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THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE.
men, nor metals nor elements have power over me; and day and night cannot witness my destruction. Therefore, there is none to release thee from my power. Hasten thou now to call upon thy god to come to thy rescue, for thou shalt not live to utter his name again."
Having thus spoken, Hiranya-Kasipu raised his arm to strike down his son ; but just as the glittering blade flashed out of its sheath, the massive column burst with a loud report aud a fearful creature, half lion and half man in appearance, sprang from its middle. The next moment it had ripped Hiranya-Kasipu's bowels with its powerful claws. Thus was Prahlada saved from death, and Hiranya-Kasipu destroyed.
As for the interpretation of this legend, HiranyaKasipu represents greed, the source and support of all other evil tendencies described as asuras. According to Mr. K. Narayana lyer (see the Permanent History of Bharata-Varsha, Vol. II. p. 152), "Hiranyom means gold or riches and Kasipu, a pillow or bed. HiranyaKasipu therefore naturally applies to a person who having acquired wealth is unwilling to spend, but clings to it with great attachment." Prahlada, on the other hand, signifies "great delight and contentment," which are the antithesis of greed. Greed being the most di fficult mental trait to destroy, the development of contentment already marks an advanced stage of spiritualism. Hence is Prahlada a devotee to be saved. The sister of Hiranya-Kasipu is the calculating intellect impressed in the service of greed, and fire l'epresents a state of confusion, which is, however,
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