LORD NRSIMHADEVA BATTLES THE KING OF THE DEMONS

To prove that the statement of His servant Prahlada was substantial-in other words, to prove that the Supreme Lord is present everywhere, even within the pillar of an assembly hall-the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, exhibited a wonderful form never before seen.

While Hiranyakasipu looked all around, that wonderful form of the Lord, which could not be ascertained to be either a man or a lion, emerged from the pillar. In amazement, Hiranyakasipu wondered, "What is this creature that is half man and half lion?"

Hiranyakasipu studied the form of the Lord, trying to decide who the form of Nrsimhadeva standing before him was. The Lord's form was extremely fearsome because of His angry eyes, which resembled molten gold. His shining mane, which expanded the dimensions of His fearful face, His deadly teeth, and His razor-sharp tongue, which moved about like a dueling sword. His ears were erect and motionless, and His nostrils and gaping mouth appeared like caves of a mountain. His jaws parted fearfully, and His entire body touched the sky. His neck was very short and thick. His chest broad. His waist thin, and the hairs on His body as white as the rays of the moon. His arms, which resembled flanks of soldiers, spread in all directions as He killed the demons, rogues and atheists with His conchshell, disc, club, lotus and other natural weapons.

Hiranyakasipu murmured to himself, "Lord Visnu, who possesses great mystic power, has made this plan to kill me, but what is the use of such an attempt? Who can fight with me?" Thinking like this and taking up his club. Hiranyakasipu, who was extremely angry, swiftly attacked Nrsimhadeva with his club and began to beat Him. The Lord, however, captured the great demon, along with his club, just as Garuda might capture a great snake.