Indra and Vritra Part 1 of 2

Lord Indra was the son of Sage Kashyap and Aditi. All the sons of Aditi became the Devas. Indra being the eldest of all the Devas, he became their King. Sage Kashyap had another wife by name Diti. All the sons of Diti became the Asuras.

However Lord Indra grew very proud of the fact that he was the King of the Devas. He became arrogant and disrespectful towards others. Once when he was sitting in his court, his Guru Brihaspati came to court. Normally it was the practice to respect elders. However Indra feeling very proud of himself and did not even get up.

What arrogance...Guru Brihaspati got angry and silently walked away.

Now the Devas were always at war with the Asuras. However in order to be victorious, the Devas needed a Guru – a man who would analyse the moves of the opponents and suggest possible weaknesses and a strategy for attack. The Devas also needed a Guru to perform a yagna for the victory.

However Indra was too caught up in his own pride to even notice that his Guru had walked away. Indra realised too late that he and the other Devas no longer had a Guru. He tried to find Sage Brihaspati to apologise to him however Sage Brihaspati was nowhere to be found.

It was at this time that the Asuras attacked the Devas. Without a Guru to teach them, the Devas were routed. Indra was ashamed when he realised that all this had happened because he had been arrogant. Determined to make amends he went to Lord Brahma for help.

'Lord Brahma', he said haltingly, 'Sage Brihaspati is no longer....no longer....' Indra hesitated, 'with us...' He looked down unwilling to meet the eyes of Lord Brahma.

Lord Brahma lifted his eyebrows and looked at Indra contemptuously. He knew all about Indra's attitude. 'Well what do you want me to do?'

'My Lord, please do not say like that. I...I.... behaved badly...I am sorry. I even wanted to tell sorry to Sage Brihaspati...But I...I can't find him anywhere..' Indra finished rather lamely.

'I guess Sage Brihaspati does not want to see your face anymore.' Lord Brahma said still looking angry.

Indra looked at Lord Brahma and did not say anything. He just looked at his feet wishing that he would be anywhere other than here.

Lord Brahma realised that Indra had learnt his lesson and let it go at that. He asked Indra and asked with one degree less acidity. 'What do you want Indra?'

Indra finally spoke slowly, 'We need a Guru, Lord, who can guide us properly during the war. Do you know anybody who can guide us properly...'

Lord Brahma thought that over and soon had the right person for the job. 'Ask the three-headed Vishwarupa to be your Guru. I am sure he would accept this offer.'

Indra was however hesitant, 'Lord Brahma, do you mean Vishwarupa – the son of Twashta?'

Lord Brahma looked puzzled, 'Yes. Why? Don't you think it is a good choice?'

Indra said slowly least Lord Brahma get offended, 'Vishwarupa's mother she is an Asura is she not?'

Lord Brahma sighed, 'Indra, the Asuras are your own brothers. Both of you have the same father. You do not have to hate all of them so much. Some of the Asuras are actually more religious and powerful than the Devas....If there is any Asura who is willing to help you, I suggest that this time, it is best you accept it...' Lord Brahma finished sternly.

Indra knew he had no choice other than to accept what Lord Brahma had said. Besides he himself had heard quiet a lot about Vishwarupa. Vishwarupa was one among the few people who could wield a Narayana Kavacha which was an impregnable armour.

If only we knew how to use that than...the war against the Asuras would be over even before it starts. Indra thought gleefully. But he still was not able to shake off the feeling that Vishwarupa was the son of an enemy. Guru or not...I will have to be guarded against him...

Indra then approached Vishwarupa. Vishwarupa gave a hearty welcome to Indra and asked him to be seated. Indra was impressed inspite of himself. He then spoke, 'Son of Twashta, I have a request...'

Vishwarupa looked at Indra with puzzled eyes. What could the Lord of the Devas want from him...

'Our Guru – Brihaspati – is...is no longer...available...' Indra said fumbling. 'I wish that you be our guru and advice us.' Indra said

Vishwarupa first looked surprised and then happy. He thought that Indra had overcome his hatred for Asuras. This was a good sign. Probably the Devas and the Asuras can even be friends...'Yes Indra, for you, I would accept this post gladly!' Vishwarupa said immediately.

With Vishwarupa to guide the Devas, the Asuras had no chance. They lost the next battle very badly and ran away and hid in the netherworld.

