Varāha and Hiraṇyāksha

The Padma Mahā Purāṇa tells of the Varāha avatāra (descent) of Bhagavān Vishṇu in its Uttara Khaṇḍa, Chapter 237. Hiraṇyāksha, an asura, took the earth and carried it into the waters of the great ocean. Bhagavān Vishṇu became a huge boar, killed Hiraṇyāksha, and raised the earth on his tusks.

The first birth of Jaya and Vijaya

Jaya and Vijaya are the eternal doorkeepers of Vaikuṇṭha. Sanaka and his brothers cursed them to be born three times among mortals as great asuras and enemies of Bhagavān Vishṇu. By fighting him in those births they would gain merit and then return to Vaikuṇṭha.

Their first birth was as the asura brothers Hiraṇyakaśipu and Hiraṇyāksha. They were the sons of Kaśyapa and Diti.

Hiraṇyāksha takes the earth

Hiraṇyāksha (his name means “golden-eyed”) had very great power. He took the earth from its place and carried it deep into the waters of the great ocean. All the creatures of the earth were thrown out of their places. Brahmā and the devas could do nothing.

The Varāha avatāra

Bhagavān Vishṇu came down as a mighty boar, Varāha. His body was as vast as a great mountain. He dived into the waters to look for the earth. He found Hiraṇyāksha, and a great battle took place deep in the ocean. Varāha killed Hiraṇyāksha with his tusks.

Then he set the earth on his tusks and carried it up through the waters. He put it back in its right place. The devas and Brahmā praised Bhagavān Vishṇu.

Sources

• Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Uttara Khaṇḍa, Chapter 237