Re: What is the moral lesson of the Nrsimha story?
Namaste Cosinuskurve,
I'm not an expert, but this is a story I love and will try my hand at it.
* I think the most important moral to be learnt from this story is the omnipresence of God. It is to prove Bhakta Prahlada's words correct - that He is present in anything and everything, even a mundane pillar in Hiranyakashipu's hall, that Lord Vishnu emerges as Narasimha from within it.
* There is a time for everything, and nothing happens before or after that. Lord Vishnu could've slain Hiranyakashipu anytime he wanted, but he specifically waits until the asura draws his sword to kill Prahlada personally. It is at that point that he crosses the line of bad karma, and his demise homes in.
* It is our own karmas that make us who we are in the end, not our birth. Prahlada was born in a family of the vilest and most cruel asuras in existence, sworn enemies of dharma, but due to his brave and selfless devotion he is remembered as one of the greatest bhaktas ever. A beautiful lotus can bloom in the filthiest and muddiest of ponds.
* Nobody can sidestep the laws of the universe. When told that he could not be granted the boon of immortality, Hiranyakashipu asks for a complicated one which he feels amounts to the same, but there are enough loopholes in it for the Lord to slay him.
* I certainly don't think the story implies in any way that children should be raised without worldly comforts or anything. In fact, Lord Narasimha has to practically order Prahlada to enjoy material life, which he had been constantly refusing. But one should not get completely attached to these, remembering that they are but impermanent, and always take care to stay on the path of devotion, compassion and spiritual values.
* Regarding your second question ("that your father will stop loving you if you don't develop according to his wishes?"), I'm not sure why you felt that. I think the story only advises never to do something you truly know is adharmic, whether the person advising it is an enemy or a blood relative. Hiranyakashipu was so blinded by his arrogance and hatred that to him the world was divided into those who accepted him as a god, and those who didn't - there was no relationship, love or altruism within him anymore. Despite everything that he did to Prahlada, the latter never develops any negative feeling for him and his only request to Lord Narasimha after the asura's execution is to forgive his wicked deeds.
Hope that helped. Apologies if I missed or misinterpreted anything.
Fully aware of the deficiency of my intelligence, I concentrate my attention on the son of Pavana,
And humbly ask for strength, intelligence and true knowledge to relieve me of all painful blemishes.
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