[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c9.4581 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.4581 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.4581 - **Language:** English ### [c9.4581](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4581) At this period an Asura named Hayagrīva had done penance for a thousand years and obtained several boons. One boon was that he should be killed only by a man with the head of a horse. Hayagrīva attacked the devas (gods). Though the gods fought with Hayagrīva for many thousands of years they could not kill him. Even Viṣṇu, admitted defeat. Using the bow as a prop to his chin he stood thinking, for years. In the meanwhile white ants began to eat the string of the bow. When the string was broken, the bow straightened with a sudden jerk and the head of Mahāviṣṇu was severed from the trunk and was thrown away. Viśvakarmā cut off the head of a horse and joined it to the trunk of Viṣṇu, who instantly rose up and killed Hayagrīva. Thus satisfying the need of the gods and making the curse of Lakṣmī come true, Viṣṇu regained his original form and returned to Vaikuṇṭha. (Devī Bhāgavata, Skandha 1). - [Previous: c9.4580](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4580) - [Next: c9.4582](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4582) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9) ## Cites (1) - [Devībhāgavatapurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.upa.sakta.devibhagavata) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4581](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4581) · Pramāṇa