Hindu Myths
A rather isolated myth among the Indians is that of the deliverance of the elephant. In the myth the serpents which had captured and fettered on the elephant not only submit but also surrender the animal to the high God Vishnu when he appears seated on Garuda. However, according to another version of the same myth developed by another section of the Indians states that the conquest of the serpent is integrated with the great cycle of universal evolution. According to this new version of the myth, the creation of the earth and all the things in it mark the beginning of the evolution as the solid surface is flooded with blooded creatures unfolding like a lotus. However, this evolution process and the cycle is subject to certain setbacks such as crises that require the intervention of the highest God (Zimmer & In Campbell, 2017). Unfortunately, there exists a counter-current force that often threatens the evolution process which forced the highest God Vishnu to assume the form of a gigantic boar to protect the evolution by overcoming the serpent king.
The event of the struggle and fight between the boar and the serpent king is well documented in the relief of Udayagiri Gwalior. The celestial beings keenly follow the exploits of the heroic boar. It is worth noting that this exploit is deemed necessary as it threatens the very existence of other animals as well as the universal evolution process. Notably, the third incident of Vishnu as an opponent and a winner of the serpent king is documented with his most popular incarnation of Krishna (Daniélou, 2017). This myth is told in Vi hnu Purana and reviews the circumstances that led to the coming of Krishna into the world.
References
Daniélou, A. (2017). The myths and gods of India: The classic work on Hindu polytheism.
Zimmer, H. R., & In Campbell, J. (2017). Myths and symbols in Indian art and civilization.
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