Chapter 20: Prahallada and Sword

Enraged, HK asks who taught him all this? P says Vishnu Himself, who else? He is Universal. HK orders immediate cutting-of-head of Prahallada. Mom’s dramatics. HK’s adamant. Prahallada’s ‘Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya’ magically saves him from the swords of 6 ministers. Swords pass through Prahallada. Mom’s had enough. She encompasses Prahallada and says anyone wanting to kill Prahallada should also kill her. HK scratches his head! Asks advice. Swarbhanu says let Prahallada go. There are other methods of killing. So, HK, not wanting to lose Kayadu, orders Prahallada to get off his kingdom and live a life of nomad and that anyone who helps him will be punished. Prahallada assures HK that S&A taught HK is Bhagwan but he refused. So spare the blame.

Prahallada takes blessings of parents and leaves for the woods. Lakshmi’s worries. Vishnu’s assuring smile. He says that P is a rebel. He will create a rebellion and change the entire world. One who has to change the world, has to first change himself. A reformer has to accept the path of hurdles as his shelter, he has to forgo the riches and face many obstacles, he has to sacrifice, and the first need of sacrifice is endurance. If one has a heart for truth, then one should follow it, no matter how difficult it is. Initially he - like a reformer- shall be alone, then people will join in numbers. It might take time though. Anyways, he is not alone. He has Faith, and where there is Faith, there is Me (Vishnu)!