A beautiful story about King Prahlad: Once, his son, Virochan, got into an argument with his Guru’s son Sudhanva. Virochan said, “I am superior to you because I am the son of a king.” Sudhanva claimed, “I am superior because I am the son of a Rishi.” They were both young, and in their impetuousness, they laid bets. Both said, “Whoever is proved superior will live while the other will have to die.” Now, who would be the judge? Sudhanva said to Virochan, “Your father, Prahlad, will be the judge.” Virochan exclaimed, “Really! But then you will complain that he has been partial.” “No, my father, Rishi Angiras, has said that your father Prahlad is perfectly just, and will never differentiate between friend and foe.”
The two boys went to Prahlad. Virochan asked, “Father, am I superior or Sudhanva?” Prahlad said, “Why did this question arise?” “Father we have laid bets that whoever is proved superior will remain alive while the other will have to die.” Prahlad smiled and said, “Your friend, Sudhanva, is superior since he is the son of your father’s Guru.” Prahlad ordered his servants, “Take my son to the gallows and hang him.”
At that moment, Sudhanva intervened. “Wait!” he said to Prahlad, “I have a second question. Am I superior or you?” Prahlad replied, “I have been born in a family of demons, while you are the son of a Rishi, who is also my Guru. Hence, you are superior.” Sudhanva again asked, “In that case, will you obey my instruction?” “Yes, of course,” responded Prahlad. “Ok, then leave Virochan,” said Sudhanva. Prahlad instructed his servants, “Leave him,” in the same manner as he had said, “Take him to the gallows.”
The celestial gods showered flowers into his court, and hailed the quality of justice that Prahlad displayed. This attitude of justice came naturally to Prahlad because by virtue of being a perfect devotee of the Lord he was equal to friend, foe, relative, kith, kin, and outsider.
The two boys went to Prahlad. Virochan asked, “Father, am I superior or Sudhanva?” Prahlad said, “Why did this question arise?” “Father we have laid bets that whoever is proved superior will remain alive while the other will have to die.” Prahlad smiled and said, “Your friend, Sudhanva, is superior since he is the son of your father’s Guru.” Prahlad ordered his servants, “Take my son to the gallows and hang him.”
At that moment, Sudhanva intervened. “Wait!” he said to Prahlad, “I have a second question. Am I superior or you?” Prahlad replied, “I have been born in a family of demons, while you are the son of a Rishi, who is also my Guru. Hence, you are superior.” Sudhanva again asked, “In that case, will you obey my instruction?” “Yes, of course,” responded Prahlad. “Ok, then leave Virochan,” said Sudhanva. Prahlad instructed his servants, “Leave him,” in the same manner as he had said, “Take him to the gallows.”
The celestial gods showered flowers into his court, and hailed the quality of justice that Prahlad displayed. This attitude of justice came naturally to Prahlad because by virtue of being a perfect devotee of the Lord he was equal to friend, foe, relative, kith, kin, and outsider.
Namaste!
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