E-Book

Lakshmi Hayagriva

By

Tamarapu Sampath Kumaran

About the Author:

Mr T Sampath Kumaran is a freelance writer. He regularly contributes

articles on Management, Business, Ancient Temples, and Temple
Architecture to many leading Dailies and Magazines.

His articles are popular in The Young World section of THE HINDU
His e-books on nature, environment, festivals and different cultures of
people around the world are educative and of special interest to the young.

His e-books Guide to 108 Divya Desams, Guide to 275 Siva Sthalams,
Ganesha, Muruga, Pilgrimage to Narasimhaswami shetrams, Tirupati
Gangamma, Vision of Sri Madhwacharya and Guru Raghavendra, The Path
of Ramanuja, Guide to Kancheepuram, Hanuman and Hinduism in a nutshell
have been well received in the religious circle. He was associated in the
renovation and production of two Documentary films on Nava Tirupathi
Temples, and Tirukkurungudi Temple in Tamilnadu.

Acknowledgement:

I wish to express my gratitude to the authors from whose works I gathered

the details for this book, and Courtesy, Google for some of the photographs.
Special thanks to www.scribd.com for hosting my e-books.
As per Hindu scripures Hayagriva is also considered an Avatara of Lord
Vishnu. He is worshipped as the God of wisdon and knowledge, with a
human body and a horse's head, seated on a white lotus. Symbolically, the
story represents the triumph of pure knowledge, guided by the hand of God,
over the demonic forces of passion and darkness.

As per the Vaishnava tradition Hayagriva is a very important deity. His

blessings are sought when one begins the study of both sacred and secular
subjects. Special worship for Hayagriva is being conducted on Sravana-
Paurnami, the fullmoon day falling during the month of August, which is
considered the day of His avatara. Hayagriva is also hailed as "Hayasirsa".
(Haya means Horse, and Sirsa means Head.)

An important verse in the Pancharatra Agamas

Gyananananda-mayam devam nirmala-sphatikakritim

Adharam sarvavidyanaam hayagrivam upasmahe!

is now popularly prefixed to the Hayagriva Stotram of poet-philosopher

Vedanta Desikar.

Sri Hayagreevan is being referred to as Madhusoodhanan in the Brahmanda

purana : Om namo Vishnave Deva Madhussodhanathe Namah. Since, Lord
Hayagreevar killed the asuras, madhu and kaitapar, He is referred to as
Madhusoodhanan.

In Valmiki Ramayanam Balakandam, ( in the 17th sloka of 76th sarga )

Parasuraama says to Rama "akshayam madhuhanthaaram jaanaami tvaam
survotthamam". I realise that You are the Devaadhi Deva, immortal, Maha
Vishnu, the One who killed madhu, kaitapar. Rama before proceeding for
His Pattabhishekham, pays obeisance to Lord Hayagreevan "dhushtaava
praNadhaischaiva sirasaa madhsoodhanam" (6th sargam-7th slokam). In
Kishkinthaa kaandam, Vaali tells Sri Rama "Even if that Ravana hids Sita in
PaathaaLa lokam, no problem. You could have just told me so. I world have
brought Sita back from anywhere wheresoever like Sri Hayagreeva brought
the Vedas killing Madhukaitapar. (17th sargam-49th slokam)

Sri Mahabharatham, Santhi parvam mentions Haygreeva avataara and Sri

Hayagreevopanishad, elaborates the greatness of Haygreevar.
Sri Vedantha Desikas dhyana-sloka (meditative verse) on Hayagriva
typifies this deity's depiction in Hindu iconography as one who has four
lotus hands, with one in the mode of bestowing knowledge; another holding
books of wisdom, and the other two hold the Conch and Discus. His beauty,
like fresh cut crystal, is an auspicious brilliance that never decays. He prays
May this Lord of speech who showers such cooling rays of grace on me be
forever manifest in my heart.

Hayagreeva is associated with the purity of knowledge and is represented in

the same way as Saraswati. White is a symbolism of purity that is depicted
in the "white horse" face he adorns

Sri Hayagriva Avataram

Long ago, Vishnu who is also known as Janardhana, had waged a war
lasting sixteen thousand years with the Asuras. At the end of the battle,
overcome with fatigue, he went to sleep, in a standing posture, with his head
supported by the tip of his peerless bow. As fate would have it, he fell into a
really deep sleep, unaware of his surroundings and stood as one whose life
had become extinct.

