Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 30
Varāha-avatāra: The Boar Incarnation Lifts the Earth and Slays Hiraṇyākṣa
खुरै: क्षुरप्रैर्दरयंस्तदाप उत्पारपारं त्रिपरू रसायाम् । ददर्श गां तत्र सुषुप्सुरग्रे यां जीवधानीं स्वयमभ्यधत्त ॥ ३० ॥
khuraiḥ kṣuraprair darayaṁs tad āpa utpāra-pāraṁ tri-parū rasāyām dadarśa gāṁ tatra suṣupsur agre yāṁ jīva-dhānīṁ svayam abhyadhatta
Com seus cascos, afiados como flechas, o Senhor Varāha rasgou as águas e penetrou até Rasātala, e ainda assim viu o limite do oceano, embora fosse ilimitado. Ali viu a terra—morada de todos os seres—jazendo como no início da criação, e Ele mesmo a ergueu.
The word rasāyām is sometimes interpreted to mean Rasātala, the lowest planetary system, but that is not applicable in this connection, according to Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura. The earth is seven times superior to the other planetary systems, namely Tala, Atala, Talātala, Vitala, Rasātala, Pātāla, etc. Therefore the earth cannot be situated in the Rasātala planetary system. It is described in the Viṣṇu-dharma:
FAQs
This verse describes Lord Varaha crossing the subterranean ocean and beholding the Earth, who awaits His upliftment—showing the Lord’s active protection of creation and dharma.
To emphasize the Lord’s extraordinary divine power: He penetrates the cosmic waters and reaches the hidden lower regions to recover the Earth, demonstrating that no place is beyond His protection.
When life feels “submerged” in anxiety or disorder, this verse inspires faith that the Supreme can lift one from the depths; a devotee responds by steady prayer, dharmic action, and remembrance of the Lord’s saving pastimes.