The Killing of the Demon Hiranyaksha
The fierce duel reached its climax as Hiranyaksha, despite his might, could not shake Lord Varaha's composure. Realizing his mace was ineffective, the demon seized a trident and hurled it with lethal force. The Lord effortlessly shattered it, revealing that no weapon can touch the Supreme. Undeterred, Hiranyaksha charged with fists like mountains, but the Lord met him hand-to-hand, demonstrating that His bare touch eclipses all material strength.
Witnessing the stalemate, the demigods grew anxious, fearing the demon’s unchecked violence would prolong universal turmoil. They prayed fervently for the Lord to conclude the battle. Their prayers underscored a central truth: while the Lord can play with the cosmic situation as He pleases, He is attentive to the pleas of His devotees and acts to relieve their distress. Their dependence contrasted sharply with the demon’s self-reliance born of pride.
At the perfect moment, Lord Varaha struck decisively. With a swift blow, He stunned Hiranyaksha, causing the demon to stagger. Seizing the opening, the Lord delivered a powerful strike—described as a blow from His mace or His tusks in various narrations—that crushed the demon's arrogance along with his body. Hiranyaksha fell like a toppled mountain, eyes rolling, life air departing. The earth and heavens resounded with relief as the cosmic threat ended.
As the demon lay defeated, his brilliance faded, and his formidable body appeared insignificant next to the Lord's transcendental form. The demigods showered flowers and offered hymns glorifying Lord Varaha, praising Him as the savior of the Earth and the protector of the cosmic order. They acknowledged that only the Supreme Lord could curb such a menace, and that His intervention reaffirmed dharma across the universe.
The Lord accepted the praises but remained humble, thinking only of His devotees’ welfare. He reassured the demigods that the Earth was now secure and that they could resume their duties. His demeanor after victory illustrated that genuine strength serves protection, not domination. Having accomplished His mission, He did not linger in triumph but prepared to return to His abode, leaving the world stable and peaceful.
Maitreya concluded this episode by noting that Hiranyaksha's death was also an act of mercy. As a fallen gatekeeper of Vaikuntha, the demon would now progress toward eventual reinstatement in the spiritual realm through direct contact with the Lord. Thus, even the Lord's apparent wrath culminates in compassion, turning defeat into liberation. Vidura was reminded that the Lord’s dealings, whether tender or fierce, always aim at the ultimate good of every soul.