Home | Rel-Dictionary | Avataar

Previous | Next

1st Avataar in 10 Main Avataar and 3rd Avataar in 24 Avataar

Varaah Avataar (Boar Incarnation) is the second Avataar of Lord Vishnu in which He brought Prithvi out of the water.

When Brahmaa Jee appeared sitting on the lotus appearing from the navel of Vishnu, he did not know where from he came and what he was to do. he looked around but he could not make out, so he entered the ,lotus stem to find out his origin, but even after wandering around, he could not know it. So he again came out and sat on the lotus flower. Then he heard two letters - "T" and "P". So he thought he should do tap and he started doing the Tap. Later Bhagvaan commanded him to create the Srishti. He told that the Asur Hiranyaaksh has taken the earth in Paataal Lok, where his creation would live? At this Bhagvaan assumed a form of Varaah and went to Paataal Lok to bring Prithvi from his grip.

Before all this, Brahmaa Jee had created four Maanas Putra (brain-children) and asked them to start the creation, but since they were born from Tap, they refused to create and went to do Tap. Then Brahmaa Jee produced 10 Maanas Putra and asked them to start creation. They did start but it was not so fast. Among those 10 Maanas Putra there was a son named Mareechi and Mareechi had a son named Kashyap Jee. BrahmaaJee's another Maanas Putra was Daksh Jee. Daksh Jee had produced 60 daughters. Out of these 60 daughters he married his 13 daughters to Kashyap Jee. One of these 13 daughters was Diti who produced two great Daitya - Hiranyaaksh and Hiranyakashyap. Both these Daitya were very powerful. Hiranyaaksh was always looking for somebody with whom he could fight. Once Naarad Jee (another Maanas Putra of Brahmaa Jee) told him that he should fight with Vishnu, so he started looking for Vishnu. When he could not find Him, he took away Prithvi to Paataal Lok.

Now when Vishnu in His Varaah form went to Paataal Lok to bring Prithvi out, Hiranyaaksh saw Him carrying Prithvi on His mouth. he understood that the varaah was none other than Vishnu, so he came to fight with Him. Both fought for several years. In the end Varaah killed him and brought Prithvi out and established it on water. When Varaah was bringing Prithvi out, Prithvi asked many questions from Varaah Bhagvaan. They all are recorded in Varaah Puraan.

It was only then Brahmaa's creation started properly.

Prayers to Varaah
1. Varaah Sahastra Naam - Skand Puraan - a Sahastra Naam on Lord Bhoo-Varaah of Srimushnam
2. Varaah Kavach - Skand Puraan - a very rare Kavach on Lord Bhoo-Varaah of Srimushnam

These two Stotra are two of the most potent Stuti (prayers) for Vishnu, especially Varaah Avataar. Some people prefer chanting Varaah Sahastra Naam than the Vishnu Sahastra Naam. These Stotra are said to be from Srimushna Mahaatmya from Skand Puraan but the current day's print edition does not include this Mahaatmya. Obviously these must have been taken from some manuscripts. Srimushna Mahaatmya is also said to be included in at least two other Puraan - Brahmaand Puraan and Garud Puraan - again, they are available in manuscript forms in some libraries and not in print editions.

Prayer to Yagya Varaah is the most sacred of all, as we have heard. The normal tendency of human beings is to think of God when in distress but conveniently forget it when at good times. Lord Varaah apparently promises in Charama Shlok that, even if one chants Him once at Good times, he takes care of him throughout - this is also I have heard from someone.

Varaah Worship
Varaah Worship is prescribed for Raahu Dashaa / afflictions - especially reciting the Varaah Kavach. There is a special prescription to chant this Kavach 108 times at Srimushnam on a Sunday (not just for Raahu afflictions - but for all). [Lord gave me an opportunity to do this once several years ago.] Varaah worship is said to return even lost kingdom, wealth ,etc. - it should be mentioned that the kingdom/wealth are genuinely belong to the worshipper but are lost due to cycle of time.

Varaah worship is the best suited to nullify all afflictions of immovable properties - more than Vastu. I understand that, in those days, an elaborate Yagya Varaah Homam used to be performed on the ground where major structures such as temples are to be built. [I was influenced by this information that Lord Varaah permitted me do an elaborate Varaah Hom during my flat's Griha Pravesh a few years back - one of the most fulfilling experiences.]

Varaah Kshetra
Though there are several Varaah Kshetra, the following are very important (in that order):

(1) Srimushnam near Vriddhaachalam / Chidaambaram in Tamilnaadu - this is the first and foremost of the Varaah Kshetra. Considered fourth among the eight Swayam Vyakt Kshetra. It is said that Lord Varaah came out of the ocean from this place after retrieving Earth. The sweat from his body is said to be the Pushkarinee close to the temple. A visit to temple is said to destroy all accumulated sins.

(2) Shree Varaah Temple in Tirupati - though it is a small shrine adjacent to Baalaajee Temple, the first Darshan should be done here before going to Shree Nivaas Temple. Tirupati is also known as Aadi Varaah Kshetra.

(3) Shree Nitya Kalyaan Perumal Temple, Thiruvidanthai, near Chennai - this is in between Chennai and Mahaabalipuram. It is crowded these days as it is a Parihaar Sthal for marriage. A visit to the temple (along with a prescribed procedure) is said to accelerate marriage/finding of spouse.

(4) Shree Varaah - There is another small beautiful temple just 2-3 kms away from Padmanaabh Swaamy Temple in Trivendrum, Kerala.

(5) There is another famous Varaah Temple near Mysore, Karnaatak.

Home | Rel-Dictionary | Avataar

Previous | Next