Varaha avtar, killing a demon to protect Bhu, c1740.jpg

Varaha ( sa, वराह, , "boar") is an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, in the form of a boar. Varaha is generally listed as third in the Dashavatara, the ten principal avatars of Vishnu.

Varaha is most commonly associated with the legend of lifting the Earth (personified as the goddess Bhudevi) out of the cosmic ocean. When the asura Hiranyaksha stole the earth and hid her in the primordial waters, Vishnu appeared as Varaha to rescue her. Varaha slew the asura, and retrieved the Earth from the ocean, lifting it on his tusks, and restored Bhudevi to her place in the universe.

Varaha may be depicted as completely a boar or in an anthropomorphic form, with a boar's head and the human body. His consort, Bhudevi, the personified Earth, is often depicted as a young woman, lifted by Varaha.

Etymology and other names

The deity Varaha derives its name from the Sanskrit word ''varāha'' (Devanagari: वराह, ) meaning "boar" or "wild boar".

The word ''varāha'' is from Proto-Indo-Iranian term ''*warāȷ́ʰá'', meaning boar. It is thus related to Avestan ''varāza'', Kurdish ''beraz'', Middle Persian ''warāz'', and New Persian ''gorāz'' (گراز), all meaning "wild boar".Alexander Lubotsky, The Indo-Aryan inherited lexicon, pp. 556–557

The Sanskrit grammarian and etymologist Yaska (circa 300 BCE) states that the word ''varaha'' originates from the root √hr. The Monier-Williams dictionary states that the root √hr means "'to offer/present', 'to outdo, eclipse, surpass', 'to enrapture, charm, ndfascinate', and 'to take away or remove evil or sin'" and also "to take away, carry off, seize, deprive of, steal, rrob".

As per Yaska, the boar is a beast that "tears up the roots, or he tears up all the good roots" is thus called ''varaha''. The word ''varaha'' is found in the ''Rigveda'', for example, in its verses such as 1.88.5, 8.77.10 and 10.28.4 where it means "wild boar".

The word also means "rain cloud" and is symbolic in some Rigvedic hymns, such as Vedic demon Vritra being called a ''varaha'' in Rigvedic verses 1.61.7 and 10.99.6, and Soma's epithet being a ''varaha'' in 10.97.7. Later the rain-relationship led the connotation of the term evolve into ''vara-aharta'', which means "bringer of good things" (rain), which also mentioned by Yaska.

Yaska mentions a third meaning of the word ''varaha''. The Vedic group of Angirases are called ''varaha''s or collectively a ''varahavah''.

The god Varaha is also called referred by the epithet ''sukara'' (Sanskrit सूकर, ), meaning 'wild boar', which also used in the ''Rigveda'' (e.g. 7.55.4) and ''Atharva Veda'' (e.g. 2.27.2). The word literally means "the animal that makes a peculiar nasal sound in respiration"; in the ''Bhagavata Purana'', Varaha is referred to Sukara, when he is born from the god Brahma's nostril.

Legends and scriptural references

Vedic origins

The origin of Varaha is found in the Vedas, the oldest Hindu scriptures. Varaha is originally described as a form of Prajapati (equated with Brahma), but evolved into the avatar of Vishnu in later Hindu scriptures. Two other avatars of Vishnu - Matsya (the fish) and Kurma (the tortoise) were also equated with Prajapati, before being described as forms of Vishnu in later traditions.

Arthur Anthony Macdonell traces the origins of the Varaha legend to two verses (1.61.7 and 8.66.10) of the Rigveda, the oldest Veda. Vishnu, aided by the god Indra, steals hundred buffaloes from a boar (identified Vritra by Macdonell based on verse 1.121.11); Indra - shooting across a mountain slays the ''emusha'' ("fierce") beast. Arthur Berriedale Keith also agrees with Macdonell; interpreting the mountain as a cloud and the slaying as an alternate version of the annihilation of the ''asura'' Vritra by Indra. The 14th century Vedic commentator Sayana states the ''Taittiriya Samhita'' (6.2.4) elaborates the Rigveda version. However, the Rigveda does not hint at the classical legend of the rescue of the earth by the boar. In the scripture, the god Rudra is called the "boar of the sky". Even Vishnu is described to have slew a boar. The hunt of a boar using dogs is also referred to.

The ''Taittiriya Samhita'' (6.2.4) mentions that the boar, "the plunderer of wealth", hides the riches of the asuras, beyond the seven hills. Indra destroys the beast by striking it a blade of sacred ''kusha'' grass, piercing the mounts. Vishnu, "the sacrifice" (''yajna''), brings the slain boar as a sacrificial offering to the gods, thereby the gods acquiring the treasure of the asuras.6.2.4: Vishnu is both the sacrifice as well as the "bringer of sacrifice"; the boar being the sacrifice. The tale is also recalled in ''Charaka Brahmana'' and ''Kathaka Brahmana''; the latter calls the boar Emusha.

According to J. L. Brockington, there are two distinct boar mythologies in Vedic literature. In one, he is depicted as a form of Prajapati, in other an asura named Emusha is a boar that fights Indra and Vishnu. The section 14.1.2 of the ''Shatapatha Brahmana'' harmonizes the two myths and Emusha is conflated into Prajapati.

The earliest versions of the classical Varaha legend are found in the ''Taittiriya Samhita'' and the ''Shatapatha Brahmana''; scholars differ on which one is the core version. The ''Shatapatha Brahmana'' narrates that the universe was primordial waters. The earth which was the size of a hand, was trapped in it. The god Prajapati (equated with Brahma) in the form of a boar (''varaha'') plunges into the waters and brings the earth out. He also marries the earth thereafter. The ''Shatapatha Brahmana'' calls the boar as Emusha, which Keith relates to the boar's epithet ''emusha'' in the Rigveda. In the ''Taittiriya Samhita'' (7.1.5), Prajapati - who was roaming as the wind - acquires the form of a " cosmogonic" boar lifting the earth goddess from the primeval waters. As Vishwakarma (the creator of the world), he flattened her, thus she - the earth - was called Prithvi, "the extended one". They produce various deities.

