One of the first great demons in the universe. He and his demonic brother Hiranyaksha were previously doorkeepers of Vaikuntha but were cursed when they refused entrance to the four Kumara sages. Hiranyakashipu's son Prahlada was a fully surrendered devotee of Vishnu. For persecuting Prahlada, Hiranyakashipu was killed by Lord Nrisimha.

this demon-king obtained from Shiva, thanks to hard restraints, to rule over the three worlds (Triloka). Nobody could subdue this king, since his strengh was impressive. Worshipper of Shiva, Hiranyakashipu persecuted his son, a worshipper of Vishnu. The young boy asked Vishnu to help him. The god came on earth, taking a form which was half-man half-animal, called Narasimha (the Lion-Man). Narasimha gutted the demon-king Hiranyakashipu. This story is often carved on temple bas-reliefs.

In Hinduism, Hiranyakashipu (or Hiranyakasipu) (Sanskrit: हिरण्‍यकश्यप) was an Asura, and also a King of Dravida whose younger brother, Hiranyaksha was killed by Varaha, one of the avatars of Vishnu. Angered by this, Hiranyakashipu decided to gain magical powers by performing a penance for Brahma.