Mantralaya-2009
(Earth’s most enigmatic secrets: the Varaha Avatara of Lord Vishnu)
Date : Sep 26, 2024
Background
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA JAYATI NA ANRUTA
Earth’s most enigmatic secrets: the Varaha Avatara of Lord Vishnu is described in detail in Mantralaya (2009).
Meaning
In
our previous article, we delved into the intricate definitions of time,
exploring the age of Brahma and the Earth itself. Today, we turn our
attention to one of Earth’s most enigmatic secrets: the Varaha Avatara
of Lord Vishnu. To truly appreciate the significance of the Varaha
Avatara, we must first broaden our perspective.
Let’s take a
moment to step back from our immediate surroundings, where you sit
reading these words, and immerse ourselves in the grandeur of the vast
multiverse that envelops us. Imagine yourself standing on Earth, a tiny
dot on the surface of a planet that orbits an average star in the vast
Milky Way galaxy. Now, let’s zoom out.
As we rise above the Earth,
we see it as a beautiful blue sphere, but it’s just one of eight
planets in our solar system. Zoom out even further, and our Sun shrinks
into one of hundreds of billions of stars in the Milky Way galaxy. It’s
a vast expanse, but even the Milky Way is just one galaxy among
countless others.
In fact, scientists estimate there are over
two trillion galaxies in the observable universe. Each galaxy contains
hundreds of billions of stars, many with their own planets and possibly
life. And beyond this, Vedic teachings suggest that we exist in just
one universe among an infinite number of universes— each undergoing
cycles of creation and destruction. This idea of a multiverse expands
our understanding of reality to an unimaginable scale.
In the
Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna reveals to Arjuna his Vishwarupa, or
universal form, showing that all of creation exists within him—the
entire cosmos is his body. Arjuna is overwhelmed by this vision, seeing
infinite worlds, gods, beings, and time itself as one with Krishna.
This divine revelation reminds us that while we may feel insignificant,
we are an integral part of the cosmic whole.
From this
perspective, our Earth, our solar system, and even our galaxy are mere
specks in an endless sea of existence. The life we experience—our joys,
struggles, and ambitions—while deeply meaningful to us, becomes almost
invisible when viewed in the context of the vast multiverse. We are
smaller than dust in the grand cosmic design.
The great sage
Yajnavalkya, in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, explained this
beautifully: “The Atman is smaller than the smallest and greater than
the greatest.” The Atman, or soul, while contained within our small
human bodies, is a reflection of the infinite, boundless Brahman.
Though we may be small in physical form, our essence is connected to
the divine, making us part of the vastness of the cosmos.
Consider
the story of Indra and the Brahmin's ants from the Mahabharata. Indra,
the king of gods, becomes proud of his accomplishments, but a wise
Brahmin teaches him humility by revealing to him that the ants crawling
across the floor were once great kings in their own right, now
reincarnated as humble insects. The cycle of time, karma, and rebirth
continues endlessly. This story teaches us that everything in the
universe, from ants to gods, is part of a greater cycle, and our true
worth lies not in our temporary positions but in our eternal connection
to the divine.
Yet, despite this vastness, Vedic philosophy
teaches us that the soul (Atman) is timeless, part of the eternal
consciousness. While we may feel insignificant in size, we are
connected to the infinite, making our existence a profound part of the
cosmic whole. We are both insignificant and boundless, small and
infinite at once. This duality is the beauty of existence.
Lord
Sri Hari, the protector of the cosmos, manifested in ten illustrious
forms, known as the Dashavatara, to safeguard the Earth and restore
harmony in the universe. Among these divine incarnations is the
majestic Varaha Avatara, a powerful symbol of strength and rescue.
In
our previous exploration, we established that we are currently within
the Vaivasvata Manvantara, the seventh of the fourteen Manvantaras. The
esteemed Vedic scholar Dr. Bannanje Govindacharya provides a deeper
insight: the Varaha Avatara did not unfold during this era of
Vaivasvata Manvantara. Instead, it graced the Swayambhuva Manvantara,
the very first of the fourteen cosmic epochs.
