Today, let’s discuss a new avatar of Lord Vishnu. In this avatar, Vishnu becomes a horse headed god. As today it’s H-day, I think you are able to get his name by now, isn’t it? Yes, he is none other than the Lord Hayagriva, the horse-headed avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Introduction to Hayagriva – the horse headed God
As stated earlier, Hayagriva is depicted as the horse-headed god. Lord Hayagriva is described as adorning white robes and seen sitting on
Long time back, during the initial days of the cosmos creation, there was a demon named Hayagriva in Indian Mythology. He got a boon from, Durga Mata, that he can be killed only by another Hayagriva.
After this boon, he thought that there is no chance for a hayagriva to be born and so he can not be defeated by anybody. So he started doing what he decides and one day, just to tease Lord Brahma, he stole the Veda’s from Brahma’s hands and went into hiding.
Figthing to get the Veda’s back:
Hearing this incident, all the warriors of the God’s army including Shiva and Vishnu tried fighting this Hayagriva the demon. But they couldn’t defeat him due to the Durga Mata’s boon. After a long fight, Vishnu got tired and started taking a small nap by leaning on the bow he used in the war.
Then, all the god’s tried waking up Vishnu and Brahma asked the nearby insect to bite the thread that’s tied to the bow, when the insects ate away the thread, the bow shot up, taking away the Lord Vishnu’s head too with it.
Seeing this, all the god’s got perplexed and started praying to the ultimate power the Durga Mata. She then asked the god’s to get the head from Sun god’s horses and attach to the Vishnu’s body. Do you guy’s know why? Because white colour symbolizes purity.
Now with the Horse Head, Vishnu fights the demon Hayagriva and defeats him. So he hands over the Veda’s to Brahma post the fight. Since he gets back all the veda’s from hiding, he is also called as the Lord of wisdom. That’s the reason why this god is shown wearing all whites just like Goddess Saraswat
You can read other stories related to Lord Hayagriva in the following book at Amazon.
My take on Lord Hayagriva:
Since he is known as the god and also the protector of knowledge (as he gets back all the Veda’s from demons). My granddad taught me the Lord Hayagriva’s shloka and I recite that every day before going to school.
Do you guys need it? If yes, please let me know I can share that shloka with you all.
So, friends, this is my story for H – the Horse-Headed avatar of Lord Vishnu. Hope it’s of some interest to you all. Please read my other articles in Indian Mythology series here under #A to Z Challenge. I am happy to participate in the #BlogchatterA2Z and #AtoZChallenge
Author’s Note:
All the pictures used in this blog are “Free to use” ones from Google, Wikimedia Commons or from Wikipedia only.
I’ve read about the Horse God in Mythology but not so much in details as your post has revealed. You should convert this series into a book for children.
Thanks a lot for your kind words Sonia. It means a lot to me!
Interesting to see today’s kids aware of such gods! Appreciate the parents. Have been to the temple once, it’s a altogether diff experience
All the credit goes to my dad and MIL Mahesh. Both of them keep telling mythological stories to my kid
Wonderful information. Very interesting
Thank you Rashi
Here you go dear!!
Jnananandam mayam devam, nirmala spatikakruthim, aadaram sarva vidyaanaam, hayagrivam upasate!!
I remember my grandmother telling this story to me. I used to be very fascinated while listening to it.
You are most welcome dear
Hearing for the first time of Hayagriva. Thank you for educating me.
Ayila..Abhijit jee, in front of you, I am just a small kid…your stories have such a knack in them. I am just retelling the already told stories.
I admit to you buddy that mythology is not my favourite genre but now I am slowly getting hooked to your series of such intriguing Characters
Thank you Roma
Though mythology is closest to my heart, I WAS NOT aware of Hayagriva. I have learnt something new today. Thanks.
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Thank you for liking it Kalpana
These stories are taking me back to the time when my grandmother used to tell me stories from the dashavatar I like the hayagriva story but the one I found most entertaining in a comical sense was the varaha avatar. Thanks for bringing back memories of my childhood.
Thanks a lot Jay. Feeling really humbled with all your comments
Thank you Aditi
Griva is neck I remember and I have read about Hayagriva in the books. You should convert these posts into an ebook, it will come out very well especially for the kids. I personally would want to read it out to my kids too.
You have a good memory power Vartika. Sure, I just started thinking along the lines of converting this into E-Book
That’s so interesting, I never knew this
Thank you for visiting my blog Gurjeet
Indian mythology is like an ocean. You dive into it and are sure to get pearls of wisdom. Thank you so much for sharing this educative post.
True Samira..the more we dig in the more gems we would find
Ganesha, Hayagreeva, Narasimha etc are the Gods wearing faces of animal. We also have sweet dish named ‘Hayagreeva’ not sure whether it relates to the God or not.
Oh, I was not aware of this sweet dish Sanjota. I will check it out.
Oh wow! This I wasn’t aware of. I partly remember the Vedas being stolen from Brahma. But not in this much detail. Thanks again for refreshing my memory.
Thanks a lot Shalini
What a great look into the Indian culture! I’m looking forward to more posts. Have a great A-Z! – Dragons & Spaceships
Thanks a lot Valmond for your visit to my blog
By the way my father in law is named after this God. Nice to see that you are creating awareness about characters of Indian Mythology.
oh That’s really nice to hear Durga. Thanks for visiting my blog
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. Mythology is fascinating, and everyone can learn a bit of something from the stories.
Thank you Alex for visiting my blog. Yes you are very correct that everyone has something to learn from Mythology