The ''Taittiriya Aranyaka'' (10.1.8) states the earth is lifted by a "black boar with hundred arms". The ''Taittiriya Brahmana'' (1.1.3.6) expands the ''Taittiriya Samhita'' narrative. The "Lord of creation" was pondering on how the universe should be. He saw a lotus leaf and took the form of a boar to explore under it. He found mud and outstretched it on the leaf, rising above the waters. It was called the earth - Bhumi, literally "that which became (spread)".

Creation legend

The ''Ayodhya Kanda'' book of the epic ''Ramayana'' refers to Varaha retaining his connection to Prajapati-Brahma. In a cosmogonic myth, Brahma appears in the primal universe full of water and takes the form of a boar to lift the earth from the waters; creation begins with Brahma and his progeny.Yuddha Kanda - CX (110): The ''Yuddha Kanda'' book of the epic praises Rama (the hero of the epic, who is identified with Vishnu) as "the single-tusked boar", which is interpreted as an allusion to Varaha and links Varaha with Vishnu. In the epic ''Mahabharata'', Narayana ("one who lies in the waters", an appellation of Brahma which was later transferred to Vishnu) is praised as the one who rescues the earth as a boar.

The Puranas complete the full transition of Varaha from the form of Prajapati-Brahma to the avatar of Narayana-Vishnu. The '' Brahmanda Purana'', the ''Vayu Purana'', the ''Vishnu Purana'', the ''Linga Purana'', the '' Markendeya Purana'', the ''Kurma Purana'', the ''Garuda Purana'', the ''Padma Purana'' and the ''Shiva Purana'' have similar narratives of the cosmogonic myth, wherein Brahma, identified with Narayana-Vishnu, takes the Varaha form to raise the earth from the primeval waters.

The ''Brahmanda Purana'', one of the oldest Puranas, narrates that in the present ''kalpa'' ("aeon") called ''Varaha kalpa'', Brahma wakes from his slumber. Brahma is called Narayana ("he who lies in the waters"). The ''Vayu Purana'' says that Brahma roams as the wind in the waters, which is interpreted as allusion to the Vedic ''Taittiriya Brahmana'' version. Similarly alluding to the Vedic version, the detailed ''Brahmanda Purana'' version says that Brahma is "invisible" and a shorter summary says that he becomes the wind. In the ''Brahmanda Purana'', realizing that the earth was in the waters, he decides to take the form of Varaha as the beast likes to sport in the water. Similar reasons for taking the boar form particularly are also given in the ''Linga Purana'', the ''Matsya Purana'' and the ''Vayu Purana''. The ''Vishnu Purana'' and the ''Markendeya Purana'' add that Brahma-Narayana decides to take the form of Varaha, similar to the forms of the fish (Matsya) and tortoise (Kurma), he took in previous ''kalpa''s.

The ''Brahma Purana'', the ''Venkatacala Mahatmya'' in the ''Vaishnava Khanda'' Book of the ''Skanda Purana'' and the ''Vishnu Smriti'' narrate the tale with slight variation, however Brahma is missing; it is Vishnu-Narayana who unambiguously becomes Varaha to lift the sunken earth from the waters. In late addition in the ''Mahabharata'', the single-tusked (''Eka-shringa'') Varaha (identified with Narayana-Vishnu) lifts the earth, which sinks under the burden of overpopulation when Vishnu assumes the duties of Yama (the god of Death) and death seizes on earth. In the ''Matsya Purana'' and the '' Harivamsa'', at the beginning of a ''kalpa'', Vishnu creates various worlds from the cosmic golden egg. The earth, unable to bear the weight of the new mountains and losing her energy, sinks in the waters to the subterranean realm of Rasatala - the abode of the demons. In the first account in the ''Bhagavata Purana'' states that in early stages of creation, Brahma creates various beings, however finds the earth under the waters. Varaha (identified with Vishnu, the Lord of sacrifice) emerges as a tiny beast (a size of a thumb) from the nostrils of Brahma, but soon starts to grow. Varaha's size increases to that of an elephant and then to that of an enormous mountain.

The scriptures emphasize Varaha's gigantic size. The ''Brahmanda Purana'', the ''Vayu Purana'', the ''Matsya Purana'', the ''Harivamsa'' and the ''Linga Purana'' describes Varaha as 10 ''yojana''s (The range of a ''yojana'' is disputed and ranges between ) in width and a 1000 ''yojana''s in height. He is large as a mountain and blazing like the sun. Dark like a rain cloud in complexion, his tusks are white, sharp and fearsome. His body is the size of the space between the earth and the sky. His thunderous roar is frightening. In one instance, his mane is so fiery and fearsome that Varuna, the god of the waters, requests Varaha to save him from it. Varaha complies and folds his mane.Krishna 2009, pp. 45-6

