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{{short description|Boar avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox deity<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Hindu mythology-->
| type = Hindu
| member_of = [[Dashavatara]]
| image = Varaha avtar, killing a demon to protect Bhu, c1740.jpg
| caption = Varaha killing Hiranyaksha and saving Bhumi, 1740 CE, [[Pahari painting|Chamba painting]]
| name = Varaha
| Devanagari = वराह
| affiliation = [[Avatar]]a of [[Vishnu]]
| weapon = [[Sudarshana Chakra]], [[Kaumodaki]] ([[Gada (weapon)|Gada]])
| abode = [[Vaikuntha]]
| mantra = Om Bhuvarāhāya Vidmahe<br>Hiranyakarabhāya Dhimahi<br>Tanno Krodha Prachodayāt
| consort = [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhumi]]
| god_of = Embodiment of [[Yajna|Sacrifice]]
| children = [[Narakasura]], [[Mangala]]
| symbols = [[Padma]]
| festivals = Varaha Jayanti
}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = [[Dashavatara]] Sequence
| predecessor  = [[Kurma]]
| successor    = [[Narasimha]]
}}
{{Vaishnavism}}

'''Varaha''' ({{langx|sa|वराह}}, {{IAST|Varāha}}, "boar") is the [[avatar]] of the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] god [[Vishnu]], in the form of a [[wild boar|boar]]. Varaha is generally listed as third in the [[Dashavatara]], the ten principal avatars of Vishnu.

In legend, when the demon [[Hiranyaksha]] steals the earth goddess [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhumi]] and hid her in the primordial waters, Vishnu appears as Varaha to rescue her. Varaha kills Hiranyaksha and retrieves the earth from the [[cosmic ocean]], lifting her on his tusks, and restores her to her place in the universe.

Varaha is depicted as a boar or in an anthropomorphic form, with a boar's head and the human body. Varaha is often depicted lifting his consort Bhumi, the earth.

== Etymology and other names==
The deity Varaha derives its name from the [[Sanskrit]] word ''varaha'' ([[Devanagari]]: वराह, {{IAST|varāha}}) meaning "boar" or "wild boar".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?mode=3&script=hk&tran_input=varaha&direct=au&anz=100|title=Sanskrit Dictionary for Spoken Sanskrit|website=spokensanskrit.org|access-date=2019-11-25|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123080206/https://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?mode=3&script=hk&tran_input=varaha&direct=au&anz=100|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The word ''varāha'' is from [[Proto-Indo-Iranian language|Proto-Indo-Iranian]] term ''warāȷ́ʰá'', meaning boar. It is thus related to [[Avestan]] ''varāza'', [[Kurdish language|Kurdish]] ''beraz'', Middle Persian ''warāz'', and New [[Persian language|Persian]] ''gorāz'' (گراز), all meaning "wild boar".<ref name=lubotsky556>Alexander Lubotsky, The Indo-Aryan inherited lexicon, pp. 556–557</ref>

The Sanskrit grammarian and etymologist [[Yāska|Yaska]] (circa 300 BCE) states that the word ''varaha'' originates from the root √hr.<ref name="yaska">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/nighantuniruktao00yaskuoft|title=The Nighantu and the Nirukta|last1=Yaska|last2=Sarup|first2=Lakshman|date=1967|publisher=Delhi Motilal Banarsidass|others=Robarts - University of Toronto|pages=[https://archive.org/details/nighantuniruktao00yaskuoft/page/74 74]-75}}</ref> The Monier-Williams dictionary states that the root √hr means "'to offer', 'to outdo, eclipse, surpass', 'to enrapture, charm, fascinate', and 'to take away or remove evil or sin'" and also "to take away, carry off, seize, deprive of, steal, rob".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://faculty.washington.edu/prem/mw/h.html|title=Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary: '√hr'|website=faculty.washington.edu|access-date=2020-02-16|archive-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820111001/https://faculty.washington.edu/prem/mw/h.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

As per Yaska, the boar is an animal that "tears up the roots, or it tears up all the good roots" is thus called ''varaha''.<ref name="yaska"/> The word ''varaha'' is found in the ''Rigveda'', for example, in its verses such as 1.88.5, 8.77.10 and 10.28.4 where it means "wild boar".<ref name=lubotsky556/><ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/s/13cs ऋग्वेदः – मण्डल १, सूक्तं १.८८], Wikisource;<br />[https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Rig_Veda/Mandala_1/Hymn_88 Mandala 1, Hymn 88], Ralph T.H. Griffith (translator), Wikisource</ref>

The word also means "rain cloud" and is symbolic in some Rigvedic hymns, such as Vedic deity [[Vritra]] being called a ''varaha'' in Rigvedic verses 1.61.7 and 10.99.6, and [[Chandra|Soma]]'s epithet being a ''varaha'' in 10.97.7.<ref>{{cite book|author=Friedrich Max Müller|title=Rig-Veda-sanhita: The Sacred Hymns of the Brahmans|year=1869|url=https://archive.org/details/rigvedasanhitas00mlgoog |publisher=Trübner|pages=[https://archive.org/details/rigvedasanhitas00mlgoog/page/n319 160]–}}</ref><ref name=narayan1987p187>{{cite book|author=Aiyangar Narayan|title=Essays On Indo-Aryan Mythology |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Oym17qIeB-0C&pg=PA187 |publisher=Asian Educational Services| year=1987| isbn=978-81-206-0140-6|pages=187–194}}</ref> Later the rain-relationship led the connotation of the term evolve into ''vara-aharta'', which means "bringer of good things" (rain), which also mentioned by Yaska.<ref name="yaska"/><ref name=narayan1987p187/>

Yaska mentions a third meaning of the word ''varaha''. The Vedic group of Angirases are called ''varaha''s or collectively a ''varahavah''.<ref name="yaska"/>

The god Varaha is also called referred by the epithet ''sukara'' ([[Sanskrit]] सूकर, {{IAST|sūkara}}), meaning 'wild boar', which also used in the ''Rigveda'' (e.g. 7.55.4) and the ''[[Atharvaveda]]'' (e.g. 2.27.2).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.283974|title=Vedic Index Of Names And Subjects Vol.ii|last=Arthur Anthony Macdonell|date=1912|pages=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.283974/page/n464 461]}}</ref> The word literally means "the animal that makes a peculiar nasal sound in respiration"; in the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'', Varaha is referred to Sukara, when he is born from the god [[Brahma]]'s nostrils.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.217324|title=Essays On Indo Aryan Mythology|last=Narayan Aiyangar|date=1901|pages=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.217324/page/n209 209]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vedabase.io/en/search/synonyms/?original=s%C5%ABkara|title=Bhagavata Purana Word for Word Index: 'sūkara'|website=vedabase.io|language=en|access-date=2019-12-01}}</ref>

== Legends and scriptural references ==

=== Vedic origins ===
[[File:WLA lacma Varaha the Boar Avatar of Vishnu Mathura.jpg|thumb|left|A 3rd century CE sandstone statue of Varaha holding his consort Bhumi, [[Art of Mathura]], housed in [[Los Angeles County Museum of Art|LACMA]].]]

The origin of Varaha is found in the [[Vedas]], the oldest Hindu scriptures.<ref name="macdonell" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.283974|title=Vedic Index Of Names And Subjects Vol.ii|last=Arthur Anthony Macdonell|date=1912|pages=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.283974/page/n248 245]}}</ref><ref name="keith" /><ref name=":10" />{{sfn | Roy | 2002 |p=91}} Varaha is originally described as a form of [[Prajapati]] (who is equated to the god [[Brahma]]), but on evolved into the avatar of Vishnu in later Hindu scriptures.<ref name="Dalal2011"/> Two other avatars of Vishnu - [[Matsya]] (the fish) and [[Kurma]] (the tortoise) were also equated with Prajapati, before being shown as forms of Vishnu in later traditions.<ref name="keith"/>

[[Arthur Anthony Macdonell]] traces the origins of the Varaha legend to two verses (1.61.7 and 8.66.10) of the [[Rigveda]], the oldest Veda. Vishnu, aided by the god [[Indra]], steals hundred buffaloes from a boar (identified [[Vritra]] by Macdonell based on verse 1.121.11); and then Indra - shooting across a mountain slays the ''emusha'' ("fierce") beast.<ref name="macdonell">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/vedicmythology00macd_0|title=... Vedic mythology|last=Macdonell|first=Arthur Anthony|date=1897|publisher=Strassburg : Karl J. Trübner|others=Princeton Theological Seminary Library|pages=[https://archive.org/details/vedicmythology00macd_0/page/41 41]}}</ref><ref>1.61.7: {{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv01061.htm|title=Rig Veda: Rig-Veda Book 1: HYMN LXI. Indra.|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-11-25}}</ref><ref>8.66.10:{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv08066.htm|title=Rig Veda: Rig-Veda, Book 8: HYMN LXVI. Indra.|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-11-25}}</ref><ref>1.121.11: {{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv01121.htm|title=Rig Veda: Rig-Veda Book 1: HYMN CXXI. Indra.|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-11-26}}</ref> [[Arthur Berriedale Keith]] also agrees with Macdonell; interpreting the mountain as a cloud and the slaying a retelling of the killing of the ''[[asura]]'' Vritra by Indra.<ref name="keith"/> The 14th century Vedic commentator [[Sayana]] states the ''[[Taittiriya Shakha|Taittiriya Samhita]]'' (6.2.4) elaborates the Rigveda version.{{sfn|Aiyangar|1901|p=183}} However, the Rigveda does not hint at the classical legend of the rescue of the earth by the boar.{{sfn|Roy|2002|p=92}} In the scripture, the god [[Rudra]] is called the "boar of the sky". Even Vishnu has killed a boar. The hunting and butchering of a boar using dogs is also referred to.<ref name=":11" />{{sfn|Roy|2002|p=92}}

The ''Taittiriya Samhita'' (6.2.4) mentions that the boar, "the plunderer of wealth", hides the riches of the asuras, beyond the seven hills. Indra kills the boar by striking it a blade of [[Desmostachya bipinnata|sacred ''kusha'' grass]], piercing the mounts. Vishnu, "the sacrifice" (''[[yajna]]''), brings the killed boar as a sacrificial offering to the gods, thereby the gods acquiring the treasure of the asuras.<ref name="macdonell"/><ref name="keith"/><ref name=":17">6.2.4:{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/yv/yv06.htm|title=Yajur Veda Kanda VI|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-11-26}}</ref> Vishnu is both the sacrifice as well as the "bringer of sacrifice"; the boar being the sacrifice.{{sfn | Aiyangar | 1901|p=185}} The tale is also recalled in ''Charaka [[Brahmana]]'' and ''Kathaka Brahmana''; the latter calls the boar Emusha.{{sfn | Aiyangar | 1901|p=186}}<ref name="macdonell" />

According to J. L. Brockington, there are two distinct boar mythologies in Vedic literature. In one, he is depicted as a form of Prajapati, in other an asura named Emusha is a boar that fights Indra and Vishnu. The section 14.1.2 of the ''Shatapatha Brahmana'' harmonizes the two myths and Emusha is conflated into Prajapati.{{sfn|Brockington|1998|p=280}}

The earliest versions of the classical Varaha legend are found in the ''Taittiriya Samhita'' and the ''[[Shatapatha Brahmana]]''; scholars differ on which one is the core version.{{sfn|Nanditha Krishna|2010|pp=54–55}}{{sfn|Roy|2002|p=92}}<ref name=":10">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rfgkCrumMfYC&q=rig+veda+emusa&pg=PA187|title=Legend of Ram: Antiquity to Janmabhumi Debate|last=Ghose|first=Sanujit|date=2004|publisher=Bibliophile South Asia|isbn=978-81-85002-33-0|pages=187–188|language=en}}</ref> The ''Shatapatha Brahmana'' narrates that the universe was primordial waters. The earth which was the size of a hand, was trapped in it. Prajapati in the form of a boar (''varaha'') plunges into the waters and brings the earth out. He also marries the earth thereafter. The ''Shatapatha Brahmana'' calls the boar as Emusha, which Keith relates to the boar's epithet ''emusha'' in the Rigveda.{{sfn|Nanditha Krishna|2010|pp=54–55}}<ref name="keith">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/TheReligionAndPhilosophyOfTheVedaAndUpanishads01|title=The Religion And Philosophy Of The Veda And Upanishads 01|last=Keith|first=Arthur Berriedale|pages=[https://archive.org/details/TheReligionAndPhilosophyOfTheVedaAndUpanishads01/page/n131 111]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbr/sbe44/sbe44118.htm|title=Satapatha Brahmana Part V (SBE44): Fourteenth Kânda: XIV, 1, 2. Second Brâhmana (see also note 451:1)|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref> In the ''Taittiriya Samhita'' (7.1.5), Prajapati - who was roaming as the wind - acquires the form of a "[[Cosmogony|cosmogonic]]" boar lifting the earth goddess from the primeval waters. As [[Vishvakarma]] (the creator of the world), he flattened her, thus she - the earth - was called [[Prithvi]], "the extended one". They produce various deities.<ref name="macdonell"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/yv/yv07.htm|title=Yajur Veda Kanda VII|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-11-26}}</ref><ref name="Daniélou"/>

The ''[[Aranyaka|Taittiriya Aranyaka]]'' (10.1.8) states the earth is lifted by a "black boar with hundred arms".<ref name="Daniélou">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/mythsgodsofindia00dani|url-access=registration|title=The Myths and Gods of India: The Classic Work on Hindu Polytheism from the Princeton Bollingen Series|last=Daniélou|first=Alain|date=1991|publisher=Inner Traditions / Bear & Co|isbn=978-0-89281-354-4|pages=[https://archive.org/details/mythsgodsofindia00dani/page/n201 168]|language=en}}</ref> The ''[[Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa|Taittiriya Brahmana]]'' (1.1.3.6) expands the ''Taittiriya Samhita'' narrative.<ref name="macdonell" /> The "Lord of creation" was pondering on how the universe should be. He saw a lotus leaf and took the form of a boar to explore under it. He found mud and outstretched it on the leaf, rising above the waters. It was called the earth - [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhumi]], literally "that which became (spread)".<ref name="Daniélou"/><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_8sBtAEACAAJ|title=Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa: Text in Devanāgari and Translation|date=2017|publisher=Sri Aurobindo Kapāli Sāstry Institute of Vedic Culture|isbn=978-81-7994-166-9|page = 107 (Volume 1)|language=en}}</ref>

===Creation legend===
[[File:Varaha, the Boar Avatar of Vishnu LACMA M.87.160.2 (1 of 2).jpg|thumb|Varaha with his consort Bhumi, a copper statue from [[Tamil Nadu]], 1600 CE.]]

The ''Ayodhya Kanda'' book of the ''[[Ramayana]]'' refers to Varaha retaining his connection to Prajapati as Brahma. In a cosmogonic myth, Brahma appears in the primal universe full of water and takes the form of a boar to lift the earth from the waters; creation begins with Brahma and his progeny.<ref>Ayodhya Kanda - CX (110):{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/ramayanaofvalmee035120mbp|title=Ramayana Of Valmeeki|last=Sreenivasa Ayyangar|publisher=A L V Press And Guardian Press Madras|others=BRAOU, Digital Library Of India|pages=[https://archive.org/details/ramayanaofvalmee035120mbp/page/n843 452]}}</ref><ref name=":4">Yuddha Kanda - CX (110):{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/Ramayana_201309|title=Ramayana|last=Manmathnath Dutt|date=1891|pages=[https://archive.org/details/Ramayana_201309/page/n486 481]}}</ref>{{sfn|Roy|2002|p=91}} The ''Yuddha Kanda'' book of the Ramayana praises [[Rama]] (identified with Vishnu) as "the single-tusked boar", an allusion linking Varaha with Vishnu.<ref name="Vālmīki Goldman Goldman 2009 p.">{{cite book | author=Vālmīki | last2=Goldman | first2=R.P. | last3=Goldman | first3=S.J.S. | title=The Ramayana of Valmiki | publisher=Princeton University Press | series=Princeton library of Asian translations | year=2009 | isbn=978-0-691-06663-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mCtAAQAAIAAJ | access-date=2020-05-15 | pages = 459, 1446}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/The.Ramayana.of.Valmiki.by.Hari.Prasad.Shastri|title=The Ramayana of Valmiki, translated by Hari Prasad Shastri - 3 Volumes Combined - 1709 Pages, with complete Outline|last=Hari Prasad Shastri|pages=[https://archive.org/details/The.Ramayana.of.Valmiki.by.Hari.Prasad.Shastri/page/n351 339]|language=en}}</ref>{{sfn|Brockington|1998|pp=461, 471}} In the ''[[Mahabharata]]'', [[Narayana]] ("one who lies in the waters", an appellation of Brahma which was later transferred to Vishnu) is praised as the one who rescues the earth as a boar.{{sfn|Brockington|1998|pp=280-1}}<ref>Narayana praised as Varaha: 
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03102.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CII|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-11-21}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03188.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Markandeya-Samasya Parva: Section CLXXXVIII|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-11-27}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01022.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Astika Parva: Section XXI|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-11-27}}
</ref>

The Puranas complete the full transition of Varaha from Prajapati-Brahma to the avatar of Narayana-Vishnu. The ''[[Brahmanda Purana]]'', the ''[[Vayu Purana]]'', the ''[[Vishnu Purana]]'', the ''[[Linga Purana]]'', the ''[[Markendeya Purana]]'', the ''[[Kurma Purana]]'', the ''[[Garuda Purana]]'', the ''[[Padma Purana]]'' and the ''[[Shiva Purana]]'' have similar narratives of the cosmogonic myth, wherein Brahma, identified with Vishnu, takes the Varaha form to raise the earth from the primeval waters.{{sfn|Rao|1914|p=129}}{{sfn|Shastri|1990|pp=15-16, 316-7}}{{sfn|Dutt|1896|pp=205-6}}{{sfn|Tagare|2002|p=37}}{{sfn|Tagare|1960|p=43}}{{sfn|Garuda Purana|2002|p=16}}{{sfn|Gupta|1972|pp=xvi, 34-36}}{{sfn|Shastri|2002a|pp=1810-2}}{{sfn|Deshpande|1988|pp=19-21}}

The ''Brahmanda Purana'', one of the oldest [[Puranas]], narrates that in the present ''[[kalpa (aeon)|kalpa]]'' ("aeon") called ''Varaha kalpa'', Brahma wakes from his slumber. Brahma is called Narayana ("he who lies in the waters").{{sfn|Tagare|2002|p=37}} The ''Vayu Purana'' says that Brahma roams as the wind in the waters, alluding to the Vedic ''Taittiriya Brahmana'' version.{{sfn|Tagare|1960|p=43}} The detailed ''Brahmanda Purana'' version says that Brahma is "invisible" and a shorter summary says that he becomes the wind.{{sfn|Tagare|2002|p=37, 65-6}} In the ''Brahmanda Purana'', realizing that the earth was in the waters, Brahma takes the form of Varaha, as the boar likes to sport in the water.{{sfn|Tagare|2002|pp=36-38}} Similar reasons for taking the boar form particularly are also given in the ''Linga Purana'',{{sfn|Shastri|1990|pp=316-7}} the ''[[Matsya Purana]]''{{sfn|Talukdar of Oudh|1916|p=282|loc=Part II}} and the ''Vayu Purana''.{{sfn|Wilson|1862|p=59}}{{sfn|Tagare|1960|p=44}} The ''Vishnu Purana'' and the ''Markendeya Purana'' add that Brahma-Narayana takes the Varaha form, like the fish (Matsya) and tortoise (Kurma) in previous ''kalpa''s.{{sfn|Wilson|1862|pp=55-67}}{{sfn|Roy|2002|pp=92-3}}{{sfn|Dutt|1896|p=204}}

The ''[[Brahma Purana]]'', ''Venkatacala Mahatmya'' (in the ''[[Skanda Purana]]''), and ''[[Vishnu Smriti]]'' narrate the tale with slight variation, but without Brahma; Vishnu alone becomes Varaha to lift the sunken earth from the waters.{{sfn|Brahma Purana|1955|pp=524-5}}<ref name="vishnusmriti"/>{{sfn|Skanda_Purana|1951|p=204}} In late addition in the ''Mahabharata'', the single-tusked (''Eka-shringa'') Varaha (identified with Vishnu) lifts the earth, which sinks under the burden of overpopulation when Vishnu assumes the duties of [[Yama (Hinduism)|Yama]] (the god of Death) and death seizes on earth.{{sfn|Brockington|1998|p=281}}<ref name="CXLI"/> In the ''[[Matsya Purana]]'' and the ''[[Harivaṃśa|Harivamsa]]'', at the beginning of a ''kalpa'', Vishnu creates the [[loka|worlds]] from the cosmic [[Hiranyagarbha|golden egg]]. The earth, unable to bear the weight of the new mountains and losing her energy, sinks in the waters to the subterranean realm of [[Patala|Rasatala]] - the abode of the demons.{{sfn|Talukdar of Oudh|1916|pp=278-283|loc=Part II}} Varaha (identified with Vishnu, the Lord of sacrifice) emerges as a tiny beast (a size of a thumb) from the nostrils of Brahma, grows to elephant-sized and then to mountain-sized and raises the earth to the intrastellar space where Brahma places the created beings.<ref name="Dalal2011"/>{{sfn|Shastri|Tagare|1999|pp=292-3}}