When the Devas and the divine sages beheld this, they grew very worried.
For who would protect the world if the great protector is sleeping? Besides,
for the Yagna (sacrifice) to be conducted in heaven, Vishnu's presence was
essential. Even Brahma and Shiva who were present, were concerned about
Vishnu's state. Indra supplicated himself before Shiva and said, "O Lord, the
world is descending into chaos as Janardhana, also known as Hari, is deep in
slumber. It is also time for the great sacrifice to be conducted by us, but the
Lord of the sacrifice is asleep. Please help us!". Shiva turned to Brahma and
said, "The scriptures say that waking someone who is in deep sleep is a great
sin. However, desperate times call for desperate measures. Among your
myriad creations, I remember that there was a tiny beetle, belonging to the
Chel species. Let it eat the bowstring from the bottom. When the bow recoils
from its tense state, the noise will wake Vishnu up."

Accordingly Brahma commanded the insect to break the bowstring. When

the string broke, the bow snapped erect with a noise, that sounded like that
made at the end of the world. All those present were frightened by that
terrible sound. Ill omens appeared in the air. The sun sank before its
appointed time. All creation started acting in a manner inconsistent with
their normal behavior. When the Devas looked to see if Vishnu had woken, a
gory sight met their eyes. The recoiling bow tip had beheaded Vishnu! Only
his lifeless torso stood there, a grim sight that shook the beholders to the
core of their being.

Brahma said, "The only thing we can do during this evil time, is to pray to
Devi. She is the life force behind the universe. Everything that happens is
according to her will. If Vishnu has been beheaded, she must have caused it
to happen. Only she can show us the path from our present predicament."
Accordingly, all the Devas, Shiva and Brahma, started praying to Shakti.
They sang many hymns extolling her prowess, praising the great love she
has for all her creations. They praised her as the force behind all creation,
one who controls the fate of the universe. At last, an incorporeal voice
shouted from the sky, "O Devas, you have nothing to worry. You have
worshiped me as per the method described in the Vedas. I am very much
pleased. There is a reason why I caused Vishnu's head to be cut off from his
body. Listen to this story." Long ago, an Asura king named Hayagreeva
performed a great penance directed to me on the banks of the river
Saraswati. When I appeared before him, he asked for the boon of
immortality. When I told him that it was impossible, he then asked for a
boon that he may be killed only by a creature with the face of a horse.
Emboldened by my boon, he has oppressed the world for a long time.
Nobody is safe from his marauding forces. I have decided that Vishnu
should slay him. Let Brahma fit the body of Hari (Vishnu) with that of a
horse. You shall accomplish my will by this means."

Acting on the instructions from Devi, Brahma instantly beheaded a horse

with a sword and fitted Vishnu with its head. Vishnu was transformed by the
grace of Devi into a wondrous creature, of immense strength, with the body
of a man, and with the head of a head. He was known as Hayagreeva (horse-
headed). At the end of a vicious battle, the Asura Hayagreeva was killed by
Vishnu, in his form as Hayagreeva. By the Devi's grace, Vishnu regained his
previous form at the end of this battle.

Another story refers to that the avataram of Hayagreeva Bhagavan took

place to restore the Vedas to Brahma. Lord Vishnu taught Brahma the
Creation through His breath of Vedas. Brahma understood how various
kalpams had begun due to Lord Vishnu's teachings. But Brahma became
extremely proud and head-strong of his position as the creator and about his
powers of wisdom.
Lord Vishnu wanted to remove the pride of Brahma. A couple of water
droplets from the lotus seat of the Lord incarnated as two Asuras, Madhu
and Kaitabha. They stole the Vedas from Brahma, as he yawned out the
Vedas recklessly. Unable to carry on his work of creation without the Vedas,
Brahma rushed to the Lord and pleaded to Lord Vishnu for mercy and
saving the Vedas prostrating to the Lord he said:

"veda: me paramam sakshi: veda: me paramam param

veda: me paramam dharma, veda: me brahma sotthamam"

"Vedas alone are my eyes; they are my wealth; They are my Lord. The
whole world is surrounded by darkness due to the absence of Vedas. How
am I to proceed on my creation without the Vedas ? Please arise from the
Yoga nithrA and help me Lord! Please give me back my eyes which have
been blinded by my own pride."

