Varaha Purana 176.20 — Adhyaya 176, Shloka 20
The Māhātmya of Kṛṣṇagaṅgodbhava, Kāliñjara, and the Five Sacred Baths: The Tale of Pāñcāla and Tilottamā
निरूप्य कथयास्माकं यत्ते प्रच्छन्नकिल्बिषम्
nirūpya kathayāsmākaṃ yatte pracchanna-kilbiṣam
ভালদৰে পৰীক্ষা কৰি আমাক কোৱা—তোমাৰ কোন পাপ বা দোষ গোপনে লুকুৱাই ৰাখিছা?
Varāha (default dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"As instructor within the overarching Varāha→Pṛthivī framework, he initiates moral inquiry into hidden fault (karmic/ethical diagnosis)."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious","key_question":"What concealed sin/fault (pracchanna-kilbiṣa) is hidden—state it clearly after examination."}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"prayaschitta","instruction_summary":"Hidden wrongdoing must be brought to light through inquiry and confession-like disclosure to enable appropriate expiation.","karmic_consequence":"Disclosure enables remedy and purification; concealment perpetuates pāpa, blocks śuddhi, and invites continued suffering/defilement."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Varāha as dharma-diagnostician: just as he ‘lifts’ the earth from concealment (submersion), he demands that concealed pāpa be ‘lifted’ into speech for cleansing.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Concealment (pracchanna) vs revelation parallels yajña’s movement from hidden intention (saṅkalpa) to spoken mantra; purification begins with truthful articulation.","vedantic_connection":"Avidyā thrives in concealment; viveka begins with honest recognition of doṣa. Naming the fault is the first step toward antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi and dharmic realignment."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethical introspection","core_concept":"Truthful self-disclosure and examination of one’s hidden faults are prerequisites to purification and spiritual progress.","practical_application":"Practice periodic self-audit (parīkṣā): identify concealed harms, admit them to a trusted guide/inner conscience, and undertake fitting corrective action."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Narrative Dialogue"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Type: Didactic dialogue frame (Varāha’s instruction)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 176.19–21 (marvel of impurity/purity; Kāliñjara purification)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Lord Varāha (as divine teacher) addresses the pilgrim/character, commanding an examination and disclosure of the concealed fault; the scene is didactic and intense but controlled.","item_prompts":["Varāha seated/standing in authority","gesture of instruction (upadeśa-mudrā)","listener with bowed head","scroll/ritual setting suggesting examination","subtle aura indicating divine presence"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Varāha with dignified stance, ornate crown, calm yet commanding eyes; disciple in humility; warm ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Varāha with gold-leaf ornaments and halo; strong frontal composition; disciple smaller, hands folded; rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant Varāha iconography with refined shading; emphasis on facial expression of inquiry; minimal background for focus.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate teacher-disciple scene under a tree or in a simple camp; delicate lines; emphasis on dialogue and gesture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic, probing","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"firm, investigative, compassionate-undercurrent"}
FAQs
It illustrates a common Purāṇic narrative device: ethical inquiry through dialogue, where concealed wrongdoing is brought into speech for clarification and resolution.
No location is specified in this verse; it functions as a transition into the speaker’s inquiry.
The verse foregrounds moral accountability: hidden fault (kilbiṣa) should be articulated rather than concealed.
Ask anything about this verse
Curious about the meaning, context, or a word? Ask, and continue the conversation in the Vedapath app.
A free Google sign-in keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Varaha Purana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.