Varaha Avatar: The Third Incarnation of Lord Vishnu – Story, Symbolism, and Teachings

Varaha – the third of the Dashavatara (ten incarnations) of Lord Vishnu who incarnated in the form of a boar-headed man to rescue Mother Earth and restore Dharma. 

But why did Lord Vishnu choose to incarnate as a boar and what was the reason behind this form? 

We will discuss all of this in today’s blog, learning the story, significance, and lessons one can learn from the Varaha Avatar of Vishnu. 

Why Did Lord Vishnu Take Varaha Avatar: Hiranyaksha and Varaha story

The story begins with the demon Hiranyaksha - an ardent devotee of Lord Brahma. Once, he performed strong penance to please the deity, impressed by which, Lord Brahma granted him a boon of immortality, stating that ‘No god, human, animal, asura, devta or beast would be able to kill him.’ This one boon made Hiranyaksha the most powerful of all.

However, taking unethical advantage of his powers, Hiranyaksha started creating havoc in the universe. He tortured the devatas and destroyed anything and everything that came his way. But things went out of hands when he submerged Mother Earth into deep ocean bed, imposing a threat to mankind. 

Horrified by this course of events, the devtas went to Lord Vishnu, pleading him to save their lives. But the dilemma was – how to put an end to Hiranyaksha given the boon he had received from Lord Brahma. 

This is when Lord Vishnu assumed the form of the Varaha avatar – who was a man with the head of a boar – hence, he didn’t fit any of the criteria of the boon that Hiranyaksha received from Brahma. 

Undertaking the Varaha avatar, Lord Vishnu called out Hiranyaksha for a battle. And then began a fierce battle towards the end of which Lord Vishnu put Hiranyaksha to death. Hereafter, he sought out Mother Earth, who was submerged deep in the ocean bed. Varaha, using his tusks, lifted Mother Earth and brought her out on the surface, restoring the balance and order in the universe. And this is how Lord Vishnu fulfilled his cosmic duties as the preserver. 

Did you know? Hiranyaksha had an elder brother named Hiranyakashipu, who likewise received a boon of immortality. He conquered the three worlds, seeking revenge for his brother’s death. However, just like Hiranyaksha, he too was killed by one of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu i.e., Narasimha – the half-man, half-lion avatar of Vishnu.

More so, according to Bhagavata Purana, both Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu were an incarnation of the two dvarapalas (gatekeepers) of Lord Vishnu – Jaya & Vijaya. In earlier life, both of them were cursed by the four sons (Kumara’s) of Lord Brahma to incarnate either 3 times as the enemies of Vishnu or 7 times as his devotees. The two brothers chose to incarnate thrice on earth. 

They were first born as Hiranyakshipu and Hiranyaksha during Satyuga. In Tretayuga, they were born as Ravana and Kumbhakarna and as Shishupala and Dantavakra in their third birth during the Dvaparayuga.   

Significance of the Varaha Avatar

The Varaha Avatar emphasizes the importance of balance in the universe. When chaos and greed disrupt this balance, the intervention of the divine forces becomes necessary. 

More so, Varaha, a boar who was usually seen as a dirty, filthy animal, is now celebrated in Vishnu roopa, during the festival of Varaha Jayanti which falls on the third day of the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month. It is believed that worshipping the Varaha avatar grants the devotees strength and determination – qualities needed to overcome obstacles and challenges in life.

Lessons from the Varaha Avatar

Each of the Dashavataras of Lord Vishnu leaves us some important lessons about life. 

Talking of the legend associated with the Varaha avatar, there are two main lessons that we can learn from the main characters:
Hiranyakasha reminds us that even the mightiest beings must act with humility and use their power for the greater good and purpose. While Varaha, tells us that with strength and determination, one can overcome any and every challenge of life.

Takeaway

The tale of Varaha Avatar is a timeless story of courage, strength, and divine purpose. It reminds us that even in the darkest times, righteousness will prevail, and balance will be restored. The third incarnation of Lord Vishnu as a boar may seem unusual at first glance, but it’s a powerful symbol of determination and resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q. Who is Varaha in Hindu Mythology?
A. Varaha is the third avatar of Vishnu, who took the form of a boar to rescue the earth from the demon Hiranyaksha.
Q. What does the Varaha Avatar symbolize?
A. Vishnu symbolizes strength, persistence, and the ability to uplift the earth from the depths of chaos.
Q. What is the Significance of the Varaha Avatar?
A. The Varaha Avatar symbolizes the restoration of balance, the protection of nature, and the triumph of good over evil.
Q. What Lessons Does the Varaha Avatar Teach?
A. The Varaha Avatar teaches the importance of humility, environmental harmony, and importance of perseverance while facing the challenges in life.