Varaha Avatar - 03
Varaha Avatar : Rescued the Earth
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| Varahaswami |
According to the Purana, Hiranyaksha and his brother Hiranyakashipu were born to the sage Kashyapa and his wife Diti. One evening, overcome by intense desire, Diti approached her husband seeking union at an inauspicious time, just after sunset - a period reserved for penance and prayer. Despite Kashyapa’s warnings, her lustful insistence led to the conception of two powerful sons, destined to be asuras of immense strength. Thus were born Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu, whose arrogance and cruelty shook the balance of the cosmos.
Hiranyaksha’s Penance and Boon
As Hiranyaksha grew, his hunger for power and dominance over all beings intensified. Determined to make himself invincible, he undertook a long and fierce tapasya directed towards Brahmadev. For thousands of years, he stood in meditation, enduring heat, cold, hunger, and storms, without moving from his spot. His devotion and austerity shook even the heavens.
Pleased with his unshakable penance, Brahmadev appeared before Hiranyaksha and granted him a boon. The asura, intoxicated by arrogance, asked that no wild beast, man, deva, or animal could ever kill him. Brahma, bound by the rules of granting boons, agreed - but with one condition. He declared that Hiranyaksha would not be slain by any creature "except a boar", a possibility the demon dismissed as insignificant. With this boon, Hiranyaksha believed himself unstoppable, and his tyranny over the three worlds soon began and proclaimed himself as the Ruler of the Three Worlds. He abducted Bhoomi and trapped her in Cosmic Ocean.
The Story of Varaha
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| Bhoomidevi |
The Battle with Hiranyaksha
The encounter between Lord Varaha and Hiranyaksha was nothing short of legendary. The two clashed in the depths of the cosmic ocean, their roars echoing through the three worlds. The fight was not a brief skirmish - it raged on for what felt like a thousand divine years, shaking the heavens, earth, and the underworld alike. Every strike of Hiranyaksha’s mace was enough to split mountains, while every counter from Varaha resounded like thunder. Yet, despite the demon’s immense strength and the boon he carried, he could not withstand the divine energy of the Supreme.
At last, with a mighty blow of his tusks, Varaha struck down Hiranyaksha, ending his reign of terror once and for all. The gods showered flowers from the skies, the sages sang hymns of praise, and Mother Earth was restored to her rightful place in the cosmic order. This victory was more than just the fall of an asura - it was the triumph of dharma over arrogance and no power can ever surpass the will of the Divine.
Rescuing Bhoomi Devi
With the demon vanquished, Varaha gently lifted Bhoomi Devi on his tusks and rose from the waters. The sight of the Earth resting securely on the boar’s tusks became one of the most iconic images of Hindu History. Vishnu restored her to her rightful place in the cosmos, ensuring that life and dharma could flourish again.
Symbolism of Varaha
- Protector of Earth – Varaha represents the divine duty of protecting our planet and all life that dwells upon it.
- Triumph of Dharma – The defeat of Hiranyaksha signifies the victory of righteousness over arrogance and chaos.
- Strength with Compassion – Though fierce in battle, Varaha was gentle while carrying Bhoomi Devi, symbolizing balanced power.
Shloka on Varaha Avatar
ॐ जयति देवो वराहो महाबलः।
पृथिवीं उद्धृत्य रक्षाम् अकरोत्।।
दानव विनाशाय सदा स्थितः।
भूधरं धारयतु मम मानसः।।
Meaning:
“Glory to Lord Varaha, the mighty one,
Who lifted the Earth and protected it.
He stands ever ready to destroy demons,
May He uphold and steady my mind”
Lessons
- Protect Mother Earth – Just as Varaha rescued Bhoomi Devi, it is our duty to safeguard our planet and its environment.
- Geography- Hindus knew that Earth was round way before mainstream philosophers came up with this idea
- Face darkness with courage – The battle with Hiranyaksha inspires us to fight negativity with determination.
- Balance strength and gentleness – True power lies in combining fierce protection with compassionate care.
Thoughts
The Varaha Avatar shows that whenever the very existence of Earth is threatened, the divine intervenes to restore balance. It reminds us of the sacredness of our planet and the bond between humanity, nature, and the divine.
In the next post of this series, we’ll explore the fierce Narasimha Avatar, where Vishnu manifests as half-man, half-lion to protect his devotee Prahlada and destroy tyranny.
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