Prahlad Maharaj

It's a most remarkable story lets start from the time Prahlad was in his mother's womb. At that time, while his wicked father Hiranyakasipu was performing austerities trying to become immortal, the demigods captured his mother. Fearing that Prahlad would come out of the womb and be a great demon like his father, the demigods planned to kill him when he would be born. The great sage Narada Muni appeared and requested the demigods to release Prahlada's mother, because she would give birth to a great devotee. Narada Muni then took her to his hermitage and taught her, and her unborn child, about devotional service.

Years later, always remembering Narada's instructions, Prahlad rejected toys and was free from personal desires. He was never envious of anyone. He had all good qualities and was always thinking of the lord. Prahlad's father wanted him to learn politics, economics, and all other material activities, but Prahlad was spiritually inclined and equal to all. One day Prahlad's father asked him, "My boy, what have you learned in school?" When Prahlad preached love of God to him, he became violently angry and threw him from his lap on to the floor.

Prahlad could not be changed by his teachers. Instead, he preached to his school friends about devotional service . When his father found out, he ordered his servants, "Kill him!" Although they tried in so many ways to kill him, however, Vishnu always protected him.
 

Prahlad believed in Vishnu, but his father the King was an atheist. King Hiranyakasipu wanted Prahlad to treat him as the supreme, but Prahlad refused. The King did not like being refused by his son - he plotted revenge. He told his soldiers to throw Prahlad into a pit of poisonous snakes. Even though he was bitten many times Vishnu saved Prahlad from death.

The King, still determined to destroy Prahlad, sent a troop of elephants to trample him as he slept. Sri Vishnu saved him again. This happened many times.

In a fit of raging anger the King asked for help from his wicked sister Holika. Holika was like a goddess, she had a special power... fire could not harm her. Holika took Prahlad to the top of a huge bonfire and had her servants light it. Once again Vishnu protected Prahlad, he stepped out unharmed. Holika lost her magical power and died in the bonfire.

Prahlad Maharaja is a perfect example of a surrendered soul. Not a blade of grass moves unless sanctioned by the supreme lord. He also exemplified the natural quality of a vaisnava ( compassion ) by requesting Lord Vishnu to show mercy on his demonic family members, even though they tried to cause him harm. A Vaisnava devotee like Prahlad has a pure heart with no selfish agendas.