Joy, delight
Sanskrit prahlada, joy, from pra + hlad, to rejoice.
A young prince of the asuras who was a devoted worshipper of Vishnu even though his father opposed him. In the Onam story he is the grandfather of King Bali.
Narasimha Jayanti marks the appearance of the man-lion on the bright fourteenth of Vaishakha. This article sets out the day, the Bhagavata story, and what is custom.
Kerala's grandest festival marks the yearly homecoming of King Mahabali, the generous asura ruler whom Vishnu as Vamana sent below, yet let return each year.
Bhakti is the path of liberation through unconditioned love and surrender to the Divine, unfolding through nine classical limbs and five devotional moods.
Holi marks Prahlada's rescue from Holika's fire and the arrival of spring, celebrated through Holika Dahan bonfires and the joyful throwing of colors.
Vamana's three paces and King Bali's kept promise as the Bhagavata Purana tells it, and how Kerala's Onam tradition tells Mahabali's yearly return.
The glorious story from the Brahma Vaivarta Purana of Lord Vishnu turning onto His side in Yoga Nidra and the advent of Vamana Avatar liberating King Bali in Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha.