Varaha Purana 44.16: Adhyaya 44, Shloka 16
The Vaiśākha Bright-Twelfth Observance: Worship of Hari as Jāmadagnya and Its Fruits
स हि राजा विधानॆन पुत्रकामो विशेषतः । उपोष्य लब्धवान् पुत्रं नलं परमधार्मिकम् । योऽद्यापि कीर्त्यते लोके पुण्यश्लोको नरोत्तमः ॥ ४४.१६ ॥
sa hi rājā vidhānena putrakāmo viśeṣataḥ | upoṣya labdhavān putraṃ nalaṃ paramadhārmikam | yo ’dyāpi kīrtyate loke puṇyaśloko narottamaḥ || 44.16 ||
فإنّ ذلك الملك، وقد اشتدّ طلبُه للولد، أقام الشعيرة على وجهها وصام، فنال ابنًا هو «نَلا» بالغَ الاستقامة في الدَّرْمَا. وهو إلى اليوم يُذكر في العالم بوصفه خيرَ الرجال، ذا سمعةٍ طاهرة ناشئة عن الفضل.
Varāha (default narrative voice per dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"varnashrama","instruction_summary":"A putra-kāma king should follow the prescribed vrata/fasting according to vidhi; righteous progeny and lasting fame follow dharmic observance.","karmic_consequence":"Observance yields progeny of dharmic disposition and enduring kīrti; disregard of vidhi risks continued childlessness and loss of merit/fame."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":true,"vrata_name":"Vaiśākha-śukla-dvādaśī-vrata (as applied by the king)","tithi_month":"Vaiśākha, śukla-pakṣa, Dvādaśī","promised_fruit":"Birth of a supremely righteous son; additionally, worldly renown (puṇya-ślokatā) through dharmic lineage."}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of kingship (rāja-dharma via lineage)","core_concept":"Right practice shapes not only outcomes (a son) but the quality (dhārmikatā) of what is obtained; dharma begets dharmic legacy.","practical_application":"Pursue personal aims through dharmic means so that results (children, wealth, status) become supports for virtue and public good."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Kingship","Vows and Austerities"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 44.44.15 (the Dvādaśī is taught); Varāha Purāṇa 44.44.17 (expanded fruits)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Narration of the king’s successful fast and the auspicious birth of Nala, portrayed as radiant and dharmic, with the sense of lasting fame.","item_prompts":["king performing upavāsa (simple attire, restraint)","ritual lamp and Viṣṇu/Varāha-associated worship setting (generic)","newborn child with aura/radiance","bards or sages praising (kīrti motif)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: sequence-like panel—fasting king, then birth scene; warm reds/ochres; child with subtle halo; dignified śānta-vīra blend.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: birth scene with gold aura around the child; king and queen in regal attire; ornate frame; gold-leaf emphasis on kīrti and auspiciousness.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined palace/āśrama interior; gentle lighting; child’s radiance rendered softly; dignified expressions.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: lyrical domestic scene; delicate colors; attendants and sages; emphasis on auspicious joy without excess."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"auspicious fulfillment and praise","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"uplifting, steady, celebratory but restrained"}
FAQs
It reflects a common Purāṇic narrative motif: royal adherence to prescribed rites (vidhi) and ascetic practices (upoṣaṇa) as culturally authoritative means to frame legitimacy, lineage, and moral reputation.
No specific geographic toponym is stated in this verse; it focuses on a king’s observance and the fame of his son Nala.
The verse emphasizes disciplined adherence to prescribed conduct (vidhāna) and restraint (fasting) as a pathway to socially recognized virtue and enduring reputation.
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