Indra was once again crowned King. Despite his victory, Indra still did not trust Vishwarupa completely. He could not get rid of the feeling that Vishwarupa was after all related to the enemy. He spoke of this to the other Devas. 'Agni, when you fought with the Asuras do you realise something?'

Agni looked at Indra puzzled but did not say anything. 'I think these Asuras have some secret strength...Something that we should have but we don't...'

'What are you saying, Indra?' Vayu asked Indra bluntly.

Indra said slowly, 'I know we won the war and all, but I still cannot trust Vishwarupa completely. I think Vishwarupa is somehow helping the Asuras also...'

The other Devas tried to talk Indra out of this idea, but Indra remained firm. He could not believe that Vishwarupa was his friend.

Though none of Indra's doubts were true, but Vishwarupa still did one thing regularly, as he was after all part Asura. He still prayed for the welfare of his Asura brothers, daily. Once when he was offering such prayers, Indra overheard him.

Already filed with doubts, when Indra heard the prayers could not control his anger. He is helping the Asuras....Why that double crossing....without thinking about anything in a fit of rage Indra killed Vishwarupa.

The other Devas looked horrified at Indra. 'Indra how could you...' Agni asked looking at Indra with utter contempt. 'How could you even kill someone, who is one of us...'

Vayu also looked horrified at Indra. 'What have you done Indra? You are so foolish...We are all going to pay for your stupidity...Do you know what you have done? You have killed an innocent man... And that  is not the worst part, Indra. Twashta will be furious when he knows this. You have killed his son for no reason. Did it ever occur to you what he will do when he learns this...' Vayu said softly.

Indra suddenly felt very afraid. He knew that he had again been carried away with his emotions and done a very wrong thing. He knew that he was going to pay for it dearly.

Indra's feelings were right for once. Twashta was mad with anger when he learnt of his son's death. Twashta performed a yagna for creating a new son. Twashta was so mad with anger that he did not think twice before creating a monster called Vritra. Twashta had created one of the most powerful Asuras ever created. Vritra's body was like a dragon and was so huge that his head touched the sky. Vritra was so powerful that in one sweep on his tail, he could crumble huge mountains. In his grief Twashta had thus created an invincible monster.

When Vritra emerged from the yagna, he bowed to his creator. 'Father what do you command me to do?'

Twashta spoke with his blood shot eyes, 'REVENGE. I created you for revenge...Indra killed my innocent son. He shall pay for this.' Twashta said angrily pointing at Vritra, 'You will make him pay for this..' Twashta spat out still unable to control his grief.

Vritra set about and approached Amaravati, Indra's capital. Vritra was so huge that the very earth and the heavens trembled when he walked. He approached the gates of heaven. 'Indra..INDRA...' He bellowed angrily.

Indra and his council came out hesitatingly and were horrified to find a huge monster standing at the gates.

Agni, Vayu and Varuna stood mutely as Indra spoke in a low voice, 'Who are you, demon?'

Vritra looked at the four tiny Devas and realised that he could crush them even more easily than he thought. He laughed, 'I am Vritra, son of Twashta. I have come here to fulfil my father's wishes. My father wants revenge. I have come to destroy you Indra.'

The other Devas looked at Indra. Indra forced himself not to look at them. I have to protect them...I cannot let anything happen to them because of my mistake. 'Fine Vritra'. Indra said, 'You want to fight me. I will come and fight you. No armies. Just you and me...' Indra said looking at Vritra eye to eye.

Vritra laughed so much that the heavens shook. 'Oh... your arrogance! You think you can stand up to me...' Vritra carelessly swung his tail as a mountain broke off with the stones falling everywhere.

Indra walked out and the two of them fought hard. But Indra was no match for Vritra. Vritra snapped and lashed his tail effectively. Indra could not fight with the demon for long. Indra collapsed and Vritra pulled him up and put him in his mouth and was about to swallow him...

Agni who was watching all this sprang into action. He yelled, 'Oh God... NO!...We have to do something!...Varuna get your weapons ready! Fire the astra which makes you yawn!' Agni shouted as he directed the other Devas around.

Varuna fired the arrow straight at Vritra. When the arrow was fired, Vritra was unable to keep his mouth closed. He let out a huge yawn and Indra fell straight down...Vayu the wind God, with the winds picked up Indra before he fell to the ground. The other Devas whisked away Indra before Vritra attacked Indra again.

Vritra was yelling loudly, 'Foul! You were not part of the fight. You interfered...'