Early texts like the ''Brahmanda Purana'' and the ''Vayu Purana'' build up on the ''Taittiriya Brahmana'' Vedic cosmogonic concept of ''Yajna-varaha'' (Varaha as sacrifice). The ''Brahmanda Purana'' describes that acquiring the boar form composed of Vedic sacrifices, he plunges in waters, finding the earth in the subterranean realm. Varaha's various body parts are compared with various implements or participants of a ''yajna'' (sacrifice). This description of ''Yajna-varaha'' was adopted in various other Puranas (like the ''Brahma Purana'', the ''Bhagavata Purana'', the ''Matsya Purana'', the ''Padma Purana'', the ''Venkatacala Mahatmya'' of the ''Skanda Purana'', the ''Vishnudharmottara Purana''), the ''Harivamsa'', Smriti texts (including the ''Vishnu Smriti'',), Tantras and Adi Shankara's commentary on the ''Vishnu Sahasranama'' explaining the epithet ''Yajnanga'' ("whose body is ''yajna''"). The ''Vishnu Purana'', the ''Bhagavata Purana'' and the ''Padma Purana'' embeds the sacrificial description within a paean to Varaha by the sages of Janaloka after he saves the earth. Roshen Dalal describes the symbolism of his iconography based on the ''Vishnu Purana'' as follows:

His ourfeet represent the Vedas (scriptures). His tusks represent sacrificial stakes. His teeth are offerings. His mouth is the altar, the tongue is the sacrificial fire. The hair on his head denotes the sacrificial grass. The eyes represent the day and night. The head represents the seat of all. The mane represents the hymns of the Vedas. His nostrils are the oblation. His joints represent the various ceremonies. The ears are said to indicate rites (voluntary and obligatory).

Some texts like the ''Vishnu Purana'', the ''Matsya Purana'', the ''Harivamsa'' and the ''Padma Purana'' contain a panegyric - dedicated to Varaha - and a plea of rescue by the earth. They clearly identify Varaha with Vishnu at this stage. Further in the ''Brahmanda Purana'' and other texts, Varaha rose from the waters carrying the earth on his tusks and restored her on the waters, where she floated like a boat. Varaha flattened the earth and divided it into seven great portions by creating mountains. Further, Brahma, identified with Vishnu, creates natural features like mountains, rivers, oceans, various worlds as well as various beings. The ''Venkatacala Mahatmya'' and the first account in the ''Bhagavata Purana'' mentions only the rescue of the earth by Varaha, omitting the creation activities attributed to him in other texts. The ''Venkatacala Mahatmya'' states that Varaha placed beneath the earth the world elephants, the serpent Shesha and the world turtle as support. At his behest, Brahma creates various beings. The ''Bhagavata Purana'' alludes to the slaying of a demon - identified with Hiranyaksha in other narratives in the Purana.

The ''Linga Purana'' and the ''Markendeya Purana'' clearly identifies Varaha, as the rescuer of the earth, with Vishnu, barring the cosmogonic myth.

Slayer of demons

While early references in the ''Mahabharata'' to the demon Hiranyaksha do not relate him to Varaha, Vishnu is said to be taken the boar form to slay a demon named Naraka. Another late insertion describes Vishnu lifting the earth as well as defeating all the danavas (demons). Late passages start the association of Hiranyaksha with Varaha. Vishnu is praised as Varaha, the vanquisher of Hiranyaksha in three instances.

The ''Agni Purana'' mentions the obliteration of the demon Hiranyaksha as Varaha's main purpose. The ''Linga Purana'' and the ''Kurma Purana'' narrate that the ''daitya'' (demon; lit. "son of Diti") Hiranyaksa defeats the gods and entraps the earth in the subterranean realm. Taking the Varaha form, Vishnu slays the demon by piercing him by his tusks. Later, he uplifts the earth from the netherworld and restores her to her original position. The ''Linga Purana'' continues further: Later, Vishnu discards his boar body and returns to his heavenly abode; the earth cannot bear the weight of his tusk. Shiva relieves the earth by using the same as an ornament.

The ''Brahmanda Purana'', the ''Vayu Purana'', the ''Matsya Purana'' and the ''Padma Purana'' mentions that Varaha's battle with the ''asura''s (demons) is one of twelve in this ''kalpa'' between the gods and the demons. The ''Brahmanda Purana'' states that Hiranyaksha is pierced by Varaha's tusk, while ''Vayu Purana'' comments that Hiranyaksha is killed in this battle before Varaha rescued the earth. The ''Harivamsa'' narrates that the demons led by Hiranyaksha overpower and imprison the gods, Vishnu assumes the boar form and slays the demon-king with his Sudarshana chakra (discus) after a fierce war.

The ''Shrishti Khanda'' book of the ''Padma Purana'' provides an elaborate description of the war between the gods and the demons led by Hiranyaksha. The demon army is routed by the gods, who in turn by overpowered by the demon-king. Vishnu combats with Hiranyaksha for a hundred divine years; finally the demon expands his size and seizing the earth escapes to the netherworld. Vishnu follows him, taking up the Varaha form and rescues the earth. After engaging in a fierce mace-battle, Varaha finally beheads the demon with his discus.

In the ''Shiva Purana'', the annihilation of Hiranyaksha appears as a cursory tale in the story of subduing of his adopted son Andhaka by Shiva. The demon king Hiranyaksha confines the earth to Patala. Vishnu becomes Varaha (identified with Sacrifice) and slaughters the demon army by trashing them by his snout, piercing by tusks and kicking by his legs. Finally, Varaha decapitates the demon king with his discus and crowns Andhaka as his successor. He picks the earth on his tusks and places it in her original place.

A detailed second account in the ''Bhagavata Purana'' narrates that Jaya and Vijaya, the doorkeepers of Vishnu's abode Vaikuntha, were cursed by the four Kumaras to be born as demons. In their first birth, they are born as the daityas Hiranyakashipu (who is slain by another Vishnu avatar Narasimha) and Hiranyaksha as the twin sons of Diti and the sage Kashyapa. Blessed by Brahma, the king of daityas Hiranyaksha became powerful and conquered the universe. He challenges the sea god Varuna to combat, who redirects him the more powerful Vishnu. The demon confronts Vishnu as Varaha, who is rescuing the earth at the time. The demon mocks Varaha as the beast and warns him not to touch earth. Ignoring the demon's threats, Varaha lifts the earth on his tusks. Varaha engages in a mace-duel with the demon. Varaha destroys the demon with the discus, the demon horde created by the demon's magic; finally slaying Hiranyaksha hitting him with his foreleg after the thousand-year battle.

