varaha

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 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.

Sage 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. Out of the demons born of Diti, two - Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashyapu - were with terrific powers. Both of them performed so many religious practices and austerities that in course of time they gained limitless powers. They are supposed to be the famous twin gatekeepers of Vishnu's heaven, Jaya and Vijaya, cursed to fall from grace and find salvation only in opposition to Vishnu.

Story of Lord Varaha

Hiranyakasha started harassing the gods. He invaded Indra and the gods. They took shelter in the caves of the mountain ranges on the earth. Hiranyaksha invaded the earth also. At that time Manu and his wife Shatarupa ruled over the earth. Hiranyaksha snatched away the earth from them and drowned it into the ocean. Mother Earth sank to the bottom of the ocean. Manu and Shatarupa requested Brahma to get them the earth back. Brahma said, "Hiranyaksha will not be destroyed by me because I have granted him such a boon. Let's take the help of Vishnu!"

As Brahma meditated to Lord Vishnu a tiny Boar fell from his nostrils. Wondering what that creature was, it grew and grew till it was in size of a large Mountain. Emitting a terrifying roar, it ( Lord Vishnu in the form of Boar) took one mighty leap into the air and tore the clouds with its hoofs and dived to the bed of ocean in search of Mother earth. He reached the other end of the ocean and discovered in its depths the object of its quest - Bhoomidevi ( Mother Earth).

Meanwhile Hiranyaksha rushed to the sea shore where he encountered with Varuna, the lord of the ocean, and challenged him for a fight. Varuna became very angry as he knew that at this moment Hiranyaksha was mightier than him so he curbed his anger and said, " I have given up fighting as I am too old. You must find out Vishnu; none but he alone would be an equal opponent for you. Go seek him out."

The boar brought the earth over the surface of the ocean and placed Bhoomidevi ( Mother Earth) gently on it and blessed her, May you support yourself in keeping with the divine order." Meanwhile the Boar had just dug his tusk into the ocean-bed and lifted Mother Earth onto it, and began rising towards the surface. Hiranyaksha rushed towards him with a mace in his hand saying, "You fraudulent fellow! Where are you carrying away the earth conquered by me? Stop or I'll crush your head with this mace!"

Hiranyaksha challenged Lord Vishnu in the Boar form to have battle with him but Vishnu ignored all his warnings and continued rising to the surface. Seeing this Hiranyaksha gave a chase, but the boar didn't even looked back. The boar brought the earth over the surface of the ocean and placed Bhoomidevi (Mother Earth) gently on it and blessed her. He then turned to face Hiranyaksha.The demon threw his mace at the boar but the boar stepped aside and raised his mace. 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 (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.

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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 head-on and died.

Thus the evil was outdone and also mother earth was safely restored in her place and Heaven returned to Devatas.

The main temples of Varaha Swamy in Kerala are at Varapuzha and Cherai