9 - The Holy Centre Varāha

Nārada said: 

1. My mind is not satiated by listening to the stories mentioned by you. The predilection of my mind is to listen to the benefit of the holy centres separately. 

2. At the outset recount to me in proper sequence how Ganga was brought by the brahmin. Tell me the holy benefit of the holy centres separately in the proper sequence together with its legends.

Brahmā said: 

3. I am not able to recount entirely tie benefit, greatness and the individual importance of the holy centres. Nor are you capable of listening to it. 

4-6. Still I shall recount something. Listen to it attentively, O Narada. 

After bowing down to the three-eyed lord, I shall briefly speak about the holy centres mentioned by sages and the words of the Vedas. 

O sage, the place where the three-eyed lord revealed himself is the holy centre named Tryambaka. It is the bestower of worldly pleasures and salvation. Another holy centre is "Varaha" which is well known in the three worlds. 

7-8. I shall describe its features as well as how Vişhnu's name came to be associated with it. 

Formerly a Rakshasa well known by the name of Sindhusena, harassed and defeated Devas. Taking away sacrifice he reached the nether region. 

When sacrifice went over to the nether world the Earth became devoid of sacrifice. 

9. When sacrifice perishes one shall have neither this world nor the other. At that time, the situation was thus. 

Following the enemy Devas entered the nether region. 

10-12. With Indra as their leader they were not able to conquer him. Approaching Vishnu the Purāna Puruşha (lit. the primeval male) they intimated to him the evil action of the Räkşhasa viz., the entire destruction of sacrifice.

The Lord said: 

Assuming the physical body of a Boar along with the conch, discus and mace in hands I shall go to the nether region and bring the holy sacrifice after killing the leading demons. 

13-16. May Devas go to heaven. May your mental fever disappear.

Brahmā said: 

It was by that path whereby Gangå reached the nether regions, O dear son, that the discus-bearing lord hurried to Rasatala (nether world) after breaking through the Earth. 

The glorious lord in the guise of a Boår killed the Rakşhasas and Dänavas residing in Rasätala. He held the great sacrifice in his mouth. The lord in the form of a Boar, the enjoyer of sacrifices, the conqueror of enemies, came out of Rasätala by the same path whereby Visnu had entered it. 

17-18. There, on the mountain Brahmāgiri, Devas waited for Hari. Coming out by that path he came to the Gangasravana (the current of the river Ganga). He washed his blood-stained limbs, O Närada, with the water of Ganga. Therefore it became (well known as) Varāhakunda. 

19-22. Hari, the most excellent one among Devas, placed in front of Devas the sacrifice he had kept in his mouth. It was thus that the sacrifice was born of his mouth. 

Thereafter the sacred ladle is called the most important part of sacrifice. Its form became that of a Boar for another reason. 

Hence the holy centre Varāha is the holiest Tirtha. It bestows all desired things. Performing the holy ablution and charity at that place bestows the benefits of all sacrifices. 

If anyone stands there and remembers his ancestors or does any meritorious deed, his manes will be free from all sins. They shall attain Heaven.