In plain words
This Onam is the day on which Vāmana returns every year in new Avatāras and receives the welfare of the people, the people's love and the people's example. So today, not being content only with food and pleasures, we must recognise the way to find contentment in the Ānanda of the Ātma. Hiraṇyakaśipu, Prahlāda's father, tried to teach him in many ways. The one who cherishes the child, holds it close and makes it happy is the mother. Wondering whether his mother might perhaps help his chanting of Hari's name, one day, unable to bear those torments, he goes to his mother. Just then a kind of detachment comes over him even towards his mother. As soon as her son came, Līlāvatī heard of the torments his father was inflicting and was greatly pained. Embracing this Prahlāda, who had come running, and holding him close, Līlāvatī says:
"Why this, my son? Don't, do not say 'Hari, Hari'; what Hari is this? Who taught you to say it like this?..."
As soon as he heard this, Prahlāda realised, "Oho! Father's sickness has spread to Mother too!" Is this something that comes when someone teaches it? It is not something learned from another. My inner voice is teaching me. The inner voice makes me say it. He told his mother plainly the truth that the inner voice is that same Nārāyaṇa. "Mother! Hari's name is not something stuffed in from outside. It is something that wells up from within," he said. Hari's name spoken by the lips is not Hari's name. Hari's name is what springs from the heart. In waking, dream and deep sleep alike, this Prahlāda used to remember Hari. All his blood was steeped in the name of Nārāyaṇa.
Did such a Prahlāda have anyone to teach him? Hiraṇyakaśipu appointed really harsh rākṣasas to punish Prahlāda. Caṇḍa and Amarka. Children were afraid at the mere sight of them. They carried sharp knives. They all took up goads in their hands. Every time he said "Nārāyaṇa", they jabbed him with those goads. But however much they tormented him, whatever tortures came his way, he did not let go of that name. Men today, if anything they have set their hearts on does not happen, change their God at once. If their wishes are not fulfilled, they take the photos down and put them away. This is the nature of mean minds. This is the real rākṣasa nature. But Prahlāda, rākṣasa though he was, went on showing himself as holy divinity. Humanness, demonic nature and divinity show in conduct, not in form.