hayagreeva Avatara & esoteric meaning

Hindu Mytological   stories  from  puranas  are  one of the richest elements of Indian Culture,.   These stories  may  look ordinary  but  once we  go deep  and  understand  the  esoteric meaning we  will  land into deep  ocean of knowledge that  will  help  us find  answers  to  many  of  our  un answered questions . Different stories in Indian mythology have been passed from generation to generation either by word of mouth or through carefully stored scriptures. The interesting aspect of the stories in Indian Mythology is that they usually convey subtle facts, rules and maxims to guide our daily lives. 

  One such  stories is  about little  known  Avatara of  Lord  Vishnu in  form  of  horse head called  Hayagreeva .. Haya means horse and griva means neck. So the deity with a horse head from his neck is known as Hayagreeva.. Hayagreeva is depicted with 4 armed, carrying a Conch & Wheel known as Shanka and chakra in His two hands, a rosary (aksha-mala) in the third and his fourth is in the vyakhya mudra. He is also found holding the vedas in some occasions. 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.

 Hayagreeva  restored the Vedas to Brahma when it  was stolen  by  two  demons  by  name Madhu &  kaithaba  This  happened when  Lord Brahma becoming tired of his creative activities  and  yawned as  he was in need of some rest.   During  that  time of  compliancy all the four Vedas came out from his mouth. Seizing this  opportunity  these  demons stole these  Vedas  and  hid  under  the  ocean . Lord  Vishnu  in  form of  Hayagreeva killed the  demons  and  restored  the  Vedas  and  handed  back  to  Brahma .The  above  story  may  looks  ordinary as  it  talks  about  Vedas ,  madhu  kaitaba,   yawaning    etc but  if  decoded  can  give  us different  perspective  altogetherand  end  up giving  new  meaning  .  It  is  common  practice  among  vaishnavaits down  south  to  seek    Hayagreeva  blessings before beginning to  study  both sacred and secular subject especially   by students  just  like the  way they worship  Lord  Ganesha .

   It  is  also  believed that worshipping   Hayagreeva  escpically  by  students  overcome materialistic tendencies , tamasic  nature , complacent nature  and ultimately lead them   them into   right path   and help  them   to concentrate on  studies . That  is  why before  exams  many students  visit  Hayagreeva temple, moreover   performing hayagreeva  homa is  considered auspious before  pursuing secular  studies  as  well . Probably the best description we have of Him comes from the Hayagriva Stotram, a prayer in his praise.

We meditate upon that Supreme One, who has the neck and face of a horse and who is the embodiment of Jn~AnA (divine Knowledge) and AnandhA (Bliss). He has a ThirumEni (body) like a radiant, blemishles Spatikam (Crystal) and is the abode of all VidhyAs (branches of Learning).

You will notice that this stanza introduces the concept that Sri Hayagriva is considered sacred to academic and educational pursuits.

  Coming  back  to the  story   and  its  esoteric  meaning  here Vedas literally means “Knowledge” and in essence it represents “Ultimate Transcendent Knowledge” that is called as “Brahma-Jnana” or “Atma Jnana”. Vedas are scriptures whose ultimate purpose is to grant Moksha or Liberation. Lord Brahmaa who is the first born and who further manifests the Universe as if extending his own body, represents the whole manifested Universe and it  transcends to  our  own  being . Here knowledge means  secular knowledge  as  well .when  extended these knowledges are  the  books  we  read espically  what the students study  in  schools &  colleges . When  Brama yawns that  is once  we  are  in  that tamasic  stage or in  in  a state  of  inertia    we  fail  to  under stand  the significance  and  importance  of the knowledge  which may  happen  to  you  and  me  and  especially  for  students where  in  state  of  laziness or in  state of  inertia they lose interest   and  avoid studying   books or unable  to concentrate on  studies 

 What happens when  we  go  away  from  books ? we withdraw and  loose  interest  in  studies   and  you  might  have  observed  this with  your  kids  as  well where  they  refuse  to  study   bunk  classes  etc   this  is what is  called  the  handi work of Madhu  and  kaithaba .Now, the stealing of Vedas by Madhu Kaitaba represents stealing of Vedic Knowledge-the ultimate Knowledge about Moksha, from the Universe. Here for  us especially students the  ultimate knowledge is their school  related  books   and these  Madhu kaitaba taking  away means demon  inside  us will take  away our  yearning  for knowledge  and leds into  other  activities  not  realted  to  studies. 

 further  explaning  “Madhu Kaitaba are  also refered as   honey bees”. That is, the demon Madhu Kaitaba can be understood as a “personification of a characteristic trait of honey bee.”The unique trait of Honey bees is that they are very hard workers, but they care about only one thing: collecting honey. Similarly, Madhu Kaitaba represents that aspect of human nature which makes a person completely materialistic , complacent , lazy and mundane while  completely forgets about what  is essential for  us  that  is to  seek  knowledge  and  in  the  bargain   loose  our  focus .

In  this  case  this  may  be translated as Students  drifting from actual studies.This materialistic attitude which makes people forget that the ultimate goal of life to  seek  knowledge is what the cosmic event of Madhu Kaitaba stealing away of Vedas represents. on the other hand, Lord Vishnu is the personification of Sattva (purity and equanimity). These materialistic tendencies are rooted in Tamas or ignorance.Incarnation of Hayagriva   and  killing of the demon and restoring of Vedas denotes, how by practicing Sattva, by involving in various spiritual practices or  by  yoga  mediatation   etc  students   can  regain  interest  in knowledge [ secular  books ]  and  kill madhu kaitaba  in  us .  That  is  why they  say  when  praying  Hayagreeva  one  can  gain  interest  in  studies  as  he  bless  us  and  leads   us  into  path  of  knowledge .  

In  one  word Symbolically the  story of Hayagreeva retrieving the Vedas represents triumph of pure knowledge, , over the  demonic  forces of passion and darkness.