Editing Varaha (section)

===Textual descriptions===
The ''Agni Purana'' describes that Varaha is depicted with the human body and boar head. In one configuration, he carries a gada (mace), shankha (conch), padma (lotus) with Lakshmi on his left. In another form, he is depicted with the earth goddess on his left elbow and the serpent Shesha at his feet.{{sfn | Shastri | Bhatt | Gangadharan | 1998 | pp= 126,129,343}}{{sfn|Rao|1914|p=134}}

The ''Vishnudharmottara Purana'' describes the iconography of Nri-varaha ("human-boar"), with a human body and boar head. Varaha be depicted standing in the combative ''alidha'' pose (With a leg held straight and the other leg bent a little) on the four-armed serpent Shesha with folded arms. He holds a conch in his left land; on this elbow he supports the earth goddess who depicted with folded hands. He also holds mace, lotus and chakra (discus). He may also be depicted hurling the chakra at Hiranyaksha or raising a spear at the demon. Varaha can be also depicted in meditative posture like the sage [[Kapila]] or offering ''pinda''s. He can depicted in battle surrounded by demons or zoomorphically as boar supporting the earth. The text prescribes Varaha worship for prosperity; the demon personifies adversity and ignorance while Varaha is wisdom, wealth and power.{{sfn|Rao|1914|pp=134-5}}{{sfn|Shah|1990|pp=225-6, 380}}

The ''Matsya Purana'' describes that Varaha standing with the left foot on a [[world turtle|turtle]] and the right foot on the hood of Shesha. The raised earth should be on his left elbow. His left hand is placed on his Shakti (consort) on his left; while he holds a lotus and mace. The [[Guardians of the directions|lokapala]] deities should surround him, worshipping him.{{sfn|Talukdar of Oudh|1916|p=308|loc=Part II}}

The ''Narada Purana'' recommends Varaha be pictured as golden in complexion, having the earth on his white tusks and holding an iron-club, a conch, a discus, a sword, a javelin in his hands and making the ''[[abhayamudra]]'' (hand gesture of assurance).{{sfn|Narada Purana|1997|pp=1000-2}}

The ''Venkatacala Mahatmya'' of the ''Skanda Purana'' mentions that the boar-faced, four-armed Varaha holds the discus and the conch and makes the gestures of blessing (''[[varadamudra]]'') and assurance. He wears various ornaments including the [[Kaustubha]] jewel and yellow garments. The ''[[srivatsa]]'' symbol is on his chest. The earth goddess is seated on his left lap.{{sfn|Skanda_Purana|1951|pp=3-4}}