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By Gauranga Darshan Das<\/strong><\/p>\n (Var\u0101ha Dv\u0101dasi Special)<\/p>\n Boar is a wild animal, probably not known for its beauty or great work. But when God appears in the form of a boar, He looks extremely beautiful and performs the most wonderful deeds. Just as the Supreme Lord appears in the human society as Lord R\u0101ma and Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, He also incarnates in the animal society as Var\u0101ha (Boar), amongst the birds as Ha\u1e41sa (Swan), amongst the aquatics as Matsya (Fish) and so on.<\/p>\n According to \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavatam, the Supreme Lord appeared as Var\u0101ha (a wild boar) twice \u2013 once as \u0100di-var\u0101ha or \u015aveta-var\u0101ha in the Sv\u0101yambhuva (first) manvantara and another time as N\u012bla-var\u0101ha or Rakta-var\u0101ha in the C\u0101k\u1e63usa (sixth) manvantara. As \u015aveta-var\u0101ha He retrieved the Earth from the depths of Garbhodaka ocean, and as N\u012bla-var\u0101ha, He killed a powerful demon named Hira\u1e47y\u0101k\u1e63a. This article describes the appearance and activities of these two divine boar incarnations of the Supreme Lord.<\/p>\n \u0100DI-VAR\u0100HA or \u015aVETA-VAR\u0100HA<\/strong><\/p>\n in SV\u0100YAMBHUVA (FIRST) MANVANTARA<\/strong><\/p>\n Lord Brahm\u0101 was the first created beings in this universe. He appeared from a lotus that sprouted from the navel of the Supreme Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47u. Having been enlightened personally by the Supreme Lord, Brahm\u0101 began his service of creation. His first task was to populate the universe with various types of living entities.<\/p>\n Once, as Brahm\u0101 was deliberating on how to accomplish his duty, two personalities appeared from his body. They were Sv\u0101yambhuva Manu and his queen \u015aatar\u016bp\u0101. Manus are the progenitors of mankind. There are fourteen Manus in a day of Brahm\u0101, which lasts for 1000 divya-yugas (divya-yuga is a combination of the four yugas namely Satya, Treta, Dv\u0101para, and Kali). The reign of a Manu is called Manvantara which lasts for about 71 divya-yugas. The calculation of cosmic time is wonderful to the human thought process that\u2019s accustomed to seeing time only in terms of minutes, hours, days, and years only. The first Manu Sv\u0101yambhuva was ready to abide by Brahm\u0101\u2019s instruction to procreate, but he found that there was no place to perform his service since the Earth was merged in the Garbodhaka ocean at that time.<\/p>\n How Is the Boar Divine?<\/strong> \u2013 Brahm\u0101 contemplated on how to raise the Earth, \u201cWhile I am creating, the Earth has been inundated. What can we do? Let the Almighty Lord direct us.\u201d Then a small form of Boar (\u015aveta Var\u0101ha), in the size of a thumb, came out of Brahm\u0101\u2019s nostril and within a moment, it grew gigantic in the sky like a great elephant. Whenever there is an emergency in the universe or an acute rise of adharma in this world, the Supreme Lord appears in a suitable form to rectify the situation. Because the Earth was submerged in the ocean, the Lord appeared as a wild boar to retrieve the Earth with His tusks. That is His transcendental pastime. Just because the Lord appeared in the form of a Boar, His potency doesn\u2019t reduce, nor is this form inferior in its divinity. The Lord\u2019s form in any shape is always transcendental and full of knowledge and mercy.<\/p>\n How Does the Boar\u2019s Roar Dispel Fear?<\/strong> \u2013 Seeing the gigantic mountainlike Boar, Brahm\u0101 and his sons were struck with wonder. To enliven them, Lord Var\u0101ha, the master of sacrifices, then roared tumultuously. Because Brahm\u0101 and other enlightened br\u0101hma\u1e47as have the divine knowledge about the Supreme Lord, they are enlivened by His appearance in any of His multi-incarnations. Therefore, the all-auspicious sound (roar) of the all-merciful Lord that echoed in all directions, reassured His devotees, causing them fearlessness. Hearing the thundering roar of the Boar incarnation of Vi\u1e63\u1e47u, they didn\u2019t become fearful. The Lord\u2019s resounding roar is an open threat to all demons who might challenge His omnipotence, but to His devotees, that very roar is a reassuring boon.<\/p>\n Why is Var\u0101ha the Personification of Vedas?<\/strong> \u2013 The Vedas are said to be the breath of the Supreme Lord, and that breath was inhaled by Brahm\u0101, who was enlightened in the Vedic knowledge, by the Supreme Lord Himself. Because Lord Var\u0101ha appeared from the nostril of Brahm\u0101, when he breathed out, Var\u0101ha is said to be the personification of the Vedas (veda-vit\u0101na-m\u016brti). The denizens of higher planets named Jana, Tapa, and Satya-lokas chanted mantras from the three Vedas praising Var\u0101hadeva. \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da writes, \u201cWhenever there is a glorification of the Lord, it is to be understood that Vedic mantras are being rightly vibrated. The Lord was therefore pleased when such Vedic mantras were chanted, and to encourage His pure devotees, He roared once more and entered the water to rescue the submerged Earth.