Diti was afraid that the children in her womb would cause trouble, so she only gave birth to twin sons after one hundred years. When the children were born, there were many bad omens that caused great fear to the people of the world. The mountains on the earth shook with earthquakes and the world seemed on fire with meteors, comets and thunder showering down.
Sharp winds roared and uprooted the trees and raised streams of dust. Masses of clouds covered the stars and darkness enveloped the world. The waves on the ocean were agitated and howled as if in distress. Seeing all these bad omens, the people were afraid and thought the world was about to end.
The twin sons of Diti grew quickly. Their bodies were like mountains and as hard as rock. Their names were Hiranyaksa and Hiranyakashipu. The elder child, Hiranyakashipu gained control over the three worlds. Because he received a blessing from Brahma he was arrogant and did not fear death from anyone.
He loved his younger brother, Hiranyaksa, who was always willing to please him. He travelled all over the universe with a club in his hand looking for a fight. He was proud of his physical powers, and the gods were afraid of him and hid themselves like snakes afraid of Garuda.
When Hiranyaksa discovered that Indra and the other gods were hiding so he couldn’t find them he roared loudly. He gave up searching for them and dived into the ocean. When he entered the ocean, the aquatic animals were terrified and ran as far away from him as they could. For many years he roamed the ocean, striking the massive waves with his club again and again. He reached the home of Varuna, the lord of the aquatic animals.
Hiranyaksa approached Varuna and mockingly bowed down and said with a smile, O great King, you are famous as the protector of the world and one who defeats arrogant warriors. Fight with me!
Varuna was angry at being ridiculed by such a vain enemy, but he controlled his anger and said, O brave warrior, I am too old for battle and have left the path of warfare and adopted tranquillity. You are so strong that I can think of no one else except the original person, Lord Vishnu who can satisfy you in battle.
You should approach Lord Vishnu who is even praised by heroes like you. On finding him you will swiftly lose your pride and lie dead on the battlefield, surrounded by dogs. It is to destroy impious people like you and favour the virtuous that he assumes various forms.
Hiranyaksa ignored the words of Varuna. He discovered where Vishnu was and swiftly went to the depths of the ocean. There he found the Supreme Lord in the form of a boar holding the earth on the tips of his tusks.
Hiranyaksa said to the Lord, O amphibious beast come and fight. Leave the earth to us, the creator of the world gave it to us and I will hurt you if you try to take it. You have killed the impious by invisible trickery. There will be little left of your bewildering power when I remove the sorrow of my friends by killing you. When you are killed by my club shattering your head, the gods and sages who offer worship to you will be uprooted and lose their foundation.
Hiranyaksa’s words pierced the Lord like a spear, but he saw that the earth was frightened and he rose out of the water. Hiranyaksa chased the Lord while he was coming out of the water. In a thundering voice he roared, How shameful to refuse my challenge!
Lord Boar placed the earth on the surface of the water and endowed it with the power to float. Brahma praised him for his action and the other gods showered him with flowers. Hiranyaksa pursued Lord Boar wielding with his club. He continued wounding the Lord’s heart with his angry and abusive words.
The Lord said, It is true we are a wild beast of the jungle and we are searching for dogs like you. Heroes who are free from the bondage of death have no fear from boasting words like yours, for you are bound by the noose of death. Stop talking and take action to quickly defeat me. One who does not fulfil his vow is not fit for respectable society.
Hiranyaksa was overcome with rage when he heard the Supreme Lord’s insulting words. Shaking with anger and indignation, Hiranyaksa quickly attacked and struck the Lord with his club. But the Lord evaded the blow by stepping slightly to the side. Hiranyaksa picked up his club and rushed toward the Lord, biting his lip in anger and repeatedly brandishing his club about.
Then the Lord struck the enemy with his own club, but Hiranyaksa was a skilled fighter and he protected himself and struck the Lord. The Lord and Hiranyaksa were both enraged and they repeatedly struck each other with their heavy clubs. As they engaged in combat both were injured from the blows inflicted by their clubs. The smell of blood increased their anger even more.
Brahma came to see the battle for the earth taking place between Hiranyaksa and Lord Boar. Brahma said, O Lord, Hiranyaksa has caused trouble and fear to the gods, the brahmins, the cows and innocent people. Do not play with him, he is full of tricks and very proud. Lord please kill this impious demon quickly. It is fortunate that Hiranyaksa has freely come before you to meet the death ordained for him. Display your power and valour and slay him. This will bring peace to the world.
Hearing the sincere and poetic words of Brahma, the Lord laughed and glanced at him with affection. Then he leapt at Hiranyaksa and struck him on the chin with his club. His blow was stopped by Hiranyaksa’s club, and the Lord’s club fell out of his hand whirling with a miraculous glow.
Although Hiranyaksa could have struck the Lord while he was unarmed, he honoured the warrior code of not attacking anyone without a weapon and did not strike the Lord. This aroused the anger of the Lord further. As his club fell the gods gave a cry of lamentation.
The Lord appreciated Hiranyaksa’s respect of virtue and took up his sudarsana disc. Hiranyaksa glared at the Lord with his eyes burning like fire. Then he hurled his club at the Lord saying, You are defeated!
The Lord easily kicked his club with his foot and said, You desire victory, so pick up your weapon and try again. Hearing those words, Hiranyaksa roared loudly and attacked again. Seeing the club coming toward him, the Lord caught it as easily as Garuda would catch a snake. Hiranyaksa raged and took up a trident and using all his strength he threw it at the Lord. But the Lord shattered the flaming trident into pieces with his sudarsana disc.
When Hiranyaksa saw his trident cut to pieces, he became so angry he rushed toward the Lord and struck his fist against the Lord’s chest. Then he disappeared. Hiranyaksa then assailed the Lord with illusory tricks. Ferocious winds began to blow spreading dust and hail storms. Stones were catapulted from all directions. The light of the stars was blocked behind thick clouds and it rained pus, blood, urine and bones.
Naked demonesses armed with spears and tangled hair appeared. Many savage devils appeared shouting murderous words. The Lord released his sudarsana weapon and dispelled the illusions created by Hiranyaksa. Hiranyaksa returned and again rushed at the Lord trying to crush him in his strong arms but found the Lord outside his grip. He struck the Lord with his hard fists, but the Lord slapped him under his ear.
Although the Lord had casually struck the demon, Hiranyaksa spun around and his eyeballs fell from their sockets. With his arms and legs lifeless and his hair shattered, he fell like a giant tree uprooted by the wind. When Lord Brahma saw the demon lying on the ground he said, O who could achieve such a glorious death. He was kicked by the foot of Lord and died while looking at the Lord’s face. Then the gods all praised the Lord. After having killed the very powerful Hiranyaksa, the Lord returned to his own abode.
Those who hear, chant or take pleasure in this sacred story of the Lord killing Hiranyaksa will have wealth, fame, long life and all their desires will be fulfilled.
