The story of Bhaktha Prahlada is famed for the depiction of exclusive steadfast devotion (Bhakthi) to Lord Vishnu despite attempts by his father, Hiranyakashipu an Asura, to turn him to the contrary. He is considered one of the greatest devotees of Vishnu and his story is of special importance to devotees of the Narasimha incarnation. A philosophical treatise is accredited to him in the Bhagavatha Purana wherein Prahlada describes the process of loving worship to his lord, Vishnu. Despite several warnings from his father Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada continues to worship Vishnu. His father tries to poison him, gets him trampled by the elephants and puts him in a room with venomous snakes, but Prahlada survives each and every time and is eventually saved by Vishnu in the form of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion avatar. The story of Prahlada gives a number of moral instructions such as God prevails everywhere, God will always save his devotees and Devotion can be practiced at any point in time. Age does not matter.

The Bhakthi of Prahlada and the underlying values of human existence are brought out in a profound and explicit manner by the legendary Harikatha exponent Sri T.S. Balakrishna Sastrigal in his inimitable style in this product.

On Brahmasri T S Balakrishna Sastrigal (1919-2003)

Born in Thiruvidaimaruthur, near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, he began performing at the age of 23 and held sway over Harikatha Kalakshebam for over 6 decades. A former senior executive of State Bank of India, his very name was synonymous with this traditional art of story-telling.

With an amazing and unmatched command over the Vedas, Puranas, Sastras, classical music and a score of languages, he held the audience spell-bound with his flair, fervour, felicity of expression and a resonant voice. Among the countless titles and honors that were conferred on him, the title "Harikatha Rathnakara" bestowed on him by both the Paramachariyals of Kamakoti and Sringeri peetams simultaneously at Asthika Samaj, Chennai in the year 1966 stands out. Sangeetha Nataka Academy, Delhi honored him in1993. Music Academy, Chennai conferred on him the Sangeetha Kala Acharya Award in 1997.Tamil Nadu Government bestowed on him the Kalaimaamani title in 1972.