[[File:Eran Boar.jpg|thumb|Colossal theriomorphic Varaha at [[Eran]].[[Eran boar inscription of Toramana|Dedicated]] by the [[Alchon Huns|Huna]] king [[Toramana]], circa 510 CE.]]
The scriptures emphasize Varaha's gigantic size. The ''Brahmanda Purana'', ''Vayu Purana'', ''Matsya Purana'', ''Harivamsa'', and ''Linga Purana'' describes Varaha as 10 ''[[yojana]]''s wide and a 1000 ''yojana''s high. He is large as a mountain and blazing like the sun. Dark like a rain cloud in complexion, his tusks are white, sharp and fearsome. His body is the size of the space between the earth and the sky. His thunderous roar is frightening. In one instance, his mane is so fiery and fearsome that [[Varuna]], the god of the waters, requests Varaha to save him from it. Varaha complies and folds his mane.{{sfn|Tagare|2002|p=38}}<ref name="Dalal2011"/><ref name="Mani">{{cite book | last = Mani | first = Vettam | title = Puranic Encyclopaedia: a Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature | url = https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft | publisher = Motilal Banarsidass Publishers | year = 1975 <!-- | location = Delhi --> | isbn = 978-0-8426-0822-0 | author-link = Vettam Mani|pages=[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/826 826–827] }}</ref><ref name="Krishna">[[#Krishna|Krishna]] 2009, pp. 45-6</ref>{{sfn|Wilson|1862|pp=61-2}}{{sfn|Shastri|1990|p=61}}{{sfn|Talukdar of Oudh|1916|pp=282-3|loc=Part II}}{{sfn|Tagare|1960|p=44}}{{sfn|Dutt|1897|p=900}}

Early texts like the ''Brahmanda Purana'' and the ''Vayu Purana'' build up on the ''Taittiriya Brahmana'' Vedic cosmogonic concept of ''Yajna-varaha'' (Varaha as sacrifice).{{sfn|Narada_Purana|1995|pp=207-8}}{{sfn|Tagare|1960|pp=44-5}}{{sfn|Shastri|Tagare|1999|pp=294-5}} The ''Brahmanda Purana'' describes the boar form as composed of Vedic sacrifices and his body parts are compared with various implements or participants of a ''yajna'' (sacrifice). This description of ''Yajna-varaha'' was adopted in other Puranas (''Brahma Purana'',{{sfn|Brahma Purana|1955|pp=523-5}} ''Bhagavata Purana'',{{sfn|Tagare|1960|pp=44-5}} ''Matsya Purana'',{{sfn|Talukdar of Oudh|1916|p=282|loc=Part II}} ''[[Padma Purana]]'',{{sfn|Deshpande|1988|pp=20, 189-91}} ''Venkatacala Mahatmya'' of the ''Skanda Purana'',{{sfn|Skanda_Purana|1951|pp=204-5}} ''[[Vishnudharmottara Purana]]''), ''Harivamsa'',{{sfn|Dutt|1897|pp=170-1, 900-1}} [[Smriti]] texts (including ''Vishnu Smriti'',<ref name="vishnusmriti">{{cite book| title= The Institutes of Vishnu | publisher = Oxford, the Clarendon Press| url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbe07/sbe07003.htm | year = 1880| series = Sacred Books of the East|volume=7|pages=2–4|author-link=Julius Jolly (Indologist)|last = Jolly|first = Julius}}</ref>), [[Hindu tantric literature|Tantras]] and [[Adi Shankara]]'s commentary on the ''Vishnu Sahasranama'' explaining the epithet ''Yajnanga'' ("whose body is ''yajna''").{{sfn|Tagare|2002|p=38}}{{sfn|Narada_Purana|1995|pp=85-6}}{{sfn|Shastri|Tagare|1999|pp=44-5}} The ''Vishnu Purana'', the ''Bhagavata Purana'' and the ''Padma Purana'' embeds the sacrificial description within a paean to Varaha by the sages of [[Urdhva lokas|Janaloka]] after Varah saves the earth.{{sfn|Wilson|1862|pp=62-5}}{{sfn|Shastri|Tagare|1999|pp=44-6}}{{sfn|Deshpande|1988|p=20}} Roshen Dalal describes the symbolism of his iconography  based on the ''Vishnu Purana'' as follows:<ref name="Dalal2011"/>
<blockquote>His four feet represent the [[Vedas]] (scriptures). His tusks represent sacrificial stakes. His teeth are offerings. His mouth is the altar, the tongue is the sacrificial fire. The hair on his head denotes the sacrificial grass. The eyes represent the day and night. The head represents the seat of all. The mane represents the hymns of the Vedas. His nostrils are the oblation. His joints represent the various ceremonies. The ears are said to indicate rites (voluntary and obligatory).</blockquote>

Some texts like the ''Vishnu Purana'',{{sfn|Wilson|1862|pp=55-67}} the ''Matsya Purana'',{{sfn|Talukdar of Oudh|1916|pp=280-2|loc=Part II}} the ''Harivamsa''{{sfn|Dutt|1897|pp=899-900}} and the ''Padma Purana''{{sfn|Deshpande|1988|pp=19-20}} contain a panegyric - dedicated to Varaha - and the earth's plea for rescue, clearly identifying Varaha with Vishnu. In ''Brahmanda Purana'' and other texts, Varaha carries the earth on his tusks and restores her on the waters, flattening and dividing the earth into seven portions by creating mountains.{{sfn|Wilson|1862|pp=55-67}}{{sfn|Roy|2002|pp=92-3}}{{sfn|Shastri|1990|pp=316-7}}{{sfn|Tagare|2002|pp=40-41}}{{sfn|Tagare|1960|p=46}} Further, Brahma, identified with Vishnu, creates natural features like mountains, rivers, oceans, various worlds as well as various beings.{{sfn|Wilson|1862|p=68}}{{sfn|Shastri|1990|pp=148-9}}{{sfn|Tagare|2002|pp=40-41}}{{sfn|Tagare|1960|pp=44-5}}{{sfn|Deshpande|1988|p=21}} The ''Venkatacala Mahatmya'' and the first account in the ''Bhagavata Purana'' mentions only the rescue of the earth by Varaha, omitting the creation activities attributed to him in other texts. The ''Venkatacala Mahatmya'' states that Varaha placed beneath the earth the [[World Elephant|world elephants]], serpent [[Shesha]], and the [[World Turtle|world turtle]] as support. The ''Bhagavata Purana'' alludes to the slaying of a demon - identified with Hiranyaksha in other narratives in the Purana.{{sfn|Shastri|Tagare|1999|p=294}}{{sfn|Skanda_Purana|1951|pp=205-6}}

The ''Linga Purana'' and the ''Markendeya Purana'' also identify Varaha as the rescuer of the earth, with Vishnu, barring the cosmogonic myth.{{sfn|Dutt|1896|pp=20-1}}

===Slayer of demons===
[[File:Emerald Buddha Temple - Varaha.jpg|thumb|300px|Scene from the Thai version of the ''[[Ramayana]]'' - the ''[[Ramakien]]'' - Vishnu (Witsanu) transforms into a boar to kill the demon Hiranyaksha (Hiranta) who curls the earth up in an attempt to take over the world.]]

Early references in the ''Mahabharata'' to the demon [[Hiranyaksha]] do not relate him to Varaha. Vishnu is later said to be have taken the boar form to slay a demon Naraka.{{sfn|Brockington|1998|pp=280-1}}<ref name="CXLI">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03141.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CXLI|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-11-21}}</ref> Another late insertion describes Vishnu lifting the earth as well as defeating the [[Danava (Hinduism)|Danava]]s (demons).{{sfn|Brockington|1998|p=281}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03270.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Draupadi-harana Parva: Section CCLXX|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-11-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12b036.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 12: Santi Parva: Mokshadharma Parva: Section CCIX|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-11-27}}</ref> Late passages start the association of Hiranyaksha with Varaha. Vishnu is praised as Varaha, the vanquisher of Hiranyaksha in three instances.{{sfn|Brockington|1998|p=281}}<ref name="CCCXL" />

The ''[[Agni Purana]]'' mentions the obliteration of the demon Hiranyaksha as Varaha's main purpose.{{sfn|Narada_Purana|1995|pp=85-6}} The ''Linga Purana'' and the ''Kurma Purana'' narrate that the ''[[daitya]]'' (demon; lit. "son of [[Diti]]") Hiranyaksa defeats the gods and entraps the earth in the subterranean realm. Taking the Varaha form, Vishnu slays the demon by piercing him by his tusks. Later, he uplifts the earth from the netherworld and restores her to her original position.{{sfn|Gupta|1972|pp=113-4}}{{sfn|Shastri|1990|pp=504-5}}{{sfn|Rao|1914|p=137}} The ''Linga Purana'' continues further: Later, Vishnu discards his boar body and returns to his heavenly abode of Vaikuntha; the earth cannot bear the weight of his tusks. Shiva relieves the earth by using the same as an ornament.{{sfn|Shastri|1990|pp=504-5}}{{sfn|Rao|1914|p=137}}

The ''Brahmanda Purana'', the ''Vayu Purana'', the ''Matsya Purana''{{sfn|Talukdar of Oudh|1916|p=330|loc=Part I}} and the ''Padma Purana''{{sfn|Deshpande|1988|p=125}} mentions that Varaha's battle with the ''asura''s (demons) is one of twelve in this ''kalpa'' between the gods and the demons. The ''Brahmanda Purana'' states that Hiranyaksha is pierced by Varaha's tusk,{{sfn|Tagare|2002a|pp=908-9}} while ''Vayu Purana'' comments that Hiranyaksha is killed in this battle before Varaha rescued the earth.{{sfn|Tagare|1960a|p=765-6}} The ''Harivamsa'' narrates that the demons led by Hiranyaksha overpower and imprison the gods, Vishnu assumes the boar form and slays the demon-king with his [[Sudarshana Chakra|Sudarshana]] chakra (discus) after a fierce war.{{sfn|Dutt|1897|pp=910-5}}

The ''Shrishti Khanda'' book of the ''Padma Purana'' provides an elaborate description of the war between the gods and the demons led by Hiranyaksha. The demon army is routed by the gods, who in turn by overpowered by the demon-king. Vishnu combats with Hiranyaksha for a hundred divine years; finally the demon expands his size and seizing the earth escapes to the netherworld. Vishnu follows him, taking up the Varaha form and rescues the earth. After engaging in a fierce mace-battle, Varaha finally beheads the demon with his discus.{{sfn|Deshpande|1989|pp=848-53}}

