Varahadeva and the Two Mighty Brothers

1. Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu grew huge and powerful. The earth trembled beneath their heavy steps.
2. Hiranyaksha carried a great club and searched everywhere for an opponent. Many demigods hid when they saw him.
3. Finding no battle in the heavens, Hiranyaksha plunged into the cosmic ocean. The waves parted before his mighty body.
4. Varuna, lord of the waters, refused to fight him. He said that only the Supreme Lord could be a worthy opponent.
5. At that time the Earth lay deep beneath the waters of Garbhodaka. The living beings needed the Lord's protection.
6. A tiny boar appeared from Lord Brahma's nostril. Within moments He grew into an enormous, radiant form.
7. He was Lord Varahadeva, an eternal form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The sages and demigods praised Him with Vedic hymns.
8. Varahadeva dived into the deep waters and found the Earth. He gently raised her upon His powerful tusks.
9. Hiranyaksha saw the Lord carrying the Earth. The proud demon mocked Him and challenged Him to fight.
10. First Varahadeva placed the Earth in safety. He showed that true strength is meant to protect and help, not to frighten others.
11. Then a great battle with clubs began. The demigods and sages watched from the sky.
12. Lord Brahma asked Varahadeva to finish the battle before an unfavorable hour arrived. The Lord accepted his request with a smile.
13. Hiranyaksha rushed forward again with all his strength. Varahadeva easily stopped and defeated him.
14. The Earth rested peacefully in her proper place again. The demigods showered the Lord with flowers.
15. Varahadeva returned to His abode as joyful prayers filled the sky. The universe was saved from Hiranyaksha.
16. When Hiranyakashipu heard about his brother, grief and anger filled him. He decided to take revenge upon Lord Vishnu.
17. Hiranyakashipu ordered his followers to disturb peaceful people who worshiped the Lord. Fear spread through many lands.
18. To gain extraordinary power, Hiranyakashipu went to Mount Mandara. There he began a very severe austerity.

Sources for parents

• A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.17 — the birth of Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu.
• A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.18–19 — Lord Varahadeva and Hiranyaksha (continued).
• A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.2 — Hiranyakashipu's anger and plan.