Lord Hayagriva
Hayagriva is the God of learning and wisdom. A unique Avatar of Lord Vishnu, he has the physique of a human being and the head of a horse. The word ‘Haya’ refers to a horse, and ‘Griva’ literally means the neck. Hayagriva is thus the God with a horse head, and also known in the name ‘Hayavadhana,’ the horse-faced God. He is also considered the Guru of Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning.
Hayagriva Legend
There is an interesting mythological story about the advent of Hayagriva. As per the legend, two sons born to Vishnu turned out to be demons, Madhu and Kaitabha, who stole the sacred Vedas from Lord Brahma, the Creator, and hid them in the netherworld. These Vedic texts were absolutely essential for Brahma to perform his function of creation; so, the distressed Creator sought refuge in Vishnu for getting back the holy texts.
Being the divinity that protects and sustains the world and its beings, Vishnu came immediately to Brahma’s rescue, assumed the horse-faced Hayagriva form, went after the demons to the world below, fought a fierce battle with the mighty demons, slew them, and rescued and restored the Vedas to Brahma. Thus, thanks to Lord Hayagriva, the Creator could continue unhindered with his creation and ensure that the universe thrives with its inhabitants.
Vedas were the treasure-trove of immense knowledge and wisdom; hence we can say that this Hayagriva legend denotes the victory of the light of knowledge over the darkness of ignorance and evil, thanks to Godly intervention.
Hayagriva Depiction
This Vishnu-incarnation with a horse-face and a human body is of fair complexion and looks brilliant in shining white clothes. Hayagriva is generally shown holding the palm leaf manuscripts representing learning and wisdom in one hand, and the knowledge-bestowing Varada Mudra on the other, while the conch and discus are there in his 2 upper hands. He is also usually seen seated on a white lotus.
Hayagriva Temples
Hayagriva is a well-worshiped God. While Sri Lakshmi Hayagriva Temple, in Thiruvahindrapuram, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu remains one of the temples dedicated to him, he is worshiped in separate shrines as part of many Vishnu temples spread across the Southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andra Pradesh, Telangana, and Puducherry UT.
Sri Lakshmi Hayagriva Temple at Nanganallur, Chennai, known popularly as the Nanganallur Hayagriva Temple, is one of the famous temples for this Lord in the capital city.
Nanganallur Hayagriva Temple – Lakshmi Hayagriva Perumal
Here, the Lord remains in the company of his consort Goddess Lakshmi, and so, is enshrined as Lakshmi Hayagriva Perumal. Seating her on his left lap, he is embracing her with his left hand while he displays the protective Abhaya Mudra in the right lower hand. He is also holding Shankha, the conch, and Chakra, the discus on his 2 upper hands.
While he is seated cross-legged with his left leg bent and the right dropping down, the giant serpent Adisesha is forming a canopy above his head, with its five hoods spread out. That the idol of the presiding deity is made of the holy Salagrama stone adds to his significance.
As the divine couple, Lord Hayagriva and Goddess Lakshmi are found embracing each other here; it is believed that offering worship to the Lord and his consort at this temple can solve misunderstandings, if any, between spouses, bring about more unity in them, and ensure a loving and harmonious marital relationship. Further, his worship can help children and students to become more intelligent and excel in their educational pursuits while also blessing people with all-round welfare.
Benefits of Hayagriva Worship
Lakshmi Hayagriva worship done with sincerity and faith can
– sharpen the intellect, improve knowledge, and give clarity of thought and
sound understanding
– improve absorption and learning skills, and education
– enhance analytical and intuitive capabilities
– improve finances, affluence, and abundance
– provide peace of mind and also family welfare