Brahma prostrated to Lord Vishnu and begged the Lord to give him back his
vision (Vedas) which had been blinded by his own pride.

Lord Vishnu incarnated as Hayagreeva, appeared as the white horse faced,

faultless crystal hued form, with strong luminous body and lustrous form
with a lovely long nose, like the heaven surrounded by white bright stars that
illumined the whole world. He rushed to Paathaala Loka fought with the
asuras and killed them. Hayagreeva handed over the Vedas to Brahma.
Brahma continued his work of creation

Another episode refers to Sri Hayavadana was the form of the Lord
Hayagrva (Vishnu) that Sri Vdirja Trtha worshipped, and the Lord
Himself used to appear in the form of a white horse to please His devotee. It
so happened that a goldsmith was trying to make a gold statue of Ganapati.
To his surprise, the idol kept taking the shape of Lord Hayavadana. The
goldsmith tried many times, and each time, the cast took the shape of Lord
Hayavadana. The goldsmith got tired and frustrated, and started hitting the
idol with a hammer. To his surprise, however hard he hit, no damage was
happening to the statue. Then, one day the goldsmith had a dream. In the
dream, he saw Sri Hayavadana Himself telling him to give the statue to the
saint who would be approaching him the next day. Sri Vdirja Trtha then
went to the goldsmith, as directed by Sri Hayagrva, and asked for the
promised icon. The goldsmith prostrated at the feet of Sri Vdirja Trtha
and offered the icon of Lord Hayavadana, which the saint then consecrated
and used for worship.

On another instance, when Sri Vdirja Trtha was in Pandaripura serving

Lord Vitthala, there was a corn field near the temple and the owner of the
corn field used to see a white horse coming to his field and graze the corn.
The white horse used to eat the dal (lentils) growing in the field, and used to
get into the Mutt where Sri Vdirja Trtha used to reside. The owner got
angry, and approached Sri Vdirja Trtha with a complaint that a horse
belonging to the latter was coming to his field and eating his crop. Sri
Vdirja Trtha assured him that he did not own such a horse, and that in
fact, there was no horse of any description in the Mutt. The complainant
however was not satisfied, since he was positive seeing the horse enter the
Mutt; he did a full search of its premises, but could not locate the horse he
expected to see. Meanwhile, Sri Vdirja Trtha, knowing that the horse was
the Lord Hayavadana Himself, told the landowner that he was very lucky,
and asked him to see the places in his field where the "horse" ate. To his
great surprise, the latter saw golden corn at all the places where the Lord ate.
He surrendered at the feet of Sri Vdirja Trtha, and offered his land to the
Mutt.

Every day, Sri Vdirja Trtha would offer a sweet dish called Hayagrva (a
preparation consisting of jaggery, almonds, ghee and kaDale (lentil) by
keeping it in a tray and holding it on his head while seated. The Sri
Hayavadana used to take a form of a white horse, and would put his feet at
the shoulders of Sri Vdirja Trtha, eat the sweet, play for some time like a
horse, and disappear into the Hayavadana icon. It is said that Sri Vdiraja
Trtha would sing the 'Dashaavataara-stuti', set to an 'ashvaghati' (literally, a
horse's trot) beat, to please the Lord, and the latter Himself would appear
and dance when His devotee sang to Him

As a very staunch devotee, Vadirajatirtha would recite the following sloka -

Na HayagrivAth Param Asthi MangaLam

Na HayagrivAth Param Asthi Paavanam

Na HayagrivAth Param Asthi Dhaivatham

Na Hayagrivam Pranipathya Seedhathi!

There is no auspiciousness greater than Hayagrivan. Nothing is more
sacred than Sri Hayagrivan to destroy our accumulated sins. No other God
is superior to Hayagrivan. No one grieves after performing saranagathi at
the sacred feet of Hayagrivan.

