Many are familiar with the popular 10 Avataras called Dasaavataaras commencing with (fish) Matsya and concluding with the apocalyptic horse rider (Kalki). But, our Saastras say Avataaraa: hi asankhyEya: meaning that the Lords incarnations are indeed infinite. Various scriptures list from 30 to 48 Avataras (including these 10). But all are agreed that the earliest Avataara is that of Lord Hayagriva with the face of a horse.
To understand the concept, we have to board the imaginary time capsule and fly back to the very beginning of time the time of creation. How the world came into being and whether and if so, when it will come to an end has been the subject of inquiry by both Religion and Science. As many theories have been advanced as there are religious thinkers and scientific investigators. The proverbial antagonists in Religion and Science seem today, as never before, to converge on the origin of the world and the origin of the species.
The narration of Bhaagavata Purana has been accepted on all hands as the most authoritative one. The world that we know of is full of sentient beings (Chetanas) and Non-sentient things (A-chetanas). In the beginning, they subsisted in a subtle state (Sukshma dasa) without any name or form. At that time, they were so integrated in a subtle state without name or form so that they could not be differentiated and they were all alike drawn to Bhagavaan (Sri Narayana) while he as he lay on the leaf of a banyan tree in Yoga nidra, very much like iron filings clinging to the magnet.
Once, He said to himself “Let me become many”. He thus created from out of his own being (Sat) by stirring Prakriti (Primordial matter). Prakriti which was in a dormant state with Satva, Rajo and Tamo Gunas in equipoise got disturbed and issued forth in a gross form in the person of Brahma seated on the top of the lotus bud emerging from out of the navel of Bhagavaan Sri Narayana. For a thousand divine years before the bud could blossom, Brahma dwelt in the bud. When it bloomed, Brahma emerged and looked around and saw none else than his self. He entered the stalk to find out the source of the bud but could not trace it. Suddenly, he heard an ethereal voice asking him to meditate- ‘ Tapa! Tapa! He meditated for another thousand divine years (Devamana Varsha) when Bhagavaan gave him a glimpse of his own world VaikuNTa and bade Brahma to do further Tapas that would endow him with powers of creation. After doing Tapas as advised, Brahma acquired the powers of creation from Bhagavaan, who gave him the Vedas containing the secrets of the Art of creation and bade him to commence creation.
Being subject to Karma, his life is limited, Brahma also suffers from faults and foibles as much as we do. Brahma was proud on his newly acquired power as the creator of the world. The Lord desired to curb his pride. They used to say: “Homer nods”. In our scriptures, we find many occasions when Brahma also nods. On one such occasion he not only nodded but also yawned. A couple of drops of water lying at the bottom of stalk of the lotus transformed into two demons called Madhu and KaiTaba who promptly stole the Vedas from the dozing Brahma and hid themselves in Rasaatala intending to usurp for themselves Brahmas power to create. On waking up, Brahma found the Vedas missing. The whole environment became shrouded in darkness and mystery. Brahma could not proceed with his work. He prayed to Lord Vishnu and requested Bhagavaan to help saying: Vedaa: mE Chakshu: Vedaa; mE Paramam padam; Vedaa: mE paramam Dharama; Vedaa: mE Brahmas cha uttamam.
Lord Narayana took the form of Hayagriva on an AvaNI, POurNami, in the constellation of SraavaNa. He appeared with the face of a horse, traced the demons in Rasatala, let out a terrific sound called Udgeetam- a tune from Saama Veda (Saama Swaram). Its resonance frightened the demons who dropped the Vedas and ran away. The Lord retrieved the Vedas and restored them to Brahma. The demons, came to know this, offered fight with the Lord. Hayagriva crushed them between his thighs and decimated them. He is therefore called Madhusudhan (Slayer of Madhu). Thus, this was the very first Avataara that took place even before creation started.
Devi Bhaagavata, however, gives a different version. Once upon a time, there was an Asura called Hayagriva, who had the face of a horse. He did intense penance to Devi and got a boon from her that he should not be killed by anyone except one who had a face similar to his. He was under the impression that none would have such a figure and was pretty much sure that he had become invincible. With the new found power, he inflicted tortures on all living beings. Devi prayed to Lord Vishnu who took the form with a horse face, fought with the Asura and killed him. But, this version is not regarded as authentic. Thus, this was the very first Avataara that took place even before creation started.
