Chapter 2 - Propitiation of Śrī Varāha by Mantras

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Sūta said:

1-3. O ye sages, listen to the ancient holy story. Formerly, in the Vaivasvata Manvantara, in the most meritorious Kṛta-yuga, the Lord of Earth, the Lord of Devas dwelt on the Nārāyaṇa mountain in the form of a Boar.

Accompanied by her friends and attendants, Dharaṇī (Goddess Earth) bowed down to the Lord whose eyes resembled red lotus and were longish. She then asked thus:

Dharaṇī asked:

4-6. O Lord of Devas, by which Mantra are you to be propitiated, whereby you will become delighted? Tell me that (Mantra), O Lord, which is a perpetual favourite of yours.

It should be the cause of all prosperity unto those who repeat it. It should bestow sons and grandsons. It should always grant imperial power and position. It should yield all desired things to those who wish for them. It should grant the attainment of your own region at the end. O Lord Varāha, the bestower of honour, with love towards me, tell (the Mantra) that is of this type (potency).

Śrī Sūta said:

7. On being asked by Earth thus the Lord said with pleasure and smile spreading over his face:

Śrī Varāha said:

8-9. Listen, O gentle lady, to the exceedingly great secret (Mantra) that causes prosperity immediately, that yields lands, sons etc. It should be kept as a great secret and should never be revealed. Further, it should be communicated to a devotee of well-controlled mind, who is willing to render service.

[The Mantra: “oṃ namaḥ śrīvarāhāya dharaṇyuddharaṇāya ca svāhā”^[1]]:—

10. “Oṃ obeisance to Śrī Varāha who lifted up Earth. Svāhā.” This Mantra should always be repeated by one who wishes to be liberated. He should be a Fire-worshipper with his wife alive.

11-13. O Goddess Earth, this Mantra is the bestower of all Siddhis. Saṃkarṣaṇa is mentioned as its sage. I myself am the Deity. The metre mentioned is Paṅkti (‘one with ten syllables in a foot’). Śrī is the Bīja (‘seed’) cited. One who takes instruction of this Mantra from a good preceptor should repeat it four hundred thousand times. He shall perform Homa with rice cooked in milk along with honey and ghee.

Now I shall describe (the personality of Varāha for) meditation that causes mental purity.

14-16. O Earth having the oceans for your robes, the devotee shall meditate upon me accompanied by you seated on my left thigh. I shall be meditated as having the lustre of a pure crystal mountain with eyes resembling the petals of red lotus, the face of a Boar, gentle appearance, four arms and the crown. There is the mark Śrīvatsa on the chest. In the lotus-like hands a conch and a discus are held (with one making) the mystic gesture of granting immunity from fear. I wear reddish yellow robes. I am bedecked in red ornaments. I am stationed on a lotus over the body of Śeṣa lying on the middle of the back of the divine Tortoise.

17. After meditating thus the devotee shall always repeat the Mantra one hundred and eight times. He shall attain all desired objects. He will certainly attain salvation in the end.

18. O Dharaṇī free from impurities, what I was asked by you has been told by me. Henceforth, O lady of pure face, relate to me what is intended by you (in your mind).

[The Achievement of their Objectives by Dharma and others through the Varāha-mantra]:—

Śrī Sūta said:

19-21. On hearing this Earth asked him once again: “By whom, O Lord, has this (i.e. recitation) been formerly performed and what benefit has been acquired by him?”

On being asked thus again Lord Śrī Varāha spoke thus: “O Goddess, formerly in Kṛtayuga the great Manu named Dharma obtained this Mantra from Brahmā and repeated it over this (very) mountain. He saw me, obtained the boon and attained my region.

22. On account of the curse of Durvāsas Indra was formerly dislodged from heaven. He worshipped me here, O Goddess, with this (Mantra) and regained his heaven.

23-24. Other sages too, O Earth, repeated this Mantra and attained the highest state (i.e. salvation). Ananta, the Lord of serpents, obtained this Mantra from Kaśyapa. He performed the Japa in Śvetadvīpa continent and he became a support to Earth. Hence, this Mantra should always be repeated by human beings seeking lands.”

Śrī Sūta said:

25. On hearing this Goddess Earth became highly pleased. She asked the supporter of Earth (i.e. Śrī Varāha) once again:

Dharaṇī said:

26. When does Śrīnivāsa, the Lord of the universe, the pure Lord of Devas, come to the great mountain named Veṅkaṭa accompanied by Śrī and Bhūmi.

27. How does Janārdana become one who will be able to live in another Kalpa? O Lord Varāha, relate this to me. My eagerness is great.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

This is a Paurāṇika Mantra but it has been given the semblance of a Vedic Mantra by stating its seer-sage, deity etc. in vv 10-13, the total number of repetitions of this mantra and Homa (vv 12-13a) and the Dhyāna (description of the deity to be meditated on) in vv 14-16 and its benefit (phalaśrutì) in vv 20-24.