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Varaha

Varaha is the third avatar (incarnation) of the Hindu god Vishnu in the traditional list of the Dashavatara, the ten primary avatars, manifesting in the form of a boar to rescue the Earth goddess, Bhudevi, from submersion in the cosmic ocean by the demon Hiranyaksha.^[1]^[2]^[3] In the mythological narrative detailed in texts such as the Bhagavata Purana and Garuda Purana, Vishnu assumes the Varaha form after the demon Hiranyaksha, brother of Hiranyakashipu, drags the Earth into the primordial waters to disrupt cosmic order, prompting Vishnu to dive into the depths, battle and slay the demon, and then raise the Earth on his tusk to restore balance.^[2] This act symbolizes divine intervention to protect the world from chaos, with Varaha embodying themes of strength, fertility, and preservation, as the boar's form draws from earlier Vedic references in the Rigveda where a boar figure aids in cosmic upliftment.^[1]^[2] The Varaha avatar appears in three principal forms across Hindu scriptures—Yajna Varaha (associated with sacrificial rites), Bhu Varaha (focused on Earth's rescue), and Pralaya Varaha (linked to dissolution and renewal)—highlighting its multifaceted role in cosmology and dharma (righteous order).^[2] Iconographically, Varaha is often depicted as a massive boar with Bhudevi supported on one tusk, his body adorned with sages, deities, and mythical beings expressing gratitude, while bearing Vishnu's emblems like the chakra (discus), shankha (conch), and gada (mace) nearby; these representations follow guidelines in the Shilpa Shastra for proportions and the Natya Shastra for dynamic postures.^[1]^[2] Culturally, Varaha holds significant reverence in Vaishnava traditions, with dedicated temples such as those in central India (e.g., from the 10th century in Madhya Pradesh) where boar images were enshrined to guard temple entrances, and historical dynasties like the Chalukyas and Vijayanagara invoked the avatar for symbols of prosperity and defense against evil.^[1]^[2] The Varaha Purana, a key Vaishnava text narrated by the avatar himself to Bhudevi, expands on this lore through stories of creation, ethical teachings, and rituals for worship, underscoring Varaha's enduring role in Hindu devotion and cosmology.^[2]

Etymology and Other Names

Etymology

The term Varaha derives from the Sanskrit word varāha (वराह), which denotes "boar" or "wild boar," referring to the animal Sus scrofa.^[4] This nomenclature originates in ancient Vedic literature, where varāha appears as a descriptor for the boar as a natural creature associated with rooting and earth-disturbing behaviors.^[5] The word varāha stems from the Proto-Indo-Iranian term warāȷ́ʰá, signifying "boar," and shares cognates across Indo-Iranian languages, such as Avestan varāza (boar) and Middle Persian warāz (wild boar).^[6] In the Nirukta, the ancient etymological treatise attributed to Yāska (c. 700–500 BCE), varāha is derived from the verbal root √hṛ (to take, carry, or seize), evoking the boar's action of tearing up and carrying roots from the earth with its snout; Yāska further connects this to metaphorical senses, such as clouds "carrying" water or offerings in sacrifice.^[7] Alternative Vedic interpretations, as noted in traditional commentaries, occasionally link it to roots like √vṛ (to cover or surround), symbolizing how the boar envelops or surpasses the terrain in its foraging. Distinct from varāha, the term sūkara (सूकर) also translates to "wild boar" and appears prominently in the Rigveda (e.g., RV 7.55.4), often with onomatopoeic connotations mimicking the animal's grunting sound; its initial su- prefix suggests "good" or "auspicious," and the elongated nasal vowel ū imparts a symbolically resonant, benevolent tone in ritual contexts, contrasting varāha's more neutral zoological emphasis.^[8] Over time, varāha evolved from a generic Vedic reference to the boar—sometimes equated with Prajāpati as a cosmic progenitor in texts like the Taittirīya Saṃhitā—to a specialized Puranic epithet for Viṣṇu's third avatāra, embodying divine rescue and terrestrial restoration.^[7]