In the ''Shiva Purana'', the annihilation of Hiranyaksha appears as a cursory tale in the story of subduing of his adopted son [[Andhaka]] by Shiva. The demon king Hiranyaksha confines the earth to Patala. Vishnu becomes Varaha (identified with Sacrifice) and slaughters the demon army by trashing them by his snout, piercing by tusks and kicking by his legs. Finally, Varaha decapitates the demon king with his discus and crowns Andhaka as his successor. He picks the earth on his tusks and places it in her original place.{{sfn|Shastri|2000|pp=978-84}}
[[File:Varaha and Hiranyaksha.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Varaha battles the demon Hiranyaksha, Scene from the <nowiki>''Bhagavata Purana''</nowiki> by [[Manaku of Guler]] (c. 1740)]]
A detailed second account in the ''Bhagavata Purana'' narrates that [[Jaya-Vijaya|Jaya and Vijaya]], the doorkeepers of Vishnu's abode [[Vaikuntha]], were cursed by the [[four Kumaras]] to be born as demons. In their first birth, they are born as the daityas [[Hiranyakashipu]] (who is slain by another of Vishnu's avatara of [[Narasimha]]) and Hiranyaksha as the twin sons of Diti and the sage [[Kashyapa]].{{sfn|Wilson|1862|p=62}}{{sfn|Shastri|Tagare|1999|p=316}} Blessed by Brahma, the king of daityas Hiranyaksha became powerful and conquered the universe. He challenges the sea god Varuna to combat, who redirects him the more powerful Vishnu. The demon confronts Vishnu as Varaha, who is rescuing the earth at the time. The demon mocks Varaha as the animal and warns him not to touch earth. Ignoring the demon's threats, Varaha lifts the earth on his tusks. Varaha engages in a mace-duel with the demon. Varaha destroys with the discus, the demon horde created by the demon's magic; finally slaying Hiranyaksha hitting him with his foreleg after the thousand-year battle.{{sfn|Wilson| 1862|p=62}}{{sfn|Shastri|Tagare|1999|pp=318-28}}

The ''Garuda Purana'', that refers to the ''Bhagavata Purana'', alludes to the curse in the Hiranyaksha tale. The cursed Vijaya is born as the demon Hiranyaksha, begins a boon from Brahma. He takes the earth to Patala. Vishnu, as Varaha, enters Patala via the ocean. He lifts the earth with the tusks and annihilates the demon; then places the four world elephants to support the earth and settles in [[Srimushnam]].{{sfn|Garuda Purana|2002b|pp=1096-7}} The ''Uttarakhanda'' book of the ''Padma Purana'' also narrates about the curse of the Kumaras. Jaya and Vijaya choose three births on the earth as foes of Vishnu, rather than seven existences as his devotees to lessen the period of the curse. Hiranyaksha carries the earth away to the underworld. Varaha pierces the demon fatally by his tusk and then places the earth over the hood of the serpent and becomes the world turtle to support it.{{sfn|Padma_Purana|1956|pp=3195-8}} The ''Avantikshetra Mahatmya'' section of the ''Avantya Khanda'' Book of the ''Skanda Purana'' also refers to the curse. The earth sinks in the waters tormented by the daityas; Varaha vanquishes Hiranyaksha.{{sfn|Skanda Purana|2003|pp=203-8}}

In a passing reference in the ''Brahmanda Purana'', the ''Vayu Purana'' and ''Matsya Purana'', Varaha is said to have slain Hiranyaksha on Mount Sumana (also called Ambikeya or Rishabha) on/ near the legendary island [[Jambudvipa]].{{sfn|Talukdar of Oudh|1916|p=330|loc=Part I}}{{sfn|Tagare|2002|p=175}}{{sfn|Tagare|1960|pp=315}} Besides to alluding to the raising of the earth from the waters by Varaha, the ''[[Brahmavaivarta Purana]]'' also mentions that Hiranyaksha was slain by Varaha.{{sfn|Nagar|2005|pp=35, 500}} The ''Garuda Purana'' and the ''[[Narada Purana]]'' also refers to Varaha as the slayer of Hiranyaksha.{{sfn|Garuda Purana|2002|pp=270, 411}}{{sfn|Narada_Purana|1995|p=195}}

[[File:Anonymous - Vishnu as Varaha, the Boar Avatar, Slays Banasur, A Demon General, Page from an Unknown Manuscript - 1974.221 - Metropolitan Museum of Art.jpg|thumb|Vishnu as Varaha slaying Banasur]]
The ''Brahma Purana'' narrates another tale where a ''[[rakshasa]]'' (demon) named Sindhusena defeated the gods and took the sacrifice to the netherworld Rasatala. Implored by the gods, Vishnu takes the form of Varaha and enters Rasatala. He slew the demons and recovered the sacrifice holding it in his mouth (''mukha''), thus sacrifice known as ''makha''. Near [[Brahmagiri (hill), Maharashtra|Brahmagiri]] hill in [[Trimbak]], Varaha washed his blood-stained hands in the river Ganga (identified with the [[Godavari]] alias Gautami river); the water collected forms the sacred pond called ''Varaha-[[Tirtha (Hinduism)|tirtha]]'' or ''Varaha-kunda''.{{sfn|Brahma Purana|1955|pp=799-801}}<ref name="Söhnen Söhnen-Thieme Schreiner 1989 p. 143">{{cite book | last1=Söhnen | first1=R. | last2=Söhnen-Thieme | first2=R. | last3=Schreiner | first3=P. | title=Brahmapurāṇa | publisher=O. Harrassowitz | series=Purāṇa research publications, Tübingen | year=1989 | isbn=978-3-447-02960-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J2c6-tAt4vwC&pg=PA143 | language=bs | access-date=2020-06-03 | page=143}}</ref>

===Saviour of the ancestors===
[[File:Brooklyn Museum - Varaha Rescuing the Earth page from an illustrated Dasavatara series.jpg|thumb|Varaha rescuing the earth, c. 1720-50]]

In an instance in the ''Mahabharata'' after raising the earth, Vishnu as Varaha, shakes his tusk and three balls of mud fall in the South, which he declares as the three ''[[Pinda (riceball)|pinda]]''s (riceballs) to be given to the [[Pitrs]] (ancestors). Varaha's association with the three ''pinda''s is reiterated in later texts like the epic's appendix ''Harivamsa'', the ''Vishnudharmottara Purana'' and the ''Brahma Purana''.{{sfn|Brockington|1998|p=281}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12c045.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 12: Santi Parva: Section CCCXLVI|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-11-27}}</ref> This tale constitutes the mythology of ''Pitr-yajna'' or [[Śrāddha|Shraddha]], sacrifice to the ancestors.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.172560|title=The Mahabharata|last=Rai Promatha Nath Mullick Bahadur|first=Bharat Bani Bhusan|date=1934|pages=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.172560/page/n57/mode/2up 51]}}</ref>

The ''Brahma Purana'' narrates about Varaha's deliverance of the Pitrs (manes). Once, the Pitrs lust for Urja (also known as Svadha and Koka), the daughter of the moon-god [[Chandra]]. Cursed by Chandra, the Pitrs fall as humans on the [[Himalaya]]n mountains from their elevated positions, while Koka transforms into a river in the mountains. The demons attack the Pitrs, who hides under a slab in the Koka river. Eulogized by the Pitrs, Varaha uplifted the drowning Pitrs from the river by his tusks. Then, he performs the rites of Shraddha by performing [[Tarpana|libations]] and ''pinda''s to the Pitrs with the Earth acting as Chaya - his consort in the rituals. Varaha liberated the Pitrs from the curse and blessed Koka to be reborn as Svadha (the food or oblations offered to Pitrs) and become the wife of the Pitrs. Further, Narakasura (also called Bhauma) was born to the earth due to her contact with Varaha. Also, Varaha's temple was established at [[Baraha Kshetra|Kokamukha]], where Varaha freed the Pitrs.{{sfn|Brahma Purana|1955|pp=575-84}}

===Children===

The ''[[Vishnu Purana]]'', the ''[[Brahma Purana]]'' and the ''Bhagavata Purana'', in the episode of the killing of the demon [[Narakasura]] by [[Krishna]] avatar of Vishnu, mentions that he was the foster son of Varaha and the earth goddess Bhumi.{{sfn|Wilson|1862a|p=90}}{{sfn|Brahma Purana|1955|p=484}}{{sfn|Shastri|Tagare|1999|p=1634}} In some versions of the tale, Vishnu-Varaha promises the earth that he will not kill their son, without any consent. In Krishna form, Vishnu slays the demon with the support of [[Satyabhama]], Krishna's consort and the avatar of Bhumi.{{sfn|Shastri|Tagare|1999|p=1628}}

The ''Brahmavaivarta Purana'' narrates that Varaha slew Hiranyaksha and rescued the earth from the waters. Varaha and the earth goddess were attracted to each other and made love. After they regained consciousness, Varaha worshipped the earth and decreed that the earth be worshipped at specific occasions, such as the construction of a house, lakes, wells, dams, etc. From their union, [[Mangala]], the god of the planet [[Mars]], was born.{{sfn|Nagar|2005|pp=188-9}}

The ''Avantikshetra Mahatmya'' of the ''Skanda Purana'' states that after slaying Hiranyaksha, the [[Shipra River]] springs from the heart of Varaha. Thus, the sacred river is described as the daughter of Varaha.{{sfn|Skanda Purana|2003|pp=203-8}}

===In avatar listings===
[[File:NarayanaTirumala13.JPG|thumb|Varaha depicted as a Dashavatar in a modern temple in [[Srikakulam]]. Varaha holds the earth as a globe.]]
The ''Mahabharata'' lays the foundation for the [[avatar]] concept in Vishnu theology; the term ''pradurbhava'' ("manifestation") appears in the early lists, instead the term ''avatar''. Varaha is listed as one of the four incarnations of Narayana-Vishnu who "relieve the burden of the earth" in an early list; in another list which may be a later addition to the epic, Varaha is one among eight ''pradurbhava''s. Some manuscripts of the epic expand this list into the classical ten [[Dashavatara|Dashavatar]] list; with Varaha listed as third or fourth ''pradurbhava''. Varaha is also referred to ''Yajna-Varaha'' ("sacrifice boar") in some instances.{{sfn|Brockington|1998|pp=278-9, 281}}<ref name="CCCXL">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12c039.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 12: Santi Parva: Section CCCXL|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-11-27}}</ref>

The ''[[Agni Purana]]'', while narrating tales of the Dashavatar in sequence, briefly mentions that the Hiranyaksa, a chief of ''[[asura]]''s (demons), defeated the gods and captured [[Svarga]] (heaven). Vishnu, in his third avatar as Varaha, slew the demons.{{sfn | Shastri | Bhatt | Gangadharan | 1998 | p=7}}{{sfn|Rao|1914|pp=131-2}}

The ''Linga Purana'' mentions that Vishnu takes the avatars due to a curse by the sage [[Bhrigu]]. It mentions Varaha as the third of the Dashavatar.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/LingaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart2|title=Linga Purana - English Translation - Part 2 of 2|last=J.L.Shastri|date=1951|page=774}}</ref> The ''Narada Purana'', the ''Shiva Purana'' and the ''Padma Purana'' concurs placing Varaha as third of ten avatars.{{sfn|Narada_Purana|1997a|p=1486}}{{sfn|Shastri|2000|p=873}}{{sfn|Shastri|2002a|p=2031}}{{sfn|Padma_Purana|1952|pp=2560, 2573}}{{sfn|Varaha Purana|1960|p=13}}

