When Brahma completed the Ashwamedha Yagya at Kanchi, Lord Varadaraja came out of the fire of the Yagya and was hailed by the Devas and the Nityasuris. They praised him as one who goes in processions in his vehicles like elephant vehicle, horse vehicle and chariot. He is the giver of boons and is the only one who can bestow salvation. The Akashiyas and the Nityasuris remembered his kindness in saving the elephant Gajendra when his leg was grabbed by a crocodile.
In his ‘Mei Viratha Manmiyam’, Vedanta Desika describes the glorious form of Lord Varadaraja. Desika’s detailed description covers every aspect of the Lord’s divine form, from His head to His feet, said TN Arvamudacharya in a discourse.
Desika says, Lord Varadaraj’s crown shines like the sun. But his face is as cool as the moon. He wears Makaram in his ears. These ear ornaments are in the shape of a fish. These ear ornaments give the impression of two fish facing each other ready to fight. His chest is the abode of Mahalakshmi. His belly is the place where consciousness (conscious) and aceten (non-sentient) entities are kept during the great cataclysm. His feet are everyone’s refuge. He is an oasis in the vast desert of the world. He resides on Hastigiri, but is like a huge mountain pressing on Hastigiri himself. He is the bright light that dispels the darkness of ignorance. He is discovered by Brahma, he is the innermost being present in all. He is the nectar that his devotees seek. When the ocean was churned, the gods wanted the nectar that came out of the ocean. But his devotees do not seek this nectar. Desika clarifies that for her devotees that is the nectar that is desired. He is worshiped by the Vedas. Such is the greatness of the Lord of Hastigiri.