There are many stories that are recited during the festival of Holi. As the celebration of Holi goes back over 1,400 years it is expected that there would be many different interpretations of these stories. What is presented here are a collection of some of the most popular tales.
Prahlad's Story: Good Triumphs over Evil
In long ago legend, there was a demon king named Hiranyakashipu. He hated the god Vishnu, and began to plot how he could get rid of him.
Knowing that the gods responded to all prayers, no matter if they came from good or bad men, Hiranyakashipu began to pray. After many years of prayer, Brahma was willing to grant Hiranyakashipu a boon. The demon king was ready. He wanted to be made invincible, and asked first that he could not be killed by man or beast. Second, he demanded that he could not die while the sun was up or set. Third, he was promised that he would not be harmed inside or outside his home.
Hiranyakashipu was now ready to put his plan into action. Invincible and power hungry, he was determined to make sure all of the creatures of the land worship him as their new god. Greatly intimidated by his power, everyone submitted before the terror of Hiranyakashipu.
Knowing that the gods responded to all prayers, no matter if they came from good or bad men, Hiranyakashipu began to pray. After many years of prayer, Brahma was willing to grant Hiranyakashipu a boon. The demon king was ready. He wanted to be made invincible, and asked first that he could not be killed by man or beast. Second, he demanded that he could not die while the sun was up or set. Third, he was promised that he would not be harmed inside or outside his home.
Hiranyakashipu was now ready to put his plan into action. Invincible and power hungry, he was determined to make sure all of the creatures of the land worship him as their new god. Greatly intimidated by his power, everyone submitted before the terror of Hiranyakashipu.
Prahlad's Faith
All but one in the kingdom was willing to acknowledge the demon king as the new god. Hiranyakashipu's son, Prahlad, knew that his father was no god. He stood up to his vengeful king.
Hiranyakashipu responded by attempting to intimidate Prahlad into belief. To this end, Hiranyakashipu tested the faith of his son in three ways.
Prahlad's Trials
Hiranyakashipu began by forcing a charging elephant at his son. Prahlad immediately began praying to the true god, Vishnu, to spare his life.
Right as the elephant was about to crush Prahlad, it halted, and instead bowed down to him.
Right as the elephant was about to crush Prahlad, it halted, and instead bowed down to him.
Infuriated that the elephant did not work, Hiranyakashipu cooked up another plan. Prahlad was locked in a room full of venomous snakes. As terryifying as the situation was, Prahlad once again turned to prayer.
However, upon seeing the strength of Prahlad's faith, the snakes would not bite him.
The third trial of Prahlad is the heart of many Holi celebrations.
Hiranyakashipu was enraged that he could still not get his son to believe he was the rightful god. Since an elephant and deadly snakes did not work, the demon king turned to his sister for help.
Prahlad's aunt, Holika, could not be burned by flame. Under Hiranyakashipu's demands, Holika was to take Prahlad into a bonfire. That way he would be burned, and no longer a thorn in the king's side.
There are many interpretations of this part of the story. Some say Holika was a loving aunt, and sacrificed her protective cloth to save Prahlad. Other stories say that Holika was as evil as her brother, and wanted to see Prahlad perish. Once again, Prahlad prayed for salvation, and Vishnu saw to it that it was Holika who burned, and Prahlad was saved.
Hiranyakashipu was enraged that he could still not get his son to believe he was the rightful god. Since an elephant and deadly snakes did not work, the demon king turned to his sister for help.
Prahlad's aunt, Holika, could not be burned by flame. Under Hiranyakashipu's demands, Holika was to take Prahlad into a bonfire. That way he would be burned, and no longer a thorn in the king's side.
There are many interpretations of this part of the story. Some say Holika was a loving aunt, and sacrificed her protective cloth to save Prahlad. Other stories say that Holika was as evil as her brother, and wanted to see Prahlad perish. Once again, Prahlad prayed for salvation, and Vishnu saw to it that it was Holika who burned, and Prahlad was saved.
Hiranyakashipu's Final Trial
Not slowed by the death of Holika, Hiranyakashipu was sure that his most recent trial would see his son meet his end. He demanded that Prahlad hug an fire-hot iron pillar.
Once again, Prahlad prayed to Vishnu. For this trial, Vishnu in person answered Prahlad's prayed. Taking the form of a half-lion, half-man named Narasimha, he exploded from the center of the pillar before Hiranyakashipu and Prahlad.
In one leap, Narasimha was on top of the demon king. In the middle of the palace's doorway, he swiftly tore Hiranyakashipu apart.
The demon king who was so sure that he could not die never accounted for Narasimha. Since he was neither man nor beast, he could attack Hiranyakashipu. Since he appeared while the sun was setting, the sun was neither up nor set, but in between. Finally, since Hiranyakashipu was in the middle of the palace doorway, he was neither wholly inside or outside his home. In his arrogance, Hiranyakashipu left himself vulnerable to attack.
Narasimha's victory, and the faith Prahlad held through all of his trials, is the triumph of good over evil, and the reason that Hindus all over the world celebrate Holi.
Once again, Prahlad prayed to Vishnu. For this trial, Vishnu in person answered Prahlad's prayed. Taking the form of a half-lion, half-man named Narasimha, he exploded from the center of the pillar before Hiranyakashipu and Prahlad.
In one leap, Narasimha was on top of the demon king. In the middle of the palace's doorway, he swiftly tore Hiranyakashipu apart.
The demon king who was so sure that he could not die never accounted for Narasimha. Since he was neither man nor beast, he could attack Hiranyakashipu. Since he appeared while the sun was setting, the sun was neither up nor set, but in between. Finally, since Hiranyakashipu was in the middle of the palace doorway, he was neither wholly inside or outside his home. In his arrogance, Hiranyakashipu left himself vulnerable to attack.
Narasimha's victory, and the faith Prahlad held through all of his trials, is the triumph of good over evil, and the reason that Hindus all over the world celebrate Holi.