Hiranyakasipu is a demon and Hiranyaksha’s twin brother. Lord Vishnu’s avatar killed Hiranyaksha, the younger brother of Hiranyakashipu. This angered Hiranyakashyap and he decided to attain magical powers from Lord Brahma by performing penance. God Brahma granted him a boon that no weapon, animal or human could harm or kill him be it day or by night, outside or inside.
Hiranyaksha’s death caused Hiranyakashipu, extreme grief. Hiranyakashipu tried acquiring authority, power and indulged in penance to appease Lord Brahma. The arrogant and ruthless Hiranyakashipu ordered his devotees to worship his idol and him, thus declaring himself the Almighty God.
Hiranyakasipu felt very safe and started causing distress to earth and heaven. On the other hand, Prahlada, his son was Vishnu’s devotee despite the fact that his father disapproved it and threatened to kill him. Many attempts were made by Hiranyakashipu to kill Prahlada, but Lord Vishnus blessings on him, helped him survive each time. All deities approached Lord Vishnu when atrocities of Hiranyakashipu crossed all limits. Prahlada was one day challenged by the demon. Hiranyakasipu kicked a stone pillar and questioned Prahlada that if Vishnu is omnipresent then is he also inside a pillar?
Vishnu, in the form of a man-lion (Narasimha) appeared from the pillar and killed the demon Hiranyakasipu on the threshold, during dusk time. A number of art forms depict this art in which the man-lion (Narasimha) emerges from the pillar or is involved in opening the demon’s belly.
