Hiranyaksha was a demon who had once submerged the globe according to an Indian mythological story.

It is told in the Srimad Bhagavat that at the beginning of creation when Manu and Shatrupa took their descent from Brahma, the couple asked their progenitor to allot them their duty. Brahma asked them to procreate and thus propagate the human species. Manu, however, saw that the globe lay submerged under water, and thus found no solid ground to stand upon. He complained about it to Brahma, who became thoughtful and began to meditate. And presently a tiny boar of the size of a human thumb issued from one of his nostrils and in the twinkling of an eye assumed the dimensions of a huge mountain. Brahma and His mind-born sons, Marichi and others, at first wondered who the creature was, but at last they concluded that the Lord Himself had taken that form in order to remove their anxiety. In the meantime the divine Boar dived into the ocean that had swallowed the earth at the time of the final dissolution and presently emerged it with the earth held secure on His tusks.

The demon Hiranyaksha, who had already learnt that the boar was no other than the almighty Lord Vishnu, appeared before the Lord, mace in hand, and challenged Him to a duel. The Lord placed the earth on the water , propped it against His own sustaining power and turning towards the demon slew him after a hand struggle.