. Stories of India's gods and heroes . od, andthe god whose favour he invoked was Vishnu. Hisfather, beside himself with rage, bade the attendantsfall on his son and smite him, as a traitor to hisfriends and a curse to all his race. This the Dana-vas did, smiting the lad grievously and often. Buthe, meditating on Vishnu, felt no pain from theirblows; and when his father promised him relief, ifhe would but take back his praise of Vishnu, heanswered that he, in whose heart dwelt the immortalguardian from all the woes of existence, knew noneed of relief. Then Hiranyakasipu, in his wrath and indig
. Stories of India's gods and heroes . od, andthe god whose favour he invoked was Vishnu. Hisfather, beside himself with rage, bade the attendantsfall on his son and smite him, as a traitor to hisfriends and a curse to all his race. This the Dana-vas did, smiting the lad grievously and often. Buthe, meditating on Vishnu, felt no pain from theirblows; and when his father promised him relief, ifhe would but take back his praise of Vishnu, heanswered that he, in whose heart dwelt the immortalguardian from all the woes of existence, knew noneed of relief. Then Hiranyakasipu, in his wrath and indignation,called on the Nagas, the snake-gods, to slay his sonwith their venom; and the Naga lords bit him inevery part with their deadly fangs. But he,absorbed in rapture of devotion, felt no pain norsuffered scathe ; while they, the serpent-lords, criedout, O king, our fangs are broken, our crests areburst, we are racked with fever; but the youthis unscathed, and thou must seek other aid. Then the king summoned the celestial elephants,. Prahlada overcoming the Elephants I 10 The Tale of Prahlada 111 huge as mountains, to trample and gore his son todeath ; and this, indeed, they strove to do. ButPrahlada, thus fearfully assailed, cried out, Thetusks of the elephants are blunted on my body:and this through no strength of mine but throughmeditation on Vishnu, who preserveth from allaffliction. Then cried the king, Away with the elephants,and let fire consume the rebel! So the Danavaspiled great heaps of wood around Prahlada, andkindled the same ; and the wind, at the kingscommand, fanned the flame to exceeding greatheat. But even so the youth cried to hisfather, The flame, though fanned by the wind,doth not burn me, but all around me seems cooland fragrant, as the open air amid beds offlowers. Then drew near the kings priests, illustrious andlearned Brahmans, saying, O king, let not thineanger wax hot against the lad ! Youth is the seasonof error, and it becomes thee not to be bitt
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