There is yet another puranic narration on Hayagreevar. At Kanchi, Agasthya

muni was on severe penance on Sriman Narayanan and the Lord appeared as
Hayagreevar and was immensely pleased with his tapas. He blessed the
muni with Devi mahaathmyam. This is described in Brahmanda puraanam
Sri Hayagreeva agasthya samvaadham.

Hayagriva is sometimes worshipped in a solitary pose of meditation, Yoga-

Hayagriva.

However, he is most commonly worshipped along with his consort Lakshmi

and is known as Lakshmi-Hayagriva.
Hayagriva in this form is the presiding deity of Mysore's Parakala Mutt, a
significant Srivaishnava monastic institution.

Sri Ramanujacharya re-established the Visishtadvaita siddhaantham and

commented on Brahma suthram in his Bhashyam. This excellent,
unambiguous vyakhyaanam was completed by Yathiraajaa and fulfilled his
"maanaseega guru" Yamaunaacharya's wish (manOradham). Ramanuja
"officially" released the commentary at the grand gathering of all Sanskrit
scholars and Vedic scholarsat Saraswathi peetam in Kashmir, in front of
Saraswathi Devi. Saraswathi, immenslely satisfied at the excellent
commentary and the truthful presentation of Brahma sUthram, she honoured
the commentary by conferring an award calling it "SRI BHAASHYAM".
Also, she was extremely happy with Yathiraajaa, she presented to him a
Divya mangaLa vigraham of Sri Lakshmi Hayagreevan. Since the,
Yathiraaja was performing Thiruvaaraadhanam (worship) to Sri Lakshmi
Hayagreeva Vigraham daily.
Sri Vedanta Desikar meditated on the Lord at Oushathadri
(Thiruvahindrapuram) and was blessed with all knowledge. He prays to the
Lord in his Hayagriva Stotram , the first lyrical work of the great Acharya.
This vigraham, through the Acharyas, came to Sri Vedanta Desikar. Afetr
Swami Desikan's period, this was passed on to Sri Brahma tantra Swami and
is now with Mysore Parakala Mutt Swami. Even today, the
Thiruvaaraadhanam is being performed on this Divya MangaLa vigraham of
Lord Sri Lakshmi Hayagreeva.

Once Swami Desikan wished to stay at Thiruvaheendra puram and was

proceeding from Kanchi. On the way he stayed at some remote place (that
belonged to a grain merchant). There lot of grains were stored and piled in
sacks.

There Swami Desikan did not have anything to offer to his Sri Hayagreeva
vigraham and hence, offered just water and he also went to sleep, without
eating anything (just by drinking few drops of water that he had offered to
the Lord). Midnight, the merchant noticed a very big, beautiful white Horse
which started eating those grains from a sack. The merchant, thinking that it
belongs to Swami Desikan, immediately woke him up to tie the white horse.
Swami Desikan has tears rolling down his cheeks, and prostrated to the Lord
(who had come as the White Horse) and explained to the merchant and
asked him to bring a pot of milk. The excited merchant and others brought
milk which the Lord drank happily and disappeared.

Next day morning as Swami Desikan, started off his journey to

Thiruvaheendrapuram the merchant came running to inform that the whole
sack, from which the white horse ate is full of Gold coins! Swami Desikan
smiled and was overwhelmed with joy for His mercy and leela. That place is
called is later as "pon vilaintha kalampudhoor", located near Kancheepuram.

There is a Yoga Hayagriva vigraham at the Devanathaswami temple, in

Chettipunnyam village, three km west of Singaperumalkoil, near
Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu. This vigraham was moved from
Tiruahindrapuram, near Cuddalore, to save it from alien invasion. The
Hayagriva in the temple, it is believed, bestows upon the devotees,
education, wealth and progress in all walks of life. Though the Vigraham is
older, it was installed in this temple in 1848.

Chettipunnyam village, three km west of Singaperumalkoil, near

Chengalpattu.

