Varaha Stotram
Varaha Stotram in English · English
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✦ Meaning
The Varaha Stotram is a graceful eight-verse hymn (in the anushtubh metre) in praise of Lord Varaha, the boar incarnation of Vishnu, who dived into the cosmic waters to lift the earth out of the nether regions and slew the demon Hiranyaksha. Each verse closes with the loving refrain 'vande vārāha-rūpiṇam' — 'I bow to the One in the form of the boar.' The hymn extols Varaha as pure consciousness-bliss, the Brahman beyond the 'neti neti' of the Vedas, the rescuer of the earth, the destroyer of evil, and the very boat that ferries souls across the ocean of existence.
Origin & Story
Varaha Stotram (anushtubh metre), composed by Sri Shridhara Swami Maharaj · Sri Shridhara Swami Maharaj (paramahamsa parivrajaka acharya) · Modern (composed at Sri Kshetra Varadapura, 20th century)
Varaha, the boar avatar of Vishnu, is one of the most ancient and beloved incarnations: when the demon Hiranyaksha dragged the earth down into the cosmic waters, the Lord assumed the colossal form of a boar, dived into the deep, slew the demon, and raised the earth on his tusks. This eight-verse stotra in praise of Varaha was composed by Sri Shridhara Swami Maharaj. In gem-like anushtubh verses it praises the Lord not only for rescuing the earth and destroying evil but as the very Brahman beyond words, the sadguru who utters 'Tat Tvam Asi', and the boat that carries souls across the sea of existence.
✦ As told in scripture
Tradition holds that just as Lord Varaha effortlessly lifted the entire earth from the cosmic depths on his tusks, so he lifts the surrendered devotee out of the ocean of worldly suffering; the closing verse hails him as the very 'boat' (bhava-nauka) by which beings cross samsara, and devotees believe his remembrance steadies and rescues the sinking heart.
Complete Text with Meaning
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chidānandaghanaṃ śuddhaṃ viśvamaṅgalakārakam | mokṣahetuṃ hi taṃ viṣṇuṃ vande vārāharūpiṇam || 1 ||
Meaning:I bow to that Vishnu in the form of the boar (Varaha) — the dense mass of consciousness and bliss, the pure one, who brings auspiciousness to the whole world and is the cause of liberation.
neti neti śrutirbrūte yasya rūpaṃ vinirṇayan | parabrahmahitaṃ viṣṇuṃ vande vārāharūpiṇam || 2 ||
Meaning:I bow to that Vishnu in the boar form — whose nature the Vedas, seeking to define, can only call 'not this, not this' (neti neti), the very good that is the Supreme Brahman.
tattvamasīti vaktāramāvirbhūtaṃ jagatpatim | śrīsadguruṃ hitaṃ viṣṇuṃ vande vārāharūpiṇam || 3 ||
Meaning:I bow to that Vishnu in the boar form — the Lord of the universe who has manifested, the true preceptor (sadguru) who is the speaker of the great teaching 'That thou art' (Tat Tvam Asi).
rasātalagatāṃ bhūmiṃ gajaḥ kamalinīmiva | uddadhāra hi taṃ viṣṇuṃ vande vārāharūpiṇam || 4 ||
Meaning:I bow to that Vishnu in the boar form — who lifted up the earth sunk into the nether regions as effortlessly as an elephant lifts a lotus-stalk.
avadhīdyo hiraṇyākṣaṃ viśvakaṇṭakarākṣasam | viśvapālahitaṃ viṣṇuṃ vande vārāharūpiṇam || 5 ||
Meaning:I bow to that Vishnu in the boar form — who slew Hiranyaksha, the demon who was a thorn tormenting the whole world, for the welfare and protection of all.
dharmoddhārāvatāro'yaṃ sajjanāvanahetukam | jagatpatiṃ hitaṃ viṣṇuṃ vande vārāharūpiṇam || 6 ||
Meaning:I bow to that Vishnu in the boar form — this incarnation for the upliftment of dharma, the Lord of the universe who descended for the protection of the virtuous.
atyantakaruṇāsāndraṃ jagaduddhārakaṃ param | bhavatāraṃ hi taṃ viṣṇuṃ vande vārāharūpiṇam || 7 ||
Meaning:I bow to that Vishnu in the boar form — supremely saturated with boundless compassion, the great rescuer of the world, who carries beings across the ocean of worldly existence.
sadaivākliṣṭakarmāṇaṃ jagataḥsthitihetave | bhavanaukāṃ hi taṃ viṣṇuṃ vande vārāharūpiṇam || 8 ||
Meaning:I bow to that Vishnu in the boar form — ever effortless in his deeds, who for the maintenance of the universe is himself the very boat that ferries us across the sea of samsara.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Varaha Stotram
Invokes the protective and rescuing grace of Lord Varaha, lifter of the earth
Each verse ends with 'vande vārāha-rūpiṇam', making it a complete meditation on the boar avatar
Recalls the destruction of the demon Hiranyaksha, inspiring courage against evil
Extols Varaha as the Supreme Brahman and the bestower of liberation (moksha)
Likened to a boat across the ocean of samsara — a prayer for spiritual deliverance
Cultivates devotion to a less-commonly-praised yet powerful avatar of Vishnu
Suitable for daily recitation and especially on Varaha Jayanti
How to Chant Varaha Stotram
Sit facing east before an image of Lord Varaha or Vishnu, light a lamp and recite the eight verses slowly, letting the refrain 'vande vārāha-rūpiṇam' deepen your devotion with each bow. Reflect on Varaha lifting the earth and rescuing the world. It is especially recited on Varaha Jayanti and as a daily prayer for protection and upliftment.
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Read the full Varaha Stotram with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts