Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 9

The Slaying of Hiraṇyākṣa and the Triumph of Varāha

Devanagari script

पदा सव्येन तां साधो भगवान् यज्ञसूकर: । लीलया मिषत: शत्रो: प्राहरद्वातरंहसम् ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

padā savyena tāṁ sādho bhagavān yajña-sūkaraḥ līlayā miṣataḥ śatroḥ prāharad vāta-raṁhasam

Translation

O heiliger Vidura! Während der Feind zusah, schlug der Herr in Seiner Ebergestalt, der Genießer aller Opfergaben, jene Keule, die mit der Wucht eines Sturmes heranraste, spielerisch mit dem linken Fuß zu Boden.

Synonyms

• padā: with (his) foot
• padā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• savyena: with the left
• savyena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: savya (विशेषण-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; agrees with “padā” (left)

• tām: him/that one (object referred)
• tām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• sādho: O saint!
• sādho: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sādhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord
• bhagavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• yajña-sūkaraḥ: the sacrificial Boar (Varaha)
• yajña-sūkaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajña (प्रातिपदिक) + sūkara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; तत्पुरुषः—“यज्ञरूपः सूकरः” / “यज्ञस्य सूकरः” (the sacrificial boar, Varāha)

• līlayā: playfully
• līlayā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: līlā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• miṣataḥ: of (the enemy) while he was watching
• miṣataḥ: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: miṣ (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: Present active participle (वर्तमान-कर्तरि शतृ), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; Masculine—“of (the enemy) who was looking on/blinking”

• śatroḥ: of the enemy
• śatroḥ: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śatru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• prāharat: he struck
• prāharat: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-ā-hṛ (धातु; here in sense ‘to strike’)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; parasmaipada

• vāta-raṁhasam: wind-swift (one)
• vāta-raṁhasam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāta (प्रातिपदिक) + raṁhasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुषः—“वातवत् रंहः यस्य” (wind-swift)

Characters & Entities

• Varāha
• Hiraṇyākṣa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Varaha Avatar defeating Hiranyaksha?

This verse describes Lord Varāha casually striking the wind-swift demon Hiraṇyākṣa with His left foot, showing the Lord’s effortless supremacy even in intense battle.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī call the Lord 'Yajña-sūkara' in this verse?

He emphasizes that Varāha is not an ordinary boar but Bhagavān Himself—the presiding Lord of sacrifice (yajña)—who restores cosmic order by defeating the demonic force.

Practical application of the Varaha Leela in modern life?

When chaos feels overwhelming, remember that for Bhagavān even the strongest opposition is manageable; cultivate steadiness in dharma and devotion rather than fear.