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2. REFERENCES TO HAYAGRIVA AVATAARA IN THE EARLIEST SCRIPTURES
References to this Avataara abound in our scriptures right from the Samhitas, BraahmaNas, AraNyakas and Upanishads belonging to all the four Vedas, namely, Rik, Yajur, Saama and AtharvaNa, as also in Itihasas like Ramayana, Mahabharata and Srimad Bhaagavatam and down to almost all the PuraaNas. They are far too numerous to cite them within the narrow timeframe at our disposal now.
Suffice it to know that this Avataara is deemed the earliest of all Avataaras.
But, we will allude to just a few by way of example.
(1) RIG VEDAM
1. Krishnam Niyaanam (1-164-49): Sounakar says that Hayagriva meditation should be done early in the morning.
2. Apratiratam part of Vaagambranee Suktam: describes him as Hamsa:-Paramahamsa:
3. 5th Suktam of the same, describes him as Bhagan which means he is full of 6 primary auspicious qualities of Jnaana, Veerya, Bala, Aiswarya, Sakti and Tejas.
4. The saying NamO VaachE! NamO VaachaspatayE! recited in functions refers to him.
5. AitarEya Upanishad says that Vaak Devi is seated on the lap of Lord Hayagriva.
(2) YAJUR VEDAM
6. BrihadaraNyaka Samhita of Satapata BraahmaNam: In Yagjna PrakaraNam, Veda Vyasa addresses him saying You taking the form of a horse, initiated the grandson of Viswaamitra, Yaagnavalkya, in Sukla Yajur Veda.
7. SvEta Aswataara Upanishad, 4th Chapter Sisu Brahmanism refers to deekshaNayaartha vaadam 3rd KhaaNdam says that Aniruddha took the form of Hayagriva
8. MahaaNaraayaNOpanishad also mentions about this Lord
9. Tiru NaaraayaNeeyam Moksha Dharmam: In this Sage Vyasa deals extensively on this.
(3) SAAMA VEDAM
10. The Udgita Vidya dealing with the Saama Swaram that the lord used to frighten the demons belongs to this Vedam.
11. Saama vedsa AaaraNyakam also describes him as Hamsa:, Paramahamsa:
(4) ATHARVANA VEDAM
12. Trishapteeya Suktam: Kousika says that to avoid forgetfulness and improve memory power, one should meditate on this Lord.
13. Sautigam and POushTigam of this Veda deal entirely with this Avataara.
14. UchchishTa BraahmaNam 11-7-5 Mantram says that Vedas present themselves in their natural state (Tanmayam) in the Hayagriva Upaasaka.
15. The Mantram BrahmanyOyam DEvakee putram, BrahmaNyOyam Madhusudhanam says that it is the same Hayagriva who took birth as the son of Devaki.
16. The Mantram YO Brahmaanam Vidadaati poorvam YO vai Vedaams cha prahinOti tasmai tamaha Devam aatma Buddhi prakaasam mumukhu vai Saranam aham prapadhye is a prayer to lord hayagrive
(5) SRIMAD RAMAYANAM
17. Bala KhaaNdam 76-17: Parasurama addresses that he realized Sri Rama as the one who killed Madhu: akshayam madhu hantaaram, jaanaami tvaam surOttamam
18. AyOdhya KhaaNdam 6-7: Sri Rama got up before Sunrise and prayed to him. TushTaava praNatas chaiva sirasaa Madhusoodhanam
19. Kishkinda KhaaNDam 17-49: Vaali says Even if Sita were hidden in Patala loka like what Madhu KaiTaba did to Vedas, I would have brought her back to you. Why did you seek Sugreevas help?
20. Yuddha KhaaNDa 74-59: mentions that Hanuman while in search of herbs went to Himalayas prayed to Lord Hayagriva worshipped by Brahma Hayaananam Bhagavato Hayagrivasya Sthaanam
(6) MAHABHARATAM
21. The Saanti Mantram Gaatum Yagjnaaya, Gatum Yagjna patayE: mentioned at the beginning of any auspicious function refers to this Yagjna Swaroopi and Yajamaana
22. Saanti Parva 12-357th Sargam deals extensively with this Avataaram and is known as Hayagriva Upaakhyaanam
(7) SRIMAD BHAAGAVATAM
23. 8th Skaandam 24th Chapter says that the Lord saved not only the Vedas but also the entire host of living beings (Jeevaraasis)
24. 11th Skandam 17th Chapter also mentions how the Lord saved the Vedas.