The ''Garuda Purana'', that refers to the ''Bhagavata Purana'', alludes to the curse in the Hiranyaksha tale. The cursed Vijaya is born as the demon Hiranyaksha, begins a boon from Brahma. He takes the earth to Patala. Vishnu, as Varaha, enters Patala via the ocean. He lifts the earth with the tusks and annihilates the demon; then places the four world elephants to support the earth and settles in Srimushnam. The ''Uttarakhanda'' book of the ''Padma Purana'' also narrates about the curse of the Kumaras. Jaya and Vijaya choose three births on the earth as foes of Vishnu, rather than seven existences as his devotees to lessen the period of the curse. Hiranyaksha carries the earth away to the underworld. Varaha pierces the demon fatally by his tusk and then places the earth over the hood of the serpent and becomes the world turtle to support it. The ''Avantikshetra Mahatmya'' section of the ''Avantya Khanda'' Book of the ''Skanda Purana'' also refers to the curse. The earth sinks in the waters tormented by the daityas; Varaha vanquishes Hiranyaksha.

In a passing reference in the ''Brahmanda Purana'', the ''Vayu Purana'' and ''Matsya Purana'', Varaha is said to have slain Hiranyaksha on Mount Sumana (also called Ambikeya or Rishabha) on/ near the legendary island Jambudvipa. Besides to alluding to the raising of the earth from the waters by Varaha, the ''Brahmavaivarta Purana'' also mentions that Hiranyaksha was slain by Varaha. The ''Garuda Purana'' and the '' Narada Purana'' also refers to Varaha as the slayer of Hiranyaksha.

The ''Brahma Purana'' narrates another tale where a ''rakshasa'' (demon) named Sindhusena defeated the gods and took the sacrifice to the netherworld Rasatala. Implored by the gods, Vishnu takes the form of Varaha and enters Rasatala. He slew the demons and recovered the sacrifice holding it in his mouth (''mukha''), thus sacrifice known as ''makha''. Near Brahmagiri hill in Trimbak, Varaha washed his blood-stained hands in the river Ganga (identified with the Godavari alias Gautami river); the water collected forms the sacred pond called ''Varaha- tirtha'' or ''Varaha-kunda''.

Saviour of the ancestors

In an instance in the ''Mahabharata'' after raising the earth, Vishnu as Varaha, shakes his tusk and three balls of mud fall in the South, which he declares as the three '' pinda''s (riceballs) to be given to the Pitrs (ancestors). Varaha's association with the three ''pinda''s is reiterated in later texts like the epic's appendix ''Harivamsa'', the ''Vishnudharmottara Purana'' and the ''Brahma Purana''. This tale constitutes the mythology of ''Pitr-yajna'' or Shraddha, sacrifice to the ancestors.

The ''Brahma Purana'' narrates about Varaha's deliverance of the Pitrs (manes). Once, the Pitrs lust for Urja (also known as Svadha and Koka), the daughter of the moon-god Chandra. Cursed by Chandra, the Pitrs fall as humans on the Himalayan mountains from their elevated positions, while Koka transforms into a river in the mountains. The demons attack the Pitrs, who hides under a slab in the Koka river. Eulogized by the Pitrs, Varaha uplifted the drowning Pitrs from the river by his tusks. Then, he performs the rites of Shraddha by performing libations and ''pinda''s to the Pitrs with the Earth acting as Chaya - his consort in the rituals. Varaha liberated the Pitrs from the curse and blessed Koka to be reborn as Svadha (the food or oblations offered to Pitrs) and become the wife of the Pitrs. Further, Narakasura (also called Bhauma) was born to the earth due to her contact with Varaha. Also, Varaha's temple was established at Kokamukha, where Varaha freed the Pitrs.

Child

The ''Vishnu Purana'', the ''Brahma Purana'' and the ''Bhagavata Purana'', in the episode of the killing of the demon Narakasura by Krishna avatar of Vishnu, mentions that the demon was the son of Varaha and the earth goddess Bhudevi. In some versions of the tale, Vishnu-Varaha promises the earth that he will not kill their son, without her consent. In the Krishna form, Vishnu slays the demon with the support of Satyabhama, Krishna's consort and an avatar of Bhudevi.

The ''Brahmavaivarta Purana'' narrates that Varaha slew Hiranyaksha and rescued the earth from the waters. Varaha and the earth goddess were attracted to each other and made love. After they regained consciousness, Varaha worshipped the earth and decreed that the earth be worshipped at specific occasions, such as the construction of a house, lakes, wells, dams, etc. From their union, Mangala, the god of the planet Mars, was born.

The ''Avantikshetra Mahatmya'' of the ''Skanda Purana'' states that after slaying Hiranyaksha, the Shipra River springs from the heart of Varaha. Thus, the sacred river is described as the daughter of Varaha.

In avatar listings

The ''Mahabharata'' lays the foundation for the avatar concept in Vishnu theology; the term ''pradurbhava'' ("manifestation") appears in the early lists, instead the term ''avatar''. Varaha is listed as one of the four incarnations of Narayana-Vishnu who "relieve the burden of the earth" in an early list; in another list which may be a later addition to the epic, Varaha is one among eight ''pradurbhava''s. Some manuscripts of the epic expand the list to the classical ten Dashavatar list; with Varaha listed as third or fourth ''pradurbhava''. Varaha is referred to ''yajna-varaha'' ("sacrifice boar") in some instances.

