323Vaikhari (The Word as the vocal
utterance). These four stages form the
similes for the utterance of the whole
creation by the creator. In this
connection these four stages are
described as the four heads of Brahma.Va-lmi
- ki : The great sage who compiled the great
epic Ra-ma-yan.a. He was initiated by Na-
rada.
Vara-ha : The great boar which is the third Avata-r
of Vishn.u. Lord Vishn.u killed a great
demon, Hiran.ya-ksha in this incarnation
and brought forth the whole universe
into the form of a globe from the levels
of the eternal waters. The story signifies
the birth of the objective levels from the
semi-subjective slumber.
Vara-ha Mihira : A great astrologer and astronomer of the
Gupta period. Author of Brihat Ja-thaka,
Brihat Samhita, Pancha Siddha-ntika,
Ya-tra- Grandha and some other minor
works. He discovered the system of a
mathematical calculation called the
system of the ninth divisions.
Varun.a : A great cosmic God of the Ve-da-s. He
presides over the phenomenon of
Sunset in the day. He is one of the
important ritualistic deities of Ve-da. On
the solar and the planetary levels, his
influence manifests through Neptune
and Uranus.
Vas’isht.a : A great sage. The preceptor of the solar
race of kings. Also the name of a great