Evil


Other names-Hiranyakashipu, Hiranyaakasyap

Hiranyakashyap is believed to be the first demon child of Maharshi Kashyap and Diti. Three demons had taken over the throne of Indra- Hiranyakashyap, Prahlad and Bali. After that the throne of Indra went to the devtas (deities) forever.

Hiranyakashyap was born to Diti at the time when she was sitting on the throne of Hiranya (gold) for the Ashvamedh Yagya performed by Maharshi Kashyap. That is why he was called Hiranyakashyap. His brother Hiranyaksha was killed by Lord Vishnu. To take the revenge of this, Hiranyakashyap went for penance of Brahmaji. Being pleased with his worship, Brahmaji booned him that neither inside nor outside the house, neither daytime nor night, neither animal nor human being and no weapon or arms can kill him.

Once when Hiranyakashyap was observing penance, Naradji had advised Kayadhu (wife of Hiranyakashyap) for the devotion of Lord Vishnu. Due to this Prahlad who was then in the womb of Kayadhu became a great devotee of Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap got very angry with the devotion of Prahlad towards Vishnu and many times he tried to kill Prahlad but every time Prahlad was saved. According to many ancient stories, it is said that Hiranyakashyap’s wife Kayadhu not only was a great devotee of Krishna but at the same time was a devotee of Devi Ganga and was loved by Devi Ganga. Gangamaiya had protected Kayadhu’s son Prahlad from the fatal conspiracies of Demon priest Shukracharya. Fed up with the atrocities of Hiranyakashyap, the devtas (deities) pleaded lord Vishnu to kill him. In the end, Lord Vishnu manifested from a stone pillar in the Narsinha (half animal, half human) avatar (incarnation) and at twilight killed Hiranyakashyap with his nails.

According to an ancient story, Hiranyakashyap was the gatekeeper of lord Vishnu in his previous life named Jay and he was born as a demon due to the curse given to him by Sankadi. He was born as Ravan in his next life when Vishnu was incarnated as Rama and killed him thus letting him attain salvation.