Prahlada, born among demons

prahlādaścāsmi daityānāṃ kālaḥ kalayatāmahammṛgāṇāṃ ca mṛgendro’ahaṃ vainateyaśca pakṣiṇām

Among the Daityas I am Prahlada. Among measurers, I am time. Among beasts, the lion. Among birds, Garuda.

What it means

Krishna names Prahlada, a boy born into a family of demons, the Daityas, who loved God fiercely despite his tyrant father. Among all that measures, he is time. Among animals, the lion. Among birds, Garuda, the great eagle who carries Vishnu. Goodness, Krishna says, can rise anywhere.

The story

Prahlada's story is famous. His father tried everything to stop his devotion and failed. Arjuna, facing his own cousins in battle, hears that goodness can come from any family.

In your life

Maybe you know someone who broke a cycle of anger in their family and raised kind, gentle children. That's Prahlada. Whatever your background, you can be the one who changes the pattern.