The ''Bhagavata Purana''{{sfn|Shastri|Tagare|1999|pp=24, 188}} and ''Garuda Purana'' mention Varaha as the second of 22 avatars. They describe Varaha, "the lord of sacrifices", as rescuing the earth from the netherworld or from the waters.{{sfn|Garuda Purana|2002|pp=2-3}}{{sfn|Garuda Purana|2002b|p=1036}}{{sfn|Shastri|Tagare|1999|pp=24, 188}} In two other passages of the ''Garuda Purana'', Varaha is mentioned as third of the classical Dashavatar.{{sfn|Garuda Purana|2002|p=265}}{{sfn|Garuda Purana|2002b|p=870}}

The ''Narada Purana'' has a variant of [[Caturvyuha]] with Krishna, Varaha, [[Vamana]] and [[Balarama]] (Haladhara) as the four emanations.{{sfn|Narada Purana|1952|p=2049}}

===Other legends and textual references===
[[File:Hale Beedu Temple 6.JPG|thumb|Varaha tramples the killed demon Hiranyaksha with Bhumi on his shoulder, [[Hoysaleswara Temple|Hoysaleshvara Temple]].]]
The ''[[Linga Purana]]'', the ''[[Shiva Purana]]'' and the ''Shaiva Khanda'' Book of the ''[[Skanda Purana]]'' mention Vishnu taking the Varaha form in the tale of the base of Shiva as the [[Lingam|linga]] (the aniconic symbol of Shiva) along with Brahma taking the Hamsa form in the tale of the tip of Shiva as the linga (the aniconic symbol of Shiva). Once, Brahma and Vishnu contest for superiority. A large, fiery pillar which was Shiva himself as the linga appears. Brahma as a ''[[Hamsa (bird)|hamsa]]'' (swan) flies up to find its top; while Varaha as large ''varaha'' (boar) digs down to find its bottom. However, both fail the ends of the linga. Shiva appears in the place of linga and enlightens them that he is the Supreme Being.{{sfn|Shastri|1990|pp=58-64}}{{sfn|Shastri|2002|pp=52-63, 199-204}}{{sfn|Skanda Purana|1990|pp=127-144}} The ''Shiva Purana'' says that Vishnu chose the boar form due to the animal's inborn ability to burrow in this story. It also notes that the current kalpa is known as ''Varaha-kalpa'' due to Vishnu's form as Varaha in the beginning of the kalpa when this incident happened.{{sfn|Shastri|2002|pp=244-5}} This tale is iconographically depicted in the [[Lingodbhava]] icon of Shiva where Shiva is shown as emerging from a fiery cosmic pillar which is he himself, while Vishnu as Varaha is seen at the base going down and Brahma as Hamsa is seen at the top going up. The Lingodbhava icon of the Shiva-worshipping [[Shaiva]] sect was aimed to counter the avatar theory of Vishnu that presented him as the Supreme Being. The icon elevated Shiva to the Supreme Being position and demoted Vishnu as inferior to Shiva by belittling the Varaha avatar of his by defeating him. Similarly, the [[Sharabha]] form of Shiva belittled [[Narasimha]], the lion-man avatar of Vishnu by killing him.{{sfn|Verma|2012|pp=104-5}}

Another legend in the minor Purana named ''[[Kalika Purana]]'' also depicts the sectarian conflicts between the [[Vaishnava]] followers of Vishnu and the Shaiva followers of Shiva.<ref name="Dalal2011"/> Varaha lifts Bhumi by piercing his tusks through her. He then assumes the form of the seven-hooded serpent [[Shesha]] (Ananta) and supports the earth on one of his hoods. Thereafter, Varaha and Bhumk enjoy amorous dalliance as Varaha and Varahi. They have three boar sons named Suvrtta, Kanaka, Ghora. Varaha and his three boar sons create mayhem in the world. The gods and goddesses go to Varaha to abandon his boar form. Vishnu requests Shiva to take the form of Sharabha (also called Varahaghna Murti), to kill Varaha and the three sons of his. The retinues of Sharabha and Varaha, aided by Narasimha, fight. In the war, Narasimha is killed by Sharabha. Thereafter, Varaha requests Sharabha to dismember him and create implements of sacrifice from his body parts; Sharabha complies by slaying Varaha and he kills his three sons and creates implements of sacrifice from his body.<ref name="Dalal2011"/><ref>{{cite book|author=Usha Dev|title=The Concept of Śakti in the Purāṇas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sxMqAAAAYAAJ|year=1987|publisher=Nag Publishers|isbn=978-81-7081-151-0|pages=152–154}}</ref>

Varaha also appears in the [[Shaktism|Shakta]] (Goddess-oriented) narrative in the final episode of the ''[[Devi Mahatmya]]'' text embedded in the ''[[Markandeya Purana|Markendeya Purana]]''. Vishnu as Varaha creates his ''[[shakti]]'' [[Varahi]] (along with other deities, together called the eight [[Matrikas|matrika]] goddesses) to aid the [[Mahadevi|Great Goddess]] to fight the demon [[Raktabīja|Raktabija]] and they kill him.{{sfn|Dutt|1896|pp=361-2}}

The scripture ''[[Varaha Purana]]'' is believed to be narrated by Vishnu to Bhumi, as Varaha. The Purana is devoted more to the "myths and genealogies" connected to the worship of Vishnu.<ref name="Dalal2011"/> Though Varaha is praised numerous times as the saviour of the earth from the waters, the detailed legend is not given in the Purana. Bhumi praises Vishnu as Varaha who rescued her numerous times in various avatars and sees the complete universe in his mouth, when Varaha laughs.{{sfn|Varaha Purana|1960|pp=1-2}} The ''[[Varaha Upanishad]]'', a minor [[Upanishad]], is narrated as a sermon from Varaha to the sage Ribhu.<ref name=aiyar220>KN Aiyar, Thirty Minor Upanishads, University of Toronto Archives, {{oclc|248723242}}, page 220 with footnotes</ref>

The ''[[Agni Purana]]'', ''[[Brahma Purana]]'', the ''Markendeya Purana,'' the ''Vishnu Purana'' say that Vishnu resides as Varaha in Ketumala-''varsha'', one of the regions outside the mountains surrounding [[Mount Meru]].{{sfn|Wilson|1862b|pp=125-6}}{{sfn | Shastri | Bhatt | Gangadharan | 1998 | p = 326}}{{sfn|Dutt|1896|pp=246, 262}}{{sfn|Brahma Purana|1955|p=104}} The ''Bhagavata Purana'' says that Vishnu dwells as Varaha with Bhumi in the Uttara Kuru-''varsha''.{{sfn|Shastri|Tagare|1999|p=729}} The ''Vayu Purana'' describes an island called Varaha-dvipa near Jambudvipa, where only Vishnu as Varaha is worshipped.{{sfn|Tagare|1960|pp=313-4}}

==Iconography==
[[File:Varaha Khajuraho.jpg|thumb|Zoomorphic Varaha, [[Khajuraho]]. On its body are carved saints, sages, gods, seven mothers and numerous beings which he symbolically protects. The goddess earth is ruined and missing.<ref name="Desai2000p49">{{cite book|author=Devangana Desai|title=Khajuraho|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=amPqAAAAMAAJ|year=2000|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-565391-5|pages=49–52}}</ref>]]
Like Vishnu's first two avatars – [[Matsya]] (fish) and [[Kurma]] (turtle) – the third avatar Varaha is depicted either zoomorphically as a wild boar or [[anthropomorphic]]ally as a boar-headed man. The main difference in the anthropomorphic form portrayal is that the first two avatars are depicted with a torso of a man and the bottom half as animal, while Varaha has an animal (boar) head and a human body.<ref name="Dalal2011"/><ref name="Krishna p. 47">[[#Krishna|Krishna]] 2009, p. 47</ref> The portrayal of the anthropomorphic Varaha is similar to the fourth avatar [[Narasimha]] (portrayed as a lion-headed man), who is the first avatar of Vishnu that is not completely animal.

===Textual descriptions===
The ''Agni Purana'' describes Varaha as having human body with boar's head. In one configuration, he carries a gada (mace), shankha (conch), padma (lotus) with Lakshmi on his left. In another form, he is depicted with the earth goddess on his left elbow and the serpent Shesha at his feet.{{sfn | Shastri | Bhatt | Gangadharan | 1998 | pp= 126,129,343}}{{sfn|Rao|1914|p=134}}

The ''Vishnudharmottara Purana'' describes the iconography of Nri-varaha ("human-boar"), with a human body and boar head. Varaha be depicted standing in the combative ''alidha'' pose (With a leg held straight and the other leg bent a little) on the four-armed serpent Shesha with folded arms. He holds a conch in his left land; on this elbow he supports the earth goddess who depicted with folded hands. He also holds mace, lotus and chakra (discus) and may be depicted hurling the chakra at Hiranyaksha or raising a spear at the demon. Varaha can be also depicted in meditative posture like the sage [[Kapila]] or offering ''pinda''s. He can depicted in battle surrounded by demons or zoomorphically as boar supporting the earth. The text prescribes Varaha worship for prosperity; the demon personifies adversity and ignorance while Varaha is wisdom, wealth and power.{{sfn|Rao|1914|pp=134-5}}{{sfn|Shah|1990|pp=225-6, 380}}

The ''Matsya Purana'' describes that Varaha standing with the left foot on a [[world turtle|turtle]] and the right foot on the hood of Shesha, holding the raised earth on his left elbow, his left hand on his Shakti (consort) to his left, and holding a lotus and mace. The [[Guardians of the directions|lokapala]] deities should surround him, worshipping him.{{sfn|Talukdar of Oudh|1916|p=308|loc=Part II}}

The ''Narada Purana'' recommends Varaha be pictured as golden in complexion, having the earth on his white tusks and holding an iron-club, a conch, a discus, a sword, a javelin in his hands and making the ''[[abhayamudra]]'' (hand gesture of assurance).{{sfn|Narada Purana|1997|pp=1000-2}}

The ''Venkatacala Mahatmya'' of the ''Skanda Purana'' describes a boar-faced, four-armed Varaha holding the discus and the conch, making the gestures of blessing (''[[varadamudra]]'') and assurance. He wears various ornaments including the [[Kaustubha]] jewel and yellow garments, with the ''[[srivatsa]]'' symbol on his chest and the earth goddess seated on his left lap.{{sfn|Skanda_Purana|1951|pp=3-4}}

