At one time the world was ruled by a terrible demon. He was fierce, cruel and arrogant, and not even the gods knew how to defeat him. For long ago the demon had been told:

"You will never be killed by god, man or animal."
"You need never fear death in the day or at night."
"No weapon will be able to kill you."
"You cannot be destroyed in the earth or in the heavens."
"You can never be killed either indoors or out-of-doors."

With this promise, the demon believed that no one could ever defeat him and his arrogance grew day by day. In particular, he enjoyed torturing those who tried to be faithful to Lord Vishnu and to live a good life. He even attacked his own son Prahlad when he became a follower of Lord Vishnu. But Vishnu protected him and the demon could do him no harm.

As time passed the demon became so cruel that eventually the whole of creation cried out to Vishnu to help them escape from the demon's evil rule. The demon's attack on Prahlad had made Vishnu angry, and now he determined to destroy the demon. But how can you kill a demon who cannot be harmed by god, man or animal; neither by day or night; neither on earth nor in heaven; not with any weapon; neither indoors nor outside?

One day the demon was tormenting the faithful Prahlad. It was dusk, and therefore neither day nor night. The demon was annoyed that he had not been able to harm Prahlad.

""Tell me" he said "where do you get your strength from?"
"From the same source that you and all other creatures get their strength," replied Prahlad. "From Lord Vishnu of course!"
"Where is this Vishnu?" roared the demon.
"I'm sick of hearing about him! Where is he? I want to kill him."
"He is everywhere," Prahlad replied.
"Is he in this stone pillar?"
"Why, of course."

The demon drew his sword and rushed at the pillar. With a roar, he smashed his sword into it as hard as he could. Immediately there was an answering roar like rushing wind, and a crashing noise. From inside the pillar itself, Vishnu appeared in his most terrifying form. He had the head and claws of a great lion and the body of a man. So he was not god or man or animal. Vishnu leapt upon the demon and carried him to the doorway, so that he was neither indoors or out. Lifting the demon onto his knees, Vishnu tore the demon in two, destroying him neither on earth nor in the heavens, and using no weapon.

With the death of the demon, evil retreated once again into the shadows and the whole earth praised Lord Vishnu, the Preserver.

This information is taken from 'A Tapestry of Tales' by Sanda Palmer.