Lord Hayagriva

The incarnation of Lord Vishnu with a Horse Head

Hayagriva is an incarnation of Hindu God Vishnu with a horse head. The main purpose of this incarnation of Vishnu was to recover the Vedas, which were stolen by Asuras or Demons. In this incarnation, Vishnu is worshipped in a human body with a horse head. An important temple where the Hayagriva murti is worshipped is the Hayagriva MadhavaTemple at Hajo in Assam. 

In Hindu scriptures there are two important 

legends relating to the incarnation of Hayagriva. The origin of Hayagriva Avatar is dealt in the ‘Shantiparva’ of Mahabharata and the Puranas.

In one legend, Kashyapa Prajapati had a son named Hayagriva which means ‘one with a horse’s head.’ Through intense austerities he pleased Goddess Durga and attained the boon that he will only be killed by another Hayagriva. With this new found strength, Hayagriva started creating mayhem in the world. Devas approached Vishnu to rescue the world and he readily agreed. 

A terrific battle ensued between Vishnu and the demon. But with Goddess Durga boon to his aid, Hayagriva could not be killed. Vishnu left the battlefield to take rest. He went to Vaikunta and started meditating with his head supported by his bow. Devas were worried at Vishnu leaving the battlefield and entering into a long meditation. They looked out for ways to wake him up and finally sort the help of termites to eat away the bow.  While the termites were eating the bow, the string snapped and Vishnu’s head was severed. The entire universe trembled and Devas took refuge in Goddess Durga.

A smiling Goddess Durga – who knew what Vishnu was up to – asked the Devas to attach a head of a horse on Vishnu. Brahma did the auspicious deed and now Vishnu was Hayagriva. He went to the battlefield and fought demon Hayagriva and killed him.

In another legend, Lord Vishnu took the form of a horse and restored the Veda that was stolen from Lord Brahma by the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. As lord Vishnu took the form of a horse, this incarnation is called Hayagriva (the horse-head). After Vishnu created lord Brahma, he taught Brahma the all eternal Vedas. Once lord Brahma had mastered the Vedas, he was filled with pride that he was the only entity that had the knowledge of the all eternal and holy Vedas. 

Lord Vishnu thought otherwise and created demons Madhu and Kaitabha from two water drops on the lotus that he mounts. He then instructed them to steal the Vedas from Lord Brahma and hide it. Thus, Lord Brahma was in a fix that he was not able to save the holy and all eternal Vedas from theft and prayed to Lord Vishnu to do the needy. Lord Vishnu took the form of Hayagriva or Hayavadana and restored the all pervading Veda to safety, thus curbing the pride of Brahma. So the day of upakarma is also celebrated as Hayagriva Jayanthi. As the Vedas were restored on this day, Upakarma is performed on this day to mark a new beginning.

Hayagriva is also the name of an important Buddhist deity. An important temple dedicated to Lord Hayagriva is the HayagrivaMadhava Temple at Hajo in Assam.