Varaha Purana 147.40: Adhyaya 147, Shloka 40
The Sacred Merit of Goniṣkramaṇa
the Tīrtha of the Cows’ Emergence/Release
वाजपेयफलं भुक्त्वा मम लोकं प्रपद्यते ॥ अस्ति कोटिवटं नाम तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे परं मम ॥
vājapeyaphalaṃ bhuktvā mama lokaṃ prapadyate || asti koṭivaṭaṃ nāma tasminkṣetre paraṃ mama ||
وبعد أن يذوق ثمرةَ فاجابِيا (Vājapeya) يبلغُ عالمي. وفي ذلك الحقل المقدّس الأسمى لي موضعٌ يُدعى كوتيفاطا (Koṭivaṭa).
Varāha
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"cosmic_power","earth_interaction":"Varāha identifies a supreme kṣetra belonging to him and names the site Koṭivaṭa, guiding Bhū-devī toward sacred geography."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious, oriented to tīrtha-knowledge","key_question":"After enjoying great sacrificial merit, what is the next destination, and which specific sacred site embodies your supreme kṣetra?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":true,"specific_site":"Koṭivaṭa","parikrama_context":"Implied as a station within kṣetra-travel; likely a node in local tīrtha-circuiting though parikramā is not explicit in the verse.","krishna_connection":"Indirect: Mathurā-maṇḍala Vaiṣṇava sacred geography later becomes central to Kṛṣṇa-līlā landscapes; here framed as ‘my’ (Viṣṇu’s) kṣetra."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"‘My world’ (mama loka) functions as theistic telos beyond ritual merit; the named tree-site (vaṭa) symbolizes stability, shelter, and axis-like rootedness of dharma in sacred space.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Transition from yajña-phala (Vājapeya) to Viṣṇu-loka suggests yajña culminates in the Lord; Koṭivaṭa as living ‘pillar’ akin to a natural yūpa.","vedantic_connection":"From karma-phala to īśvara-sāyujya/sālokya idiom: the Lord’s loka supersedes intermediate heavenly attainments."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"theistic soteriology (sālokya orientation)","core_concept":"Ritual merit is not final; it can mature into attainment of the Lord’s realm when connected to his sacred geography and devotion.","practical_application":"Undertake tīrtha-yātrā with the aim of Viṣṇu-oriented liberation rather than only sacrificial reward; honor and protect sacred tree-sites."}
Subject Matter: ["Geography","Heritage Sites","Ritual Studies"]
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: sacred tree-site (vaṭa) within a kṣetra
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 147.45–147.46 (directions/distances and Koṭivaṭa death-merit)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha points out a sacred region and the famed Koṭivaṭa—an immense banyan tree marking the supreme kṣetra—while describing ascent to his loka.","item_prompts":["colossal banyan (vaṭa) with aerial roots","pilgrims/devotees beneath","Varāha indicating the site","subtle celestial pathway toward Viṣṇu-loka"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: monumental vaṭa with layered foliage; Varāha in dignified stance; devotees at the base; warm earth tones and ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Koṭivaṭa with gold highlights on leaves and haloed Varāha; embossed ornaments; small upper register showing ‘mama loka’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: detailed botanical rendering of banyan; Varāha and devotees in balanced composition; soft luminous background.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: lyrical tree dominating the frame; gentle hills/river hints; Varāha as guiding deity; delicate pastel palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"reverential, place-naming (tīrtha-stuti)","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear and declarative on ‘Koṭivaṭaṃ nāma’"}
FAQs
It introduces a named tīrtha (Koṭivaṭa) and associates it with a high-status Vedic-sacrifice merit model, helping map how sacred-tree sites become embedded in Purāṇic networks.
Koṭivaṭa is explicitly identified as a place within the chapter’s sacred region; further localization requires comparison with regional Koṭivaṭa/Koṭi-vaṭa traditions.
The passage frames spiritual outcomes as linked to disciplined engagement with designated sites, supporting a heritage ethic of recognizing and maintaining culturally significant locations.
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