FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.3.7

द्वितीयं तु भवायास्य रसातलगतां महीम् । उद्धरिष्यन्नुपादत्त यज्ञेश: सौकरं वपु: ॥ ७ ॥
dvitīyaṁ tu bhavāyāsya
[dviteeyam tu bhavaayaasya]
rasātala-gatāṁ mahīm
[rasaatala-gataam maheem]
uddhariṣyann upādatta
[uddharishyann upaadatta]
yajñeśaḥ saukaraṁ vapuḥ
[yajneshah saukaram vapuh]
dvitīyam — the second tu — but bhavāya — for the welfare asya — of this earth rasātala — of the lowest region gatām — having gone mahīm — the earth uddhariṣyan — lifting upādatta — established yajñeśaḥ — the proprietor or the supreme enjoyer saukaram — hoggish vapuḥ — incarnation.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
dvitīyaṁ tu bhavāyāsya
dvitīyam
the second
tu
but
bhavāya
for the welfare
asya
of this earth
rasātala-gatāṁ mahīm
rasātala
of the lowest region
gatām
having gone
mahīm
the earth
uddhariṣyann upādatta
uddhariṣyan
lifting
upādatta
established
yajñeśaḥ saukaraṁ vapuḥ
yajñeśaḥ
the proprietor or the supreme enjoyer
saukaram
hoggish
vapuḥ
incarnation.
The supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices accepted the incarnation of a boar [the second incarnation], and for the welfare of the earth He lifted the earth from the nether regions of the universe.

The indication is that for each and every incarnation of the Personality of Godhead, the particular function executed is also mentioned. There cannot be any incarnation without a particular function, and such functions are always extraordinary. They are impossible for any living being to perform. The incarnation of the boar was to take the earth out of Pluto’s region of filthy matter. Picking up something from a filthy place is done by a boar, and the all-powerful Personality of Godhead displayed this wonder to the asuras, who had hidden the earth in such a filthy place. There is nothing impossible for the Personality of Godhead, and although He played the part of a boar, by the devotees He is worshiped, staying always in transcendence.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Secondly the Lord of sacrifice, lifting up the earth from Rasātala, for its welfare, took the form of the boar.
Commentary

His activity is described by the words “he lifted up the earth for its welfare.” In each case the avatāra and his activity has been mentioned.

When the earth itself was sinking, the Lord came as Varāha to lift it back up. He is willing to take an unglamorous form — a boar — to rescue what matters. Real saviors don't optimize for aesthetics.
Reflection Questions
  • Where am I waiting for help in a 'nice' form when help is offered in an unflattering one?
  • What in my own life is currently sinking and asking to be lifted, however unglamorously?
📝 My note

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