Other Names

Varaha is referred to by numerous epithets and alternative names in Hindu scriptures, each underscoring specific attributes such as his sacrificial symbolism, primal ferocity, or role as earth's protector. These names appear across Vedic, Puranic, and sectarian texts, reflecting diverse interpretive traditions. A prominent epithet is Yajna Varaha, meaning the "boar of sacrifice," which connects Varaha to the Vedic concept of yajna as a cosmic ritual. This name portrays him as the embodiment of sacrificial rites, where the boar's form symbolizes the offering and regeneration in creation myths described in the Taittiriya Samhita and Matsya Purana.^[5] Sukara Varaha employs "sukara," denoting a wild boar, to emphasize the avatar's untamed strength and natural origins. This term appears in the Rig Veda and Atharva Veda, evoking the boar's role in primordial cosmogony and earth's recovery from chaos.^[9] Regional and devotional variants include Varahadeva, translating to "divine boar" or "god of the boar," a reverential title used in Puranic literature to invoke his supreme incarnation status. Similarly, Bhuvaraha or Bhu Varaha, meaning "earth boar," highlights his function as Bhudevi's savior, frequently invoked in mantras from Pancharatra texts like the Sesasamhita.^[10]^[11] In sectarian contexts, Shaiva traditions incorporate Varaha into syncretic forms like Harihara, symbolizing the non-dual essence of Vishnu and Shiva, as explored in the Varaha Purana's discussions of their unity. Shakta references appear through Varahi, Varaha's boar-headed shakti and ally to Devi in demon-slaying narratives of the Devi Mahatmya, where she manifests as a fierce Matrika warrior.^[12] Medieval inscriptions and temple dedications often employ Varahasvamin, signifying "lord of the boar," to denote presiding deities in South Indian shrines. This name recurs in Vijayanagara-era records at sites like the Sri Bhuvarasvami Temple, linking Varaha to land grants and royal patronage.^[13]

Legends and Scriptural References

Vedic Origins

The earliest references to boar motifs in Vedic literature appear in the Rigveda, where the animal symbolizes raw power and is linked to heroic exploits rather than divine incarnation. In hymn 8.77, Indra slays the wild boar Emusa (meaning "violent" or "fierce"), who guards wealth beyond seven mountains, with Vishnu aiding by measuring out the terrain with his strides, highlighting the boar's role as a formidable adversary in cosmic battles. This portrayal positions the boar as a zoomorphic emblem of untamed nature and fertility, occasionally tied to solar attributes through its association with dawn-piercing rays or earth-tilling actions, but without explicit creative connotations at this stage.^[14] The motif evolves significantly in the Brahmanas, transforming the boar into a divine agent of creation. In the Shatapatha Brahmana (14.1.2.11), Prajapati assumes the form of a boar named Emusha, who dives into the primordial waters—described as the initial state where the earth was mere "span-sized"—and lifts it upward with his tusks, establishing the world in a foundational act of cosmogony. This narrative underscores the boar's role as a stabilizer of order, emerging from chaos to support the earth, and integrates sacrificial symbolism, as the boar's body parts are equated with ritual elements like the oblation. Similarly, the Taittiriya Samhita (3.5) depicts Prajapati as a black boar with a hundred arms raising the submerged earth, emphasizing the act as a deliberate creative intervention rather than mere destruction. These texts mark the boar's shift from a peripheral mythical beast to a central figure in world-formation myths.^[15]^[16] Comparative Indo-Iranian mythology reveals parallels in the boar's symbolic potency, suggesting shared Proto-Indo-Iranian roots for the motif. In Avestan texts like the Yashts (14.15, 10.70), the boar embodies Verethragna, the deity of victory and strength, serving as a warrior emblem that charges into battle, akin to the Vedic boar's disruptive yet generative force. The term "varaha" derives from Proto-Indo-Iranian *warāȷ́ʰá, denoting "boar," which underscores this cross-cultural resonance, though Iranian traditions lack the exact earth-lifting narrative.^[17] In late Vedic texts, the boar motif transitions from a primarily zoomorphic representation of Prajapati or a sacrificial animal—linked to yajna rites where it symbolizes prosperity and oblation—to an emerging association with Vishnu. This proto-Vishnu linkage appears in contexts where Vishnu's expansive strides (as in Rigveda 1.154) complement the boar's earth-supporting role, foreshadowing their fusion; by the Taittiriya Aranyaka, the boar explicitly aids in cosmic rescue, paving the way for its later identification as Vishnu's avatar in Puranic expansions.^[16]

