Who actually was Hiranyakashipu
Hiranyakashyap is accepted to be the principal devil offspring of Maharshi Kashyap and Diti. Three evil presences had assumed control over the seat of Indra Hiranyakashyap, Prahlad and Bali. After that the seat of Indra returned to the devtas (gods) for eternity. Hiranyakashyap was brought into the world to Diti when she was perched on the seat of Hiranya (gold) for the Ashvamedh Yagya performed by Maharshi Kashyap. That is the reason he was called Hiranyakashyap. His sibling Hiranyaksha was murdered by Lord Vishnu.
