Hiranyaksha

In Hindu mythology, Hiranyaksha is a
demon king who is killed by the god
Vishnu, in the latter’s avatar or incarnation as a Boar. Hiranyaksha has performed harsh physical ascetic practice
(tapas) and as result, gained various
divine powers. He eventually grows so
powerful and proud that he spirits away
the earth herself, hiding her at the bottom of the cosmic ocean. It is at such
times of cosmic crisis that Vishnu takes
form on earth, to restore the equilibrium
284
Hiranyagarbha
of the cosmos through his actions.
Vishnu takes the form of a giant boar
and dives to the bottom of the ocean,
where he slays Hiranyaksha, places the
earth on the tip of his tusk, and lifts her
from the waters. With the reappearance
of the earth, the process of creation
resumed. See also Boar avatar.