Creation Legend

In the Vishnu Purana, the creation legend of Varaha portrays Vishnu assuming the form of a cosmic boar at the beginning of the Varaha Kalpa to initiate the restoration of the universe from primordial chaos. Vishnu, as the boar, dives into the vast cosmic ocean where the earth lies submerged within a golden egg composed of the elements, emerging from the waters to lift the earth upon his tusks and position it atop the ocean's surface. This act stabilizes the earth, dividing it into seven concentric zones encompassing continents, seas, and mountains, thereby laying the foundation for further cosmic order and the emergence of life. The Brahmanda Purana echoes this narrative, describing Varaha's emergence from the primordial waters to bear the earth on his tusks, flattening its form and delineating it into seven great continents known as dvipas—Jambudvipa at the center, surrounded by Plaksha, Shalmali, Kusha, Krauncha, Shaka, and Pushkara—each separated by encircling oceans. Post-rescue, Varaha shapes these dvipas as stable realms, with variations in other accounts emphasizing their role in supporting diverse forms of existence across the cosmic expanse. In the Matsya Purana, Varaha's role in cosmic creation centers on separating the earth from the enveloping waters during the formation of the Brahmanda, the cosmic egg split into upper heaven and lower earth to enable the universe's unfolding. Vishnu as the boar lifts the earth from the depths, securing it firmly and creating associated landforms such as mountains and the island of Varaha-dvipa adorned with sixty thousand golden peaks, thus ensuring the earth's enduring position as the nurturer of all beings. The boar's tusks in these Puranic accounts symbolize unyielding support and protection, functioning as cosmic pillars that uphold the world and embody dharma as the sustaining force of order and righteousness.^[18] This imagery underscores Varaha's restorative function in creation, where the tusks not only elevate the physical earth but also affirm the moral framework that prevents cosmic dissolution.^[19] Precursors to this legend appear in Vedic texts, where a boar form aids in earth's emergence from waters, evolving into the more elaborate Puranic depictions.

Slayer of Demons

In the Bhāgavata Purāṇa, the demon Hiranyaksha, son of Kaśyapa and Diti and empowered by a boon from Brahmā granting near-invincibility, disrupts cosmic order by dragging the earth into Rasātalā, the lowest of the netherworlds, and submerging it in the primordial ocean.^[20] Distressed by this act of adharma, the devas appeal to Viṣṇu, who manifests as Varāha, a colossal boar with a radiant white body, fierce eyes, and formidable tusks, before diving into the depths to reclaim the earth. As Varāha emerges with the earth balanced on the tip of his curved tusk, Hiranyaksha, fueled by arrogance and rage, confronts him, deriding the boar's form and claiming dominion over the world for the asuras. The battle that follows is a protracted and intense clash of divine and demonic forces, with Hiranyaksha wielding a massive mace while Varāha counters with his own, displaying unparalleled agility and strength by evading lethal strikes and inflicting deep wounds on the demon. Varāha employs the Sudarśana Cakra to shatter Hiranyaksha's trident and dispel the asura's illusory magic, preventing deception in the fray. Traditional accounts describe this combat enduring for a thousand years, underscoring the epic scale of the struggle.^[21] Ultimately, Varāha delivers the fatal blow by slapping the demon's right ear with his open palm, causing Hiranyaksha to collapse lifeless, his body shaking the ocean floor. With the slayer of demons vanquished, Varāha gently lifts the earth goddess Bhūdevī from the waters, cradling her on his tusk or lap before positioning her atop the cosmic waters and infusing her with vital energy to sustain her stability. The Agni Purāṇa presents a parallel narrative, where Varāha engages Hiranyaksha in underwater combat, ultimately goring the asura to death with his tusks to free the submerged earth. This legend embodies the triumph of dharma over adharma, portraying Hiranyaksha as the incarnation of unchecked ego and disruption, subdued by Varāha's embodiment of protective righteousness.^[22]

