Prahlad represents the seed within you that knows the world is an illusion. He’s the embodiment of your inner self, crying out for the truth. Hiranyakashyap, the demon king, symbolizes your mind, which tries to suppress your inner voice.
The mind, empowered by the boon of Brahma (your intellect), becomes arrogant and considers itself the supreme authority. It’s afraid of its own mortality and doesn’t want to acknowledge the existence of a higher power. Your intellect fuels your mind’s ego, making it believe it’s invincible.
However, your intellect’s influence only reaches your mind, not your soul. To understand the divine, you need devotion and surrender, exemplified by Prahlad. Despite being suppressed, Prahlad continues to call out for Vishnu, the divine.
The mind will try to distract you from your spiritual journey, using various tactics to keep you entangled in the material world. Read the Katha Upanishad; Nachiketa was tempted with various allurements.
Hiranyakashyap, your mind, will try to silence Prahlad, your soul, by placing him in the lap of Holika, the embodiment of maya (illusion). Maya is the mind’s sister, and anyone who sits in her lap will be deluded.
However, Prahlad shows that even in the midst of maya, you can remain untouched by the divine fire if you’re filled with devotion to Vishnu. Your soul will cry out, and Vishnu will appear, defeating the mind and its illusions.
