VÁRÁHÁVATÁRA,
or
Boar-Incarnation.

In the Satya Yuga, on the day of the full moon in the month of Kárttika (Oct.-Nov.) in the city of Brahmávarta* near Nimishára* and Ayodhya, this manifestation took place. One of the Daityas named Hiraṇyáksha* had passed a long period in the practice of austerities and the worship of God. One day the Deity appeared to him in visible form and asked him what he desired. Rejoiced at these gracious words, he enumerated many noxious animals and prayed for exemption from their injury and that he might be monarch of the whole universe. Shortly after he obtained his wishes, and dispossessing Indra of the sovereignty of heaven, committed its charge to one of his own kindred. The deities and Brahmá hastened to Vishṇu and besought his aid. As in the request for exemption the name of the boar had been omitted, they received this answer, “I will manifest myself under that form and deprive him of life.”

Soon afterwards, Vishṇu took this shape and entering his capital, destroyed him. This is pointed out as having taken place at Soron.* The earth was again peopled with the virtuous and Indra recovered his sover­eignty of the world above.

The period of this manifestation was a thousand years.