Drik Panchang
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Drik Panchang
Among the numerous incarnations of Lord Vishnu, His Hayagriva Avatara is also mentioned in religious texts. In this incarnation, Lord Hayagriva has the head of a Horse and the body of a Human. In religious scriptures, Lord Hayagriva has been described as the one who bestows knowledge, intelligence and wisdom. Hayagriva Avatara of Lord Vishnu finds mention in Srimad Bhagavata Purana, Hayagriva Upanishad, Vishnu Purana, Devi Bhagavata Purana and an epic poem called Hayagriva Vadha.
Just like every incarnation of Lord Vishnu has a specific purpose, the purpose of His Hayagriva Avatara was to annihilate the demon named Hayagriva and to retrieve the four Vedas, which were stolen from Lord Brahma. During His Hayagriva Avatara, Lord Vishnu also recited the Samaveda.
According to the legend related to the Hayagriva Avatara of Lord Vishnu, once, Lord Vishnu gave a gentle smile upon witnessing Goddess Lakshmi's beauty. However, Goddess Lakshmi misinterpreted the smile as ridicule and cursed Lord Vishnu thus - "Your head shall separate from your body and disappear." After some time when Her anger had subsided, Goddess Lakshmi began to feel anxious because of the curse She cast on Her husband. To pacify Her, Lord Vishnu thus explained - "O Goddess! Don't anguish, your curse is part of my divine design, because this very curse will become the reason for my Hayagriva Avatara."
In ancient times, there lived an extremely powerful demon named Hayagrivasura, who was known in the world as Hayagriva. Hayagrivasura had the head of a horse but the body of a man. He was the son of Sage Kashyapa and Diti. Demons Hiranyaksha, Raktabeeja, Dhumralochana and Hiranyakashipu were his younger brothers and Vajrangasura and Arunasura were his elder brothers. He also had a sister named Holika.
In the course of time, Hayagrivasura performed intense penance to propitiate Goddess Parvati. Goddess Parvati, pleased with his penance, appeared before him and told him to ask for a desired boon. Upon seeing Goddess Parvati standing before him, Hayagrivasura reverentially greeted her with folded hands and thus said pleadingly - "O Mother of the Three Worlds! If you are pleased with my propitiation, then grant me immortality." Goddess Parvati said - "O Son! Every living being born in this world must inevitably die, even Gods have to take birth in this mortal world when their Punya Karma exhausts. Therefore, you should ask for another boon."
Upon listening to the words of Goddess Parvati, Hayagrivasura said - "O Mother! Please grant me a boon that, only a person whose body resembles my form, that is, who has a head of horse and torso of a man, shall be able to kill me." Goddess Parvati granted him the boon and disappeared. Hayagrivasura, fearless with Goddess Parvati's boon and considering himself immortal, began persecuting inhabitants of the three worlds. He tortured sages and ascetics. Deluded by the arrogance of his strength, Hayagrivasura stole the Vedas from Lord Brahma.
After the Vedas were stolen, the darkness of ignorance shrouded the entire universe. After stealing the Vedas, demon Hayagriva challenged Lord Vishnu for a war. Lord Vishnu accepted the challenge and appeared before him to fight the war. A fierce battle commenced between Hayagrivasura and Lord Vishnu, a battle that defied any decisive conclusion. The battle continued for one week and on the eighth day, Hayagrivasura and Lord Vishnu, both exhausted, ceased the battle and retreated to rest.
Lord Vishnu was resting with His head placed against the bowstring of His bow. Upon seeing Lord Vishnu in a calm repose, Lord Brahma created an insect with His divine power and commanded it to cut the string of Lord Vishnu's bow. Obeying Lord Brahma's command, the insect cut the string of the bow which created a thunderous bang and a force so powerful that the string recoiled and severed Lord Vishnu's head from His body, which vanished instantly.
At that moment, a divine proclamation in the voice of Goddess Parvati came forth, asking Lord Brahma to bring the head of a horse. Lord Brahma returned with the head of a blue-colored horse and attached the head of that horse to the body of Lord Vishnu with the help of Ashwini Kumaras. Thus, the Hayagriva Avatara of Lord Vishnu was born. Thereafter, Lord Vishnu, in the form of Lord Hayagriva, fought the battle with Hayagrivasura and annihilated him. After destroying Hayagrivasura, Lord Hayagriva returned the Vedas to Lord Brahma.
Thus, in order to protect the entire universe from the torture of Hayagrivasura and to retrieve Vedas from his possession, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Lord Hayagriva.
Lord Hayagriva is a self-manifested incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Therefore, no description about His parentage is found in any scripture. In His Shri Lakshmi-Hayagriva form, Goddess Lakshmi is described as His divine consort.
Lord Hayagriva is depicted with a deep blue complexion. He has a head of horse and the body of a human and is depicted in four-armed form. Lord Hayagriva holds a conch and a discus in His two upper hands while one of His lower hands is raised in a boon-giving gesture. In His fourth hand, He holds the Vedas. He dons yellow garments and wears various exquisite golden ornaments. A divine crown encrusted with precious jewels resplendently rests on His head.
In Shri Lakshmi-Hayagriva form, Goddess Lakshmi is depicted as being seated on the left lap of Lord Hayagriva. Lord Hayagriva is also portrayed as holding a lotus flower instead of discus and returning the Vedas to Lord Brahma.
Lord Hayagriva General Mantra -
श्रीहयग्रीव सहित श्रीमहालक्ष्मी श्रीपादुकां पूजयामि तर्पयामि॥
Shrihayagriva Sahita Shrimahalakshmi Shripadukam Pujayami Tarpayami॥
Hayagriva Mantra from Skanda Purana -
ॐ नमो भगवते आत्मविशोधनाय नमः।
Om Namo Bhagavate Atmavishodhanaya Namah।
Shri Hayagriva Gayatri Mantra -
ॐ वाणीश्वराय विद्महे हयग्रीवाय धीमहि।
तन्नः हयग्रीवः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Vanishwaraya Vidmahe Hayagrivaya Dhimahi।
Tannah Hayagrivah Prachodayat॥
The given Shri Vishnu Dashavatara Stotram is a very melodious and effective Stotram dedicated to the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
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