Varaha
The demon Hiranyaksha drags the Earth to the bottom of the cosmic ocean. Vishnu appears as a mighty boar, dives into the depths, defeats him and raises Bhudevi on his tusks.
The Earth beneath the waters
[Traditional account]
Hiranyaksha, made arrogant by a boon, seized the Earth (Bhudevi) and hid her in the depths of the cosmic ocean.
A boar from Brahma's nostril
As Brahma prayed, a tiny boar emerged from his nostril and grew to the size of a mountain. With a roar that shook the worlds, it plunged into the ocean…
The journey continues for members
- The battle and the rescue
- In history
- Temples
- What it teaches
Sources
- Bhagavata Purana — 3.13–19
- Varaha Purana
- Vishnu Purana — 1.4