Venkataramanan Gopalan - Varaha Avatharam

The Varaha Avatar

The Varaha Avatar, or boar incarnation, is the third of the ten primary avatars (Dashavatara) of Lord Vishnu in Hindu mythology. It's a story of divine intervention where Vishnu takes the form of a boar to rescue the Earth (Bhumi) from the demon Hiranyaksha, who had submerged it in the cosmic ocean.

Bhumi Devi, the Earth goddess, was submerged in the cosmic ocean (Garutodaka) by Hiranyaksha. Brahma, unable to save the Earth, invoked Vishnu, who then took the form of a boar Varaha, also known as Adivaraha, Dharanlvaraha or Bhuvaraha, is beautifully illustrated by the image in the Varaha-Perumal cave-temple at Mahabalipuram. Here the boar-faced Vishnu is seen standing with his right foot resting on the hood of the serpent-God Sesha. On the right thigh is seated the goddess Earth supported in position by the two lower arms of the god. He wears a high crown and has in his two upper hands the discus (held sideways) and the conch.

In sculptures it is always Bhumadevi, who is supposed to represent the earth! Recently in paintings of Varaha Avatharam people started painting the Globe on the snout of Vara as representing the earth!

This Gallery has pictures of Varaha Avatharam of Vishnu from 6th century to 14th century! You can notice in all it is Bhumadevi and not the Globe!