Sri Varaha Ashtakam

Overview:
This hymn glorifies Lord Śrī Varāha, the divine Boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu who rescued the Earth Goddess (Bhūdevī) from the cosmic ocean. The eight verses portray Him as the embodiment of Yajña (sacrifice), compassion, strength, and divine grace.

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• Meaning (Essence):

1. Salutations to You, O lotus-eyed Lord, dwelling in the heart of Lakshmi, whose divine form as Varaha destroyed the demon Hiranyāksha.

2. O Lord, holding the Earth on Your left arm, caressing Her cheek with affection — may You, the eternal Guru of the universe, always be victorious.

3. Your body is the altar, Your mouth the sacrificial fire, Your hairs the sacred grass, Your nostrils the ladles, and Your tusks the sacrificial posts — You are the very essence of the Vedas.

4. Lift me, fallen into the ocean of sorrow and sin, just as You raised the Earth from the deep waters, O Lord of compassion!

5. Your glance sanctifies sages and frightens away evil forces. May that mighty Boar, who plays in the forests of sacred waters, grant us unbroken welfare.

6. From a mere ray of Your glance springs all auspiciousness; the Earth is Your beloved; Your feet are the wealth of our lineage — bless us, O Bhū Varāha!

7. When cosmic storms rage at dissolution, Your unshaken form endures — Your roar splits illusion and purifies creation.

8. When the oceans thunder and the demons tremble, Your tusks strike like divine thunderbolts, dispelling all fear and darkness.

9. This hymn is a vessel that helps one cross the ocean of existence — salutations to the auspicious Lord Varaha, the eternal Guru and bestower of boons.

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Summary:
The Sri Varaha Ashtakam celebrates the divine strength and tenderness of Lord Varaha. His embrace of the Earth represents the reunion of spirit and matter, heaven and Earth. Reciting it brings purification, peace, courage, and divine protection.