(8) PURANAS
The following PuraaNas deal with Lord Hayagriva in detail:
25. Brahma Vaivartha PuraaNam
26. Bhaagavata PuraaNam 2-7-11
27. BrahmaaNda PuraaNam: Maheswara- Naarada Samvaadam
28. BrahmaaNda PuraaNam: Hayagriva- Agastya Samvaadam
29. BrahmaaNda PuraaNam: Sri Ranga Mahaatmyam
30. DEvee Bhaagavatam
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3. TITBITS ON HAYAGRIVA AVATAARAM
1. The Araadhya Devata of the famous Aswamedha Yaaga is Lord Hayagriva.
2. Of the 7 Vyahritis, Lord Hayagriva is the AdhishTaana Devata of Mahas
3. The Araadhya Devata of Srimad Andavan, Poundarikapuram Swami Asramam, Srirangam and of Parakaala Matam of Mysore is Lord Hayagriva.
4. The Tirunakshatram of Lord Rudra is Tiruvaadirai; The Tirunakshatram of Lord Hayagriva is Tiru Onam. You may notice that except these two, none other Nakshtaram has the prefix Tiru.
5. There are two deities in the Hindu pantheon facing southern direction. They are Lord Rangaraja of Srirangam and Lord Nataraja of Chidambaram. It is interesting to note that Swami Desika in Tiruvaheendrapuram also is facing south.
6. Bhagavaan is so called because he has 6 main auspicious quTejas
7. When Anjaneya brought the entire Sanjeevi Mountain containing herbs like Visalya Karani, Santhaana Karani, Savarna Karani etc., at the time of Rama – Ravana war to bring back to life the stricken ones, a portion of the mountain is said to have fallen in Tiruvheendrapuram and became Oushadagiri where Lord Hayagriva took his abode.
8. Here, you will find the strange scene of two sworn enemies coming together and living in harmony, namely Garuda the Lord of birds and Aheendra: the Lord of the serpents.(Aheendra means serpent king)
9. It is said that the horse faced Lord resides in Arasa Maram (Pipal tree); so, the tree is called Aswatta Vriksha. It is also known as Jnaana Aswattam
10. There is a famous saying that if Lord Madhusudana casts his glance on a new born baby at the time of birth, that baby would grow to be great devotee by acquiring true knowledge (Tattvam) of the Supreme Lord.
11. The grain known as KothukkaDalai (cluster dhall?) is believed to improve memory power. There is a parallel for this in the tender reeds of grass called Dhurva (Arugam pull, in Tamil), the juice of which was the staple drink of Sage Durvaasa.
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4. SUBHAASRAYA TIRUMENI OF THE LORD AS GLEANED FROM SCRIPTURES
As already seen, the Lord has the face of a horse. He has 4 hands. He holds Conch and disc in his two hands at the back; on the front side, he holds a Japa-mala (rosary) in one hand and UpadEsa mudra (instructional pose) on the other. His body is of bright white hue that shines like a flawless white diamond indicating that he is Satva murthi– with Suddha Satvam- sui generis unlike others who have a mixture of the three guNas. He has a long nose. His Horse head (Aswa Siras) looks Star studded. The sky (Akaasa) and Nether world (PataaLa) form his ears; Suns rays constitute his manes; the earth is his forehead; The Sun and the moon are his eyes; Ganga and Saraswati rivers represent his eye brows; Sandhya Devi, his nose; The Pitru Devatas form his teeth; GO-lOka and Brahma lOka are his lips; Kaala Raatri represents his neck.
5. LORD HAYAGRIVA ‘S OTHER NAMES
Lord Hayagriva is also known as Vaachaspati, Vaagheesa. Vaachaam nidhi,Swetaaswa mukhan, Nru Turanga murthi,Aswa Siras, Vaaji Vaktra and Saindava Vaktra.
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6. ANUBHAVAMS OF AZHWARS
(1) Nammaazhwar Tiruvoimozhi 2-7-6: Madhusudananai anri matrilEn–மது சூதனனை அன்றி மற்றிலேன்- meaning I do not know anyone other than Lord Madhusudana
(2) Nammaazhwar Tiruvoimozhi 2-8-5: maavaagi, aamaiyaagi, meenaagi, maaniDam aagi –மாவாகி , ஆமையாகி , மீனாகி ,மானிடம் ஆகி — meaning that the Lord took several incarnations starting with Horse (maavaagi) Commenting on this the 9000 PaDi says HayO bhootvaa, hayagrivO bhootvaa
(3) Tirumangai Azwaar: is said to have acquired the sobriquet of Naalu Kavip PerumaaL –நாலு கவிப் பெருமாள் –only on worshipping Lord Hayagriva. He has mentioned about the Lord in several contexts.
