In Hinduism, Hayagriva is the horse-headed avatar of Lord Vishnu. Hayagriva is spelled as Hayagreea also. Devotees worship him as the god of wisdom and knowledge and the Lord of Speech. He is known by other names including ‘Defender of Faith’, ‘The Excellent Horse’ ‘The Horse Necked One’, ‘The Aerial Horse’ and ‘The Terrible Executioner’.
He is depicted with the head of a horse, human body in brilliant white color, seated on a white lotus and adorned with white garments.
As per research, evidences of Hayagriva date back to 2000 BCE. During that time the horse was worshipped for its intelligence, strength and speed. The hand of Hayagriva guides victory of pure knowledge over demonic forces of darkness and passion.
In the Madhwa Brahmins, Sri Vaishnavism and Vaikhanasas traditions, one prominent deity is Hayagriva. Before initiating the study of both secular and sacred subjects, the blessings of Hayagriva are sought. In the month of August on full moon as well as on the 9th day of Navratri, the Indian pantheon Hayagriva is specially worshipped.
Devotees hail him as ‘Hayasirsa’. The meaning of Hayasirsa is Horsehead. The original verse from the Pancaratra Agamas by Vedanta Desika, the poet-philosopher of the 13th century, is prefixed to the Hayagriva Stotram.
Hayagriva has four hands, out of which one hand holds the books of wisdom, one hand bestows knowledge and the other two hands hold the Discus and Conch. The deity’s beauty is an auspicious brilliance, like a fresh cut crystal that stays afresh and never decays. He showers his cooling rays of grace on all his devotees.
