Stories From The Bhagavatham - Lord Narayana As Varaha

 

The sons of Diti grew in power. They did severe penance and meditated on Lord Brahma for many years. Finally the Lord blessed them with His vision and asked them what they desired. Hiranyakashipu, one of the Asuras, asked for immortality. However Lord Brahma said that nobody could be immortal. The Asura, modifying his request said. “Grant me this boon, Lord, that no god or man, no weapon, nothing created by you should kill me. Neither during the day nor during the night, neither in the earth, nor in the sky, neither inside the house, nor outside – I should not die under such conditions.” It seemed that Hiranyakashipu indeed had thought about all possibilities! Lord Brahma granted him his boon.

Emboldened by their powers, the two asuras Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha set out into the world and wreaked havoc everywhere. They kept hearing the name of Lord Narayana and hated Him with vengeance. They made it their purpose to defeat Him.

Hiranyaksha entered the abode of Varuna, the Lord of the nether world. Mocking the lord, Hiranyaksha said. “My dear lord, please grant me the privilege of fighting with someone as mighty as you who are famed for your prowess and who, in days of yore, defeated all daityas. It will be my honour to fight with someone like you.” Varuna understood that the Asura was teasing him and replied in an equally mocking tone. “My dear Hiranyaksha, I am old. I gave up fighting long ago. I have no desire left now. However, I know one person who will fight you willingly and who will prove to be an equal to you. That is the one and only Lord Narayana.” Varuna felt the need to add a warning. “The Lord takes up various forms every now and then to get rid of evil beings like you. He will get rid of you in no time.”

Hiranyaksha ignored the warning and set out in search of Lord Narayana. He wandered around searching for the Lord. Sage Narada caught up with him one day and asked in excitement. “Is it true that you are searching for the Lord Narayana to fight and destroy Him?”

“Of course I am!” came the Asura’s reply. “I have spent ages searching for the ‘Lord of the lords’, as you all call him.”

“I know where he is!” Narada said. “As you are aware, the earth has been buried in Rasatala since the Pralaya. Lord Narayana wants to reestablish her and has taken the form of a Varaha (wild boar) to lift her up from Rasatala. In fact, even as we are speaking now, He is already returning to the surface of the sea with the earth. If you hurry, you can catch Him and fight with Him.”

Thanking Narada, the Asura rushed to meet Varaha. He shouted at the incarnation of the Lord. “Beast! You think you can steal the earth and run away from me? Should I remind you – she was after all gifted to us by Brahma. To us, the denizens of Rasatala! Thief! You have no right over her! Even though you have taken the form of a wild boar, I recognize you, Narayana. Oh I have heard of your achievements. You kill with the help of your Maya. Never once have you fought a straight-forward and honest battle with us! The Devas, our enemies, might call you as the Lord of lords, but not anymore. Those days are over! I am here and your days of glory will end soon. I am not letting you go without a fight. I will send you to the abode of death and get rid of the thorn in the path of the Asuras forever.”

Lord Narayana in the Varaha form ignored the words of the Asura and continued His upward journey to the surface of the sea. Hiranyaksha pursued Him, calling out names. “You are shameless, running away from me! I will not let you go easily. Come and give me the fight for which my arms are itching!”

Varaha carefully placed the earth on the surface of the sea and established her there firmly. Then He turned his attention towards the Asura and said. “I am a beast and that is why I am listening to your words. Really brave men are not obliged to listen to your senseless ravings. You are already nearing your death because of which you are saying such words. Yes, I am a thief and you caught me in the act of stealing the earth from Rasatala. I am the thorn in the path of the Asuras, as you said, and I cannot see their bleeding feet, compassionate as I am. I will help you to deliver the promise you have made to your friends. It is exactly why I am still here otherwise I would have run away.” There was so much contempt and taunt in Varaha’s tone that it angered Hiranyaksha to no extent. He raised his mace and rushed towards the Lord.

Brahma and many rishis came to witness the terrible fight between Varaha and Hiranyaksha who proved to be an equal opponent to Narayana. Brahma telepathically conveyed to Narayana. “It was my mistake in granting such boons to the Asura brothers. They have troubled the earth enough. Evening approaches and it is the time when the Asuras are at their mightiest. Dally not, Lord Narayana, and please destroy him.”

“I am Time myself, and this son of mine reminds me of auspicious and inauspicious time!” Lord Narayana thought in amusement. Hiranyaksha was no weak opponent and even managed to crush the mace of Varaha. The fight with weapons stopped and both of them started wrestling and kept on fighting till Varaha, with a blow from His mighty fist, ended Hiranyaksha’s life.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaaya! Om Shri Varahamurthaye Namaha!