Slowly, Prahlad started growing up. Seeing Prahlad grow up, Hiranyakashipu made arrangements for his education. Prahlad started taking education in the company of a Guru.
One day Hiranyakashipu was sitting in the kingdom assembly with his ministers. At the same moment, Prahlad arrived over there with his Guru. Seeing Prahlad bowing down, Hiranyakashipu caressed him by making him sit on his lap and said – "Child ! Tell me something good from what you have learned so far by being persistent in your studies.“
Then Prahlad said - "Father! Let me summarize what I have learned so far. I bow to Sri Hari, who is without beginning, middle and end, unborn, void of growth and decay, the cause of all causes and the state and end of the world.
Hearing this, the eyes of King Hiranyakashipu turned red with anger, he said to Prahlad's teacher with trembling lips -
′′Oh foolish and stupid Brahmin! What is this ? How did you disobey me and teach this child praises of my ultimate enemy?”
Guruji said - “Oh mighty king! You should not succumb to anger. Your son is not saying what I taught.”
Hiranyakashipu said - "Son Prahlad! Tell me, who has given you this education? Your Guruji says that I have not given him such advice or teachings at all.”
Prahlad said - "Father! Lord Vishnu who is situated in the heart is the preceptor of the whole world. Except him, who else can teach anything to anyone? “
Hiranyakashipu said - "You fool! Who is the Vishnu in front of me whom you are praising without having any doubts? Who else can be called God while I am alive? Yet you are mouthing and speaking about Lord Vishnu again and again with the desire and wish to go and face death. ”
By saying this, Hiranyakashipu explained Prahlad in many ways but could not reduce Prahlad's devotion and reverence towards Sri Hari. Then Hiranyakashipu became furious and enraged and ordered to his servants saying –
"Oho ! This Prahlad is a great evil spirit. Kill him. Now there is no benefit in his living, because this enemy lover has become the destroyer of his own family.”
After getting the permission of Hiranyakashipu, his soldiers tried to kill Prahlad in many ways, but all their efforts failed due to the grace of Sri Hari. Those soldiers attacked Prahlad with many types of weapons, but nothing happened to Prahlad. They tied Prahlad's hands and feet and threw him into the sea, but Prahlad still survived. All of them got Prahlad bitten by many poisonous snakes and dropped him from the top of the mountain, but nothing happened to Prahlad by the grace of God. Prahlad was also served food laced with poison, but to no success since that food had no effect on him as well. They tied Prahlad’s hands and feet and made him stand in front of an angry elephant. But instead of hurting, the elephant lifted Prahlad with the help of his trunk and made him sit on his head. They tried every cruel method of trying to kill him.
Holika Dahan
Eventually they ran out of all the ways and methods to kill him. When all kinds of attempts to kill Prahlad failed, Hiranyakashipu called for his sister - Holika. She came to help her brother to please him.
Holika had found a special cloth by performing penance. This special cloth did not burn in the fire. If one was to wear that cloth, then fire would not be able to harm them. Hiranyakashipu ordered his soldiers to collect wood logs and to construct a pyre. As ordered, a huge pile of wood was assembled.
Holika then wore that cloth and sat in the pile of wood, taking Prahlad in her lap. That pile was set on fire. Prahlad kept chanting Lord Vishnu’s name all the time. As the fire grew, somehow the special cloth flew away from her body and Holika was burnt to ashes. As Holika eventually burnt, Prahlad on the other hand kept chanting and was unharmed.
Prahlad then started explaining to his father sitting in the fire - Father, you should stop hating God. Look at the effect of gods name, this fire seems very cool to me. You too take the name of Lord Vishnu and become fearless.