Hiranyaksha
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In Hinduism, Hiranyaksha (Sanskrit: हिरण्याक्ष) was an Asura of ancient India and son of Diti and Kashyapa who was slayed by Lord Vishnu after he (Hiranyaksha) took the Earth to the bottom of the ocean. His name in Sanskrit literally means "Goldeneye".
Vishnu assumed the form of a white boar (Sri Varaha) and dove into the water to lift the Earth, in the process slaying Hiranyaksha who was obstructing Him. The battle lasted one thousand years.
He had an older brother named Hiranyakashipu who, after having undertaken penances which made him incredibly powerful and invincible unless several conditions were met, was later slain by Lord Narasimha, another avatar of Vishnu.
[edit] References
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola
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