While Lord Vishnu was resting in his palace, Lord Brahma'sfour sons decided to go and meet him. However, the two palace guards, Jai and Vijay prevented them from entering inside. Lord Brahma'ssons turned red with anger and cursed the guards, ?May you be born as humans on Earth and be deprived of your Godly status.?
Meanwhile, Lord Vishnu, on hearing the commotion, came out and asked what had happened. On being told the reason, he said, ?I apologise on their behalf. Please forgive them for they were only carrying out their duty by not letting anyone enter the palace as I was resting.?
But Lord Brahma'ssons were not prepared to give in fully and hence placed a rider, ?Both the guards would be free of our curse when, in human form, both Jai and Vijay meet their death at the hands of Lord Vishnu himself.?
So Jai and Vijay took birth as human to Diti and were named Hiranyakashyap and Hiranyaksh. At their birth, the Earth shook so violently that Lord Indra was forced to approach Lord Vishnu and ask, ?When, at their birth, there has been so much disaster, what would happen when they grow up??
Lord Vishnu replied, ?Indra please, do not be afraid. When the right time comes, I will destroy them and they will not be able to cause any further harm.?
As time passed, Hiranyaksh became a young man and began to indulge in all kinds of ruinous activities, much to the worry of the other humans on Earth. He jumped into the sea and began to shake his body so vigorously that the sea began to churn and a storm arose. Narad Muni approached him and tried to stop Hirnayaksh from his foolishness, but the latter refused to listen. While churning the sea, he kept on boasting that no one was more powerful than him. Narad Muni pointed out to him in exasperation, ?You think you are the greatest but you forget that Lord Vishnu is mightier than you.?
Hiranyaksh turned livid and gathering the entire Earth under his feet, went to Pataal Lok to search for Vishnu. Lord Vishnu acquired the form of a varaha, a wild boar with two horns, and on seeing him, Haranyaksh charged at him. A fierce fight ensued. When nothing had any effect on the varaha, Hiranyaksh wound his strong arms around the varaha'sneck and tried to strangle him. At that moment, Lord Vishnu returned to his original form and aimed his chakra at Hiranyaksh'sneck. The chakra landed at Hiranyaksh'sneck and sliced it into two. Lord Vishnu picked up the Earth on his two horns and left Pataal Lok to pass through the sea before reaching the top. He placed the Earth in position and acquired his true form.
Both the Earth and Heaven were happy at finding peace.
