HINDU FASTS & FESTIVALS : 6-2.

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6. Holi - 2.

Another legend has it that once upon a time an old woman’s grandchild was to be sacrificed to a female demon named Holika.

A Sadhu advised that abuse and foul language would subdue Holika.

The old woman collected many children and made them abuse Holika in foul language.

The demon fell dead on the ground. The children then made a bonfire of her remains.


Connected to this legend of the demon Holika is Bhakta Prahlad’s devotion to Lord Narayana, and his subsequent escape from death at the hands of Holika.

Prahlad’s father, Hiranyakashipu, punished him in a variety of ways to change his devotional mind and make him worldly-minded.

He failed in his attempts.

At last he ordered his sister, Holika, who had a boon to remain unburnt even in fire, to take Prahlad on her lap and enter into the blazing flames.

Holika did so.

She vanished, but Prahlad remained untouched and laughing.

He was not affected by the fire on account of the Grace of Lord Narayana.

Swami Sivananda
 To be continued  ....



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