Shloka 6

Hari’s Avatāras and the Cosmic Power of Pativratā-Dharma

Devanagari script

अवतीर्णो वराहो ऽथ हिरण्याक्षं जघान ह / पृथिवीं धारयामास पालयामास देवताः

Transliteration

avatīrṇo varāho 'tha hiraṇyākṣaṃ jaghāna ha / pṛthivīṃ dhārayāmāsa pālayāmāsa devatāḥ

Translation

Kemudian Varāha-avatāra turun, lalu membunuh Hiraṇyākṣa; Dia menegakkan Bumi dan melindungi para dewa.

Word by Word

• अवतीर्णः: having descended/incarnated
• अवतीर्णः: Karta (Predicate participle/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव + तॄ (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/Past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; धातुः—तॄ/तॄँ (to cross/descend) उपसर्गः—अव

• वराहः: the Boar (Varāha)
• वराहः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वराह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनन्तरम् (then)

• हिरण्याक्षम्: Hiraṇyākṣa
• हिरण्याक्षम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हिरण्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; समासः—बहुव्रीहिः (हिरण्याक्षः = हिरण्ये अक्षिणी यस्य)

• जघान: slew
• जघान: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्षभूत), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; धातुः—हन् (to slay)

• ह: indeed
• ह: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ह (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अव्यय; स्मरणे/प्रसिद्धौ (indeed/for emphasis)

• पृथिवीम्: the earth
• पृथिवीम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथिवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• धारयामास: supported/held up
• धारयामास: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-प्राय (परिप्रास/Periphrastic perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; णिच् (causative) भावः—धारयति (to hold/support)

• पालयामास: protected
• पालयामास: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पाल् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-प्राय (परिप्रास/Periphrastic perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; णिच् (causative) भावः—पालयति (to protect)

• देवताः: the deities
• देवताः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन (पुंवद्भावेन देवतान् इति पाठान्तरसम्भवः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (to Garuda/Vinata-putra) — contextual narration within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: When adharma overwhelms, the Lord intervenes to protect the world and uphold the devas—symbolizing restoration of order and responsibility toward the Earth.

Vedantic Theme: Avatāra as dharma-saṃsthāpana; the world upheld by divine support (ādhāra-śakti).

Application: See environmental stewardship and protection of the vulnerable as dharmic; act decisively against destructive forces while maintaining righteous intent.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Geographic Context

Type: battlefield across primordial waters

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.142 (Varāha in avatāra sequence)

Characters & Entities

• Varaha
• Hiranyaksha
• Prithivi (Earth)
• Devas

FAQs

What is the importance of the Varaha incarnation in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights Varāha as the divine restorer of cosmic balance—destroying Hiraṇyākṣa, uplifting the Earth, and protecting the Devas—showing Viṣṇu’s role as preserver of dharma.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it frames the Garuḍa Purāṇa’s broader ethical theology: dharma is protected by the divine, and adharma (embodied by destructive forces) is ultimately overcome—encouraging right conduct that supports a favorable post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Support dharma in daily life—protect what sustains society (like honesty, responsibility, and care for the environment), and resist harmful actions—mirroring the verse’s theme of restoring balance and safeguarding life.