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This story recounts the lesser-known but crucial avatar of Vishnu, whose birth is linked to the dawn of creation and was essential for restoring the cosmic balance.
Characters in the story:
Hayagriva: Hayagriva is an avatara of the god Vishnu. He is worshipped as the god of knowledge and wisdom, with a human body and a horse’s head, brilliant white in color, with white garments and seated on a white lotus.
Lord Vishnu: Lord Vishnu is one of the three major deities in Hinduism, known as the preserver of the universe and the protector of dharma (righteousness). He is often depicted with four arms holding a conch shell, a discus, a mace, and a lotus flower..
Lord Brahma: Lord Brahma holds a significant position in Hinduism as the divine creator of the universe and all living beings. He is commonly portrayed with four heads, symbolizing his association with the four Vedas.
Goddess Lakshmi: Goddess Lakshmi is associated with wealth, prosperity, and fortune. She is often depicted with four arms holding lotus flowers and other symbols of wealth and abundance.
The tale begins at the dawn of creation, with two powerful demons, Madhu and Kaitabha, emerging from the ear of Lord Brahma. Filled with darkness and chaos, they posed an immediate threat to the young universe. Vishnu, the guardian and protector of all creation, took it upon himself to confront these menacing demons, aiming to restore peace and order to the evolving cosmos by defeating them.
After an exhausting battle with Madhu and Kaitabha lasting nearly 10,000 years, Vishnu found himself utterly drained. Unable to even muster the energy to lie down for some rest, he slumped over his bow in a deep and unshakeable stupor, his head precariously resting on its string.
Though Vishnu’s slumber was a troubling omen, none dared to disturb him—not Shiva, not Brahma, nor even the other gods, nor the divine goddess Yoganidra herself. Yet, desperate measures were required. Brahma devised a plan to seek aid from the vamsis, or white ants. Despite their initial horror at the idea of disturbing a god, Brahma convinced them, promising recognition from the gods and a share of sacred offerings in return. The ants set to work diligently, but as they chewed the string, a sudden jerk severed Vishnu’s head from his body.
Darkness enveloped the world, and despair gripped the hearts of the gods. Brahma declared that only Bhagavati or Mahamaya, the Devi, could save them.
The universe resounded with hymns in her praise, the Vedas bowed before her, and the gods pleaded for her aid. Pleased, the Devi appeared before them, explaining that Vishnu losing his head was destined, as was his eventual resurrection.
She then recounted two stories that had led to their current predicament. The first involved Vishnu and his wife Lakshmi. One day, Vishnu burst into laughter for no apparent reason upon seeing Lakshmi at her finest. Feeling insulted, Lakshmi suspected her husband of infidelity and angrily cursed him to lose his head. Unaware of the consequences, her curse had to be fulfilled, resulting in Vishnu’s temporary loss of his head.
Another factor contributing to their situation was the existence of a demon named Hayagriva. Devoted to the Devi through years of penance and prayer, he was granted immortality. However, he requested that he could only be slain by a horse-headed god like himself, believing none existed. Empowered by his invincibility, Hayagriva became a tyrant. The Devi decreed that Vishnu would take on the form of a horse-headed god to defeat him.
Upon hearing this, the gods embarked on a quest for a suitable horse, eventually beheading one. They presented the horse head to the Devi, who affixed it onto Vishnu. Thus transformed, Vishnu rode into battle and triumphed over the long-troubling demon Hayagriva.
In a cosmic narrative blending divine justice and redemption, the universe found equilibrium once more as Vishnu, resurrected with the head of a horse, vanquished the indomitable demon Hayagriva, thereby underscoring the inexorable fulfillment of destiny and the unfailing might of divine will. This saga, weaving through cycles of creation, chaos, and restoration, epitomizes the eternal dance of cosmic order, as guided by the celestial orchestration of the gods.
