Hiranyaksha- Hindu DemonDemon"Golden-Eyed One"
Also known as: Hiranyaksa, हिरण्याक्ष, and Hiraṇyākṣa
Description
Golden-eyed demon who dragged the Earth to the bottom of the cosmic ocean, plunging creation into chaos. Vishnu dove after her as Varaha, a colossal boar, battled Hiranyaksha for a thousand celestial years, and lifted the Earth back to her place on his tusks.
Mythology & Lore
The Golden-Eyed Demon
Hiranyaksha, whose name means "golden-eyed," was a Daitya of immense power, born from the sage Kashyapa and the goddess Diti. Twin brother of Hiranyakashipu, he obtained boons from Brahma that made him virtually invincible, and no creature in the three worlds dared challenge him. While his brother sought to conquer heaven, Hiranyaksha turned his attention to the earth itself.
The Theft of the Earth
Hiranyaksha dragged the Earth goddess Bhudevi to the bottom of the cosmic ocean. With the Earth submerged in primordial waters, all terrestrial life faced extinction. The gods were powerless against his strength. He had wandered the three worlds seeking a worthy opponent, and when even the ocean god Varuna declined to fight him, he found none.
Varaha
To rescue the Earth, Vishnu descended as Varaha, the cosmic boar. He dove into the cosmic darkness, his divine tusks gleaming, searching for the stolen Earth and her captor. When he found Hiranyaksha, a battle ensued that lasted a thousand celestial years. Hiranyaksha hurled mountains at the boar while the waters of the cosmic ocean churned and boiled from the impact of their blows. Varaha finally slew the demon and lifted Bhudevi on his tusks, carrying her back to her proper place in the cosmos.