Digest bhakti.v003.n043

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In a message dated 8/11/98 12:13:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Sri TV Venkat

writes:

 

<< I have a doubt regarding the name Hayagreeva. While it is known that

Sri Hayagreeva is the form of Sriman Narayana as the bestower of

knowledge, it is also known that the name Hayagreeva is given to an

asura who in fact tried to destroy all the Vedas by taking it under

the sea. How is this that the same name is given to both the Supreme God

and to a demon. I request the scholars in our group to enlighten me on what

is the difference between the two names. >>

 

While pure Bhaktas may be able to offer deeper insight into the term,

"Hayagriva", let me share with Sahridayas here what I gathered from my study.

An understanding of Tantra and its spread across isms of the past lends

insight into how Hayagriva, the asura becomes the Hayagriva, emanation of the

Supreme. References of Hayagriva abound in Buddhist works where the

transformation seems to have taken place. Like Ganesha, whose origins can be

found in the non-Vedic Tantric beliefs, Hayagriva, the asura who stole the

Vedas and hid it under the sea, also had Tantik beginnings. His act naturally

caused resentment amongst the established Brahminical Order. But, killing it

with an embrace, as it were, in order to send the original Hayagriva into

oblivion and absorb its believers into the Brahmincal fold, legends of

Hayagriva, the Supreme Mahavishnu, the protector of the Vedas, had to be

created to deal with the asura who stole the Vedas. A poison as an antedote to

poison. Today, Hayagriva, the Buddhist redhorse-faced demon, has also been

likewise transformed into Hayagriva, the white-horse faced emanation of

Avalokiteshwara, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom and Compassion. All this can be

dated to periods later then 5th Century, prior to which there is no historical

evidence of Hayagriva. Matsyapurana or the Vedas do not have any refs to this

concept. I hope other Bhaktas can illumine further...

Adiyen daasi

radhika