Vritra however knew that the Devas together were no match for him. He got ready to attack all of them.

However the Devas ran away and took Indra far away from there. Vritra was however angry. I was so close to fulfilling my father's revenge And now Indra is gone...However Vritra had a very bad idea shaping up in his head. The Devas have to protect the humans. If I attack the humans, then the Devas would come and face me...He thought smiling cruelly.

Vritra went to the earth and in one gulp swallowed the waters of one river. The humans were no match for Vritra. They could not even defend themselves, let alone their water. Soon Vritra swallowed all the waters on earth. Without water earth became a wasteland. Humans, birds and animals were parched from thirst. With no means of fighting Vritra, they prayed to Lord Vishnu.

Indra and Vritra Part 2 of 2

The Devas took the unconscious Indra to Vaikunta – Lord Vishnu's place. When Indra gained conscious, he looked at the Dark Lord, with tears streaming down his eyes. He was feeling guilty. He had again and again acted without thinking and now the whole world was paying for his mistakes. He wondered how Lord Vishnu was going to get all of them out of this mess. But Indra had no doubt that Lord Vishnu would help them.

He looked at the Dark Lord, 'Narayana! Please just say you will help us...' Indra shook his head heavily, 'I have learnt my lesson. It was my foolishness that brought all of us here.' He looked at the other Devas, 'If it was not for my friends, I would not even be alive....'

Lord Vishnu smiled and realised that Indra had truly learnt his lesson. He looked at the Devas, 'First Indra you have to become friends with Vritra.'

Hearing this Indra looked at dismay at Lord Vishnu. 'Lord, how do you...?

However Lord Vishnu was not yet finished, '...There is no other way Indra. You have to be close with him and talk to him and the people close him, if you have to learn his weaknesses, Indra.'

Indra looked at Lord Vishnu and realised that he had no other choice in this matter. He had to go to Vritra. He looked long at Lord Vishnu and nodded his head.

Lord Vishnu then continued, '...You and the other Devas have to go to Sage Dadhichi.'

Agni looked at Lord Vishnu puzzled, 'Why Sage Dadhichi, my Lord?'

Lord Vishnu said softly to himself, 'His time on earth has come to an end. He has to attain salvation. But before that he has to pass the final test. I have to know whether he is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice...'

The Devas looked at Lord Vishnu waiting for his answer. Lord Vishnu smiled at the Devas. He looked at the Devas and looked at Indra, 'His bones are very strong from the power of penances, Indra. If you had a weapon made from the bones of Sage Dadhichi, you can defeat Vritra.'

Indra looked at Lord Vishnu horrified, 'You want us to ask Sage Dadhichi to die so that we can make a weapon out of his bones?'

Lord Vishnu nodded is head but did not say anything.

Horrified Indra realised that he had no choice other than to approach the sage. Indra was already feeling guilty. If sage Dadhichi agreed to this...

With no other option, Indra and the other Devas set out for Sage Dadhichi's ashram. With every step towards the ashram, Indra felt his heart grow heavy. But he knew that he had no other choice.

He walked forward like a man in a dream and did not speak to the other Devas. The other Devas realising what Indra must be feeling, did not break the silence.

At last Indra and the other Devas stumbled into the Ashram of Sage Dadhichi. The sage was sitting deep in meditation. His body was glowing from a bright light coming from within his body. Looking at Sage Dadhichi, Indra looked at the peaceful face and more than ever felt like running away from there. Only the faces of the humans and animals starving on earth, kept Indra there.

The Devas waited for Sage Dadhichi to open his eyes. The sage was so engrossed that he did not even know of the Devas coming. At last Sage Dadhichi opened his eyes and saw the Devas. His face lit up a real smile. 'Devas, what brings you to my Ashram? But wait! You must be tired. I will get you something to eat.' Sage Dadhichi went inside his house and brought a variety of fruits and laid them before the Devas.

Indra felt more and more terrible. None of the other Devas took the fruits. Sage Dadhichi frowned and looked at the Devas. 'What is the matter? I am guessing you are not here for a very happy reason.' He looked at the Devas patiently.

Indra wished the other Devas would speak so that he would not have to explain, but the other Devas remained silent looking at Indra. Indra swallowed once and then started speaking.

'Sage Dadhichi,' Indra took a deep breath, 'You see it was my fault...all my fault. Sage Brihaspati our guru....'