===Depictions===
In the zoomorphic form, Varaha is often depicted as a free-standing boar colossus, for example, the monolithic sculpture of Varaha in [[Varaha Temple, Khajuraho|Khajuraho]] (c. 900–925) made in sandstone, is {{convert|2.6|m}} long and {{convert|1.7|m}} high.<ref name="ASI">{{cite web|title=Varaha Temple | url=http://asibhopal.nic.in/monument/chhatarpur_khajuraho_varahatemple.html | publisher=Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) | access-date=1 January 2013}}</ref> The sculpture may not resemble a boar realistically, and may have his features altered for stylistic purposes. The earth, personified as the goddess Bhumi, clings to one of Varaha's tusks. Often the colossus is decorated by miniature figurines of deities, other celestail beings, [[rishi|sages]], anthropomorphic [[navagraha|planets]], stars, other world creatures appearing all over his body, which signify the whole of creation. The goddess of speech and knowledge, [[Saraswati|Sarasvati]] is often depicted on his tongue, while [[Brahma]] is often depicted on his head with [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati]] on his forehead and neck. Besides Khajuraho, such sculptures are found in [[Eran]], [[Muradpur]], Badoh, [[Gwalior]], [[Jhansi]], Apasadh.<ref name="Geer2008">{{cite book|author=Alexandra Anna Enrica van der Geer|title=Animals in Stone: Indian Mammals Sculptured Through Time|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oQ3quxh9gsgC&pg=PA402|access-date=1 January 2013|year=2008|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-16819-0|pages=401–6}}</ref><ref name="Snead1989">{{cite book|author=[[Stella Snead]]|title=Animals in Four Worlds: Sculptures from India|url=https://archive.org/details/animalsinfourwor1989snea|url-access=registration|access-date=1 January 2013|date=7 September 1989|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-76726-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/animalsinfourwor1989snea/page/39 39]}}</ref>{{sfn|Becker|2010|pp=129-31}}

[[Image:Varaha-mahabalipuram.jpg|right|thumb|A rare right-facing Varaha holding Bhudevi, 7th century CE, [[Mahabalipuram]].]]
In the anthropomorphic form, Varaha often has a stylized boar face, like the zoomorphic models. The snout may be shorter. The position and size of the tusks may also be altered. The ears, cheeks, and eyes are generally based on human ones. Early sculptors in [[Udayagiri Caves|Udayagiri]] and Eran faced the issue of how to attach the boar head to the human body and did not show a human neck. However, in [[Badami]], the problem was resolved by including a human neck. While some sculptures show a mane, it is dropped and replaced by a high conical crown – typical of Vishnu iconography – in others. Varaha sculptures generally look up to the right; there are very rare instances of left-facing Varaha depictions.<ref name="Geer2008"/>

Varaha has four arms, two of which hold the [[Sudarshana Chakra]] (discus) and [[Panchajanya]] (conch), while the other two hold a [[Gada (mace)|gada]] (mace), a [[sword]], or a lotus or one of them makes the ''[[varadamudra]]'' (gesture of blessing). Varaha may be depicted with all of Vishnu'a attributes in his four hands: the Sudarshana Chakra, the Panchajanya, the gada and the lotus. Sometimes, Varaha may carry only two of Vishnu's attributes: a shankha and the gada personified as a female called [[ayudhapurusha|Gadadevi]]. Varaha may also wear a ''[[Vaijayanti|vanamala]]'' - a garland of forest flowers, which is a regular characteristic in Vishnu icons. Varaha is often shown with a bulky physique and in a heroic pose. He is often depicted triumphantly emerging from the ocean as he rescues the earth.<ref name="Dalal2011"/><ref name="Geer2008"/><ref name=Museum/><ref name=Bhu/><ref name="Blurton1993"/>{{sfn|Becker|2010|pp=125-6}}

The earth may be shown as the goddess Bhumi in Indian sculpture. Bhumi is often shown as a small figure in the icon. She may be seated on or dangling from one of Varaha's tusks, or is seated on the corner of his folded elbow or his shoulder and supports herself against the tusk or the snout, as being lifted from the waters. In later Indian paintings, the whole earth or a part of it is depicted lifted up by Varaha's tusks. In Mahabalipuram, a rare portrayal shows an affectionate Varaha looking down to Bhumi, who he carries in his arms. The earth may be portrayed as a globe, a flat stretch of mountainous land or an elaborate forest landscape with buildings, temples, humans, birds, and animals. The defeated demon may be depicted trampled under Varaha's feet or being killed in combat by Varaha. [[Nāga|Nagas]] (snake gods) and their consorts Naginis (snake goddesses), residents of the underworld, may be depicted as swimming in the ocean with hands folded as a mark of devotion. Varaha may be also depicted standing on a snake or other minor creatures, denoting the cosmic waters.<ref name="Dalal2011"/><ref name="Geer2008"/><ref name=Museum>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/r/relief_sculpture_of_varaha_wit.aspx|title=Relief sculpture of Varaha with Bhu and Gadadevi|access-date=4 January 2013|publisher=British Museum.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808204846/http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/r/relief_sculpture_of_varaha_wit.aspx|archive-date=8 August 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=Bhu>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/v/varaha_with_bhu,_gouache_on_pa.aspx|title=Varaha with Bhu, gouache on paper|access-date=4 January 2013|publisher=British Museum.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121206013448/http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/v/varaha_with_bhu,_gouache_on_pa.aspx|archive-date=6 December 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Blurton1993">{{cite book|author=T. Richard Blurton|title=Hindu Art|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xJ-lzU_nj_MC&pg=PA122|year=1993|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0-674-39189-5|pages=122–3}}</ref> Sometimes, [[Lakshmi]] - Vishnu's primary consort - is depicted in the scene near the right foot of Varaha.{{sfn|Becker|2010|pp=125-6}}<ref name="mitra1963"/>

[[File:005 Varaha Relief (32851921924).jpg|thumb|The Varaha panel in Cave 5, Udyagiri Caves, is one of the most studied reliefs from the Gupta Empire era. Circa 400 CE, reign of [[Chandragupta II]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Curta |first1=Florin |last2=Holt |first2=Andrew |title=Great Events in Religion: An Encyclopedia of Pivotal Events in Religious History [3 volumes] |date=28 November 2016 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-61069-566-4 |page=271 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dgF9DQAAQBAJ&pg=PA271 |language=en}}</ref>|alt=A wide image of Vishnu-Varaha rescuing Goddess Earth]]

The Udayagiri Varaha panel is an example of an elaborate depiction of Varaha legend. It presents the goddess earth as the dangling woman, the hero as the colossal giant. His success is cheered by a galaxy of the divine as well as human characters valued and revered in the 4th-century. Their iconography of individual characters is found in Hindu texts.<ref name="mitra1963">[[Debala Mitra]], ’Varāha Cave at Udayagiri – An Iconographic Study’, ''Journal of the Asiatic Society'' 5 (1963): 99–103; J. C. Harle, ''Gupta Sculpture'' (Oxford, 1974): figures 8–17.</ref><ref name="williams42">{{cite book|author=Joanna Gottfried Williams|title=The Art of Gupta India: Empire and Province|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WQl_QgAACAAJ |year=1982|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-0-691-10126-2|pages=42–46}}</ref>

Two iconographical forms of Varaha are popular. Yajna Varaha – denoting ''[[yajna]]'' (sacrifice) – is seated on a lion-throne and flanked by Bhumi and Lakshmi.<ref name="Dalal2011" /> As Pralaya Varaha – indicative of lifting the earth from the stage of the ''[[pralaya]]'' (the dissolution of the universe) – he is depicted only with Bhumi.<ref name="Dalal2011" /> Varaha may be depicted with Lakshmi alone too. In such sculptures, he may be depicted identically to Vishnu in terms of iconography with Vishnu's attributes; the boar head identifying the icon as Varaha. Lakshmi may be seated on his thigh in such portrayals.<ref name="ArtPal1989">{{cite book|author1=Los Angeles County Museum Of Art|author2=MR Pratapaditya Pal|title=Indian Sculpture (700–1800): A Catalog of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Collection|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-fvKVDxcJoUC&pg=PA295|access-date=5 January 2013|date=1 February 1989|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-06477-5|pages=295–}}</ref>

Varaha often features in the [[Dashavatara|Dashavatar]] stele – where the ten major avatars of Vishnu are portrayed – sometimes surrounding Vishnu. In the [[Vaikuntha Chaturmurti|Vaikuntha Vishnu]] (four-headed Vishnu) images, the boar is shown as the left head. Varaha's [[shakti]] (energy or consort) is the [[Matrika]] (mother goddess) [[Varahi]], who is depicted with a boar head like the god.<ref name="Geer2008"/> The ''Vishnudharmottara Purana'' prescribes Varaha be depicted as a boar in the [[Lingodbhava]] icon of Shiva.{{sfn|Rao|1914|pp=135}}
==Evolution==
[[File:VarahaVishnuAvatarPratiharaKings850-900CE.jpg|thumb|Coin with Varaha on a Gurjara-Pratihara coin possibly from the reign of King Mihira Bhoja, 850–900 CE, [[British Museum]].]]

The earliest Varaha images are found in [[Mathura]], dating to the 1st and 2nd century CE.<ref name="Dalal2011"/> The [[Gupta period|Gupta era]] (4th–6th century) in Central India temples and archaeological sites have yielded a large number of Varaha sculptures and inscriptions; signifying cult worship of the deity in this period.<ref name="Blurton1993"/><ref name="Krishna46">[[#Krishna|Krishna]] 2009, p. 46</ref> These include the anthropomorphic version in [[Udayagiri Caves]] and the zoomorphic version in [[Eran]].<ref name="Dalal2011"/><ref name="Stietencron22">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UesUAAAAIAAJ|title=Approaches to Iconology|author=H. von Stietencron|publisher=Brill Academic|year=1986|isbn=90-04-07772-3|editor=Th. P. van Baaren|pages=16–22 with footnotes|editor2=A Schimmel|display-editors=etal}}</ref><ref name=becker123>Catherine Becker (2010), [https://www.jstor.org/stable/20801634 Not Your Average Boar: The Colossal Varaha at Eran, An Iconographic Innovation], Artibus Asiae, Vol. 70, No. 1, "To My Mind": Studies in South Asian Art History in Honor of Joanna Gottfried Williams. Part II (2010), pp. 123–149</ref> Other early sculptures exist in the cave temples in [[Badami]] in [[Karnataka]] (6th century) and [[Varaha Cave Temple]] in [[Mahabalipuram]] (7th century); both in South India and [[Ellora Caves]] (7th century) in Western India.<ref name="Dalal2011"/><ref name="Geer2008"/> By the 7th century, images of Varaha were found in all regions of India, including [[Kashmir]] in the north.<ref name="Dalal2011"/><ref name="Blurton1993"/> By the 10th century, temples dedicated to Varaha were established in [[Varaha Temple, Khajuraho|Khajuraho]] (existent, but worship has ceased), [[Udaipur]], [[Jhansi]] (now in ruins) etc.<ref name="Dalal2011"/><ref name="Krishna46"/> The boar was celebrated in the first millennium as a "symbol of potency".<ref name="Blurton1993" />