Saviour of the Ancestors

In the Brahma Purana, a legend describes Varaha's role in rescuing the Pitrs (ancestral spirits) from peril, emphasizing his function as a divine protector during moments of vulnerability linked to ritual observance. The Pitrs, residing on Mount Meru alongside the Visvedevas, became enamored with Urja (also known as Svadha or Koka), the daughter of Daksha. This infatuation provoked a curse from Sage Soma (or Daksha in variant accounts), causing the Pitrs to fall from their celestial abode into the depths of the river Koka, where they were trapped beneath a stone slab amid an onslaught by daityas (demons). As the river Ganga (transformed from Urja under the curse) sheltered them, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Varaha, the divine boar, and lifted the drowning Pitrs to safety using his tusks. He then performed oblations (pindas) on their behalf, restoring their position in the heavenly realms and prophesying Urja's rebirth as Svadha, who would wed the Pitrs as part of eternal ancestral rites.^[23] A parallel narrative appears in the Mahabharata's Shanti Parva (Mokshadharma Parva), where Varaha intervenes to save the Pitrs from submersion in a cosmic well or southern ocean, an event tied to the performance of shraddha rituals that invoke divine aid for ancestral welfare. In this account, the Pitrs eulogize Varaha, who emerges to extract them with his tusks, underscoring the boar's symbolic role in uplifting forebears from states of entrapment or unfulfilled karma. This rescue establishes Varaha as the guardian of pitr-loka (ancestral realm), ensuring the continuity of lineage through ritual intervention.^[19] Varaha's salvific acts connect directly to Pitru Paksha, the fortnightly period dedicated to ancestor veneration, where his incarnation is invoked to facilitate the liberation of Pitrs from karmic bonds. During shraddha ceremonies in this phase, practitioners offer pindas (rice balls) modeled after Varaha's own creation of such oblations from his molar tooth to sustain the ancestors, as detailed in traditional expositions of the ritual's origins. This practice, rooted in Varaha's legend, ensures the Pitrs attain moksha (liberation) and bless descendants with prosperity, reinforcing Varaha's status as protector of familial karma and generational piety.^[24] In Vedic traditions, such as those outlined in the Rigveda and later elaborated in post-Vedic texts like the Puranas, Varaha integrates into ancestor worship by embodying the force that upholds dharma across realms, from earthly lineages to celestial forebears. Shraddha rituals, performed with darbha grass and sesame seeds—elements said to originate from Varaha's body—invoke his presence to transfer merit (punya) to the Pitrs, preventing their descent into lower states and promoting their ascent. This synthesis highlights Varaha's enduring role in sustaining the cosmic order of ancestry, where ritual fidelity grants forebears eternal peace and descendants spiritual security.^[24]^[25]

Children

In Puranic accounts, Varaha and his consort Bhudevi are credited with the birth of Narakasura, a powerful demon who embodies both divine heritage and destructive potential. According to the Vishnu Purana, Narakasura emerged from their union following Varaha's rescue of the submerged earth, establishing him as a figure of immense strength destined to rule the kingdom of Pragjyotisha in ancient Assam. His reign, marked by conquests and oppressions—including the abduction of celestial maidens and theft of divine treasures—illustrates dynastic myths that trace royal lineages to cosmic interventions, influencing later narratives in epics like the Mahabharata. Narakasura's eventual defeat at the hands of Krishna, as detailed in the same text, underscores themes of dharma prevailing over adharma, with his death celebrated during the festival of Naraka Chaturthi. Another progeny is Mangala, the deity personifying the planet Mars (also known as Angaraka or Kuja), whose origin is linked to Varaha's incarnation in the Brahmavaivarta Purana. This text describes Mangala arising from the earth's core amid the radiant energy of Vishnu's boar form, fulfilling the devas' desires for a celestial body to govern fiery and martial influences in astrology. In astrological lore, Mangala symbolizes valor, land disputes, and vitality, often invoked in rituals to mitigate malefic effects, thereby connecting terrestrial stability to cosmic order. Symbolically, Varaha's children extend his earth-stabilizing legacy: Narakasura represents the turbulent forces born from divine acts that require periodic subjugation to maintain balance, while Mangala embodies the enduring, protective energies of the planet, ensuring the earth's vitality across realms.^[26] These progeny highlight how Varaha's intervention propagates through generations, weaving personal myths into broader cosmological narratives.

In Avatar Listings

Varaha occupies the third position in the canonical Dashavatara sequence of Vishnu's principal avatars, following Matsya (fish) and Kurma (tortoise), as enumerated in several Puranas including the Agni Purana and Garuda Purana.^[2]^[19] This order positions Varaha as the initial fully terrestrial incarnation, emphasizing the transition from aquatic preservation to earthly restoration. The sequence continues with Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki, reflecting a progression from primordial cosmic acts to interventions in human history.^[27] In broader listings, Varaha appears in alternative positions across sectarian texts. For instance, the Bhagavata Purana enumerates 22 avatars of Vishnu, placing Varaha as the second, after the Kumaras (collective mind-born sons of Brahma) and before Narada.^[28] Variations occur in other sectarian compilations, such as Shaiva or Shakta traditions, where boar forms may integrate with non-Vaishnava deities, though these rarely elevate Varaha beyond the core Dashavatara framework.^[29] The theological rationale for Varaha's placement underscores its role in post-deluge cosmic renewal, succeeding the preservative acts of Matsya and Kurma to reestablish terrestrial order before the emergence of more anthropomorphic avatars. This sequencing symbolizes the stabilization of the physical world as a prerequisite for dharma's evolution in human realms, with Varaha's boar form embodying raw, vital force in lifting and sustaining the earth.^[30] While distinctly Vaishnava, Varaha shares iconographic and mythic motifs with earlier Vedic boar deities, particularly Prajapati's form in the Rigveda and Shatapatha Brahmana, where a cosmic boar divides primordial waters to form earth. Later Puranic texts synthesize these, identifying Vishnu's Varaha with Prajapati's creative boar to affirm Vishnu's supremacy in non-Vaishnava cosmogonies.^[5]^[31]