Indra told Sage Dadhichi everything. Sage Dadhichi was a patient listener. Indra told him of his defeat in the hands of Vritra and how he went to Lord Vishnu.

Sage Dadhichi looked at Indra smiling at the mention of the name of Lord Vishnu, 'What did Lord Narayana say?'

'He..He said..I came here...because...' Indra fumbled unable to go on.

Sage Dadhichi encouraged Indra, 'Go ahead Indra. You have come all the way here. Please go ahead..'

Indra looked at the peaceful face of Sage Dadhichi and found some strength, 'Lord Vishnu said that only a weapon made from your bones...would kill Vritra' Indra finished looking at his feet not wanting to look at the Sage.

Then the Sage did something, which Indra was not expecting. The sage started laughing. 'You were hesitating to tell me this...Oh God!' Sage Dadhichi laughed some more. 'My time has come Indra. I am indeed blessed that I would be of some use in my death...' Sage Dadhichi looked at Indra even more peacefully, which made Indra feel more terrible.

Then and there, Sage Dadhichi sat down cross-legged in a state of intense concentration. The Devas saw as a bright light emerged from the body of the Sage and then nothing but his body was left. The sage had sacrificed his life for all of them.

Indra wanted to cry out loud at what the Sage had done. Compared to what the Sage had done, what had he done...behave foolishly...Indra felt more and more ashamed of himself. Only the thought of Vritra alone sustained Indra. The Devas removed the bones from the spine of Sage Dadhichi and used it for making a Vajrayudha – Indra's thunderbolt.

After it was made, Indra held it in his hands. He felt a surge of power flow through him. He felt Sage Dadhichi being with him. Indra smiled. Compared to talking with Sage Dadhichi, the next work was almost easy. Indra went to Amravathi and stood outside the gates of his palace. The place had changed too much. Indra saw the place full of fortresses. The place was fiercely protected. Indra saw Vritra suddenly emerged from one of the fortresses.

'Ah...Indra..So you have come to die...' Vritra said patting his stomach, where the water of the world was stored.

Indra felt a wave of anger pass through him, but he curbed it. He looked at Vritra, 'No Vritra, I have come to ask your...your forgiveness.' Indra almost hated himself for saying the words. 'I want to be ...friends with you.'

Vritra laughed, 'You want to be friends with me? Am I supposed to believe that Indra? The only thing that you care about is how to kill me. Why should I be your friend?'

Indra shrugged, 'I know I cannot beat you, so I have come to join you.'

Vritra looked at Indra, trying to understand what Indra was saying. Vritra was so proud of himself, he felt that nobody on earth or the heavens could destroy him. So he reasoned being friends with Indra was not going to hurt him at all. Indra may be an important ally. Why he may even turn the other Devas into his friends and then they would work for him...Vritra thought all that and he held out his hands. 'I accept.' He said simply.

The first part of his mission accomplished Indra spoke with everyone in the palace to know about Vritra's weaknesses. He also came to know that Vritra had constructed 100 fortresses inside Amravati. Vritra stayed in any fortress on any day randomly, so that it would not be easy to track him.

On the very first day of being with Vritra, Indra was surprised to see a small sea near one of the fortresses. No doubt Vritra had put some of the water from the earth there. Indra looked at Vritra who carelessly said, 'I like hearing to the sound of the sea...' Indra burned in anger. People were thirsty and this demon was using the water as an amusement...Patience... Indra told himself.

Indra came to know that Vritra had a very powerful boon which was protecting him. Vritra had a boon that nobody could kill Vritra with any weapon made of wood, metal or stone, with anything dry or wet or at any time during the day or night. Indra despaired as he learned of this boon

How on earth do you kill someone without a weapon which was neither wet nor dry. Indra pulled out his secretly concealed Vajrayudha. It was a dry weapon. So that was out.

Indra walked silently drawn towards the sea. Vritra also followed Indra boasting about his greatest victories. Indra was only half listening as he saw the water waves wash up the shore. Indra watched the sun set on the beach when he felt like someone had hit a switch inside his head...

Neither wet nor dry...Water...Foam from the water was neither wet nor dry. The sun was setting it was evening – neither day nor night. Foam was not made of wood, metal or stone. Indra pushed Vritra back and yelled loudly, as he turned at Vritra. 'Vritra! I Indra challenge you to a fight to the death...' He said as he ran towards the sea.

