Is Hiranyakashyap hidden in us with that much of power, or is he above the human consciousness? What consciousness he has since he is working above the higher mind domain, i.e., above Gods.
Prahlad is the Psychic being, the soul in man that nothing can destroy, rather it knows, recognises and surrenders to the Divine who is everywhere and in everything. His name itself suggests full of ecstasy and joy that comes through a complete trust and dependence on the Divine.
Hiranyakashipu is the ego that grows fatter and fatter, driven by his ambitions. Even his tapasya is to feed the ego and fulfil his worldly ambitions. Not only does he wield material powers (covered with gold as his name suggests), but he also gains siddhis and powers to control certain gods who weave the fabric of destiny. Yet one day, he meets his nemesis as the psychic wins over with the help of the Divine Power and there is peace and joy in the kingdom (fields of nature).
Thus, seen the story is a symbol of man’s quest for power and immortality, but what one can manage through the ego is outer power and the conquest of outer conditions of death. Yet death finds a way and the outer wealth helps him not and the ambition itself boomerangs, leading to a swift collapse. This is the fate of all Asuras and of man driven by him. On the other hand, the soul in man knows itself immortal and finds the peace and joy and all else in the constant nearness of the Divine through faith and confidence in the Grace.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