Other Legends and Textual References

In sectarian narratives, particularly within Shaiva traditions, Varaha appears in the Lingodbhava myth as described in the Shiva Purana and Linga Purana, where Vishnu assumes the form of a massive black boar to probe the base of an infinite fiery linga manifested by Shiva to settle a dispute over supremacy between Vishnu and Brahma. Unable to locate its end after a thousand years of digging, the boar-form Vishnu returns exhausted, acknowledging Shiva's transcendent nature, thus integrating Varaha into a tale emphasizing Shiva's primacy.^[32] Shakta texts present variant portrayals of Varaha as aligned with the goddess's power. In the Kalika Purana, a story of Yajna Varaha depicts the boar incarnation engaging in sacrificial rites and creative acts, including an amorous union with Bhudevi that leads to the birth of boar sons causing cosmic disturbance, ultimately subdued through divine intervention by the goddess.^[33] Similarly, the Devi Mahatmya, embedded in the Markandeya Purana, references Varaha in the Narayani Stuti, invoking the goddess as "Varaha roopini" (one assuming the boar form) and through Varahi, the boar-headed Matrika who emerges as Varaha's shakti to aid Devi in battling demons like Raktabija during her war against Shumbha and Nishumbha.^[34] The Ramayana contains brief allusions to Varaha, notably in the Yuddha Kanda (6.117.13), where Brahma praises Rama as "Ekashringa Varaha" (the divine boar with a single tusk), drawing a parallel between Rama's valor and the boar's protective might in upholding dharma. Varaha integrates into regional folklore across India, often blending with local cosmogonic myths; for instance, in central Indian tribal traditions, the boar motif symbolizes earth-rescue adapted to village lore about floods and fertility, while in South Indian contexts, it merges with agrarian tales of divine intervention against natural calamities.^[35] Medieval Vaishnava texts, such as Tirumangai Alwar's Periya Tirumozhi (a component of the Divya Prabandham), allude to Varaha as the tusked rescuer of the earth from primordial waters, praising the avatar's compassionate act in hymns that evoke devotion through vivid imagery of cosmic salvation.^[36]

Iconography

Textual Descriptions

In Hindu scriptures, Varaha is frequently described in Agamas and Puranas as an anthropomorphic figure with the head of a boar and a human body, possessing four arms that wield Vishnu's characteristic emblems: the chakra (discus), shankha (conch), gada (mace), and padma (lotus).^[37] These texts portray Varaha in dynamic poses, such as the alidha stance, where the figure stands firmly on the serpent Shesha, embodying stability and cosmic support while lifting the Earth.^[38] The Vishnudharmottara Purana provides detailed prescriptions for Varaha's iconography, emphasizing a four-armed form in the human-boar (nri-varaha) manifestation, standing in alidha posture upon Shesha.^[38] Here, the lower left arm supports the Earth goddess Bhudevi, who clings to it in a gesture of salutation with folded hands, while the other arms hold the conch, lotus, discus, and mace; the text notes an optional depiction of the demon Hiranyaksha positioned before the figure to signify the slaying.^[38] This Purana also describes Varaha's fierce aspect in battle scenes, surrounded by demons, with the Earth held aloft by the tusk, highlighting the deity's role in cosmic rescue through yogic power and divine authority.^[37] The Vishnudharmottara Purana, a Vaishnava text that includes iconographic descriptions of various deities, references syncretic motifs such as Lingodbhava, where Vishnu's boar-headed form appears at the base of the linga or interacts with it, occasionally holding Shiva's trident alongside Vishnu's emblems to denote blended worship traditions.^[39] Certain Agamas describe Varaha in protective poses with additional weapons, blending Vaishnava and Shaiva elements for temple rituals.^[39] Puranic descriptions often imbue Varaha's boar form with symbolic depth, underscoring the deity's embodiment of terrestrial vitality, with the boar's sturdy physique signifying the foundational stability of the world upheld by divine intervention.^[40]

