Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 32
Varāha-avatāra: The Boar Incarnation Lifts the Earth and Slays Hiraṇyākṣa
जघान रुन्धानमसह्यविक्रमं स लीलयेभं मृगराडिवाम्भसि । तद्रक्तपङ्काङ्कितगण्डतुण्डो यथा गजेन्द्रो जगतीं विभिन्दन् ॥ ३२ ॥
jaghāna rundhānam asahya-vikramaṁ sa līlayebhaṁ mṛgarāḍ ivāmbhasi tad-rakta-paṅkāṅkita-gaṇḍa-tuṇḍo yathā gajendro jagatīṁ vibhindan
Thereupon, within the waters, Lord Varāha slew the demon who barred His way—mighty beyond endurance—as effortlessly as a lion kills an elephant. His cheeks and tongue were smeared with the demon’s blood, like a great elephant reddened by digging in purple earth.
FAQs
It describes how Lord Varāha, as a divine pastime, easily killed the obstructing demon Hiraṇyākṣa, emphasizing the Lord’s effortless supremacy and protection of dharma.
The comparison highlights overwhelming dominance: even in a challenging setting (water), a lion can overcome an elephant—similarly, the Lord overcame a seemingly formidable enemy without strain.
When obstacles seem “unbearable,” this verse reminds devotees to take shelter of the Lord, who can remove impediments to righteous living and spiritual progress with ease.