Hiranyaaksh was the elder brother of Hiranyakashyap, the father of Prahlaad. Both were the sons of Kashyap Jee and his wife Diti. He was very brave and mighty. When Vishnu was taking out the Earth sunk in the sea assuming the form of a Varaah (wild Boar) Avataar, he came to fight with Him. Varaah Bhagavaan killed him hitting him with His mouth.

He had 4 sons - Ulook, Shakuni, Bhootsantaapan and Mahaabheem