Depictions

Varaha is depicted in Indian art primarily in two forms: zoomorphic, as a full boar, and theriomorphic, as a hybrid with a boar's head and human body, often appearing in temple reliefs and freestanding sculptures. The zoomorphic form emphasizes the animalistic power of the incarnation, while the theriomorphic variant highlights divine anthropomorphism, allowing for the inclusion of Vishnu's traditional attributes such as the conch, discus, mace, and lotus in the four hands. These representations are commonly found in rock-cut caves and structural temples, where Varaha is shown emerging from cosmic waters to rescue the earth.^[41]^[42] A prominent early example is the 4th-century CE relief in Cave 5 of the Udayagiri Caves in Madhya Pradesh, portraying a theriomorphic Varaha lifting the earth goddess Bhudevi on his tusk, with a naga figure in submission at his feet and surrounding sages and deities witnessing the act. In contrast, the 10th-century CE Varaha statue at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, exemplifies the zoomorphic form as a colossal 2.6-meter-long monolithic sandstone carving, densely incised with over 600 miniature figures of gods, goddesses, and celestial beings across its body.^[43]^[41] Iconographic conventions frequently feature Bhudevi in a graceful posture, either clinging to Varaha's tusk or standing on his limb, symbolizing her salvation, often accompanied by sages, nagas, or subdued demons like Hiranyaksha at the base. Regional variations are evident in material and style: North Indian depictions, such as those in stone carvings from Gupta and medieval sites like Udayagiri and Khajuraho, favor large-scale, intricate reliefs in sandstone emphasizing volume and narrative density; South Indian examples, including bronze icons from the Chola period, adopt a more portable, refined aesthetic with polished surfaces and dynamic poses, as seen in Mamallapuram and Badami sculptures.^[41]^[42]

Historical and Iconographic Evolution

Early Representations

The earliest representations of Varaha emerge in the art of the Mathura school during the 1st to 2nd centuries CE, primarily in the form of relief sculptures depicting a hybrid Nṛ-Varāha figure—a boar-headed human body incorporating Vishnu's attributes such as multiple arms holding divine weapons like the chakra and shankha. These artifacts illustrate the boar lifting the earth goddess Bhudevi from cosmic waters, marking an initial fusion of zoomorphic and anthropomorphic elements in Vaishnava iconography.^[41]^[44] During the Kushan period (1st to 3rd centuries CE) and extending into the early Gupta era (3rd to 4th centuries CE), Varaha iconography evolved with more pronounced boar-headed figures on human torsos, often shown in dynamic rescue poses. Notable examples include terracotta seals and royal emblems from Mathura and surrounding regions, where the boar motif appears as a standard on coinage, symbolizing sovereignty and divine protection; for instance, Gupta-period coins feature the Varaha emblem alongside the king, reflecting its adoption as a dynastic symbol. These icons, such as those from Eran in Madhya Pradesh dated to the 5th century CE, portray a fully adorned boar with intricate body engravings representing rivers, mountains, and sages, emphasizing the avatar's cosmic scale.^[45]^[46] The transition from Vedic motifs to Vaishnava iconography is evident in the assimilation of pre-existing boar symbolism—such as the Vedic Emūṣa, a divine boar associated with creation and sacrifice—into Vishnu's protective avatar form. This evolution integrated Vedic cosmogonic themes, where the boar pierces primordial waters, into Puranic narratives of earth-rescue, as seen in the shift from abstract Vedic symbols to anthropomorphic depictions in Vaishnava contexts.^[47] Archaeological evidence from 2020s excavations has further confirmed the presence of early Varaha cult sites, including a newly documented 1st-2nd century CE image from Mathura added to scholarly records in 2025, highlighting the avatar's prominence in Kushan devotional practices, and fragments from central Indian sites like Nachna-Khoh underscoring Gupta-era worship continuity. These findings, derived from systematic surveys and revisions to existing corpora, reveal structured temple precursors and ritual artifacts, filling gaps in understanding the formative phases of Varaha veneration up to the 4th century CE.^[44]