Vritra was stunned but recovered in a second. He bellowed loudly. 'I was waiting for you to change colours, you double crosser. I am going to kill you now and none of your friends can come and protect you.'

Indra first attacked Vritra with his Vajrayudha. Though Vajrayudha hurt Vritra it did not kill him. The two of them fought fiercely and Indra destroyed 99 fortresses of Vritra.

He finally met Vritra during the last stages of the evening. Indra looked at the setting sun. It was going to be night soon.

Vritra snarled and jumped and lashed his tail towards Indra. Indra dodged and plunged his Vajrayudha inside Vritra tail. Vritra bellowed loudly and almost bit Indra. Indra fell back at the right time to avoid being swallowed by the demon again.

Vritra lashed out at Indra unexpectedly. Indra fell back dazed. Through blurred eyes he saw Vritra coming towards him. Indra saw the Vajrayudha in his hands and felt Sage Dadhichi smile at him as if he were beside him. He remembered Lord Vishnu's words. His bones are very strong from the powers of penance...The power in his bones could be transferred to any other source. Indra realised. He ran towards the sea and plunged the Vajrayudha inside the foam. The Vajrayudha melted inside the foam and Indra splashed the foam on Vritra's face.

There was a loud shriek of agony as Vritra yelled where the water had hit him. Indra realised that his plan was working. Indra threw some more foam at Vritra.

Vritra bellowed loudly as he fresh wounds started appearing where the foam hit Vritra. Indra pushed Vritra. From the heaven, Vritra fell down hard on the earth dead and motionless.

Tired Indra then drew out his sword and slashed Vritra's stomach. Then all the water stored inside the stomach of the demon Vritra came down splashing on the earth.

As Vritra swallowed up all the water, he is called as the demon of drought. Indra is also called as Vritrahan.

The other Devas had watched the fight. The Devas and the humans rejoiced as Indra had ended the drought. However Indra was a changed man. He no longer wanted to be part of the rejoicing. He just wanted to be free.

Indra pushed himself down and stopped the other Devas and told them, 'Friends, I no longer wish to be your king. I am neither deserving nor a good man.' He said looking at his friends. The Devas looked at him surprised. Indra however was not finished. 'Please choose someone else as your king, someone more smart and better in control of himself. I am leaving to atone for my sins.' Indra walked away without looking back.

The other Devas looked at each other stunned. 


However after much cajoling the Devas convinced Indra to continue as their ruler. However what happened after that is another story!

Varaha Avatar

There are ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. The first one is the Matsya avatar, where he saved Satyavrata Manu and the Sapta rishis with their families from the great flood, by coming in the form of a giant fish. The second avatar is the Kurma avatar, where Lord Vishnu came in the form of a giant tortoise to help in the churning of the ocean by the Devas and the Asuras.

The third avatar of Lord Vishnu is the Varaha Avatar [Varaha means "boar" in Sanskrit]. In this avatar Lord Vishnu incarnated as a Boar to protect the earth [Prithvi].

The Varaha avatar starts with the Doorkeepers of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu lived in Vaikunta. His home was guarded by two gatekeepers – Jaya and Vijaya. They loved Lord Vishnu and felt honoured that they were protecting him. They were many people who came to visit Lord Vishnu and it was Jaya's and Vijaya's job to allow every person who had grievance to see the Lord. They knew that Lord Vishnu's time was precious and could not be wasted. The doorkeepers took their job very seriously.

As they were standing guard, the two of them saw four children come towards Vaikunta.

"Who’s that?" Jaya asked looking mystified. He had been Lord Vishnu's doorkeeper for ages and had seen all sorts of things, but children? That was rare.

"I have no idea." Vijaya said looking as mystified. "Whoever they are, we cannot let these children see the Lord. As it is the Lord has no time. I mean, we cannot bother him more and send these children also to see him."

Jaya nodded as the four children came to the doors of Vaikunta. "Open up!" The youngest among them said. "We want to see the Lord."

Jaya sagely shook his head. "Children, please do not disturb the Lord. He is very busy. Why don't you go and play something else. "

"Ch..children. you think we are CHILDREN. " another child spluttered angrily.

Vijaya realized that probably these were just some sage in the guise of children. But he resolutely shook his head. Lord Vishnu was tired.

"Please listen to me. " He said as soothingly as possible, "The Lord is very tired. He is resting. Please come some time later. "

This time Vijaya got scared when he saw the expression in the face of the children.