The ''Agni Purana'' while narrating tales of the Dashavatara in sequence briefly mentions that the Hiranyaksa, a chief of ''asura''s (demons) defeated the gods and captured Svarga (heaven). Vishnu, in his third avatar as Varaha, slew the demons.

The ''Linga Purana'' mentions that Vishnu takes the avatars due to a curse by the sage Bhrigu. It mentions Varaha as the third of the Dashavatara. The ''Narada Purana'', the ''Shiva Purana'' and the ''Padma Purana'' concurs placing Varaha as third of ten avatars.

The ''Bhagavata Purana'' and ''Garuda Purana'' mention Varaha as second of 22 avatars. They say that Varaha, "the lord of sacrifices", rescued the earth from the netherworld or the waters. In two other instances in the ''Garuda Purana'', Varaha is mentioned as third of the classical Dashavatara.

The ''Narada Purana'' has a variant of Caturvyuha with Narayana, Varaha, Vamana and Balarama (Haladhara) as the four emanations.

Other legends and textual references

The ''Linga Purana'', the ''Shiva Purana'' and the ''Maheshvara Khanda'' Book of the ''Skanda Purana'' mention Vishnu taking the Varaha form in the tale of the origin of the linga (the aniconic symbol of Shiva). Once, Brahma and Vishnu contest for superiority. An infinite, fiery pillar signifying the linga appears. Brahma as a ''hamsa'' (swan) flies up to find its top; while Varaha as large boar went lower to search its base. However, both fail the ends of the linga. Shiva appears in the place of linga and enlightens them that he is the Supreme Being. The ''Shiva Purana'' says that Vishnu chose the boar form due to the beast's inborn ability to burrow. It also notes that the current kalpa is known as ''Varaha-kalpa'' due to Vishnu's form as Varaha in the beginning of the kalpa. This tale is iconographically depicted in the Lingodbhava icon of Shiva as emerging from a cosmic pillar, while Vishnu as Varaha is seen at the base going down and Brahma as a swan flying at the top. The Lingodbhava icon of the Shiva-worshipping Shaiva sect was aimed to counter the avatar theory of Vishnu that presented him as the Supreme Being. The icon elevated Shiva to the Supreme Being position and demoted Vishnu as inferior to Shiva by belittling the Varaha avatar. Similarly, the Sharabha form of Shiva offset Narasimha, the lion-man avatar of Vishnu.

Another legend in the minor Purana named ''Kalika Purana'' also depicts the sectarian conflicts between the Vaishnava followers of Vishnu and the Shaiva sect of Shiva. Varaha lifts the sunken earth by piercing his tusk through her. He then assumes the form of the seven-hooded serpent Shesha (Ananta) and supports the earth on one of his hoods. Thereafter, Varaha and Bhudevi enjoy as Varaha and Varahi. They have three boar sons named Suvrtta, Kanaka, and Ghora. Varaha and his progeny create mayhem in the world. The gods go to Varaha to abandon his boar form. Vishnu requests Shiva to take the form of Sharabha (also called Varaha Shiva), to kill the body of Varaha and the three sources of havoc. The retinues of Sharabha and Varaha, aided by Narasimha, fight. In the war, Narasimha is killed by Sarabha. Thereafter, Varaha requests Sarabha to dismember him and create implements of sacrifice from his body parts; Sharabha complies by slaying Varaha.

Varaha also appears in the Shakta (Goddess-oriented) narrative in the final episode of the '' Devi Mahatmya'' text embedded in the ''Markendeya Purana''. Vishnu as Varaha creates his ''shakti'' Varahi (along with other deities, together called the eight matrika goddesses) to aid the Great Goddess to fight the demon Raktabija.

The scripture ''Varaha Purana'' is believed to be narrated by Vishnu to Bhudevi, as Varaha. The Purana is devoted more to the "myths and genealogies" connected to the worship of Vishnu. Though Varaha is praised numerous times as the saviour of the earth from the waters, the detailed legend is not given in the Purana. The earth praises Varaha-Vishnu who rescued her numerous times in various avatars and sees the complete universe in his mouth, when Varaha laughs. The ''Varaha Upanishad'', a minor Upanishad, is narrated as a sermon from Varaha to the sage Ribhu.KN Aiyar, Thirty Minor Upanishads, University of Toronto Archives, , page 220 with footnotes

The ''Agni Purana'', ''Brahma Purana'', the ''Markendeya Purana'' and the ''Vishnu Purana'' say that Vishnu resides as Varaha in Ketumala-''varsha'', one of the regions outside the mountains surrounding Mount Meru. The ''Bhagavata Purana'' says that Vishnu dwells as Varaha with the earth goddess in the Northern Kuru ''varsha''. The ''Vayu Purana'' describes an island called Varaha-dvipa near Jambudvipa, where only Vishnu as Varaha is worshipped.

Iconography

Like Vishnu's first two avatars – Matsya (fish) and Kurma (turtle) – the third avatar Varaha is depicted either in zoomorphic form as an animal (a wild boar), or anthropomorphically. The main difference in the anthropomorphic form portrayal is that the first two avatars are depicted with a torso of a man and the bottom half as animal, while Varaha has an animal (boar) head and a human body.Krishna 2009, p. 47 The portrayal of the anthropomorphic Varaha is similar to the fourth avatar Narasimha (portrayed as a lion-headed man), who is the first avatar of Vishnu that is not completely animal.

Textual descriptions

The ''Agni Purana'' describes that Varaha is depicted with the human body and boar head. In one configuration, he carries a gada (mace), shankha (conch), padma (lotus) with Lakshmi on his left. In another form, he is depicted with the earth goddess on his left elbow and the serpent Shesha at his feet.