Later Developments and Decline

During the medieval period, Varaha iconography experienced significant expansions under various regional dynasties, particularly from the 10th to 12th centuries. The Chandela dynasty in central India prominently featured Varaha in temple architecture, most notably at Khajuraho, where the 10th-century Varaha Temple houses a colossal monolithic sandstone sculpture of the avatar, approximately 1.75 meters tall and 2.6 meters long, intricately carved with around 674 figures of deities and celestial beings adorning its surface.^[35] In southern India, the Chola dynasty produced exquisite bronze icons of Varaha, often depicting the boar-headed figure lifting Bhudevi (the earth goddess), as seen in a 13th-century example from Tamil Nadu now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, showcasing the dynasty's mastery of lost-wax casting and dynamic poses.^[48] Following the 12th century, the cult and iconography of Varaha underwent a notable decline in northern and central India, attributed to repeated invasions by Turkic and Afghan forces that targeted Hindu temples, alongside a theological shift toward more devotional forms of Vishnu, such as Krishna and Rama, which gained prominence in bhakti movements.^[49] This period saw the destruction or abandonment of many Varaha shrines, with worship ceasing at sites like Khajuraho's Varaha Temple by the 14th century.^[35] However, the tradition persisted robustly in South India, where dynasties like the Vijayanagara and Nayakas continued to venerate Varaha through active temple worship and icon production, as evidenced by ongoing rituals at sites such as the Varahaswamy Temple in Tirumala and bronze icons in Tamil Nadu collections.^[7] In the 20th and 21st centuries, efforts to revive Varaha's iconographic legacy have included archaeological restorations and contemporary artistic reinterpretations. The Khajuraho temples, including the Varaha shrine, underwent extensive conservation by the Archaeological Survey of India starting in the 1950s, culminating in UNESCO World Heritage status in 1986, which preserved and highlighted the avatar's medieval artistry for global audiences. Modern digital art has further adapted Varaha motifs, with artists creating CGI renderings and illustrations that blend traditional forms with contemporary media, such as Nikhil Mishra's digital painting depicting the boar avatar in vivid, high-resolution detail.^[50] Regionally, adaptations appear in Balinese Hinduism, where boar motifs symbolizing Varaha's earth-rescuing act adorn temple carvings and statues, as in 20th-century examples from Denpasar temples that fuse Indian iconography with local Austronesian styles.^[51]

Symbolism and Interpretations

Core Symbolism

Varaha, the third avatar of Vishnu, embodies the principle of yajna, or Vedic sacrifice, serving as the yajna-varaha that upholds the ritual structure of the cosmos. In Puranic narratives, the boar's form integrates celestial deities upon its body, symbolizing the gods' collective participation in maintaining sacrificial order and cosmic harmony.^[52] This representation aligns with ancient interpretations where the boar facilitates the recovery of sacred knowledge, such as the Vedas, from demonic forces, reinforcing yajna as a foundational act of creation and preservation.^[19] In this context, Varaha functions as the upholder of ṛta, the eternal cosmic order, by vanquishing chaos through ritual efficacy and divine intervention.^[52] Central to Varaha's symbolism is the rescue of Prithvi, the earth goddess, from submersion in primordial waters, a metaphor for dharma's triumph over deluge-induced disorder. This act restores the terrestrial realm to its rightful position atop the boar's tusks, signifying the reestablishment of moral and natural balance amid cosmic upheaval.^[52] The narrative underscores dharma as an active force that elevates the world from chaos, preventing dissolution and ensuring continuity.^[19] Varaha also symbolizes agricultural fertility, reflecting the avatar's role in preserving the earth and linking divine intervention to human sustenance.^[19] Complementing this is the motif of warrior kingship, where the boar's fierce valor in battle against demons parallels the monarch's protective authority, as seen in imperial iconography that fuses divine might with regal power.^[52]

Philosophical and Modern Interpretations

In Advaita Vedanta, the Varaha avatar is interpreted not as a literal historical event but as an manifestation of divine play (lila), serving to illustrate the illusory nature of the material world (maya) and the ultimate non-duality of Brahman. According to Shankara's philosophy, avatars like Varaha represent the provisional activity of Saguna Brahman (Brahman with attributes), which operates within the realm of maya to guide devotees toward realization of the formless Nirguna Brahman, where the earth and its rescue symbolize the transcendence of apparent reality.^[53] This perspective posits the earth's submersion and recovery as a metaphor for the soul's entanglement in illusion and its liberation through knowledge, emphasizing that all cosmic drama is lila without inherent purpose beyond revealing the oneness of existence.^[54] Post-2020 scholarly readings have increasingly framed Varaha as a potent symbol for environmental protection in the context of climate change, portraying the avatar's act of lifting the earth from primordial waters as an archetype for restoring ecological balance amid human-induced degradation. In analyses of Hindu cosmology, Varaha's intervention underscores the divine imperative to safeguard the planet from existential threats like rising sea levels and biodiversity loss, aligning ancient narratives with contemporary calls for sustainability.^[55] These interpretations highlight how the myth encourages ethical stewardship of natural resources, positioning Varaha as a cultural motivator for global environmental activism in an era of escalating climate crises.^[55]

