Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 18
Varāha Confronts Hiraṇyākṣa: The Challenge, the Rescue of Earth, and the Opening of the Mace-Duel
एवं गदाभ्यां गुर्वीभ्यां हर्यक्षो हरिरेव च । जिगीषया सुसंरब्धावन्योन्यमभिजघ्नतु: ॥ १८ ॥
evaṁ gadābhyāṁ gurvībhyāṁ haryakṣo harir eva ca jigīṣayā susaṁrabdhāv anyonyam abhijaghnatuḥ
এইভাবে হর্যক্ষ ও স্বয়ং ভগবান হরি—উভয়ে বিশাল গদা হাতে, জয়ের আকাঙ্ক্ষায় ও প্রবল ক্রোধে উন্মত্ত হয়ে, পরস্পরকে আঘাত করতে লাগল।
Haryakṣa is another name for Hiraṇyākṣa, the demon.
FAQs
This verse describes how Hiraṇyākṣa and Lord Hari (as Varāha) fought intensely, each swinging a heavy mace, driven by the urge to triumph.
In the narrative of Canto 3, Lord Varāha confronts Hiraṇyākṣa to protect the cosmos and uphold dharma, displaying His divine līlā through combat.
It reminds a devotee that powerful opposition can arise, yet the Lord stands to protect dharma; one should stay steady in righteous duty and take shelter of Hari.