(4) In Periya Tirumozhi 11-4-8, he says: munn ulagangaL yEzhum iruL manDiy uNNa mudalODu veeDum ariyaadu ennidu? Vandadu enna imaiyOr munivarODu danavar disaippa, ezhil vEdam inri maraiya–முன் உலகங்கள் ஏழும் இருள் மண்டி உண்ண முதலோடு வீடும் அறியாது என்ன இது ? வந்தது என்ன இமையோர் திசைப்ப , எழில் வேதம் இன்றி மறைய –meaning: When all the worlds were enveloped by pitch darkness and the celestials were confused not knowing what to do in the absence of the Vedas.
(5) In Periya Tirumozhi 7-8-2 he says: pannu kalai naal vEdap poruLai ellaam parimugam aai alitha paraman kaaNmin meaning See!-பன்னு கலை நால் வேதப் பொருளை எல்லாம் பரிமுகம் ஆய் அருளிய எம் பரமன் காண்மின்- It was Lord Hayagriva who revealed the substance of the 4 Vedas and continues: Vasaiyil naan marai kedutha am malar ayarkku aruLi mun pari mugam aai, isai koL Veda nool enru ivai payantavanE enakku aruL puriyE TiruveLLarai ninraane–வசையில் நான் மறை கெடுத்த அம மலர் அயற்கு அருளி முன் பரி முகம் ஆய் , இசை i கொள் வேத நூல் என்று இவை பயந்தவனே எனக்கு அருள் புரியே திருவெள்ளறை நின்றானே — meaning Oh! Lord of TiruvaLLarai! You took the form of Hayagriva and brought back the Vedas that Brahma had lost to the demons and restored them to him. Please grant me your grace!
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7. ANUBHAVAMS OF ACHARYAS
(1) Bhagavad Ramanuja:
Brahma and his consort Saraswati were worshipping Lord Ranganatha and Lord Haya- griva in their Sathya lOka. We know how the image of Ranganatha came to Ikshvaaghu and then to Sri Rama and finally to Vibheeeshana who was forced to leave the Lord in Srirangam in the between River Kaveri and KoLLIDam. When Bhagavad Ramanuja went to Saraswati PeeTam in Kashmir to study the BOdhaayana Vritti of Brahma Sutram and submitted his Bhaashyam (commentary) to Goddess Saraswati, she was so impressed with his work that she named it Sri Bhaashyam and honored Ramanuja as Bhaashyakaarar. It may be noted that while so many others had also written commentaries of the Brahma Sutram, their works go by their names like Sankara Bhaashyam, Maadhva Bhaashyam etc.; it is Ramanuja ‘s work that earned the honorific of Sri. Saraswati Devi also presented to Ramanuja the Vigraham of Lord Hayagriva that she was worshipping.
(2) Swami Desika:
Swami Desika was initiated into GaruDa Mantram by his maternal uncle AppuLLaar. He was chanting it at Oushada-giri in Tiruvaheendrapuram. GaruDa appeared before him and instructed him into Hayagriva Mantram. Swami with great devotion recited the same for a long time. Lord Hayagriva appeared before him and blessed him with the laala amritam from his mouth. Instantly, Swami started composing Sri Hayagriva Stotram. Swami Desika was once on his way from Kaanchipuram to Tiruvenndrapuram. He had to stay in a village in the house of a grain merchant. As he could not offer any neivedyam to the Lord that night, he offered just some water and went to sleep. At the dead of night, the merchant woke him up saying that a white horse was grazing all the grains that were ready for harvesting. Swami understood that it must be Lord Hayagriva, asked the merchant to bring some milk to offer to the horse. The horse disappeared. Next morning, the merchant again excitedly woke up Swami to say that in the place of grains, he found gold coins lying scattered in his fields. The village where this happened is now known as Pon Vilainda KaLam pudur–பொன் விளைந்த களம் புதூர் —
A Slokam says:
Vaaneesa dakshinaa moorthi: vyaasEsa skanda Herambaa;/
anyE kalaa praveeNaas tu hayaasya sakti lEsa jaa// meaning
Saraswati, DakshiNaa murthi, Vyaasa, Skanda, Vinaayga et al who are renowned as presiding deities of education got such recognition only through the grace of Lord Hayagriva.
Swami Desika repeats this in Slokam 7 of Sri Hayagriva Stotra thus
DaakshiNya ramyaa Gireesasya murthi: Devee SarOja aasana Dharma pathnee// VyasadayOpi vyapadesya Vaacha: spuranti sarvE ta sakti lesai://
Swami Desika s in his magnum opus Srimad Rahasya Traya Saaram quotes a famous sloka that the Lord took the form of a guru and taught the Tattvas:
Peetaka vaaDaip piraan pirama guru vaagi vandu-பீதக வாடை பிரான் பிரம குரு வாகி வந்து —
Again, he says how Lord Hayagriva virtually wrote his works in his mind and all that he himself did was just to document them.
