Varaha Purana 39.31 — Adhyaya 39, Shloka 31
Discrimination of the Three Bodies and the Dharaṇī Vow: A Manual for Dvādaśī Observance
एकादश्यां निराहारः स्थित्वाहमपरेऽहनि । भोक्ष्यामि पुण्डरीकाक्ष शरणं मे भवाच्युत ॥ ३९.३१ ॥
ekādaśyāṃ nirāhāraḥ sthitvāham apare 'hani | bhokṣyāmi puṇḍarīkākṣa śaraṇaṃ me bhavācyuta || 39.31 ||
في يوم الإكادشي أصوم بلا طعام، ثم آكل في اليوم التالي. يا ذا العينين كاللوتس، كن ملجئي، يا أتشيوتا.
Pṛthivī (default dialogue framework; speaker not explicit in fragment)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"devotee","bhu_devi_state":"devotional, seeking refuge; disciplined (vrata-oriented)","key_question":"Implicit plea rather than a question: seeking Acyuta’s protection/refuge while undertaking Ekādaśī fasting and breaking it on Dvādaśī."}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"Direct devotional address to Puṇḍarīkākṣa/Acyuta (Viṣṇu epithets later central in Kṛṣṇa-bhakti), but no explicit Mathurā/Vraja site."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"varnashrama","instruction_summary":"Ekādaśī discipline: remain nirāhāra on Ekādaśī and eat on the following day (Dvādaśī), taking refuge in Viṣṇu through saṅkalpa/prārthanā.","karmic_consequence":"Observance yields purification and Vaiṣṇava merit; violation (breaking fast on Ekādaśī or neglecting proper pāraṇa) diminishes vrata-fruit and accrues doṣa in vrata-ācāra."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":true,"vrata_name":"Ekādaśī-vrata (nirāhāra with Dvādaśī-pāraṇa)","tithi_month":"Ekādaśī tithi (all months; specific month not stated)","promised_fruit":"Refuge in Acyuta, purification of sins, strengthening of bhakti and self-control (general Ekādaśī-phala implied by context)."}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"śaraṇāgati with tapas (disciplined devotion)","core_concept":"Austerity is not self-powered; it is sustained by surrender to the Lotus-eyed Lord as protector and goal.","practical_application":"When taking a vow, articulate a clear saṅkalpa (what/when), keep restraint, and pair it with a heartfelt refuge-prayer rather than mere rule-following."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Practice","Devotional Discipline"]
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: temple/home inner space of vow-taking
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 39.39.27-30 (preparatory purity, dhyāna, arghya leading into this saṅkalpa)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Bhū-devī (or a devotee representing her voice) offers a solemn Ekādaśī saṅkalpa before Viṣṇu: hands folded, face earnest, invoking Puṇḍarīkākṣa and Acyuta as refuge.","item_prompts":["folded hands (añjali)","Viṣṇu with lotus-like eyes (Puṇḍarīkākṣa)","simple vow-taking setting","calendar/tithi symbolism (Ekādaśī moon phase)","austerity cues (simple cloth, minimal food)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Bhū-devī/devotee in añjali, Viṣṇu radiant and calm, strong outlines, devotional intensity, subtle moon-phase motif for Ekādaśī.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: enthroned Viṣṇu with gold-leaf ornaments; devotee/Bhū-devī at his feet taking saṅkalpa, rich textile patterns, luminous halo.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: gentle, intimate prayer scene, refined facial expressions, soft lighting, detailed jewelry and cloth without excess.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: lyrical bhakti tableau—devotee/Bhū-devī praying in a small shrine, Viṣṇu appearing in a vision, delicate moonlit Ekādaśī ambiance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"prayerful vow-formula","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"tender, supplicatory, steady"}
FAQs
It reflects a widespread Purāṇic-era discipline of vrata practice—fasting on Ekādaśī and breaking the fast the next day—documenting how devotional observance is framed in concise vow-language and epithets for Viṣṇu.
No geographic location is named in this verse; it focuses on calendrical observance (Ekādaśī) and a devotional address to Viṣṇu.
The verse models self-restraint (fasting) coupled with a stated intention to follow a regulated practice (eating the next day), expressed alongside seeking refuge—an ethical pattern of discipline and reliance on a stabilizing ideal.
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