[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.179 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.179 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.179 - **Language:** English ### [c5.179](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.179) Boar Incarnation.—In the Taittirīya Sanhitā and Brāhmana, and also in the Satapatha Brāhmana, the creator Prajāpati, afterwards known as Brahmā, took the form of a boar for the purpose of raising the earth out of the boundless waters. The Sanhitā says, “This universe was formerly waters, fluid. On it Prajāpati, becoming wind, moved. He saw this (earth). Becoming a boar, he took her up. Becoming Viswakarman, he wiped (the moisture from) her. She extended. She became the extended one (Prithvī). From this the earth derives her designation as ‘the extended one.’” The Brāhmana is in accord as to the illimitable waters, and adds, “Prajāpati practised arduous devotion (saying), How shall this universe be (developed)? He beheld a lotus leaf standing. He thought, There is somewhat on which this (lotus leaf) rests. He, as a boar—having assumed that form—plunged beneath towards it. He found the earth down below. Breaking off (a portion of her), he rose to the surface. He then extended it on the lotus leaf. Inasmuch as he extended it, that is the extension of the extended one (the earth). This became (abhūt). From this the earth derives its name of Bhūmī.” Further, in the Taittirīya Āranyaka it is said that the earth was “raised by a black boar with a hundred arms.” The Satapatha Brāhmana states, “She (the earth) was only so large, of the size of a span. A boar called Emūsha raised her up. Her lord, Prajāpati, in consequence prospers him with this pair and makes him complete.” In the Rāmāyaṇa also it is stated that Brahmā “became a boar and raised up the earth.” - [Previous: c5.178](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.178) - [Next: c5.180](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.180) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5) ## Cites (5) - [Kṛṣṇayajurvedasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.krsnayajur*taittiriya) — Sanskrit - [Taittirīyāraṇyaka](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.aranyaka.taittiriya) — Sanskrit - [Brāhmaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.brahmana) — Sanskrit - [Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki) — Vālmīki, Sanskrit - [Śatapathabrāhmaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.brahmana.satapatha) — Yājñavalkya & Śāṇḍilya (Vedic teacher), Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.179](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.179) · Pramāṇa