Varaha Purana 147.58: Adhyaya 147, Shloka 58
The Sacred Merit of Goniṣkramaṇa
the Tīrtha of the Cows’ Emergence/Release
श्लोकं वा यदि वा पादं यदीच्छेत् परमां गतिम्॥ तत्क्षेत्रं तु महाभागे पञ्चयोजनमण्डलम्॥
ślokaṃ vā yadi vā pādaṃ yadīcchet paramāṃ gatim || tatkṣetraṃ tu mahābhāge pañcayojanamaṇḍalam ||
سواء كان ذلك بيتًا كاملًا أو حتى ربع بيت—إن أراد المرء المقام الأعلى—فإن تلك البقعة المقدسة، أيتها السيدة النبيلة، دائرة مقدارها خمس يوجانات.
Varāha
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"earth_interaction":"Varāha addresses Bhū-devī respectfully (mahābhāge), defining the sacred circuit’s extent for her understanding."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious","key_question":"What is the extent/measure of that kṣetra whose mere recitation grants the highest goal?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"parikrama_context":"Defines a pañca-yojana maṇḍala—implicitly a pradakṣiṇā/parikramā-able sacred circuit."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"soteriology via śravaṇa/smaraṇa","core_concept":"Alpa-upāya, mahā-phala: even a fragment of sacred utterance, when linked to a potent kṣetra and right aspiration, can orient one to paramā gati.","practical_application":"Maintain reverent engagement with sacred texts and sacred geography: learn/recite even small portions with faith; undertake the kṣetra-parikramā within its defined boundary."}
Subject Matter: ["Geography","Heritage Sites","Textual Tradition"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: kṣetra/maṇḍala (sacred circuit)
Related Themes: 147.65.0; 147.66.0; 147.67.0
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha as divine teacher indicates the sacred region’s boundary as a five-yojana circuit, speaking to Bhū-devī.","item_prompts":["Varāha in calm teaching posture","Bhū-devī listening with folded hands","circular maṇḍala/map-like ring indicating ‘pañca-yojana’","pilgrims walking a circumambulatory path","subtle script/leaf-manuscript motif for ‘śloka/pāda’"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: serene Varāha as guru, Bhū-devī attentive, a stylized circular kṣetra-maṇḍala behind them, warm earthy palette, ornate jewelry, flat decorative landscape.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: Varāha and Bhū-devī with gold-leaf halos, embossed circular maṇḍala border signifying five yojanas, temple-like arch framing, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework, soft shading, Varāha gesturing to a drawn maṇḍala on the ground, Bhū-devī seated, manuscript palm-leaf in foreground.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: lyrical hills and pilgrimage path forming a ring, Varāha and Bhū-devī in intimate dialogue, minimal architecture, crisp colors and fine facial expressions."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"reverential, instructive","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear, didactic, gently emphatic on ‘paramāṃ gatim’ and ‘pañcayojana’"}
FAQs
It is evidence for how Purāṇic sources demarcate sacred space using measurement language (yojana), relevant to historical geography and pilgrimage studies.
A specific named site is not provided in the fragment; the verse defines the extent of a kṣetra as a five-yojana circuit.
It emphasizes the value of even minimal textual engagement (a pāda) and links it to aspirational ethical-spiritual aims.
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