VeLLaip Pari muga Desikar aai viragaal aDiyOm uLLathu ezhudiyadu Olai iTTanam (SRTS Last Paasuram)–வெள்ளைப் பரி முக தேசிகர் ஆய் விரகால் அடியோம் உள்ளத்து எழுதியது ஓலை இட்டனம்..
He further states that Lord Hayagriva took his royal seat (Simhasana) at the tip of Swami ‘s tongue. Sruta padma simha Aasaana hi Hayagriva. Swami was renowned as Kavi Taarkika Simham (Lion among poets and disputants) naturally his tongue had become the royal seat for the Lord. He repeats the same sentiment in Sloka 5 of Achyuta Satakam thus:
asmad gurunaam achyuta jihvaa simhaasanE labda pratishTita:
Perhaps, to emphasize the importance of the Guru, it is seen in Tiruvaheendrapuram that the Sannidhi of Lord DEvanathan is at a lower level than that of Swami Desika!
In Abheeti Sthavam, he says that Lord Hayagriva was like the scorching Sun to KaiTaba asura and like the tempest that pulverized the Madhu asura and scattered his ashes like dust.
sa kaiTaba tamO ravir- madhu paraath janjaa-maruth
We saw that the Vigraham of Lord Hayagriva was given by Saraswati Devi to Bhagavad Ramanuja. Ramanuja had given it to his Jnaana Putran Tirukkurugai PiLLaan (Vide 6000 PaDi) and then it passed on to PuNDareekaakshar, then to KiDambi AppuLLaar and then to Tirumalai Srinivasachariar. The Lord appeared in the dream of this Srinivasachariar and bade him to hand over the Vigraham to Swami Desika (Vide 3000 PaDi of Guru Parampara Saram). After Swamis time, the Vigraham came into the hands of his son, Kumara Varadachar (Nainarachar) who in his turn bequeathed it to his Sishya, Brahma Tantra Swatantrar, the first Pontiff of Parakaala Mutt. This same Vigraham is being worshipped by successive Acharyas of the Parakaala mutt to this day.
VaDuga Nambi: In Yathiraja Vaibhavam Slokam 88.89 and 112 refers to how Lord Hayagriva ‘s Vigraham came from Bhagavad Ramanuja to Swami Desika.
(3) Acharyas belonging to other faiths:
Not only Vaishnava Acharyas but also Acharyas owing allegiance to other systems of philosophy were devotees of Lord Hayagriva.
Gururajar: a renowned Acharya of Madhva sect was also known as Vaadirajar. He belonged to Sodhe Mutt, one of the 8 Mutts established by Madhvacharya. The daily offering to his IshTa Devata, Lord Hayagriva was a sweet edible made of Kothuk kaDalai; jiggery coconut etc (like Sarkkarai Pongal) called Hayagriva PaNDi. He used to spread it on a plate and hold the plate aloft over his head and go into meditation. Lord Hayagriva used to appear in the form of a horse and stand behind him. Placing his front legs on the shoulders of Vaadirajar, the Lord would eat the offering. What was left behind was the only food that Vaadirajar used to consume. Even today, on the PuNya dinam of this Acharya, they prepare this kind of food and offer to Bhagavaan.
Adi Sankara: While commenting on the name Theerthakara occurring in Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam (Nama 691 as per Sankara Bhaashyam), says
Hayagriva roopENa Madhu kaiTabou hatvaa adhyaa cha upaadiasath
Other Upaasakars of Lord Hayagriva include: Aangeerasar, Atharvaa, Dadeechi, VasishTa, Sankara Bhagavad paadaal, Kavi Saarva Bouma, Panditaraja also known as Rasagangaadhara karthaa. The last one describes Lord Hayagriva as Sarva Vidyaadi dEva SrEshTam- the foremost divine incarnation of all knowledge.
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8. STOTRAS ON LORD HAYAGRIVA
Numerous hymns of praise have been composed by Acharyas and Upaasakas on the Lord Hayagriva. They bear different names. A few are shown below (in Alphabetical order): Prefix the word Hayagriva before each one of them:
Agaval, AshTakam, DanDakam, Kalakala-Maalika, Kalpam, Mantra-mala, Panchaasat, Satha-naamam, Sahasr-naamam, Sthutis, Stotrams, Suprabatham etc.
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