4 - Manifestations of Vishnu as the Boar

 1. I describe (unto thee) the manifestation as a Boar (which) removes (one's) sins. Hiraṇyāksha¹ was a demon chief. He con quered the celestials and got established in the heavens.

1. Hiranyäksha, a demon, was one of the sons of Kasyapa and Diti. He waxed cloquent and entered the underworld in search of Vishnu. Vishnu assumed the form of a boar and after severe combat slew the demon. Sce P. Index III. C. 774. 

2. Vishnu being praised by the celestials (who had) gone (to him), (he) assumed the form as Yajñavaraha (boar). Having killed that demon along with the (other) demons (he made the earth) devoid of thorns (difficulties). 

3-4. (That) Hari, the protector of righteousness and the celestials (then) disappeared. Then (the demon) Hiranyakasipu,² brother of Hiranyåksha after conquering the celestials (was grabbing ashare of the offerings) exercised control over all the celestials. (Vishnu) assumed the form of Narasimha (human body with lion's face) (and) killed him along with the (other) demons. 

2. Hiranyakasipu, a demon, was the other son of Kasyapa and Diti. He had got a boon that he could not be killed either by a man or by a beast or during the day or the night or inside or outside the house. He conquered the celestials. His son Prahlada was a devotee of Vishnu. All the attempts of Hiranyakasipu to wean Prahlåda from his devotion to Vishnu were of no avail. Hiranyakasipu subjected Prahlada to many ordeals. Prahlåda emerged unscathed. The desperate Hiranyakaśipu challenged Prahlada whether that Vishnu would be present everywhere and Prahlåda couldshow him in the pillar in front of them and kicked the pillar. Vishnu manifested in the form of a man with lion's face from that pilar and killed Hiranyakasipu placing him on his lap and at the thresh-hold during the twilight. See P. Index III. pp. 769-70. 

5-7. (He) re-established the celestials in their original places and was praised by the celestials. Once in the battle between the celestials and the demons, the celestials were defeated bý (demon) Bali¹ and other demons (and) were driven away from the heaven (and) sought refuge in Hari (Vishnu). Having given refuge to the devas he being praised by Aditi (wife of the latter) (and mother of the celestials) and Kaśyapa (a sage) became a Dwarf (as a son) of Aditi (and) went to the sacrifice (performed by Bali) (and) recited the Vedas at the royal gates of Bali the sacrificer. 

1. bali was a powerful demon. He was a son of Virocana and grandson of Prahlada. Being oppressed by him, the celestials sought refuge in Vishnu. In deference to their wishes, Vishnu assumed the form of a dwarf and approached Bali and requested him to give as much earth as he could cover in three steps. Bali readily conceded to his request. The dwarf soon grew into a mighty form, covered the earth and heaven in two strides and as the third stride placed his foot on the head of Bali and subdued him. See Ram. I. xxvii.; P. Index II. pp. 469-70 

8-9. Having heard him reciting the Vedas, the bestower of the wanted things (Bali) said to the Dwarf in spite of being obstructed by Sukra (the preceptor of the demons), "Whatever (you) desire Ishall give (you)”. The Dwarf asked Bali, “Get (me) three feet of space for the sake of the preceptor. (Bali) said to him, “Ishall give (you)”. 

10-11. When the water was poured on the hand the Dwarf became a Giant (and) measured the worlds of Bhūḥ, Bhuvaḥ and Svar with the three strides and (sent) Bali to Sutala (a nether world) and (then) Hari (Vishnu)gave the worlds to Sakra (Indra). Sakra (Indra) praised Hari (Vishnu) along with the celestials (and) remained happy as the ruler of the world. 

12-13. "Ishall describe (unto you) the manifestation as Parasurama." "Hear, 0 twice-born"! Considering the kshatriyas (ruling clan) as haughty, Hari (Vishnu), the protector of the cele- stials and the brahmins manifested as Bhargava, son of Jamadagni and Reņuka and proficient in arms for removing the pressure on the earth and for the sake of peace. [Manifestation of Vishnu as Parasurama ] 

14. Kärtavirya became a king by the grace of Dattatreya (considered as a manifestation of the Trinity as son of Atri and Anasuyå). He had thousand arms. He was the lord of the entire world. (Once) he went for hunting. 

15. (He) being tired, was invited by the sage Jamadagni. The king was fed along with his retinue (by the sage) by the grace of the Kamadhenu (divine cow). 

16-20. (The king) sought for the Kamadhenu. When he (the sage) did not give (the cow) the king took it away. Then Räma (Parasurama) cut off (the king's) head with his axe in the battle. The cow returned to the hermitage. Jamadagni was killed by the sons of Kärtavirya on account of revenge, when (Paraśu) Rāma had gone to the forest. Seeing his father slain (and) getting angry on account of the loss of his father the great man made the earth devoid of the warrior clan for 21 gencrations. Making out five pits (kunda) at Kuruksetra and satisfying his manes, having given the earth to Kaśyapa, (he) stationed himself at the Mahendra mountains. (One) who hears (the story of) the manifestations as a Fish, a Boar, a Lion and Rama (Paraśurāma) goes to the celestial regions.