind and the heart. Any mind that has true devotion and love for him naturally attracts him. But those who ignore him or carry negative thoughts about him, why should he shine his grace on them? As far as rites, rituals, yajnas or worship-prayers are concerned the sentiment behind them is the main elements. If all these religious rites are being performed with selfish motives then they lose all their religious importance and credits.”
With humility Indra spoke, “Holy sir, now I can feel the emptiness inside me. I realise my mistakes and shortcomings. Please guide me out of this hopeless situation.”
“Indra, if you want to attain sublime state then you must give up jealousy, angst, false pride, greed and infatuation.”
“I am ready to do anything you say, holy sir. Tell me frankly without hesitation. I am ready to take all of your suggestions.”
“Son, I want you to go to Shukracharya, the guru of the demons. He will guide you to the sublime state.”
“As you command, holy sir,” said Indra without betraying any surprise or resentment. “Now I take leave of you, holy sir. Please allow me to go and bless me to gain success in my mission.”
“Blessed you are, Indra,” Brihaspati said with his hand raised in the gesture of blessing.
“May you come back successful with regained glory and your kingdom.”
After losing his kingdom and the hearing to the words of wisdom, all the false pride had gone from Indra and now he was a humble character. The sentiments of enmity and antagonism had also vanished. Without any hesitation Indra went to the guru of the demons, Shukracharya.
Guru Shukracharya was a man of scholarly wisdom and penance. When Indra surrendered to him Shukracharya benignly took him in his fold.
From Shukracharya Indra learnt the knowledge of the path to the sublime state.
After learning that knowledge Indra asked, “Holy sir, can there be a better knowledge than what I have learnt from you?”
“Yes, my son. There is one.”
Indra prayed with humility, “Holy sir, please be kind enough to impart that knowledge to me.”
“Indra dear, I can’t teach that to you,” Guru Shukracharya revealed with a touch of mystery. He was smiling at puzzled Indra who clearly looked disappointed.
“Holy sir, at least tell me how and from whom I can gain that knowledge?”
“Indra, it is a bit tricky. You can learn the most sublime knowledge by becoming a pupil of the demon lord, Prahlada.”
That got Indra thinking. He wondered of his former enemy would agree to take him under his tutelage. After all Prahlada was the one who had defeated him in the battle and taken over the celestial kingdom. He may still be having some enmity against him. Or had Prahlada no more carried old grudges? The thoughts began to torment Indra. He was undecided and troubled thoughts reflected on his face.
Guru Shukracharya silently kept studying the face of Indra. He knew what was going on in the mind of Indra.
At last Shukracharya spoke, “Indra! What are you thinking?”
“Holy sir…,” began Indra but could not finish the sentence due to hesitation. He just looked at wisened face of Shukracharya hoping the old man to read his face.
Shukracharya, at last assured Indra, “Son, I can read your dilemma. But banish all your doubts and misgivings. Without hesitation go to king Prahlada.” He won’t deny you the knowledge. He is an equanimous character.”
“Thank you holy sir. Your command I must obey.” Indra bowed to Guru Shukracharya and took leave of him.
After leaving the hut of Shukracharya, Indra sat down under a tree and thought of how he would approach Prahlada. He was still feeling some embarrassment inspite of assurance of the demonic guru.
A few days later Indra appeared at the door of the palace of the demon king, Prahlada in the guise of a brahmin.
The demon lord Prahlada learnt about the arrival of a holy brahmin at his door. He came out himself and took the brahmin inside with due respect.
After serving refrestments Prahlada asked brahmin the reason of his visit.
“O demon lord!” Indra prayed with folded hands, “I want to learn the most sublime knowledge from you. Would you be kind enough to oblige me, sir?”
“O brahmin,” Prahlada tried to put him off. “You see, I am very busy with the affairs of the state. I find very little time to teach anyone anything even if I am willing. Time is the factor we can do nothing about.”
“Demon Lord! I understand your problem, I won’t tax your time. Allow me to just stay around. Teach me whenever you find time. Your time is precious but my time will be only dedicated to the learning knowledge from you. I hope it won’t prove inconvenience to you.”
Prahlada stared at the brahmin. His politeness and keenness to learn the knowledge was very remarkable. The demon lord could not disappoint such a true seeker of knowledge. So, he agreed to teach Indra.
Prahlada began to teach Indra.
To gain the knowledge Indra worked like a slave to serve the demon lord who was now his preceptor, And serving preceptor was the primary duty of a student that Indra now was.
Prahlada was duly impressed with the selfless service of his student. He began to give more time to the student.
One day finding Prahlada in happy and generous mood Indra asked, “My Lord! How did you gain victory over all the three worlds?”
“Dear brahmin,” Prahlada revealed to his student, “The victory was gained through the sublime qualities of character and blemishless record and image. I don’t admire myself for that. I am free of jealousy, angst, greed, envy, ego, infatuation, desires and enmity. I serve my Guru Shukracharya and respect all the elders. I work under their guidance. Their advice is the key to my successes. I have gained full control over my senses. Those are the combined factors that gain one the sublime state I enjoy today.”
Indra bowed his head before Prahlada in extreme reverence.
Now Indra served Prahlada with still more single minded devotion. His only aim appeared to be to see his guru happy.
Thus, a long time went by.
Prahlada was very happy with his pupil. The very sight his pupil would gladden the guru. One day in an extremely generous mood the demon lord, Prahlada said to his pupil, “Dear brahmin! I am very pleased with the service you have rendered to me for so long. I want to grant you a boon for your services. Spell any wish you have from me.”
“Lord! Are you really pleased with me?”
“Sure, my dear pupil. I will give you anything in my power to you. Just spell it out.”
“O demon lord,” Indra spoke with seriousness “If you really want to boon one I will ask for your sublime character and blemishless image. Please grant me that.”
The wish of the pupil took the demon lord by surprise. He almost jumped up in the air. “Brahmin! What is that you are asking for? But wait a minute and tell me who you really are?”
The brahmin disguised Indra at once introduced himself truthfully.
Prahlada nodded his head.
He commented, “I wouldn’t have regretted had you asked for my life instead of my sublime character. That is my biggest treasure and the source of power.”
Prahlada was bound by his word and he made no delay in transfering his character into Indra although very sadly. He invoked the name of Lord Vishnu and gave away his character to Indra.
As soon as Indra gained the sublime character his face began to glow and a divine power surged through his body.
Prahlada returned the celestial domain to Lord Indra as a gift from him.
Thus, Prahlada was born in the demonic race but through his sublime devotion to Lord Vishnu he gained a sublime state that comes to mortals very rarely. It should be remembered that he was only a child when his devotional career took place and kept soaring high and high.
Prahlada is a unique legend of our mythodology.
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