Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 28
Varāha-avatāra: The Boar Incarnation Lifts the Earth and Slays Hiraṇyākṣa
घ्राणेन पृथ्व्या: पदवीं विजिघ्रन् क्रोडापदेश: स्वयमध्वराङ्ग: । करालदंष्ट्रोऽप्यकरालदृग्भ्या- मुद्वीक्ष्य विप्रान् गृणतोऽविशत्कम् ॥ २८ ॥
ghrāṇena pṛthvyāḥ padavīṁ vijighran kroḍāpadeśaḥ svayam adhvarāṅgaḥ karāla-daṁṣṭro ’py akarāla-dṛgbhyām udvīkṣya viprān gṛṇato ’viśat kam
ఆయనే స్వయంగా పరమేశ్వరుడు విష్ణువు; అందువల్ల అతీతుడు. అయినా వరాహదేహం ధరించి భూమి మార్గాన్ని ఘ్రాణంతో అన్వేషించాడు. భయంకర దంతాలు ఉన్నా ప్రార్థనలు చేసే భక్త బ్రాహ్మణులపై కరుణదృష్టి వేసి జలంలో ప్రవేశించాడు।
We should always remember that although the body of a hog is material, the hog form of the Lord was not materially contaminated. It is not possible for an earthly hog to assume a gigantic form spreading throughout the sky, beginning from the Satyaloka. His body is always transcendental in all circumstances; therefore, the assumption of the form of a boar is only His pastime. His body is all Vedas, or transcendental. But since He had assumed the form of a boar, He began to search out the earth by smelling, just like a hog. The Lord can perfectly play the part of any living entity. The gigantic feature of the boar was certainly very fearful for all nondevotees, but to the pure devotees of the Lord He was not at all fearful; on the contrary, He was so pleasingly glancing upon His devotees that all of them felt transcendental happiness.
FAQs
This verse shows that although Varāha’s tusks are terrifying, His glance is gentle toward the brāhmaṇas praising Him—revealing the Lord’s protective, compassionate nature toward devotees.
In His boar form, the Lord uses the natural power of a boar’s scent to locate the submerged earth, displaying a divine līlā where the Supreme adopts a fitting form to accomplish His purpose.
Even when circumstances look frightening, remember the Lord’s intention is protection and restoration; keep faith and continue sincere glorification (kīrtana), like the vipras who praised Him.