The ''Vishnudharmottara Purana'' describes the iconography of Nri-varaha ("human-boar"), with a human body and boar head. Varaha be depicted standing in the combative ''alidha'' pose (With a leg held straight and the other leg bent a little) on the four-armed serpent Shesha with folded arms. He holds a conch in his left land; on this elbow he supports the earth goddess who depicted with folded hands. He also holds mace, lotus and chakra (discus). He may also be depicted hurling the chakra at Hiranyaksha or raising a spear at the demon. Varaha can be also depicted in meditative posture like the sage Kapila or offering ''pinda''s. He can depicted in battle surrounded by demons or zoomorphically as boar supporting the earth. The text prescribes Varaha worship for prosperity; the demon personifies adversity and ignorance while Varaha is wisdom, wealth and power.

The ''Matsya Purana'' describes that Varaha standing with the left foot on a turtle and the right foot on the hood of Shesha. The raised earth should be on his left elbow. His left hand is placed on his Shakti (consort) on his left; while he holds a lotus and mace. The lokapala deities should surround him, worshipping him.

The ''Narada Purana'' recommends Varaha be pictured as golden in complexion, having the earth on his white tusks and holding an iron-club, a conch, a discus, a sword, a javelin in his hands and making the ''abhayamudra'' (hand gesture of assurance).

The ''Venkatacala Mahatmya'' of the ''Skanda Purana'' mentions that the boar-faced, four-armed Varaha holds the discus and the conch and makes the gestures of blessing (''varadamudra'') and assurance. He wears various ornaments including the Kaustubha jewel and yellow garments. The ''srivatsa'' symbol is on his chest. The earth goddess is seated on his left lap.

Depictions

In the zoomorphic form, Varaha is often depicted as a free-standing boar colossus, for example, the monolithic sculpture of Varaha in Khajuraho (c. 900–925) made in sandstone, is long and high. The sculpture may not resemble a boar realistically, and may have his features altered for stylistic purposes. The earth, personified as the goddess Bhudevi, clings to one of Varaha's tusks. Often the colossus is decorated by miniature figurines of deities, other celestail beings, sages, anthropomorphic planets, stars and other world creatures appearing all over his body, which signify the whole of creation. The goddess of speech and knowledge, Saraswati is often depicted on his tongue, while Brahma is often depicted on his head. Besides Khajuraho, such sculptures are found in Eran, Muradpur, Badoh, Gwalior, Jhansi and Apasadh.

In the anthropomorphic form, Varaha often has a stylized boar face, like the zoomorphic models. The snout may be shorter. The position and size of the tusks may also be altered. The ears, cheeks, and eyes are generally based on human ones. Early sculptors in Udayagiri and Eran faced the issue of how to attach the boar head to the human body and did not show a human neck. However, in Badami, the problem was resolved by including a human neck. While some sculptures show a mane, it is dropped and replaced by a high conical crown – typical of Vishnu iconography – in others. Varaha sculptures generally look up to the right; there are very rare instances of left-facing Varaha depictions.

Varaha has four arms, two of which hold the Sudarshana chakra (discus) and shankha (conch), while the other two hold a gada (mace), a sword, or a lotus or one of them makes the ''varadamudra'' (gesture of blessing). Varaha may be depicted with all of Vishnu'a attributes in his four hands: the Sudarshana chakra, the shankha, the gada and the lotus. Sometimes, Varaha may carry only two of Vishnu's attributes: a shankha and the gada personified as a female called Gadadevi. Varaha may also wear a '' vanamala'' - a garland of forest flowers, which is a regular characteristic in Vishnu icons. Varaha is often shown with a muscular physique and in a heroic pose. He is often depicted triumphantly emerging from the ocean as he rescues the earth.

The earth may be personified as the goddess Bhudevi in Indian sculpture. Bhudevi is often shown as a small figure in the icon. She may be seated on or dangling from one of Varaha's tusks, or is seated on the corner of his folded elbow or his shoulder and supports herself against the tusk or the snout, as being lifted from the waters. In later Indian paintings, the whole earth or a part of it is depicted lifted up by Varaha's tusks. In Mahabalipuram, a rare portrayal shows an affectionate Varaha looking down to Bhudevi, who he carries in his arms. The earth may be portrayed as a globe, a flat stretch of mountainous land or an elaborate forest landscape with buildings, temples, humans, birds, and animals. The defeated demon may be depicted trampled under Varaha's feet or being killed in combat by Varaha. Nagas (snake gods) and their consorts Naginis (snake goddesses), residents of the underworld, may be depicted as swimming in the ocean with hands folded as a mark of devotion. Varaha may be also depicted standing on a snake or other minor creatures, denoting the cosmic waters. Sometimes, Lakshmi - Vishnu's primary consort - is depicted in the scene near the right foot of Varaha.

The Udayagiri Varaha panel is an example of an elaborate depiction of Varaha legend. It presents the goddess earth as the dangling woman, the hero as the colossal giant. His success is cheered by a galaxy of the divine as well as human characters valued and revered in the 4th-century. Their iconography of individual characters is found in Hindu texts. Debala Mitra, ’Varāha Cave at Udayagiri – An Iconographic Study’, ''Journal of the Asiatic Society'' 5 (1963): 99–103; J. C. Harle, ''Gupta Sculpture'' (Oxford, 1974): figures 8–17.

Two iconographical forms of Varaha are popular. Yajna Varaha – denoting ''yajna'' (sacrifice) – is seated on a lion-throne and flanked by Bhudevi and Lakshmi. As Pralaya Varaha – indicative of lifting the earth from the stage of the ''pralaya'' (the dissolution of the universe) – he is depicted only with Bhudevi. Varaha may be depicted with Lakshmi alone too. In such sculptures, he may be depicted identically to Vishnu in terms of iconography with Vishnu's attributes; the boar head identifying the icon as Varaha. Lakshmi may be seated on his thigh in such portrayals.