The one who looked the eldest looked at him venomously, "Do you even know who we are? I am Sanaka. That is Sanandana." He said pointing at the one in the middle, who was quietly standing, not talking till now. "And these two are Sanatana and Sanatkumara. We are..... "

Jaya suddenly realized who these four children were and they were not children. He felt scared, very scared. "You are the four Kumaras. You are the sons of Lord Brahma. " He said faintly kneeling before the four children.

Vijaya also knelt before the four children. "We apologise for our behaviour. "

However the four were far from relenting.

Sananda spoke for the first time. "You closed the door of the Lord to devotees. We pray to him daily and are his devotees. The Lord is always available for us. You said he was sleeping. You are insolent and rude. You...."

Sanatkumar spoke interrupting Sananda, "For this we curse you. Jaya and Vijaya. You are so proud of yourselves. You think just because you are Gods, you can do anything, did you?"

Jaya and Vijaya looked terrified as they feebly shook their heads, "Please, " Jaya bleated, "Please do not curse us. "

Meanwhile inside Vaikunta, Lord Vishnu heard some raised voices at the door. Wondering who it was he ran outside and saw his doorkeepers kneeling at the four children sages of Lord Brahma. Looking at the expression on Jaya's and Vijaya's faces, he realized that something very wrong had happened.

Lord Vishnu opened his door and stepped outside, when he heard Sanatkumar complete his curse. "You will no longer be Gods. You will be born on earth as ordinary humans and live like ordinary people. "

Jaya and Vijaya knelt there silently not knowing what to do, when they heard a noise behind them.

The Lord himself.

Hopefully, the two of them turned to the Lord and bowed to them. "Lord, these people..... " the Gatekeepers started.

Lord Vishnu held up his hands and silenced them, "I know. There are no explanations necessary. "

The four sages then bowed to Lord Vishnu. Sananda said angrily, "Lord, your doorkeepers prevented us from seeing you, your devotees. "

Lord Vishnu turned his beautiful black head and looked at his doorkeepers briefly, "Sages, they did not do anything wantonly. They just thought I was resting. They wanted to give me time to rest. Please forgive them. "

The sages however looked far from forgiving. They looked at the doorkeepers and Sanatana said again, "No.. no matter what the reason, they refused to let a devotee see the Lord. I cannot forgive that. Their curse stands."

So saying the four sages bowed once more to Lord Vishnu and walked away without looking back.

Lord Vishnu looked at the four sages and then turned to Jaya and Vijaya. Jaya sobbed. "Lord I don't mind going to earth and living as humans, but.... But...." Vijaya sobbed trying to control himself, "We cannot bear being separated from you. Please Lord do something. "

Lord Vishnu was touched. He felt proud of them. They did not even mind the curse. He turned and looked at them, "I cannot take back the curse, but I can give you an option. "

The two looked hopefully at Lord Vishnu's twinkling eyes. "Either you can take seven births on earth as my devotees. "

Vijaya cut in looking horrified, "Seven births? You mean, I can’t see you for seven births. No, no, please no! "

"...Or take three births as my enemies. " Lord Vishnu continued as he looked at them.

Jaya said is a whisper, "As your enemy? What sort of an option is this? My Lord, how can I even think of not liking you. "

Lord Vishnu looked at them, not saying anything.

Jaya and Vijaya both looked at each other and then at Lord Vishnu. As one they said, "We will be born three times and come back my Lord. "

Lord Vishnu laughed, "Do you know that you actually think more about your enemies than your friends. So you will be thinking more about me when you are my enemies. And I will incarnate on the earth to kill you, all the three times. You will attain moksha, my dear friends." He finished and embraced the two of them tightly, touched by their devotion.

It was after this that Jaya and Vijaya were first born as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu.

Lord Vishnu incarnated as Varaha – the Boar to kill Hiranyaksha.

However even before Hiranyaksha’s birth, at that time, the earth was not in a good shape. The people on earth were very sinful. They were bad and fought often with one another. They never lived in harmony with each other or with nature. They used such devastating weapons that the earth trembled.

Pritvi prayed to Lord Vishnu to come and protect her. "Oh Lord, please come and save me. if this goes on, I will not able to sustain life any more. Please come and save all of us.

The great sages on the earth also realized that if something was not done fast, Prithvi would be lost. They also performed a great yagna please Lord Vishnu.