The [[Chalukya dynasty]] (543–753) was the first dynasty to adopt Varaha in their crest and minted coins with Varaha on it.<ref name="Dikshit1980">{{cite book|author=Durga Prasad Dikshit|title=Political History of the Chālukyas of Badami|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lEB11tKmCgcC&pg=PA11|access-date=5 January 2013|year=1980|publisher=Abhinav Publications|pages=11–2|id=GGKEY:PW8B49QWQ4H}}</ref> The [[Gurjara-Pratihara]] king [[Mihira Bhoja]] (836–885 CE) assumed the title of ''Adi-varaha'' and also minted coins depicting the Varaha image.<ref name="Dalal2011"/> Varaha was also adopted as a part of royal insignia by the [[Chola]] (4th century BCE–1279 CE) and [[Vijayanagara Empire]]s (1336–1646 CE) of South India.<ref name="Blurton1993"/> In [[Karnataka]], a [[Zoomorphism|zoomorphic]] image of Varaha is found in a carving on a pillar in [[Aihole]], which is interpreted as the Vijayanagara emblem, as it is seen along with signs of a cross marked Sun, a disc and a conch.<ref name="Geer2008"/>

However, the boar and its relative the pig started being seen as polluting since the 12th century, due to Muslim influence on India. Muslims consider the [[Pigs in culture#Religion|pig]] unclean. This led to a "change of attitude" towards Varaha.<ref name="Blurton1993" /> While Varaha once enjoyed cult following particularly in Central India, his worship has declined significantly today.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|p=119}}

According to historian Dr. Suniti Kumar Chatterjee, [[Boro people]] trace their mythological origins to Varaha.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iitg.ac.in/rcilts/bodo.html|title=RCILTS, Phase-II|website=iitg.ac.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430200542/http://www.iitg.ac.in/rcilts/bodo.html|archive-date=30 April 2019|access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref>

Some academics believe the Varaha avatara is a single-horned rhino, rather than a boar although it was disproven .<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FvvtCAAAQBAJ&q=varaha+rhino&pg=PA363|title=Ecology and Biogeography in India|last=Mani|first=M. S.|date=2012-12-06|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-94-010-2331-3|pages=363|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DLGfAAAAMAAJ&q=varaha+rhino|title=Varāha in Indian Art, Culture, and Literature|last=Nagar|first=Shanti Lal|date=1993|publisher=Aryan Books International|isbn=978-81-7305-030-5|pages=143|language=en}}</ref>

==Symbolism==
[[File:The God Vishnu in Three Incarnations. Northern India (Mathura), Gupta period, mid-5th century AD. Boston Museum.jpg|thumb|Varaha as the left head in the [[Vaikuntha Chaturmurti]] icon of Vishnu. Mathura, [[Gupta period]], mid-5th century CE. [[Museum of Fine Arts, Boston|Boston Museum]].]]

Varaha represents [[yajna]] (sacrifice), as the eternal upholder of the earth. Varaha is the embodiment of the Supreme Being who brings order amidst chaos in the world by ritual sacrifice.<ref name="Dalal2011">{{cite book|author=Roshen Dalal|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&pg=PA444|access-date=1 January 2013|date=5 October 2011|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-341421-6|pages=444–5}}</ref>{{sfn|Wilson|1862|pp=63-5}} Various scriptures reiterate Varaha's identification with sacrifice, comparing his various body parts to implements and participants of a sacrifice. According to [[Horace Hayman Wilson|H.H. Wilson]], the legend of Varaha symbolizes the resurrection of the earth from sin by sacred rituals.<ref name="Dalal2011"/>{{sfn|Wilson|1862|pp=59-63}} Vishnu is identified with sacrifice; [[Bhaskara (Kashmiri)|Bhatta Bhaskara]] identifies Varaha with the ''sutya'' day in ''soma'' sacrifices, when the ritual drink of ''[[Soma (drink)|soma]]'' was consumed.{{sfn|Aiyangar|1901|pp=185-6}} A theory suggests that Varaha's identification with Sacrifice streams from the early use of a boar as [[animal sacrifice|sacrificial animal]].{{sfn|Becker|2010|pp=141-2}}

In royal depictions of Varaha, the icon is interpreted to allude to the [[Rajasuya]] sacrifice for royal consecration or [[Ashvamedha]] sacrifice to establish to establish sovereignty.{{sfn|Becker|2010|pp =128, 142}} The Varaha icon describes the role of a warrior king, rescuing goddess earth (kingdom) from a demon who kidnaps her, torments her and the inhabitants. It is a symbolism for the battle between right versus wrong, [[good and evil|good versus evil]], and of someone willing to go to the depths and do what is necessary to rescue the good, the right, the [[dharma]].<ref name="Desai2000p49"/><ref name=mitra1963/><ref name=becker123/><ref name="Stietencron22" /><ref name=williams42/>{{sfn|Becker|2010|pp=127-8|p=}} He is the protector of the innocent goddess and the weak who have been imprisoned by the demonic forces.<ref name=mitra1963/><ref name=becker123/><ref name="Blurton1993"/> The sculpture typically show the symbolic scene of the return of Varaha after he had successfully killed the oppressive demon [[Hiranyaksha]], found and rescued goddess earth (Prithivi, Bhumi), and the goddess is back safely.<ref name=becker123/> Whether in the zoomorphic form or the anthropomorphic form, the victorious hero Varaha is accompanied by sages and saints of Hinduism, all gods including Shiva and Brahma. This symbolizes that just warriors must protect the weak and the bearers of all forms of knowledge and that the gods approve of and cheer on the rescue.<ref name=becker123/><ref name="Stietencron22"/><ref name=mitra1963/>

Various holy books state that the boar form was taken to rescue the earth from the primordial waters, as the animal likes to play in the water. Wilson speculates that the legend may be an allusion to a [[Outburst flood|deluge]] or evolution of "[[lake|lacustrine]]" mammals in the earth's early history.{{sfn|Wilson|1862|p=59}}

Another theory associates Varaha with [[tillage|tilling]] of the land for agriculture. When the boar tills the land with its tusk in nature, plants sprouts in the spot quickly.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.172560|title=The Mahabharata|last=Rai Promatha Nath Mullick Bahadur|first=Bharat Bani Bhusan|date=1934|pages=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.172560/page/n190 183]}}</ref> In the context of agriculture, Roy associates Varaha with the cloud, referring the Vedic etymology of ''varaha'' and similar to the [[Germanic mythology|Germanic]] association of the pig with "cloud, thunder and storm". The boar, as the cloud, ends the demon of summer or drought.{{sfn|Roy|2002|pp=94-5}}

Various theories associate the [[Orion (constellation)|Orion constellation]] with Varaha; though the constellation is also associated with other deities. In autumn, Vishnu or Prajapati (the Sun) enters the southern hemisphere (equated with the netherworld or the ocean), while returns as Orion, the boar, on the [[March equinox|spring equinox]].{{sfn|Roy|2002|pp=96-7}}{{sfn|Aiyangar|1901|pp=190-1}}

In the [[Vaikuntha Chaturmurti]] icon when associated with the [[Chaturvyuha]] concept, Varaha is associated with the hero [[Aniruddha]] and energy.<ref name="DS39">{{cite journal |last1=Srinivasan |first1=Doris |title=Early Vaiṣṇava Imagery: Caturvyūha and Variant Forms |journal=Archives of Asian Art |date=1979 |volume=32 |pages=41, 44 |jstor=20111096 |issn=0066-6637}}</ref>

==Worship==
[[File:Sundaravarada Perumal temple12.JPG|thumb|Varaha with his consort on his lap, worshipped as a subsidiary deity in the [[Sundaravarada Perumal temple]] dedicated to Vishnu.]]
The ''Agni Purana'' prescribes that Varaha be in the north-east direction in Vishnu temples or worship.{{sfn | Shastri | Bhatt | Gangadharan | 1998 | pp = 116, 120, 527}} Installation of the icon of Varaha is said to bestow one with sovereignty, prosperity and ''[[moksha]]'' (emancipation).{{sfn | Shastri | Bhatt | Gangadharan | 1998 | pp= 126,129,343}}{{sfn|Rao|1914|p=134}}

The ''Narada Purana'' mentions Varaha's mantra "Om namo Bhagavate Varaharupaya Bhurbhuvassvah pataye Bhupatitvam me dehi dadapaya svaha" and recommends Varaha to be worshipped for kingship.{{sfn|Narada Purana|1997|pp=999-1000}} A shorter mantra "Om bhu varahay namah" is also given for gaining prosperity. Varaha is prescribed to be worshipped for ''ucchatana'' (eradication) of foes, ghosts, poison, disease, [[Navagraha|"evil planets"]]. The one-syllabed mantra ''hum'' for Varaha is also noted.{{sfn|Narada Purana|1997|p=1002}} The ''Bhagavata Purana'' invokes Varaha for protection while travelling.{{sfn|Shastri|Tagare|1999|p=820}} The ''Venkatacala Mahatmya'' of the ''Skanda Purana'' mentions the mantra of Varaha as ''Om Namah Srivarahaya Dharanyuddharanaya Ca Svaha'' ("Saluation to Varaha who lifted the Earth").{{sfn|Skanda_Purana|1951|p=14}} The ''Agni Purana''{{sfn| Shastri | Bhatt | Gangadharan | 1998 | p=527}} and the ''Garuda Purana''{{sfn|Garuda Purana|2002|p=38}} associate the mantra ''Bhuh'' with Varaha.

The ''Garuda Purana'' recommends the worship of Varaha for sovereignty.{{sfn|Garuda Purana|2002|p=265}} A ''[[vrata]]'' involving the worship of a gold Varaha image on [[ekadashi]] (eleventh lunar day) in bright half of [[Magha (month)|Magha]] month (i.e. Bhaimi Ekadakshi), is told in the ''Garuda Purana'' and the ''Narada Purana''.{{sfn|Garuda Purana|2002|pp=379-80}}{{sfn|Narada Purana|1997a|p=1711}} Varaha Jayanti, the birthday of Varaha, is celebrated on the third lunar day in the bright fortnight of the [[Bhadrapada]] month. The worship of Varaha and overnight vigil ([[jagran]]) with Vishnu tales being told are prescribed on this day.<ref name="Dainik Bhaskar">{{cite web | title=Varaha Jayanti: 1 September Varaha Avatar saved the Earth from the Hiranyaksha - भगवान विष्णु के वराह अवतार ने दैत्य हिरण्याक्ष से बचाया था पृथ्वी को | website=Dainik Bhaskar | url=https://www.bhaskar.com/religion/dharam/varaha-jayanti-on-1-september-varaha-avatar-saved-the-earth-from-the-hiranyaksha-01629365.html | language=hi | access-date=2020-06-27| date = Aug 29, 2019}}</ref><ref name="punjabkesari 2019">{{cite web | title=वराह जयंती : आज कर लें इन मंत्रों का जाप, वराह भगवान दिलाएंगे मान-सम्मान | website=punjabkesari | date=2019-09-01 | url=https://www.punjabkesari.in/dharm/news/chant-these-mantras-today-lord-varaha-will-remove-all-your-problems-1047510 | language=hi | access-date=2020-06-27}}</ref>

