Nilanjana recounts the tale of Adi Varaha, the Wild Boar incarnation of Narayana. Hiranyaksha challenged Narayana in the form of Adi Varaha, “You beast! You think you can steal the earth and run away. I am looking on it, don’t you know? You have no rights on her. Though you are in disguise, I know you are Narayana. You always cheat us with your Maya (illusion). Fight with me, for I will not let you go otherwise.” Here’s the weekly column, exclusively for Different Truths.

Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu began strict tapas (penance) to please Brahma. With Brahma’s boons, they both grew in strength. They conquered the devas (divine beings) easily and set forth to vanquish the rest. They hated Narayana because they were told that he is the Lord of the world.

Hiranyaksha, in search of new glory, entered Vibhavari, the city of Varuna. He challenged Varuna, the master of nether worlds, to fight with him. Unperturbed by his arrogance, Varuna directed him towards Narayana. He added that Narayana takes particular interest in destroying evil. Ignoring the warning of Varuna, Hiranyaksha set forth in search of Narayana.

Narada guided Hiranyaksha to Narayana, who was at that point of time re-instating the earth from the bottom of the filthy ocean as Adi Varaha.

Hiranyaksha challenged Narayana in the form of Adi Varaha, “You beast! You think you can steal the earth and run away. I am looking on it, don’t you know? You have no rights on her. Though you are in disguise, I know you are Narayana. You always cheat us with your Maya (illusion). Fight with me, for I will not let you go otherwise.”

Adi Varaha ignored Hiranyaksha for a while, but he would not let the Lord go. Adi Varaha then placed the earth surface of the ocean and fought Hiranyaksha. The battle lasted for a while and at the end Narayana in the form of Adi Varaha, with his strong and beautiful fist, killed Hiranyaksha.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-gHMYdK_qQ

Footnote: Srimad Bhagavatam is often called the Bhagavad Purana. Authored by Ved Vyasa, the stories are about the various avatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu, also known as Narayana.

©Nilanjana Dey

Photos from the internet.

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Nilanjana Dey

A story-teller at heart, Nilanjana Dey is on a journey to experiment with fiction and poetry. Her first novel, largely aimed towards children, is titled ‘The Adventures of Puti – The Cheese Trail’. Her poems have been published at various prestigious portals. An alumni of English Literature from Jadavpur University (Kolkata), she is a marketing and communication professional based in Mumbai. She volunteers with a Mumbai based NGO working with the marginalised sections of the society.

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