Hiraṇyāksha and Varāha (Harivaṃśa)

Hiraṇyāksha was a great daitya, a son of Kaśyapa and Diti. In this account from the Bhavishya Parva of the Harivaṃśa, he defeats Indra and drags the earth down into the cosmic waters. Bhagavān Vishṇu then takes the form of the divine boar, Varāha. He goes down into the depths, kills Hiraṇyāksha, and lifts Bhūdevī, the earth devī, back to her place.

Hiraṇyāksha paralyses Indra

Hiraṇyāksha was the younger brother of Hiraṇyakaśipu and the son of Kaśyapa Prajāpati and his wife Diti. He was one of the mightiest of the daityas. His name means “golden-eyed”. Proud of the power he had gained through tapas (austerity), he faced Indra, king of the devas, in open challenge. By māyā (magic power) and by force that none could stop, he left Indra helpless. He paralysed (stambhana) the ruler of Svarga and set up daitya rule over all three worlds. Indra could do nothing, and he called on Brahmā for help. (Bhavishya Parva, chapter 38)

The earth sunk in the waters

Growing bolder, Hiraṇyāksha seized Bhūdevī, the earth herself, and threw her into the cosmic waters of Rasātala. Torn from her place, the earth sank into the first depths. Her mountains, forests and living beings went down with her into darkness. Brahmā and the gathered devas could not bring her back, for no created power could overcome Hiraṇyāksha. The three worlds fell into disorder. (Bhavishya Parva, chapter 38)

Bhagavān Vishṇu takes the Varāha form

Bhagavān Vishṇu felt for the distress of Bhūdevī and heard the prayer of the devas, and he decided to descend. He took the form of Varāha, the great boar. The form was immense, dark and splendid. Its tusks shone like crescent moons, and it roared with the sound of the Veda. It was both terrible and beautiful. This was not only the body of an animal. It was yajña itself, the upholder of all worlds, made visible. Bhagavān Varāha dived into the first waters and went down to Rasātala to look for the earth. (Bhavishya Parva, chapter 39)

The battle in the cosmic waters

Hiraṇyāksha met Bhagavān Varāha in the depths of the cosmic ocean. A great battle followed between the strongest of the daityas and Bhagavān Vishṇu in his boar form. Hiraṇyāksha threw weapons and māyā at Bhagavān Varāha with all his strength. But no weapon could touch Bhagavān Varāha, and no māyā could hide him. The fight went on through the waters, and the devas watched it from above in wonder. At last Bhagavān Varāha killed Hiraṇyāksha, and the daitya’s great power was ended by the divine weapon of Bhagavān Vishṇu. (Bhavishya Parva, chapter 39)

Bhūdevī is lifted and the earth set right

After he had killed Hiraṇyāksha, Bhagavān Varāha lifted the earth on his great shining tusks and carried her up out of Rasātala. Bhūdevī rose through the cosmic waters, restored to light and life. Bhagavān Varāha bore her back to her own place in the cosmos. He set the earth again in order, with her mountains, rivers and all living beings in their right places. His purpose was done, and Bhagavān Varāha withdrew the great boar form. The devas and ṛshis sang his praises, and the three worlds were at peace. (Bhavishya Parva, chapter 40)

Sources

• Harivaṃśa Purāṇa, Bhavishya Parva, chapter 38 (Hiraṇyāksha and Indra, the earth sunk)
• Harivaṃśa Purāṇa, Bhavishya Parva, chapter 39 (the Varāha form, the battle)
• Harivaṃśa Purāṇa, Bhavishya Parva, chapter 40 (Bhūdevī lifted)