Hayagriva temples appear to be located mostly only in South India and that
too on the east coast, similar to the Narasimhaswamy Temples. There is one
temple in Guwahati, Assam at Manikoota Parvat, which seems to be
worshipped as Narasimha, Hayagriva and as well as a Buddhist God by
Buddhists. Hayagriva Upanishad tells us that Tibetan Buddhists worship
Hayagriva as a wrathful manifestation of Avalokiteshwara. He has 108
forms, he cures skin diseases. Tibetan horse-dealers believe that he frightens
away horse thieves by neighing loudly like a horse. Spiritually, the horses
neigh drives away maya and reveals truth. Horses are very important to the
culture of the Mongolians. Hayagriva, is known as Bato Kannon in Japan

About the festival

Hayagriva was born on the Sravana Poornima day. Hayagriva is a prominent

deity amongst the Vaishavas and hence Hayagriva Jayanthi is an important
festival for them.
The festival is also prominently observed by the student community. Popular
belief is that praying to Lord Hayagriva, particularly on the Hayagriva
Jayanthi day bestows all that is necessary for good education to the students.
Other related benefits will be elevation on job front, improvement in public
image and reputation etc., Legal disputes if any will be solved with much
ease and natives would get their rightful fixed assets.

Sri Hayagreeva Stothram:

Gyaanaanandamayam devam nirmalasphatikaakritimh

Aadhaaram sarvavidyaanaam hayagriivamupaasmahe 1

Svatassiddham shuddhasphatika manibhuubhritpratibhatam

Sudhaasadhriichiibhirdhutibhiravadaatatribhuvanamh
Anantaistrayyantairanuvihita heshaahalahalam
Hataasheshaavadyam hayavadanamiidiimahi mahah 2

Samaahaarassaamnaam pratipadamrichaam dhaama yajushaam

Layah pratyuuhaanaam laharivitatirvedhajaladheh
Kathaadarpakshubhyatkathakakulakolaahalabhavam
Haratvantardhvaantam hayavadana heshaa halahalah 3

Praachii sandhyaa kaachidantarnishaayaah

Pragyaadrishterajnjanashriirapuurvaa
Vaktrii vedaanh bhaatu me vaajivaktraa
Vaagiishaakhyaa vaasudevasya muurtih 4

Vishuddha vigyaanaghana svaruupam

Vigyaana vishraanana baddhadiikshamh
Dayaanidhim dehabhritaam sharanyam
Devam hayagriivamaham prapadye 5

Apaurusheyairapi vaakprapajnchaih
Adyaapi te bhuutimadrishtapaaraamh
Stuvannaham mugdha iti tvayaiva
Kaarunyato naatha kataakshaniiyah 6

Daakshinyaramyaa girishasya muurtih

Devii sarojaasanadharmapatnii
Vyaasaadayoapi vyapadeshyavaachah
Sphuranti sarve tava shaktileshaih 7
Mandoabhavishyanniyatam virijncho
Vaachaam nidhe vajnchita bhaagadheyah
Daityaapaniitaanh dayayaiva bhuuyoapi
Adhyaapayishyo nigamaanh na cheth tvaamh 8

Vitarkadolaam vyavadhuuya satve

Brihaspatim vartayase yatastvamh
Tenaiva deva tridasheshvaraanaamh
Asprishta dolaayitamaadhiraajyamh 9

Agnou samiddhaarchishi saptatantoh

Aatasthivaanh mantramayam shariiramh
Akhanda saarairhavishaam pradaanaih
Aapyaayanam vyomasadaam vidhatse 10

Yanmuulamiidrikh pratibhaati tatvam

Yaa muulamaamnaaya mahaadrumaanaamh
Tatvena jaananti vishuddha satvaah
Tvaamaksharaamaksharamaatrikaam te 11

Avyaakritaadh vyaakrita vaanasi tvam

Naamaani ruupaani cha yaani puurvamh
Shamsanti teshaam charamaam pratishtaam
Vaagiishvara tvaam tvadupagyavaachah 12

Mugdhendu nishyanda vilobhaniiyaam

Muurtim tavaananda sudhaa prasuutimh
Vipashchitashchetasi bhaavayante
Velaamudaaraamiva dugdhasindhoh 13

Manogatam pashyati yah sadaa tvaam

Maniishinaam maanasa raajahamsamh
Svayam purobhaava vivaadabhaajah
Kimkurvate tasya giro yathaarhamh 14

