Aug 12, 2007

Chapter 21: Prahallada and Barren Land

Prahallada undergoes tough terrains because of Swarbhanu’s magical wicked powers of converting smooth roads to thorned ones, fruits to fruitless trees, etc. At one point, Narada comes and cleanses blood-laden P's feet. But P says he was almost enjoying the bleeding. Anyway, thorns only troubled the body which is anyways destructible. The thorns were not hurting his soul which is under the protection of holy chant of Lord Vishnu! He is all for undergoing troubles in the name of Vishnu. Narada understands now that the time has come when the traveler (P) goes beyond what the guide (N) taught. P says that he was only suffering from loneliness. For that, Narada says not to worry - since hordes of people are getting ready to follow him.

Chanting Vishnu’s one-liner, Prahallada makes way across the woods and under a tree does the best thing one could do, tapas - bowing down to Vishnu if so be it that he should neither eat or drink.

His pals at the ashram hear the news and decide to boycott the classes and follow Prahallada. In spite of S&A’s insistence not to do so, all disciples make their way to Prahallada to help him out and become followers of Vishnu. Vishnu winks a what-did-I-tell-you-wink at Lakshmi. Vishnu says that to ingrain ideal thoughts, principles and objectives - childhood is the best phase and thats exactly what Prahallada did.

Sad scene at the palace. One that of ah-so-much-worry kayadu. Always weeping. Soothing words by HK. And then determined opinion that Prahallada was a Raj-drohi (enemy of the state) and rightfully needs to be punished. Too disappointed, she refuses to have dinner. To that, HK says - "In spite of being God, I could not understand you, woman, then how can anybody else understand you?" Damn funny!! :-)

Swarbhanu blows winds at high knots at Prahallada. Prahallada unfazed. Prahallada’s pals arrive at the scene of tapas and feed him with mangoes and other nature-provided delicacies. Prahallada doesn’t want to eat. Because mom’s hungry as well. Telepathy.

So Narada vists Kayadu and tells whats happening. So she eats. So he eats. Prahallada thanks his pals but seriously advise them to go back to their ashram, and if not, their tutors S&A shall be punished, which is a bad thing altogether. So to save their gurus and make Prahallada happy, all pupils rush back to Ashram.

Meanwhile pops of runaway children approach HK and tell about incident. HK is enraged. Prahallada is encouraging Generation Next about Vishnu being Bhagwan. So another immediate order about killing Prahallada if he still doesn’t agree that Bhagwan is HK.

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