We know the Dashavataras of Lord Vishnu, but there are some other reincarnations besides those Dashavataras. This Hayagriva incarnation is one of those incarnations. Hayagriva saved the Vedas from the demon Hayagriva and gave them to Brahma. Well, it's a bit confusing that both the demon and the reincarnation share the same name. Let's dive into the story!!!
Formerly a demon named Hayagriva performed penance on the banks of the river Saraswati in remembrance of Adiparasakti. That Hayagriva has a horse head. The goddess was impressed and gave him a wish. Hayagriva asks her for the boon of immortality. To which she said, "Every creature born into this creation dies. So seek another blessing." So the Hayagriva said, "If death ever comes to me, it must be in the hands of the Hayagriva." The goddess then grants his wish and disappears from there. With that arrogance, Hayagriva stole the Vedas. He was so arrogant that he often destroyed the rites of the sages.
While this was going on, Lord Vishnu fought the demons for thousands of years. Extremely tired of fighting, he rests his head on the top of his bow. Meanwhile, the gods approached Vishnu thinking that they should start a yajna. Brahma, noticing that Vishnu was asleep, laid out a plan to wake him up. He created two bitter worms, and those two worms went and ate the thread under Vishnu's bow and cut it. The bow broke with a loud noise. By the time Lord Vishnu realized all this, his head fell into the sea.
Brahma got pretty confused and immediately prayed to Adiparashakti. She then spoke through Aakashvani (voice from the sky) and conveyed that all that's happening is destined and narrated Hayagriva's story to them. She further added "It is time for Mahavishnu to reincarnate as Hayagriva to slay the demon. You bring a horse's head and call Vishwakarma, the sculptor of the gods, and attach the horse's head to Vishnu's body. Then Mahavishnu will take care of the matter."
Vishwakarma came and took the head of a horse and attached it to the body of Lord Vishnu. Knowing all that Mahavishnu went to war with that Hayagriva. The Hayagriva fought a fierce battle with the Hayagriva and saved the Vedas and gave them back to Brahma. Thus Hayagriva was killed by Hayagriva.
Hayagriva was arrogant enough to assume that he's immortal. Hiranyakashapa also assumed the same but later he was killed by the reincarnation of Narasimha in accordance with the wishes he sought. If they had used their blessings for good rather than bad, they might have prospered long enough but they were filled with arrogance and evil thoughts which eventually caused their death.
One of the many stories comes to an end!!
Thanks for reading!!
- Bharata Samhita
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