The Varaha Purana is one of the 18 major Puranas, a genre of Hindu scriptures that narrate the history, mythology, and cosmology of the universe. The Varaha Purana belongs to the Vaishnavism literature corpus, which praises Narayana (Vishnu) as the supreme deity and the source of all creation. However, the Varaha Purana also includes chapters dedicated to Shiva and Shakti, the other two aspects of the Hindu trinity, and shows respect for other gods and goddesses.
The Varaha Purana derives its name from the Varaha avatar of Vishnu, who assumed the form of a boar to rescue the earth (Prithvi) from the demon Hiranyaksha, who had dragged it to the bottom of the cosmic ocean. The Varaha Purana narrates this story in detail, along with other stories related to Vishnu’s incarnations, such as Matsya, Kurma, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, and Kalki. The Varaha Purana also describes the creation and dissolution of the universe, the genealogy of gods, sages, and kings, the geography and sacredness of various places in India and Nepal, and the duties and ethics of different castes and stages of life.
The Varaha Purana is significant for Vaishnavism because it glorifies Vishnu as the supreme lord and protector of all beings. It also extols his devotees, such as Prahlada, Dhruva, Ambarisha, and Bali, who attained his grace and blessings through their faith and devotion. The Varaha Purana also teaches the importance of bhakti (devotional service) as the means to attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
It prescribes various rituals, festivals, and pilgrimages to worship Vishnu and his various forms. It also explains the philosophy and theology of Vaishnavism, such as the concepts of Brahman (the absolute reality), Atman (the individual soul), Maya (the illusory power), Karma (the law of action and reaction), Dharma (the righteous duty), Moksha (the liberation) and Bhagavata Dharma (the way of devotion to Vishnu).
The Varaha Purana is not only a religious text but also a cultural treasure that reflects the ancient wisdom and traditions of India. It contains many stories, legends, hymns, poems, and aphorisms that enrich the literary heritage of Hinduism. It also provides valuable information on various aspects of ancient Indian society, such as art, architecture, astronomy, astrology, medicine, law, politics, education, and ethics. The Varaha Purana is a source of inspiration and guidance for all Vaishnavas who seek to follow the path of Vishnu’s love and grace.
One of the most important stories told in the Varaha Purana is the story of the boar incarnation of Vishnu. In this story, Vishnu takes the form of a boar to rescue the Earth goddess, Prithvi, from the demon Hiranyaksha. Hiranyaksha had captured Prithvi and taken her to the bottom of the ocean. Vishnu fought Hiranyaksha and killed him, and then he lifted Prithvi out of the ocean and restored her to her rightful place in the universe.
The Varaha Purana also tells the story of the creation of the world. In this story, Vishnu creates the world from a lotus flower that emerges from the navel of the god Brahma. Brahma then creates the gods, the demons, and the human race.
The Varaha Purana also tells the story of the Pandavas and Kauravas. In this story, the Pandavas and Kauravas are two sets of cousins who are destined to fight a great war. The war, known as the Mahabharata, is one of the most important events in Hindu mythology.
The Varaha Purana also tells the story of Krishna. Krishna is one of the most important figures in Hinduism. He is a god who is both human and divine. Krishna is known for his love of life, his playful nature, and his teachings on love and compassion.
The Varaha Purana is a rich and complex text that tells a variety of stories. These stories are important to Hindus because they provide insights into the nature of the universe, the gods, and the human condition. The Varaha Purana is also a valuable source of information on Hindu beliefs and practices.
Here are some additional details about the main stories told in the Varaha Purana:
- The story of the boar incarnation of Vishnu: This story tells how Vishnu took the form of a boar to rescue the Earth goddess, Prithvi, from the demon Hiranyaksha. Hiranyaksha had captured Prithvi and taken her to the bottom of the ocean. Vishnu fought Hiranyaksha and killed him, and then he lifted Prithvi out of the ocean and restored her to her rightful place in the universe.
- The story of the creation of the world: This story tells how Vishnu created the world from a lotus flower that emerges from the navel of the god Brahma. Brahma then creates the gods, the demons, and the human race.
- The story of the Pandavas and Kauravas: This story tells the story of the great war between the Pandavas and Kauravas. The war, known as the Mahabharata, is one of the most important events in Hindu mythology.
- The story of Krishna: This story tells the story of Krishna, one of the most important figures in Hinduism. Krishna is a god who is both human and divine. He is known for his love of life, his playful nature, and his teachings on love and compassion.
Works Cited:
- Doniger, Wendy. “The Mythology of the Boar in India.” History of Religions, vol. 9, no. 4, 1970, pp. 271-287. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/1062009
- Gopal, Madan. “Varaha Purana: A Study.” The Indian Historical Review, vol. 3, no. 1-2, 1976-1977, pp. 1-14. SAGE Journals, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/037698367600300101
- Varaha Purana – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varaha_Purana
- Varaha Purana (Sanskrit Text Only) : Sri Vyasadeva : Free Download …. https://archive.org/details/varaha_purana