The ''[[Vishnu Sahasranama]]'' embedded in the thirteenth Book ''[[Anushasana Parva]]'' of the epic is a [[Sahasranama|hymn]] listing the thousand names of Vishnu. The Varaha legend is alluded to in the following epithets: ''Mahibharta'' ("husband of the earth"), ''Dharanidara'' ("one who upholds the earth", may also refer to other Vishnu forms - [[Kurma]], [[Shesha]] or Vishnu in general), ''Maha-varaha'' ("the great boar"), ''Kundara'' ("One who pierced the earth"), ''Brihadrupa'' ("who takes form of a boar"), ''Yajnanga'' ("whose body is ''[[yajna]]'' or sacrifice) and ''Vaikhana'' ("one who dug the earth"). The epithet ''Kapindra'' ("Kapi-Lord") may refer to Varaha or [[Rama]] avatar, depending the interpretation of the word ''kapi'' as boar or monkey respectively. The title ''Shringi'' ("horned") generally interpreted as [[Matsya]], may also refer to Varaha.<ref name="krishnanda">{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/SriVishnu_201905|title=Sri Vishnu Sahararanama Stotram|last=Krishnananda|first=Swami|pages=43, 46, 79|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13b114.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 13: Anusasana Parva: Section CXLIX|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-11-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13b123.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 13: Anusasana Parva: Section CLVIII|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2019-11-27}}</ref><ref name="Pāṇḍuraṅgārāva">{{cite book | last=Pāṇḍuraṅgārāva | first=Ā. | title=The Universe that is God: An Insight Into the Thousand Names of Lord Viṣṇu| publisher=Jñāna-pravāha | year=1999 | isbn=978-81-246-0153-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l2ApAAAAYAAJ | access-date=2020-05-17 | pages= 66, 205, 292, 305}}</ref> The ''Vishnu Sahasranama'' version from the ''Garuda Purana'' mentions ''Shukura'' (Boar) as an epithet of Vishnu.{{sfn|Garuda Purana|2002|p=59}} The ''Padma Purana'' includes Varaha in a hundred-name hymn of Vishnu.{{sfn|Padma_Purana|1999|p=1228}} The thousand-name hymn version in the ''Padma Purana'' mentions that Vishnu is Varaha, the protector of sacrifices and destroyer of those who obstruct them.{{sfn|Padma_Purana|1956|p=2585}}

===Temples===
[[File:Srimushnam (4).jpg|thumb|[[Bhu Varaha Swamy temple|Bhuvarahasvami Temple]] in [[Srimushnam]].]]
The most prominent temple of Varaha is the [[Varahaswamy Temple, Tirumala|Sri Varahaswami Temple]] in [[Tirumala]], [[Andhra Pradesh]]. It is located on the shores of a temple pond, called the Svami Pushkarini, in Tirumala, near [[Tirupati (city)|Tirupati]]; to the north of the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple|Tirumala Venkateshvara Temple]] (another temple of Vishnu in the form of [[Venkateswara|Venkateshvara]]). The region is called ''Adi-Varaha Kshestra'', the abode of Varaha. According to legend, at the end of [[Satya Yuga]] (the first in the cycle of four aeons; the present one is the fourth aeon), devotees of Varaha requested him to stay on earth, so Varaha ordered his mount [[Garuda]] to bring his divine garden Kridachala from his abode Vaikuntha to Venkata hills, Tirumala. Venkateswara is described as having taken the permission of Varaha to reside in these hills, where his chief temple, Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, stands. Hence, pilgrims are prescribed to worship Varaha first and then Venkateswara. In the ''Atri Samhita'' (''Samurtarchanadhikara''), Varaha is described to be worshipped in three forms here: Adi Varaha, Pralaya Varaha and Yajna Varaha. The image in the sanctum is of Adi Varaha.<ref name=Tiru>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tirumala.org/ptv_tm_varaha.htm|title=Sri Varahaswami Temple|access-date=4 January 2012|publisher=Tirumala.Org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103221028/http://www.tirumala.org/ptv_tm_varaha.htm|archive-date=3 January 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>[[#Krishna|Krishna]] 2009, pp. 46–7</ref>

The ''Venkatacala Mahatmya'' of the ''Skanda Purana'' says that Varaha resides with Bhudevi on the banks of the Svami Pushkarini lake, [[Tirupati]]. Varaha is said to rest there in the jungle after rescuing the earth. Varaha roams in the forest near the lake as a lustrous boar. A tribal chief called Vasu follows the boar, who enters an anthill. Vasu digs the anthill but cannot trace the boar, finally swoons due to fatigue. His son finds him. Varaha possesses Vasu and instructs him to inform the king Tondaman to build his temple at the place. Varaha is also presented as the narrator of the tale of [[Venkateswara|Venkateshvara]], whose chief temple is in Tirupati, to the Earth in a part of ''Venkatacala Mahatmya''.{{sfn|Skanda_Purana|1951|pp=12, 59-61, 208}}

Another important temple is the [[Bhu Varaha Swamy temple|Bhuvarahaswami Temple]] in [[Srimushnam]], [[Tamil Nadu]]. It was built in the late 16th century by Krishnappa II, a [[Thanjavur Nayak kingdom|Thanjavur Nayak ruler]].<ref name="Raman2006">{{cite book|author=K. V. Raman|title=Temple art, icons and culture of India and South-East Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vb2fAAAAMAAJ|access-date=4 January 2013|date=1 January 2006|publisher=Sharada Pub. House|isbn=978-81-88934-31-7}}</ref> The image of Varaha is considered a [[swayambhu]] (self-manifested) image, one of the eight self-manifested ''Swayamvyakta kshetra''s. An inscription in the [[prakaram]] (circumambulating passage around the main shrine) quotes from the legend of the ''Srimushna Mahatmaya'' (a local legend), describing the piety one derives in observing festivals during the 12 months of the year when the sun enters a particular zodiacal sign.<ref name="Ayyar1982">{{cite book|author=P. V. Jagadisa Ayyar|title=South Indian Shrines: Illustrated|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NLSGFW1uZboC&pg=PA423|access-date=4 January 2013|year=1982|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-0151-2|pages=23, 423}}</ref> This temple is venerated by Hindus and [[Muslim]]s alike. Both communities take the [[Uthsavar|utsava murti]] (festival image) in procession during the annual temple festival in the [[Tamil month]] of [[Maasi|Masi]] (February–March). The god is credited with many miracles and called ''Varaha [[sahib]]'' by Muslims.<ref name="Krishna p. 47"/>

The Varaha temple in [[Pushkar]] is also included in the ''Swayamvyakta kshetra'' list.<ref name="speaking tree">{{Cite web |title=Swayam Vyakta Kshetras of Lord Vishnu |url=https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/swayam-vyakta-kshetras-of-lord-vishnu |website=www.speakingtree.in |access-date=2020-05-17|publisher= Speaking Tree, Times of India group}}</ref> The ''Garuda Purana'' says Varaha performs a sacrifice near [[Pushkar lake]] in every [[Kārtika (month)|Kartika]] month.{{sfn|Garuda Purana|2002a}} The ''Padma Purana'' narrates that Brahma organizes a great sacrifice in [[Pushkar]] for the benefit of the universe. Varaha, appears there as the embodiment of Sacrifice (his sacrificial attributes are reiterated), to protect the sacrifice against any obstruction or evil. Brahma requests Varaha to always reside in and protect the sacred place of Pushkar (identified with Kokamukha).{{sfn|Deshpande|1988|pp=189-191}}
 
Varaha shrines are also included in [[Divya Desam]]s (a list of 108 abodes of Vishnu). They include Adi Varaha Perumal shrine Tirukkalvanoor, located in the [[Kamakshi Amman Temple]] complex, [[Kanchipuram]] and [[Nithyakalyana Perumal temple|Thiruvidandai]], 15&nbsp;km from [[Mamallapuram|Mahabalipuram]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/df054.html|title= Tirukkalvanoor|publisher=templenet.com|access-date=19 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/df062.html|title= Tiruvidandai|publisher=templenet.com|access-date=19 March 2013}}</ref>

Another pilgrimage place where Varaha resides is mentioned in the ''Brahma Purana'' near [[Baitarani River|Vaitarana river]] and [[Biraja Temple|Viraja temple]], [[Utkala kingdom|Utkala]] (modern-day [[Odisha]]) (See [[Varahanatha Temple]]).{{sfn|Brahma Purana|1955|p=243}}<ref name="Jajpur"/>

In Muradpur in [[West Bengal]], worship is offered to an in-situ {{convert|2.5|m|adj=on}} zoomorphic image of Varaha (8th century), one of the earliest known images of Varaha.<ref name="Geer2008"/> A 7th century anthropomorphic Varaha image of Apasadh is still worshipped in a relatively modern temple.<ref name="Dalal2011"/> Other temples dedicated to Varaha are located across India in the states of Andhra Pradesh (including [[Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Simhachalam]] dedicated to a combined form of Varaha and Narasimha), in Haryana Pradesh at [[Baraha Kalan]],<ref name=Jajpur>{{Cite web|url=http://ignca.nic.in/asi_reports/orjajpur057.pdf|title=Varahanatha Temple, Jajpur Town, Dist. – Jajpur|access-date=4 January 2013|publisher=Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930181630/http://ignca.nic.in/asi_reports/orjajpur057.pdf|archive-date=30 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Lakshmi Varaha Temple, in [[Karnataka]] at [[Maravanthe]] and Kallahalli, [[Panniyur Sri Varahamurthy Temple]] in [[Kerala]], [[Sreevaraham Lakshmi Varaha temple, Thiruvananthapuram]] in [[Kerala]], Sree Varaha Swamy Temple, Varapuzha in Ernakulam, Kerala, Azheekal Sree Varaha Temple in Ernakulam, Kerala, in [[Majholi]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], in [[Odisha]] at [[Lakhmi Varaha Temple|Lakshmi Varaha Temple]], [[Aul, Odisha|Aul]], in Tamil Nadu and in [[Uttar Pradesh]]. A Varaha temple is also located in Mysore Palace premises at Mysore, Karnataka. The Varahashyam temple in [[Bhinmal]], [[Rajasthan]] also has an 8&nbsp;ft Varaha icon.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-09-01|title=वराहश्याम मंदिर में 8 फीट की प्रतिमा, इसलिए क्षेत्र में अलग पहचान|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/rajasthan/jalore/news/rajasthan-news-8-feet-statue-in-varahashyam-temple-hence-different-identity-in-the-area-074005-5376130.html|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Dainik Bhaskar|language=hi}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Varaha Upanishad]]
*[[Narasimha]]
*[[Varahi]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Bibliography==

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==External links==
{{Commons category|Varaha}}

{{VishnuAvatars}}
{{Good article}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Avatars of Vishnu]]
[[Category:Animal gods]]
[[Category:Animals in Hinduism]]
[[Category:Mythological pigs]]
[[Category:Mythological human–animal hybrids]]
[[Category:Heroes in Hindu mythology]]