Meanwhile, Hiranyaksha unmindful of the violence wanted to become more powerful than the rest. For this he performed severe penance praying Lord Brahma. When Lord Brahma appeared before him, Hiranyaksha asked for his boon, "My Lord, my boon is that I shall not be defeated by any man, God or these animals.” Hiranyaksha gave a list of animals, which could not defeat him. However he forgot to mention the boar as an animal, which could kill him.

Powered by these boon, Hiranyayaksha started tormenting the people of the earth. The humans were already alarmed about the earth. Hiranyayaksha had great strength and could fight anybody. He could never be defeated. He thought that he was the most powerful person ever created, he went and challenged everyone for a fight.

Even the gods got scared of him.

However occasionally, some gods used to fight him.

Angered by this Hiranyaksha decided that he had to make the Gods weak. He realized that though the gods lived in the heavens, the source of their power of the earth. If I made sure none of the Gods can access the earth, they will become weak and I can go unchallenged.

Hiranyaksha used powerful weapons and soon the earth shook so badly that she slipped from her axis. This was all that Hiranyaksha wanted and when the earth slipped she fell down. straight down.

Then Hiranyaksha hid the earth where no one could find her. Now Hiranyaksha went and challenged the Gods. The gods now not being connected with the earth were so greatly weakened and could not fight Hiranyaksha.

Hiranyaksha went and challenged Varuna, the God of the Sea. "Varuna!" He bellowed loudly, "I, the great Hiranyaksha challenge you to a fight. I want to see how strong I am. " He said arrogantly.

Varuna seethed with anger, but there was nothing that he could do. He could not fight Hiranyaksha, in this condition. He spoke barely controlling his anger. "Son, I am much too older than you. However if you wish, you can go and fight Lord Vishnu, he is the strongest person, there is to fight. "

When he heard Lord Vishnu's name, Hiranyaksha felt a strange feeling. However as he did not remember who he was, he just nodded and decided that Lord Vishnu was the best person to fight.

Meanwhile Lord Vishnu was very worried. He was the Preserver God and he had heard Prithvi’s prayer. He also realized the Hiranyaksha was coming his way.

He had to put the earth back in her place if she was to be protected.

And Hiranyaksha approached him as Lord Vishnu smiled and realized that Jaya's first punishment was about to end.

A tiny boar emerged from the nostril of Lord Brahma – the Creator. But as soon as the boar emerged, the Boar started growing. It grew and grew and grew. Soon it grew as large as a mountain.

Hiranyaksha saw a huge boar dive and take the earth from where he had hid her. He was enraged and in awe at the same time. He taunted the boar, "Hey! Where do you think, you are going. I, the great Hiranyaksha challenge you to a fight. Let us see whether you have the guts to fight me. "

However the boar paid no attention to Hiranyaksha. I have to get Prithvi maa back to her place. Jaya can wait for more time. He pushed the earth up.

As Hiranyaksha came closer, with his weapon, the boar went faster and faster, taking the earth with him. Finally just as Hiranyaksha attacked, the boar placed the earth back in her axis.

Prithvi said a silent thank you as the boar turned to face Hiranyaksha. The boar looked at Hiranyaksha so furiously, that Hhiranyaksha was momentarily was terrified.

"You wanted to fight me. I was not free at that time. Now I am all yours. Let us who among the two of us is stronger. " The boar said.

The boar and Hiranyaksha fought each other. But this time Hiranyaksha had met his match. No matter what he did, the boar had an answer for it. The boar fought brutally and cleverly managing to weave inside and outside the defences of Hiranyaksha.

Hiranyaksha found that he was actually getting tired and was still nowhere close to beating the boar.

Tiredly Hiranyaksha looked at the Boar. The boar seemed to be looking at him sternly and lovingly at the same time. He shook his head. Why would the boar look at him lovingly? Hiranyaksha thought as he charged at the boar. The boar easily deflected his attack and pushed him back.

Try as he might, Hiranyaksha was not able to find any weaknesses in the attack of the boar. He fought and knew that he could not defeat the boar.

At last out of sheer weakness, he looked at the boar.

This is Narayana. my Lord..my Lord who has come as promised. He felt from somewhere deep inside him.

However Hiranyaksha continued to fight the boar.

The Boar finally tired out Hiranyaksha and killed him.

With his last breath, Hiranyaksha realized who was before him. Narayana. You are Narayana.