Varaha often features in the Dashavatara stele – where the ten major avatars of Vishnu are portrayed – sometimes surrounding Vishnu. In the Vaikuntha Vishnu (four-headed Vishnu) images, the boar is shown as the left head. Varaha's shakti (energy or consort) is the Matrika (mother goddess) Varahi, who is depicted with a boar head like the god. The ''Vishnudharmottara Purana'' prescribes Varaha be depicted as a boar in the Lingodbhava icon of Shiva.

Evolution

The earliest Varaha images are found in Mathura, dating to the 1st and 2nd century CE. The Gupta era (4th–6th century) in Central India temples and archaeological sites have yielded a large number of Varaha sculptures and inscriptions; signifying cult worship of the deity in this period.Krishna 2009, p. 46 These include the anthropomorphic version in Udayagiri Caves and the zoomorphic version in Eran.Catherine Becker (2010)
Not Your Average Boar: The Colossal Varaha at Eran, An Iconographic Innovation
Artibus Asiae, Vol. 70, No. 1, "To My Mind": Studies in South Asian Art History in Honor of Joanna Gottfried Williams. Part II (2010), pp. 123–149 Other early sculptures exist in the cave temples in Badami in Karnataka (6th century) and Varaha Cave Temple in Mahabalipuram (7th century); both in South India and Ellora Caves (7th century) in Western India. By the 7th century, images of Varaha were found in all regions of India, including Kashmir in the north. By the 10th century, temples dedicated to Varaha were established in Khajuraho (existent, but worship has ceased), Udaipur, Jhansi (now in ruins) etc. The boar was celebrated in the first millennium as a "symbol of potency".

The Chalukya dynasty (543–753) was the first dynasty to adopt Varaha in their crest and minted coins with Varaha on it. The Gurjara-Pratihara king Mihira Bhoja (836–885 CE) assumed the title of ''Adi-varaha'' and also minted coins depicting the Varaha image. Varaha was also adopted as a part of royal insignia by the Chola (4th century BCE–1279 CE) and Vijayanagara Empires (1336–1646 CE) of South India. In Karnataka, a zoomorphic image of Varaha is found in a carving on a pillar in Aihole, which is interpreted as the Vijayanagara emblem, as it is seen along with signs of a cross marked Sun, a disc and a conch.

However, the boar and its relative the pig started being seen as polluting since the 12th century, due to Muslim influence on India. Muslims consider the pig unclean. This led to a "change of attitude" towards Varaha. While Varaha once enjoyed cult following particularly in Central India, his worship has declined significantly today.

According to historian Dr. Suniti Kumar Chatterjee, Boro people trace their mythological origins to Varaha.

Some academics believe the Varaha avatar is a single-horned rhino, rather than a boar.

Symbolism

Varaha represents yajna (sacrifice), as the eternal upholder of the earth. Varaha is the embodiment of the Supreme Being who brings order amidst chaos in the world by ritual sacrifice. Various scriptures reiterate Varaha's identification with sacrifice, comparing his various body parts to implements and participants of a sacrifice. According to H.H. Wilson, the legend of Varaha symbolizes the resurrection of the earth from sin by sacred rituals. Vishnu is identified with sacrifice; Bhatta Bhaskara identifies Varaha with the ''sutya'' day in ''soma'' sacrifices, when the ritual drink of ''soma'' was consumed. A theory suggests that Varaha's identification with Sacrifice streams from the early use of a boar as sacrificial animal.

In royal depictions of Varaha, the icon is interpreted to allude to the Rajasuya sacrifice for royal consecration or Ashvamedha sacrifice to establish to establish sovereignty. The Varaha icon describes the role of a warrior king, rescuing goddess earth (kingdom) from a demon who kidnaps her, torments her and the inhabitants. It is a symbolism for the battle between right versus wrong, good versus evil, and of someone willing to go to the depths and do what is necessary to rescue the good, the right, the dharma. He is the protector of the innocent goddess and the weak who have been imprisoned by the demonic forces. The sculpture typically show the symbolic scene of the return of Varaha after he had successfully killed the oppressive demon Hiranyaksha, found and rescued goddess earth (Prithivi, Bhudevi), and the goddess is back safely. Whether in the zoomorphic form or the anthropomorphic form, the victorious hero Varaha is accompanied by sages and saints of Hinduism, all gods including Shiva and Brahma. This symbolizes that just warriors must protect the weak and the bearers of all forms of knowledge and that the gods approve of and cheer on the rescue.

Various holy books state that the boar form was taken to rescue the earth from the primordial waters, as the animal likes to play in the water. Wilson speculates that the legend may be an allusion to a deluge or evolution of "lacustrine" mammals in the earth's early history.

Another theory associates Varaha with tilling of the land for agriculture. When the boar tills the land with its tusk in nature, plants sprouts in the spot quickly. In the context of agriculture, Roy associates Varaha with the cloud, referring the Vedic etymology of ''varaha'' and similar to the Germanic association of the pig with "cloud, thunder and storm". The boar, as the cloud, ends the demon of summer or drought.

Various theories associate the Orion constellation with Varaha; though the constellation is also associated with other deities. In autumn, Vishnu or Prajapati (the Sun) enters the southern hemisphere (equated with the netherworld or the ocean), while returns as Orion, the boar, on the spring equinox.

In the Vaikuntha Chaturmurti icon when associated with the Chaturvyuha concept, Varaha is associated with the hero Aniruddha and energy.

Worship

The ''Agni Purana'' prescribes that Varaha be in the north-east direction in Vishnu temples or worship. Installation of the icon of Varaha is said to bestow one with sovereignty, prosperity and ''moksha'' (emancipation).