\u201d (SB 3.13.26 Purport). The Lord has no material form, but His form is always understood in terms of the Vedas. Because the Lord\u2019s form is personified Vedic knowledge, He is the destroyer of all material contamination.<\/p>\n How Did \u015aveta Var\u0101ha Rescue The Earth?<\/strong> \u2013 Lord Var\u0101ha entered the water playing like an elephant (gajendra-le\u0301l\u0101), and flew in the sky, with His tail slashing and His hard hairs quivering. His glance was luminous (like sun and moon). He scattered the clouds with His hooves and white tusks. Although transcendental, He imitated the actions of a Boar and searched after the Earth by smell. His tusks were fearful. He glanced over the sages who were offering prayers and entered the water. He dived into the ocean, whose high waves appeared like its arms as if praying, \u201cO Lord, please protect me and do not cut me in two!\u201d Cleaving the water with His sharp hooves, the Lord found the limits of the unlimited ocean and saw the Earth, and personally lifted it. Thus, He protected the Earth.<\/p>\n N\u012aLA-VAR\u0100HA or RAKTA-VAR\u0100HA<\/strong><\/p>\n in C\u0100K\u1e62USA (SIXTH) MANVANTARA<\/strong><\/p>\n The above incident took place in the Sv\u0101yambhuva (first) manvantara. The Lord again appeared in the C\u0101k\u1e63usa (sixth) manvantara, as Rakta Var\u0101ha and protected the Earth by killing a demon named Hira\u1e47y\u0101k\u1e63a. The following is the story behind this.<\/p>\n What are the Consequences of an Untimely Union?<\/strong> \u2013 Ka\u015byapa Muni was the son of Brahm\u0101. One of his wives, Diti, was once afflicted by lust and an intense desire for a child. Being impatient and envious of her cowives who already had children, Diti approached Ka\u015byapa in the evening time for union. Ka\u015byapa dissuaded her saying that the time was inauspicious, as ghosts and their master, \u015aiva, move about at that time. However, Diti was pressed by Cupid and pulled Ka\u015byapa by his clothing. Not being so self-controlled, Ka\u015byapa also gave in to her advances and obliged her unreasonable appeal, uniting with her. Ignorance is not the cause of every mistake. Even, persons in knowledge, commit mistakes due to weak-heartedness and temptations for momentary pleasures. Afterward, Ka\u015byapa addressed Diti in disdain, \u201cEverything was inauspicious because of your mind\u2019s pollution, defilement of time, negligence of my directions, and apathy towards demigods. As a result, you will have two demoniac sons who will constantly afflict the three worlds, kill innocent and sinless entities, torture women, enrage great souls, and ultimately be killed by the Supreme Lord.\u201d Diti became repentant. Seeing her transformation and patience, Ka\u015byapa encouraged her, \u201cYour grandson (Prahl\u0101da) will be a great devotee.\u201d This somewhat pacified the aggrieved Diti. Diti held her sons in the womb for 100 years, wanting to delay the trouble of the demigods by her sons and also the death of her sons at the hands of the Lord. By the force of her pregnancy, darkness spread in all directions. The demigods were perplexed and approached Brahm\u0101. Brahm\u0101 then narrated the background story of the children in Diti\u2019s womb.<\/p>\n How Did Those Devotees Become Demons?<\/strong> \u2013 Once, the four Kum\u0101ras had gone to Vaiku\u1e47\u1e6dha to see Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47u. They crossed six gates without any obstruction, but at the seventh gate, they were blocked by Jaya and Vijaya, the doorkeepers. The Kum\u0101ras were agitated and spoke thus, \u201cHow are you suspecting others? Where is the possibility of an enemy coming to Vaiku\u1e47\u1e6dha? The apt punishment for you imposters is to go to the material world filled with vices.\u201d Jaya and Vijaya fell at the feet of the Kum\u0101ras and prayed that they never forget the Lord. Seeing their humility, the Kum\u0101ras felt repentant. Understanding the situation, Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47u appeared there and pacified the lamenting doorkeepers with His affectionate glance, and consoled the fearful Kum\u0101ras with His pleasing smile. Vi\u1e63\u1e47u humbly apologized to the Kum\u0101ras for the offense of Jaya and Vijaya, and said, \u201cThe punishment given by you to My doorkeepers, of becoming demons in the material world, was ordained by Me. They will very soon return to Me, meditating on Me in anger.\u201d An ideal master takes responsibility for the mistakes of His servants and helps them without disowning them.<\/p>\n Does God Like to Fight?