The Varaha
Avatara, a magnificent incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is intricately
linked to the cosmic order and the preservation of the Earth. This
divine manifestation first emerged during the Swayambhuva Manvantara,
where Lord Varaha heroically intervened when the Earth was displaced by
the demon Adi Hiranyaksha, the first of the demons born from Brahma. In
a fierce battle, Lord Varaha confronted Hiranyaksha, valiantly
reclaiming the Earth and restoring it to its rightful orbit in the
cosmos.
The cycle of cosmic conflict continued in the Vaivasvata
Manvantara, where another demon named Hiranyaksha, born of Aditi and
Kashyapa, once again disrupted the balance by dragging the Earth away
from its orbit. In this pivotal moment, Lord Varaha once more arose to
challenge the malevolent Hiranyaksha, demonstrating his unwavering
commitment to safeguarding the Earth and reinstating its position in
the celestial realm.
Through these powerful narratives, the
Varaha Avatara epitomizes the eternal struggle between divine order and
chaos, reflecting the timeless theme of restoration and protection in
the cosmic play of creation. Each instance of Varaha's intervention
serves as a reminder of the divine's role in maintaining balance within
the universe, ensuring that the Earth remains a sanctuary for all life.
As
I emphasized at the outset of this article, the Earth is merely a
minuscule speck in the vast cosmos—much like a delicate dust particle
adrift in the boundless expanse of the universe. Despite its seemingly
inconsequential nature, this fragile orb sustains a precise orbit, and
even the slightest deviation from this trajectory could jeopardize the
delicate equilibrium of cosmic harmony.
In this context, the
Varaha Avatara of Lord Vishnu takes on profound significance. Lord
Varaha’s divine intervention not only restored the Earth to its
rightful place but also safeguarded the intricate equilibrium that
sustains all of creation.
Vedic scholar Dr. Bannanje
Govindacharya says , interestingly, this theme of cosmic disruption
finds resonance in the works of Immanuel Velikovsky, a controversial
figure in the realms of history and cosmology. In his book "Worlds in
Collision" (1950), Velikovsky posits that the Earth has indeed moved
away from its orbit on two significant occasions ( as listed in Varaha
Avatara), resulting in cataclysmic events that reshaped the course of
history.
As Sri Raghavendra Swamy beautifully articulates, the
grace of Lord Sri Hari transcends the limits of human imagination. This
divine benevolence encompasses not only the immediate world around us
but extends to the very fabric of the cosmos itself. The writings of
luminaries like Sri Raghavendra Swamy, Sri VadeendraTeertharu, and Sri
Vadirajaru serve as a testament to this profound truth. Their works
delve deeply into the intricacies of the universe, exploring how Lord
Sri Hari lovingly nurtures and safeguards each element within it.
The
teachings of these revered saints highlight the vastness of creation,
revealing the existence of 14 Lokas, or realms, within the multiverse
that Lord Sri Hari diligently protects. Each Loka represents a unique
aspect of existence, a dimension filled with its own energies and
consciousness. Through their songs and texts, Hari Dasaru and other
devoted poets eloquently express the intricate relationship between the
divine and the cosmos, celebrating the unwavering vigilance of Sri Hari
over all beings.
In this vast expanse of creation, where
countless worlds coexist, the protective embrace of Lord Sri Hari is a
source of solace and inspiration. It invites us to reflect on our place
within this grand design, urging us to acknowledge the divine presence
that permeates every corner of existence. Just as the stars in the
night sky are held in perfect harmony, so too are we, under the
watchful care of the Supreme Being, whose grace is both a mystery and a
marvel. This sacred understanding deepens our connection to the
universe and enriches our spiritual journey, reminding us that we are
never alone in this expansive cosmos.
The devotion towards
Sri Raghavendrateertharu is the ultimate truth and is the most simple
and effective way to reach Sri Hari - "NAMBI KETTAVARILLAVO EE
GURUGALA"! “Those who have complete faith in this Guru will never be
disappointed.”
|| BICHALI JAPADAKATTI SRI APPANACHARYA PRIYA MANTRALAYA
SRI RAGHAVENDRATEERTHA GURUBHYO NAMAHA||