During the eight
thousand yugas (the equivalent of a day and night for Brahma, the Creator),
there was a raging fire, and everything on Earth was reduced to ashes. Man
had to forsake the Earth and seek refuge in Janaloka.
At
the approach of night (of Brahma), Vayu, the Wind God, blew furiously. Huge
clouds were formed, there was torrential rain, and it resulted in Pralaya
Kalpa (the Great Deluge). The Earth sank into the Patala loka, and remained
in that state for a thousand years (during a part of that night of Brahma).
Sri Maha Vishnu, wanted to rescue the
Earth. He assumed the form of Adi Varaha and proceeded to Pataloka. He
fought a fierce duel with Hiranyaksa and killed him. He then slashed the
water and brought up the Earth on his tusks.
Brahma,
the Devas and the sages extolled Adi Varaha's virtues, by chanting the Vedic
mantras. They prayed to Him to re-establish the Earth as before. Adi Varaha
obliged them, and called upon Brahma to recreate the world. He expressed his
desire to reside on the Earth to protect its people. He commanded his
vehicle, Garuda to fetch Kridachala (a massive natural hill with lofty peaks,
embedded with gold and precious stones, and which resembled Adisesha in
shape) from Vaikuntam.
Garuda
brought Kridachala and deposited it on a sacred spot (to the East of Swami
Pushkarini) chosen by Adi Varaha. Adi Varaha stood within the divine vimana
of Kridachala, which shone with many gem-studded gopuras.
Brahma
and the other holy personages requested the fearsome-looking Adi Varaha to
assume a tranquil and composed look, and rest on the hill to protect men and
grant boons to people unable to reach God through Dhyana Yoga (meditation)
and Karma Yoga (doing one's own duty).
Adi
Varaha appeared with four arms and a white face. He was adorned with jewels
and accompanied by Bhu Devi. He resolved to stay at Venkatadri, under a divya
vimana, to grant the prayers of men.
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