Api kshanaardham kalayanti ye tvaam

Aaplaavayantam vishadairmayuukhaih
Vaachaam pravaahairanivaaritaiste
Mandaakiniim mandayitum kshamante 15

Svaaminh bhavaddhyaana sudhaabhishekaath

Vahanti dhanyaah pulakaanubandhamh
Alakshite kvaapi niruudhamuulam
Angeshvivaanandathumh ankurantamh 16

Svaaminh pratiichaa hridayena dhanyaah

Tvaddhyana chandrodaya vardhamaanamh
Amaantamaananda payodhimantah
Payobhirakshnaam parivaahayanti 17

Svairaanubhaavaastvadadhiina bhaavaah
Samriddhaviiryaastvadanugrahena
Vipashchito naatha taranti maayaam
Vaihaarikiim mohana pijnchhikaam te 18

Praan nirmitaanaam tapasaam vipaakaah

Pratyagranishshreyasa sampado me
Samedhishiiramstava paadapadme
Samkalpa chintaamanayah pranaamaah 19

Vilupta muurdhanya lipikramaanaam

Surendra chuudaapada laalitaanaamh
Tvadamghriraajiiva rajah kanaanaam
Bhuuyaanh prasaado mayi naatha bhuuyaath 20

Parisphurannuupurachitrabhaanu
Prakaasha nirdhuuta tamonushangaamh
Padadvayiim te parichinmaheantah
Prabodha raajiiva vibhaatasandhyaamh 21

Tvatkinkaraalamkaranochitaanaam
Tvayaiva kalpaantara paalitaanaamh
Majnjupranaadam maninuupuram te
Majnjuushikaam vedagiraam pratiimah 22

Sanchintayaami pratibhaadashaasthaanh
Sandhukshayantam samayapradiipaanh
Vigyaana kalpadruma pallavaabham
Vyaakhyaana mudraa madhuram karam te 23

Chitte karomi sphuritaakshamaalam

Savyetaram naatha karam tvadiiyamh
Gyaanaamritodajnchana lampataanaam
Liilaaghatiiyantramivaashritaanaamh 24
Prabodha sindhorarunaih prakaashaih
Pravaala sanghaatamivodvahantamh
Vibhaavaye deva sapustakam te
Vaamam karam dakshinamaashritaanaamh 25

Tamaamsi bhitvaa vishadairmayuukhaih

Sampriinayantam vidushashchakoraanh
Nishaamaye tvaam navapundariike
Sharadghane chandramiva sphurantamh 26

Dishantu me deva sadaa tvadiiyaah

Dayaatarangaanucharaah kataakshaah
Shrotreshu pumsaamamritam ksharantiim
Sarasvatiim samshrita kaamadhenumh 27

Visheshavitvaarishadeshu naatha
Vidagdha goshthiisamaraanganeshu
Jigiishato me kavitaarkikendraanh
Jihvaagra simhaasanamabhyupeyaah 28

Tvaam chintayanstvanmayataam prapannah

Tvaamudgrinanh shabdamayena dhaamnaa
Svaaminh samaajeshu samedhishiiya
Svachchhanda vaadaahava baddhashuurah 29

Naanaavidhaanaamagatih kalaanaam
Na chaapi tiirtheshu kritaavataarah
Dhruvam tavaanaathaparigrahaayaah
Navam navam paatramaham dayaayaah 30

Akampaniiyaanyapaniiti bhedaih
Alankrishiiranh hridayam madiiyamh
Shankaakalankaa pagamojjvalaani
Tatvaani samyajnchi tava prasaadaath 31

Vyaakhyaa mudraam karasarasijaih pustakam shankachakre

Bibhradbhinnasphatikaruchire pundariike nishannah
Amlaanashriiramritavishadairamshubhih plaavayanh maam
Aavirbhuuyaadanagha mahimaa maanase vaagadhiishah 32

Vaagartha siddhihetoh
Pathata hayagriivasamstutim bhaktyaa
Kavitaarkika kesarinaa
Venkatanaathena virachitaametaamh 33

Kavitaarkikasimhaaya kalyaanagunashaaline
Shriimate venkateshaaya vedaantagurave namah