<\/strong> \u2013 The Kum\u0101ras circumambulated the Lord and departed. Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47u spoke to Jaya and Vijaya, \u201cDo not fear. Though you will have the mentality of demons, you will always think of Me and serve Me. I will experience pure happiness by fighting with you two.\u201d Only the devotees can satisfy the Lord in every respect, including giving Him the pleasure of fighting. Thus, Jaya and Vijaya left Vaiku\u1e47\u1e6dha and entered Diti\u2019s womb. After 100 years of pregnancy, Diti gave birth to her twin sons. Ka\u015byapa named them Hira\u1e47yaka\u015bipu and Hira\u1e47y\u0101k\u1e63a. Hira\u1e47yaka\u015bipu performed austerities and received boons from Brahm\u0101. He started to control all three worlds. Hira\u1e47y\u0101k\u1e63a traveled all over the universe with a fighting spirit. His form, temper, and power scared the demigods. Desiring to sport, he entered the ocean and reached Vibh\u0101var\u012b, the capital of Varuna, and provoked him for a fight. Varu\u1e47a intelligently replied, \u201cI have grown too old. Only Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47u can satisfy your desire to fight.\u201d<\/p>\n Why Does God Fight with Devotees?<\/strong> \u2013 Hira\u1e47y\u0101k\u1e63a learned from N\u0101rada Muni the Lord\u2019s whereabouts and entered into the Garbodhaka ocean. There, he saw the Lord in the form of a boar (Var\u0101ha), bearing the Earth on His tusks. He criticized the Lord with ill-names and addressed Him like an animal, forest-dweller, lowest of demigods, and so on. The Lord was pained by these abusive words. God is as sentient as we are. He is satisfied by our prayers and dissatisfied by our harsh words against Him. Seeing that the Earth was frightened, the Lord bore the pain and rose out of water. Var\u0101hadeva challenged Hira\u1e47y\u0101k\u1e63a and after a fierce battle with him, the Lord slapped him in the root of the ear. The demon fell dead like an uprooted tree. Though the Lord could instantly kill the demons, He fights with them just to experience the pleasure of fighting. \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da writes, \u201cSometimes a father takes pleasure in having a mock fight with his small child, and similarly the Lord felt Hira\u1e47y\u0101k\u1e63a\u2019s striking on His body to be like flowers offered for worship. In other words, the Lord desired to fight to enjoy His transcendental bliss; therefore, He enjoyed the attack.\u201d (SB 3.19.16 Purport)<\/p>\n Lord Var\u0101ha was glorified by the sages as follows:<\/p>\n namo namas te \u2018khila-mantra-devat\u0101-<\/p>\n dravy\u0101ya sarva-kratave kriy\u0101tmane<\/p>\n vair\u0101gya-bhakty\u0101tmajay\u0101nubh\u0101vita-<\/p>\n j\u00f1\u0101n\u0101ya vidy\u0101-gurave namo nama\u1e25<\/p>\n \u201cO Lord, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead and are worshipable by universal prayers, Vedic hymns, and sacrificial ingredients. We offer our obeisances unto You. You can be realized by the pure mind freed from all visible and invisible material contamination. We offer our respectful obeisances to You as the supreme spiritual master of knowledge in devotional service.\u201d (SB 3.13.39)<\/p>\n Thus, accomplishing the mission of the demigods, Lord Var\u0101ha returned to His own abode being glorified by them.<\/p>\n Gauranga Darshan Das, a disciple of His Holiness Radhanath Swami, is the dean of the Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha at ISKCON Govardhan Eco Village (GEV), outside Mumbai, and a member of ISKCON Board of Examinations (BoEx). He is a sastric teacher and is the author of Gita Subodhini, Bhagavata Subodhini, Caitanya Subodhini, Disapproved but Not Disowned, Bhagavata Pravaha and other books.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Boar is a wild animal, probably not known for its beauty or great work. But when God appears in the form of a boar, He looks extremely beautiful and performs the most wonderful deeds. Just as the Supreme Lord appears in the human society as Lord R\u0101ma and Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, He also incarnates in the animal society as Var\u0101ha (Boar), amongst the birds as Ha\u1e41sa (Swan), amongst the aquatics as Matsya (Fish) and so on. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-93153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=93153"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93153\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":93155,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93153\/revisions\/93155"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=93153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=93153"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=93153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![](\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/LZcJ52f.jpeg)
By Gauranga Darshan Das<\/strong><\/p>\n