The ''Narada Purana'' mentions Varaha's mantra "Om namo Bhagavate Varaharupaya Bhurbhuvassvah pataye Bhupatitvam me dehi dadapaya svaha" and recommends Varaha to be worshipped for kingship. A shorter mantra "Om bhu varahay namah" is also given for gaining prosperity. Varaha is prescribed to be worshipped for ''ucchatana'' (eradication) of foes, ghosts, poison, disease and "evil planets". The one-syllabed mantra ''hum'' for Varaha is also noted. The ''Bhagavata Purana'' invokes Varaha for protection while travelling. The ''Venkatacala Mahatmya'' of the ''Skanda Purana'' mentions the mantra of Varaha as ''Om Namah Srivarahaya Dharanyuddharanaya Ca Svaha'' ("Saluation to Varaha who lifted the Earth"). The ''Agni Purana'' and the ''Garuda Purana'' associate the mantra ''Bhuh'' with Varaha.

The ''Garuda Purana'' recommends the worship of Varaha for sovereignty. A ''vrata'' involving the worship of a gold Varaha image on ekadashi (eleventh lunar day) in bright half of Magha month (i.e. Bhaimi Ekadakshi), is told in the ''Garuda Purana'' and the ''Narada Purana''. Varaha Jayanti, the birthday of Varaha, is celebrated on the third lunar day in the bright fortnight of the Bhadrapada month. The worship of Varaha and overnight vigil (jagran) with Vishnu tales being told are prescribed on this day.

The '' Vishnu Sahasranama'' embedded in the thirteenth Book ''Anushasana Parva'' of the epic is a hymn listing the thousand names of Vishnu. The Varaha legend is alluded to in the following epithets: ''Mahibharta'' ("husband of the earth"), ''Dharanidara'' ("one who upholds the earth", may also refer to other Vishnu forms - Kurma, Shesha or Vishnu in general), ''Maha-varaha'' ("the great boar"), ''Kundara'' ("One who pierced the earth"), ''Brihadrupa'' ("who takes form of a boar"), ''Yajnanga'' ("whose body is ''yajna'' or sacrifice) and ''Vaikhana'' ("one who dug the earth"). The epithet ''Kapindra'' ("Kapi-Lord") may refer to Varaha or Rama avatar, depending the interpretation of the word ''kapi'' as boar or monkey respectively. The title ''Shringi'' ("horned") generally interpreted as Matsya, may also refer to Varaha. The ''Vishnu Sahasranama'' version from the ''Garuda Purana'' mentions ''Shukura'' (Boar) as an epithet of Vishnu. The ''Padma Purana'' includes Varaha in a hundred-name hymn of Vishnu. The thousand-name hymn version in the ''Padma Purana'' mentions that Vishnu is Varaha, the protector of sacrifices and destroyer of those who obstruct them.

Varaha had been introduced into other religeons, and given new roles or interpretations. Eg. One of the faces of protector warrior Goddness-Bodhisattva Marici in Buddhism, which is also the Taoist Doumu斗姆（Mother-Leader of Seven Stars of the Great Dipper), and is often regarded one of the conuntless manifestations of Avalokiteswara. The name "Maha-Varaha" or "Varaha-mukha" is a part of important prayer-mantras in Buddhism, such as the Surangama SutraMantra and Great Compassion Mantra.

A simple mantra for Varaha is

"Aum Maha-Varaha Hum".

Temples

The most prominent temple of Varaha is the Sri Varahaswami Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the shores of a temple pond, called the Swami Pushkarini, in Tirumala, near Tirupati; to the north of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple (another temple of Vishnu in the form of Venkateswara). The region is called ''Adi-Varaha Kshestra'', the abode of Varaha. The legend of the place is as follows: at the end of Satya Yuga (the first in the cycle of four aeons; the present one is the fourth aeon), devotees of Varaha requested him to stay on earth, so Varaha ordered his mount Garuda to bring his divine garden Kridachala from his abode Vaikuntha to Venkata hills, Tirumala. Venkateswara is described as having taken the permission of Varaha to reside in these hills, where his chief temple, Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, stands. Hence, pilgrims are prescribed to worship Varaha first and then Venkateswara. In the ''Atri Samhita'' (''Samurtarchanadhikara''), Varaha is described to be worshipped in three forms here: Adi Varaha, Pralaya Varaha and Yajna Varaha. The image in the sanctum is of Adi Varaha.

The ''Venkatacala Mahatmya'' of the ''Skanda Purana'' says that Varaha resides with Bhudevi on the banks of the Swami Pushkarini lake, Tirupati. Varaha is said to rest there in the jungle after rescuing the earth. Varaha roams in the forest near the lake as a lustrous boar. A tribal chief called Vasu follows the boar, who enters an anthill. Vasu digs the anthill but cannot trace the boar, finally swoons due to fatigue. His son finds him. Varaha possesses Vasu and instructs him to inform the king Tondaman to build his temple at the place. Varaha is also presented as the narrator of the tale of Venkateswara, whose chief temple is in Tirupati, to the Earth in a part of ''Venkatacala Mahatmya''.

Another important temple is the Bhuvarahaswami Temple in Srimushnam, Tamil Nadu. It was built in the late 16th century by Krishnappa II, a Thanjavur Nayak ruler. The image of Varaha is considered a swayambhu (self-manifested) image, one of the eight self-manifested ''Swayamvyakta kshetra''s. An inscription in the prakaram (circumambulating passage around the main shrine) quoting from the legend of the ''Srimushna Mahatmaya'' (a local legend) mentions the piety one derives in observing festivals during the 12 months of the year when the sun enters a particular zodiacal sign. This temple is venerated by Hindus and Muslims alike. Both communities take the utsava murti (festival image) in procession in the annual temple festival in the Tamil month of Masi (February–March). The deity is credited with many miracles and called ''Varaha saheb'' by Muslims.

The Varaha temple in Pushkar

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