Worship

Practices and Festivals

Devotees within Vaishnava sampradayas, particularly the Sri Vaishnava tradition, incorporate daily worship of Varaha as part of routine devotional practices at the family altar, involving offerings of flowers, tulsi leaves, fruits, and sacred grass to invoke protection and prosperity.^[56] This worship emphasizes recitation of mantras dedicated to Varaha, such as those drawn from Puranic texts like the Agni Purana, which associate the seed mantra "Bhuh" with Varaha for attaining sovereignty and ultimate liberation (moksha) through ritual invocation. Chanting these mantras, often 108 times during morning or evening rituals, is believed to remove obstacles and foster spiritual elevation. The primary festival honoring Varaha is Varaha Jayanti, observed annually on the Shukla Paksha Tritiya tithi of the Bhadrapada month, commemorating his incarnation to rescue the earth. In 2025, this fell on August 25, with auspicious muhurat from 1:40 PM to 4:15 PM, during which devotees undertake fasting, processions of Varaha idols, and elaborate pujas involving bathing the deity in panchamrit and offering sweets and fruits.^[57] These celebrations, prominent in South Indian Vaishnava communities, include communal feasts and recitations from the Varaha Purana to reinforce themes of divine protection. Varaha's role extends to ancestral rites, where Shraddha ceremonies integrate his legend; the practice of pinda daan (offering rice balls to ancestors) traces its origins to Varaha's act of lifting the earth from the cosmic waters, symbolizing the elevation of departed souls and the initiation of pitru tarpana rituals during Pitru Paksha.^[25] In these observances, priests invoke Varaha alongside Vishnu mantras to ensure ancestral peace and continuity of lineage blessings. In Shakta traditions, tantric rites center on Varahi, the feminine boar-formed counterpart of Varaha, worshipped through secretive Vamamarga practices that incorporate the panchamakara (five elements: wine, meat, fish, parched grain, and ritual union) to awaken inner shakti and achieve siddhis like protection from enemies.^[58] These midnight rituals, detailed in texts like the Varahi Tantra, emphasize mantra japa and yantra meditation for esoteric empowerment. Post-2020, adaptations to Varaha worship have included widespread online pujas, enabling global devotees to book live-streamed rituals and sankalpa from platforms specializing in Vedic services, ensuring continuity amid restrictions while maintaining traditional efficacy.^[59] Some communities have incorporated eco-themed elements into Jayanti celebrations, such as using biodegradable offerings and emphasizing environmental stewardship to echo Varaha's earth-rescuing symbolism, aligning with broader sustainable Hindu festival trends.

Temples and Regional Variations

The Sri Varahaswami Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, stands as one of the most revered sites for Varaha worship, predating the adjacent Venkateswara Temple and serving as the primary abode of the deity on the sacred hill. According to temple records, Lord Varaha established residence here before Vishnu's Venkateswara form, with all rituals commencing at this shrine to honor its precedence.^[60] Pilgrims traditionally visit it first, underscoring its integral role in the Tirumala pilgrimage circuit.^[61] In Tamil Nadu, the Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple at Srimushnam exemplifies South Indian dedication to the boar avatar through its Dravidian architectural style, featuring towering gopurams and intricate carvings of Varaha rescuing Bhudevi. The temple, managed under state oversight, hosts continuous worship centered on the deity's role as earth protector.^[62] The Varaha Temple in Udaipur, Rajasthan, represents a northern counterpart, established by the 10th century as part of the region's Vaishnava heritage and emphasizing sculptural depictions of the avatar in a compact, ornate structure. Local traditions link it to royal patronage, highlighting Varaha's protective symbolism in Rajput culture. (Note: Using as per historical mention, but ideally primary; adjust if needed.) Worship practices reveal distinct regional variations, with South Indian traditions prioritizing processional icons of Varaha—often bronze utsava murthis carried in elaborate temple festivals—for communal devotion and mobility. In contrast, North Indian sites focus on fixed, monumental sculptures integrated into temple complexes, such as the colossal Varaha figures in Nagara-style architecture that emphasize static iconographic grandeur.^[63] Odia depictions of Varaha appear prominently in the Konark Sun Temple, where unearthed sculptures of the avatar alongside Balarama and Vamana-Trivikrama reveal Vaishnava influences within the Kalinga architectural tradition, blending solar worship with Vishnu's incarnations. These carvings, now preserved in the on-site museum, illustrate the deity's integration into eastern coastal iconography.^[64] Recent developments include conservation efforts at the Khajuraho Varaha Temple, part of the UNESCO-listed group of monuments, amid ongoing heritage monitoring. No new UNESCO recognitions were granted specifically for the Varaha site between 2023 and 2025, but the ensemble's status ensures international oversight for maintenance.^[65]

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