Varahavatara, aka: Varāhāvatāra, Varaha-avatara; 3 Definition(s)
Introduction
Varahavatara means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Varāhāvatāra (वराहावतार) refers to the “boar incarnation” of Viṣṇu and was once depicted and worshipped in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra) as mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—Viṣṇu as boar, says the Nīlamata, lifted up the earth with his tusk and tore the mountains to pieces. Varāhatīrtha is mentioned frequently and a visit to it is described as the giver of the merit of performing Rājasūya sacrifice.
Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary study
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Varāhāvatāra (वराहावतार) or Varāha is one of the daśāvatāra (ten incarnations) of Viṣṇu, is found depicted at the Kallazhagar Temple in Madurai, which represents a sacred place for the worship of Viṣṇu.—[in Varāhāvatāra,] Viṣṇu took the form of a boar. He is represented with a boar’s head holding Bhūdevī seated on his knee.
Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)
Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit-English dictionary
Varāhāvatāra (वराहावतार).—the boar or third incarnation of Viṣṇu.
Derivable forms: varāhāvatāraḥ (वराहावतारः).
Varāhāvatāra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms varāha and avatāra (अवतार).
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionarySanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Relevant definitions
Partial matches: Avatara, Varaha.
Full-text: Varaha, Dashavatara, Purana.
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Varahavatara, Varāhāvatāra, Varaha-avatara, Varāha-avatāra; (plurals include: Varahavataras, Varāhāvatāras, avataras, avatāras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Vishnu Purana (by Horace Hayman Wilson)