Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.1301

c8.1301

The mighty host of Daityas and Dānavas reached Naimiṣa and bathed in the tīrtha. After that Prahlāda went to the forest for hunting. As he was walking thus he saw the river Sarasvatī. Near the river there was a Pine tree with very big branches, all of which were covered with arrows, the head of one at the tail of another. Prahlāda saw near the tree two hermits, with matted hair, in the hide of black antelope, performing penance. Near them were two perfectly made divine bows named Śārṅga and Ajagava and two quivers which would never become empty. Prahlāda questioned them without knowing that they were Nara and Nārāyaṇa. The questioning ended in a contest. The hermit Nara stood up and taking the bow Ajagava began sending showers of arrows at Prahlāda. Prahlāda checked every one of them. The hermit made his fight more severe. Prahlāda also withstood it. At last pushing Nara back Nārāyaṇa came to the front. The fight between Prahlāda and Nārāyaṇa was fierce. In the end Prahlāda fell down, his breast being pierced by the arrow of Nārāyaṇa.