On August 19, 2024, the episode of Lakshmi Narayan unfolds with intense drama. The story begins with Prahlad affirming his unwavering devotion to Narayan, declaring him the true god of the world. This statement enrages Hiranyakashyap, who is furious that Prahlad would dare to place Narayan above him. Prahlad argues that Hiranyakashyap is not a true god but rather a tyrant who forces people to worship him out of fear. In contrast, Narayan respects people’s free will and devotion, which comes from a place of pure faith. Prahlad asserts that Narayan is present in every particle of the world.
Hiranyakashyap, consumed by anger and arrogance, challenges Narayan to appear before him and face him in battle. He begins to destroy everything around him in a fit of rage. Narayan warns that Hiranyakashyap is crossing a line and that his end is near if he does not repent for his actions. Lakshmi, too, comments that Hiranyakashyap is beyond redemption. Undeterred, Hiranyakashyap orders his soldiers to tie Prahlad to a pillar as a means to provoke Narayan further. Kayadu, Prahlad’s mother, tries to intervene, pleading with Hiranyakashyap to spare her son, but he coldly dismisses her, accusing her of aligning with Narayan.
Hiranyakashyap notices that Kayadu, for the first time, dares to look him in the eye, something she had never done before. He accuses her of being influenced by Narayan and pushes her away, ordering his soldiers to remove her from the scene. As Prahlad is tied to the pillar, Lakshmi laments that Hiranyakashyap has missed his final opportunity to correct his wrongs. Despite Kayadu’s attempts to guide him, Hiranyakashyap remains obstinate, challenging Narayan by threatening Prahlad’s life. Narayan reiterates that Hiranyakashyap’s end is imminent, and that justice will prevail as Narayan and Lakshmi will take new forms to protect the world from such demons.
The tension escalates as Hiranyakashyap tries to attack Prahlad, but Narayan’s divine power intervenes, throwing Hiranyakashyap back. To everyone’s shock, Narayan manifests in the form of Narasimha, a half-man, half-lion avatar, to protect Prahlad. The demons present are terrified by the sight of this fearsome form. Narasimha frees Prahlad and then turns his wrath on Hiranyakashyap. Sukhracharya, the teacher of the demons, orders his soldiers to capture Narasimha, but they are no match for his divine strength.
Lakshmi also appears, taking on the form of Narasimhini, and joins the battle against Hiranyakashyap’s forces. Narasimha drags Hiranyakashyap across the floor, reminding him of the boon he received from Brahma, which made him nearly invincible. Hiranyakashyap had been granted that he could not be killed by a god, demon, human, or animal, nor could he be killed inside or outside, during the day or night, on earth or in the sky. However, Narasimha, who is neither fully human nor animal, and is neither god nor demon, found the loophole in the boon. It is evening, neither day nor night, and Narasimha positions Hiranyakashyap on his thigh, which is neither earth nor sky. Without using any weapons, Narasimha uses his sharp nails to kill Hiranyakashyap.
Lakshmi, knowing the brutality of what is about to happen, tells Prahlad to turn away and not witness the death of his father. Sukhracharya tries to intervene, begging Narayan to spare Hiranyakashyap, but Narayan is resolute. He explains that Hiranyakashyap had ample opportunity to mend his ways, but he chose to continue committing sins. In the end, justice is served as Narasimha kills Hiranyakashyap. The gods and celestial beings rejoice, praising Narayan’s new avatar for vanquishing the tyrant.
After the battle, Prahlad, though relieved that his life is spared, is saddened by the loss of his father. Narayan expresses his regret to Prahlad for having to kill Hiranyakashyap but assures him that it was necessary to restore balance and justice. Prahlad understands, acknowledging that his father’s death was inevitable given his refusal to change his ways.
The episode concludes with a sense of justice restored, but also a somber recognition of the cost of maintaining balance in the world.
Episode ends.
