The Young Chronicle: For Grade 3 March 7th, 2014 | Page 5

YOUNG CHRONICLE

The Story Behind Holi
Rambo and Pranks enjoy playing Holi with colours and water, but they have always been curious on why
Holi is played. This time around, they decided to open their history books and read the legend of Holi.
Here’s a summary of the legend for you.
Once upon a time, there was a demon king by the name of Hiranyakashyap who ruled over the kingdom of
Earth. He was so egoistic that he commanded everybody in his kingdom to worship only him. But much to
his disappointment, his son, Prahlad worshipped Lord Vishnu, and refused to worship his father.
Since Hiranyakashyap couldn’t change his son’s mind, he tried kill him several times. However, Lord
Vishnu saved Prahlad each time. Finally, King Hiranyakashyap asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing
fire with Prahlad in her lap. Hiranyakashyap knew that Holika had a boon, whereby, she could enter the
fire unharmed.
Deceptively, Holika made young Prahlad sit in her lap, and she herself took her seat in a blazing fire. The
legend has it that Holika had to pay the price for her treacherousness, by her life. Holika was not aware
that the boon worked only when she entered the fire alone.

Prahlad, who kept chanting
the name of Lord
Naarayana all this while,
came out unscathed, as the
lord blessed him for his
extreme devotion.
Thus, Holi derives its name
from Holika. And, is
celebrated as a festival of
victory of good over evil.
Holi is also celebrated as
the triumph of a devotee. As
the legend depicts that
anybody, howsoever strong,
cannot harm a true devotee. And, those who dare torture a true devotee of god shall be reduced to ashes.
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