Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 43
Varāha-avatāra: The Boar Incarnation Lifts the Earth and Slays Hiraṇyākṣa
क: श्रद्दधीतान्यतमस्तव प्रभो रसां गताया भुव उद्विबर्हणम् । न विस्मयोऽसौ त्वयि विश्वविस्मये यो माययेदं ससृजेऽतिविस्मयम् ॥ ४३ ॥
kaḥ śraddadhītānyatamas tava prabho rasāṁ gatāyā bhuva udvibarhaṇam na vismayo ’sau tvayi viśva-vismaye yo māyayedaṁ sasṛje ’tivismayam
ஹே பிரபுவே! நீருக்குள் சென்ற பூமியை ரசாதலத்திலிருந்து மீட்டெடுக்க உம்மைத் தவிர வேறு யார் வல்லவர்? நீர் உலகமே வியக்கும் அதிசயர்; ஆகவே இது வியப்பல்ல, ஏனெனில் உமது மாயாசக்தியால் இவ்வியத்தகு பிரபஞ்சத்தைப் படைத்தீர்।
When a scientist discovers something impressive to the ignorant mass of people, the common man, without inquiry, accepts such a discovery as wonderful. But the intelligent man is not struck with wonder by such discoveries. He gives all credit to the person who created the wonderful brain of the scientist. A common man is also struck with wonder by the wonderful action of material nature, and he gives all credit to the cosmic manifestation. The learned Kṛṣṇa conscious person, however, knows well that behind the cosmic manifestation is the brain of Kṛṣṇa, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (9.10) : mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram. Since Kṛṣṇa can direct the wonderful cosmic manifestation, it is not at all wonderful for Him to assume the gigantic form of a boar and thus deliver the earth from the mire of the water. A devotee is therefore not astonished to see the wonderful boar because he knows that the Lord is able to act far more wonderfully by His potencies, which are inconceivable to the brain of even the most erudite scientist.
FAQs
This verse praises the Lord for raising the earth after it had sunk into the cosmic waters, affirming that such divine rescue is a natural act for the Supreme, who governs creation through His own potency.
Because the Lord is described as the very 'Wonder of the universe'—the one who creates the entire astonishing cosmos by His māyā—so lifting the earth is consistent with His unlimited power.
It encourages steadfast faith: if the Supreme can uphold and restore the world itself, a devotee can rely on Him for protection and guidance amid personal upheavals, while remembering His power behind all creation.