Varaha - The Boar - 3rd Incarnation

Varaha (the boar) is the third incarnation of Vishnu. Its images are divided into two main groups - those entirely in animal form and those having an animal’s head on a human body with four arms. As is with most of the Vishnu incarnations, two hands hold the wheel and the conch-shell and the other two may hold a sword, a mace or a lotus, or they may be in the protection and boon giving modes.
Vishnu turned himself into a boar (Varaha) and descended to the bottom of the ocean to rescue the earth, which had been abducted and hidden there by HIRYANYAKSA a demon. After a long struggle Vishnu (as the boar) slew the demon, rescued the earth and brought it to the surface and made it ready to support life by modeling the mountains and shaping the continents. In this way the world was brought into being once again to begin another KALPA or cycle. The extrication of the world from the deluge of sin is symbolized by this legend and is a creation myth.

Among descendants of Daksha, the first man that Brahma created at the beginning of the new KALPA (era or age), there was one Kashyap, a sage, who had four wives, Diti, Aditi, Vinita and Kudroo. Diti gave birth to demons and from Aditi were born gods, while from Vinita was born Garuda, the carrier of Vishnu and the last one Kudroo created the hydras. Out of the demons born of Diti, two were with terrific powers. These two brothers were named Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashyapu. Both of them performed so many religious practices and austerities that in course of time they gained limitless powers.


HIRANYAKSHA fueled with his limitless power of attacked Heaven, the kingdom of the gods. At his very sight the gods were struck so much with fear that they hid themselves. Hiranyaksha challenged Varuna, the Lord of the Ocean, to a fight. But Varuna answered, “O great hero, I live like a hermit. I do not wish to fight. Besides, who can fight with you! Only God can do it.” Then Hiranyaksha went in search of Vishnu.

At the end of the PRALAYA earth (PRITVI or BHOOMIDEVI) remained submerged in the waters. At that moment, through one of the nostrils of PARABRAHMA a pig shot out. He was very small in size - just an inch tall. But even as the onlookers were gazing, he began to grow. He grew and grew and became huge like a mountain. The Earth had fallen into the ocean and was lying under the water. The pig lifted it on his tusks. He was now rising above the water in order to offer the Earth to Brahma.

HIRANYAKSHA saw this mountain like pig and was astounded. Still in limitless pride he cried, ‘Foolish pig, leave the earth where it is and go away. Yes, I now know who you are; you are no other than Vishnu in the form of a pig. I have come to break your head.’ So saying he stopped the pig. The Earth - Goddess trembled at the fearful appearance of the demon. But Varaha (the huge pig) did not take notice of these things. He was rising from the ocean.




VARAHA STRIKING HIRANYAKSHA

Hiranyaksha grew impatient and called loudly, ‘Coward! You have no shame.’ Varaha heard these insulting words and put aside the Earth. His eyes were red with anger. He said, ‘These words of empty pride will only lead you to the jaws of death.’ ‘Well, then, fight’, said Hiryanyaksha. A dreadful fight followed between them. The gods witnessed this terrible fight. It went on from morning till evening.

Brahma was very anxious to see the fight finished, before darkness fell, by Adivaraha (the first pig), for, as darkness approaches, the strength of Rakshasas, too, grows. As though he read Brahma’s thoughts, the divine pig smiled and sent his disc (the Chakra) whirling towards Hiranyaksha. This mighty weapon destroyed all weapons of Hiranyaksha.

Seeing all his weapons destroyed by the pig, Hiranyaksha’s anger rose high and he rushed forward roaring with anger to crush Hari in his arms. Then the divine pig struck a stunning blow on Hiranyaksha’s cheek. The blow was so terrible. That Hiranyaksha fell to the ground and died.




Thus the evil was outdone and also mother earth was safely restored in her place.

What about the other brother? He did not go away quitely. He seethed in anger over his brother's death and performed terrible penance and prayer. So much so that the Creator granted him near immortality. This is where the legend of Prahalad is born. And the 4th incarnation of Vishnu will be his undoing.