Varaha Purana 171.4: Adhyaya 171, Shloka 4
Śuka’s Ocean Voyage: Adverse Winds, Arrival at a Viṣṇu Shrine, and Aid from the Jaṭāyu Birds
पुनस्तत्रैव गमने वणिग्भावे मतिर्गता ॥ समुद्रयाने रत्नानि महामौल्यानि साधुभिः ॥
punas tatraiva gamane vaṇigbhāve matir gatā || samudrayāne ratnāni mahāmaulyāni sādhubhiḥ ||
ثم عاد فمالت نفسه إلى الذهاب إلى هناك بصفة تاجر. ففي الأسفار البحرية تُنال الجواهر النفيسة الباهظة الثمن على أيدي التجار المقتدرين.
Varāha (default frame; speaker not explicit in fragment)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false,"instruction_summary":"Narrative description of mercantile intent and oceanic gem-trade; no explicit prescriptive rule stated."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"dharma-artha balance","core_concept":"Artha is pursued through competence (sādhavaḥ) and right intention; wealth is framed as obtainable through disciplined effort rather than mere chance.","practical_application":"Pursue livelihood with training, trustworthy associates, and awareness of risk; treat commerce as a responsibility requiring skill and restraint."}
Subject Matter: ["Economy","Maritime Trade","Material Culture"]
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Artha
Type: maritime corridor
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 171 (merchant-journey sequence continuing in 171.5–171.8)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A merchant-leader contemplating a return journey, with the sea in the background and traders displaying high-priced gems as the goal of the voyage.","item_prompts":["merchant figure with travel staff or ledger","ocean with ship silhouette","open casket of gems (ratna)","group of capable traders (sādhavaḥ)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Flat, ornate composition: merchant in profile near stylized waves; jewel casket rendered with bright mineral colors; attendants in traditional costume; minimal perspective.","tanjore_prompt":"Central merchant figure with halo-like emphasis (Purāṇic dignity), gem casket highlighted with gold leaf, ship and waves as embossed background motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Refined linework: merchant’s thoughtful face, delicate rendering of gems and textiles; subdued ocean backdrop; courtly narrative tone.","pahari_prompt":"Hilly miniature palette: rhythmic waves, small ship, merchant group in a narrative strip; gems as bright accents; airy negative space."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative, purposeful","suggested_raga":"Śaṅkarābharaṇam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear, steady, story-telling"}
FAQs
It preserves a literary memory of seafaring commerce and luxury goods (gems), aligning with broader South Asian textual references to Indian Ocean exchange networks.
No port or region is named; the verse indicates a general maritime setting (samudrayāna).
The verse frames merchant activity as an intentional vocation, implying planning and competence in livelihood rather than impulsive acquisition.
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