Hiranyakashipu

E103906

Hiranyakashipu is a powerful demon king from Hindu mythology, best known as the tyrannical father of Prahlada and the antagonist slain by Vishnu’s Narasimha avatar.

All labels observed (1)

Label Occurrences
Hiranyakashipu canonical 5

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (47)

Predicate Object
instanceOf asura
demon king
mythological character
associatedAvatarOfVishnu Narasimha
associatedFestival Holi (through the story of Holika and Prahlada)
linked to: Holi
attemptedToKill Prahlada multiple times
boonDetails could not be killed by any weapon
could not be killed by man or beast
could not be killed during day or night
could not be killed inside or outside
could not be killed on earth or in the sky
brotherOf Hiranyaksha
devoteeOf Brahma
enemyOf Indra
the devas
linked to: Devas
ethnicity daitya
fatherOf Prahlada
killedAt threshold of a doorway
killedBy Narasimha
Vishnu in his Narasimha avatar
killedHow torn apart by Narasimha’s claws
killedWhen twilight
kingdom the asuras
linked to: Asura
languageOfName Sanskrit
lineage descendant of Diti
descendant of Kashyapa
meaningOfName “one who is clothed in gold and soft beds” (symbolizing extreme sensual enjoyment)
moralLesson divine protection of true devotion over tyranny
mythology Hindu mythology
notableFor being slain by Vishnu’s Narasimha avatar
being the tyrannical father of Prahlada
obtainedBoonFrom Brahma
opposedDeity Vishnu
parentOf Holika
linked to: Holika and Prahlada

Prahlada
persecuted Prahlada for his devotion to Vishnu
linked to: Holika and Prahlada
persecutedDevoteesOf Vishnu
religion Hinduism
role antagonist in the Narasimha narrative
sibling Hiranyaksha
spouse Kayadhu
symbolism arrogance born of great power
ego that challenges divinity
textMentionedIn Bhagavata Purana
Vishnu Purana
other Puranic texts
title king of the daityas

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (5)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Holi associatedWithLegend Hiranyakashipu
Holika siblingOf Hiranyakashipu
subject linked to: Holika and Prahlada
Prahlada childOf Hiranyakashipu
subject linked to: Holika and Prahlada
Narasimha enemy Hiranyakashipu
Narasimha killed Hiranyakashipu