Lord Hayagriva

Lord Hayagriva

Lord Hayagriva is an avatar of Lord Vishnu. He is picturised as an horse headed deity. He is praised as the lord of wisdom and deep knowledge. He is believed to be the one who won ignorance and foolishness with his pure knowledge. People worship this Lord to be blessed with pure wisdom, intelligence and knowledge. His consort is Lakshmi.

Legend:

• Brahma is said to be the master of vedic knowledge and he had the Vedas with him. Once, when he was feeling sleepy, a demon called Ajnana stole the Vedas from Brahma. Then, Lord Vishnu took the form of Hayagriva and demolished the demon. He then returned the Vedas to Brahma, when he begged for them. Brahma is a trustworthy Lord and hence he offered the vedic knowledge to Hayagriva , when he asked them. Thus, Hayagriva remained as a protector of the Vedic knowledge.
• There is also another legend that the demons Madhu and Kaitabha stole the Vedas from Brahma. Then, Vishnu took up the hayagriva form, fought with them and won. During the fight, the disintegration of the two bodies of Madhu and Kaitabha into twelve pieces took place which are believed to represent the twelve seismic plates of Earth in course of time.
• Also,Some believed that during the creation of the woeld, Vishnu compiled the Vedas in the form of Hayagriva.

Slogan:

Jnananandamayam devam nirmala sphatikakrutim

Adharam sarva vidyanam hayagrivam upasmahe.

Meaning:

 Lord hayagriva, you are the supreme form of nature, pure and clear as a crystal and the support and base of eternal knowledge. I worship you , the form of wisdom.

Iconography

                                            

• According to Vedanta Desika’s slogan, Hayagriva is the one having four lotus hands,with one in the form of bestowing knowledge, one with books, one with conch and the other with Discus. He is beautiful and clear as the fresh cut crystal.
• According to Mahavirocana sutra, Hayagriva glows like a sun, wearing a garland of skulls. He is believed to be ferocious.

Festivals associated with Hayagriva:

• Swarna Pournami on the full moon day of August.
• Mahanavami on the ninth day of Navarathri.

Famous temple of Hayagriva:

• Tiruvahindapuram Hayagriva Temple, near Cuddalore
• Chettypunyam Hayagriva temple, near Chengalpattu.
• Sri Lakshmi Hayagriva temple, Nanganallur.