The Legend of Hayagriva: Vishnu's Transformation and the Battle for Balance

Once upon a time, after fighting a fierce battle with the Asuras for ten thousand years, Bhagavan Vishnu became very tired. He decided to rest on the battleground itself. He sat down in padmasana and rested his head on one end of his bow, with the other end placed on the ground. The bowstring was still tied to the bow. Exhausted, he fell into a deep sleep. 

Meanwhile, the Devas, including Indra, were preparing to perform a yajna. They went to Vaikuntha to seek his presence as the Yajna Purusha (the deity presiding over the yajna). Not finding him there, they used their divine vision to locate him elsewhere. They found him in a deep sleep and waited for him to wake up.

Seeing this situation, Indra spoke: 'What should we do now? How can we wake him up?' Hearing this, Lord Shiva responded: 'Disturbing someone's sleep is as sinful as breaking a promise, separating a mother from her child, and is considered equal to Brahmahatya (killing a Brahmin). Therefore, there is a sin associated with waking someone up.'

Hence, they decided to wake up Bhagavan in a way that would not incur sin. They thought of a solution where a creature for whom chewing on things is natural may be employed to chew on Vishnu's bowstring. When the bowstring breaks, the sudden jerk would wake Bhagavan without having to wake him up directly.

The Devas agreed to this plan and sought the termite's help, which could chew on the bowstring. The termite expressed concern about the wrath of Vishnu, but the Devas assured that it was necessary for the greater good. The termite was also offered a gift for taking the risk.

As the termite chewed on the bowstring, it eventually broke, but the sudden release of the bow cut off Vishnu's head, which was flung far away. The Devas were shocked and distressed.

They turned to Brahma, who explained that such events are predestined and beyond anyone's control. He narrated how Hayagriva (a demon with a horse's head) had received a boon that he could only be killed by someone with a horse's head. Therefore, to defeat Hayagriva, Bhagavan Vishnu had to assume the form of Hayagriva.

In fact, Bhagavan had unintentionally laughed once in Lakshmi Devi's presence. Devi thought that Bhagavan was laughing at her and insulting her. She cursed that his laughing head would fall off. It was the curse that worked now.

Brahma then instructed the Devas to request the divine craftsman, Tvashta, to attach a horse's head to Vishnu's body. Tvashta did so, and Vishnu, in his new form, defeated Hayagriva the demon, restoring peace.

This legend shows that divine plans are beyond anybody's control. It highlights the connection between events. It teaches that even inauspicious  events have a higher purpose. Divine intervention keeps the balance of good and evil. The Devas' careful approach shows the importance of moral principles. It shows that curses and blessings are part of the divine plan. Vishnu's change into Hayagriva was necessary. This legend encourages faith in divine will. It teaches patience during tough times. Every event, even tragic ones, serves a greater good.

Knowledge Bank

Puja for Ashwini Nakshatra

1. Worship Ganapati, Kartikeya, and Bhadrakali. 2. Gandanta shanti. 3. Ganapati Homa. 4. Chaturthi vrata. 5. Mangal (Mars) mantras and stotras. 6. Ketu mantras and stotras.

What is cosmic dissolution?

The duration of a Kalpa is 4.32 billion years. At the end of the Kalpa, a pralaya called Braahma-pralaya occurs. This is also called Naimittika pralaya or cosmic dissolution. In this pralaya, the three worlds- Bhuloka, Bhuvarloka, and Swarloka are completely destroyed. The occupants of Maharloka shift to Jana-Loka and live there till the beginning of the next Kalpa. At the beginning of the next Kalpa, the universe is created from Maharloka downwards. Padma Purana.Srishti Khanda.

Other languages: Hindi