Śrī Varāha Avatāra and the Slaying of Hiraṇyākṣa

Śrī Varāha Avatāra and the Slaying of Hiraṇyākṣa

Once, when Lord Brahmā was engaged in the sacred act of creation, the Earth suddenly sank beneath the cosmic waters and descended into Rasātala, the nethermost region. Deeply distressed by this calamity, Brahmā reflected, “Only Śrī Hari, the all-powerful Supreme Lord, is capable of rescuing Bhūdevī. He alone must reveal the path of deliverance.”

As this thought arose in his mind, a wondrous event unfolded. From Brahmā’s nostril emerged a tiny boar, no larger than a thumb. Even as the assembled gods and sages watched in astonishment, the little boar began to grow—within moments expanding to the size of a mighty elephant. Marīci, Sanaka, and other sages, along with the devas, realized through contemplation that this was none other than the divine play of the Supreme Lord Himself.

With a thunderous roar, Śrī Hari, now manifest in the form of Varāha, leapt into the ocean to rescue the Earth. The impact of His descent caused the seas to roar violently, resounding like thunder and lightning. Cleaving the waters with His sharp hooves, the Lord plunged deep into Rasātala, where the Earth lay submerged. Lifting Bhūdevī upon His powerful tusks, He began to rise from the cosmic waters.

Meanwhile, the two fearsome beings born of Diti as a result of the curse pronounced upon Jaya and Vijaya were named Hiraṇyakaśipu and Hiraṇyākṣa. From birth itself, they possessed terrifying forms and soon grew to colossal proportions, like towering mountains. Their wicked nature spread terror across the worlds—each step they took caused the earth to tremble. Desiring invincibility, they performed severe penance and obtained boons from Lord Brahmā. Empowered by these boons, they conquered the three worlds and ruled with unbridled arrogance.

One day, Hiraṇyākṣa, wielding his massive mace and thirsting for battle, marched toward Svarga. Terrified by his immense strength and the power of Brahmā’s boon, the devas fled and hid themselves. Mocking their fear, the asura roared triumphantly. Finding no worthy opponent, he returned and plunged into the ocean, eager to indulge in water sports. The moment he entered the sea, the aquatic beings scattered in terror. For many years, Hiraṇyākṣa roamed the ocean depths, striking even the towering waves that rose with the speed of the wind.

Eventually, he reached Vibhāvarīpuri, the capital of Varuṇa, the lord of the waters. There, he ridiculed and insulted Varuṇa. Suppressing his anger, Varuṇa replied calmly, “O asura, I have no desire to fight you. Only the Supreme Lord, Śrī Nārāyaṇa, is capable of humbling your pride. It is by Him alone that your arrogance will be destroyed.”

Enraged by these words, Hiraṇyākṣa resolved to confront that very Hari. Rushing furiously into Rasātala, he witnessed Śrī Varāha emerging from the depths with the Earth upheld upon His tusks. Bursting into loud laughter, the demon mocked the Lord, mistaking Him for a mere beast. “Is this wild creature my opponent?” he sneered. “Leave the Earth at once! Brahmā entrusted her to us who dwell in Rasātala. You cannot carry her away before my eyes. Deception may help you defeat demons, but you gods possess no true strength. Today I shall destroy you and end the suffering of the asuras. Once you are slain, the gods and sages who worship you will perish without support.”

Witnessing this, Bhūdevī, resting upon the Lord’s tusks, trembled in fear. Perceiving her distress, Śrī Hari gently placed the Earth in her rightful position, infused her with His sustaining power, and ensured her stability. Enraged at seeing the Earth secured, Hiraṇyākṣa attacked the Lord fiercely with his mace. Śrī Varāha responded with equal might, and a dreadful battle ensued, shaking all the worlds.

At that moment, Brahmā and the other gods prayed earnestly to the Lord:

“O Lord, this wicked demon has become exceedingly powerful due to the boon he received. He torments sages, the righteous, cows, brāhmaṇas, devas, and innocent beings alike. None but You can destroy this scourge of the worlds. As twilight approaches, his strength will only increase. This is the most auspicious moment—delay no longer.”

Heeding their plea, Śrī Hari unleashed His Sudarśana Chakra, shattering the demonic illusion that protected Hiraṇyākṣa. Struck decisively, the wicked asura collapsed, spilling blood and surrendering his life. With his fall, peace was restored to the worlds.

Freed from fear, Brahmā and the devas extolled Śrī Hari, praising His supreme compassion and immeasurable valor. Thus, through the Varāha Avatāra, the Lord rescued the Earth and destroyed the embodiment of arrogance, reaffirming His role as the eternal protector of dharma.