Varaha Purana 126.95: Adhyaya 126, Shloka 95
The Greatness of Kubjāmraka: Raibhya’s Boon and the Teaching on the Sacred Tīrthas
तस्मान्मया हतो भद्रेऽहितकारी विषोद्धतः ॥ प्रजापाला वयं भद्रे येऽपि चैवापथे स्थिताः ॥
tasmān mayā hato bhadre 'hitakārī viṣoddhataḥ || prajā-pālā vayaṁ bhadre ye 'pi caivāpathe sthitāḥ ||
Darum, o Bhadrā, wurde der Unheilstifter, vom Gift berauscht, von mir getötet. Wir sind die Hüter der Geschöpfe, o Bhadrā, selbst derer, die auf einen Irrweg geraten sind.
Varāha (default dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"earth_interaction":"Varāha addresses Bhadrā (Earth) explaining protective action (killing the harmful) and his role as guardian of beings."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"reassured/relieved (implied) after hearing justification of protective violence","key_question":"When is force (including killing) dharmic for a protector, and what is the ruler/guardian’s duty toward even the misguided?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"rajaniti","instruction_summary":"A protector/guardian may eliminate a venom-maddened harmful aggressor for the safety of creatures; governance includes care even for wrongdoers.","karmic_consequence":"Proper protective action preserves prajā and upholds dharma; failure to restrain harm enables adharma and suffering (implied)."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Varāha embodies the divine ‘prajāpāla’ principle: Viṣṇu as sustainer who restrains destructive forces to re-stabilize dharma.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Protector function parallels yajña’s role of maintaining ṛta by ‘checking’ chaos; the ‘venom-maddened’ threat stands for tamasic disruption restrained by the Lord.","vedantic_connection":"Viṣṇu as antaryāmin and dharma-sustainer: compassionate governance includes correction/restraint, not mere punishment; preservation of beings is preservation of cosmic order."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"rājadharma / ethics of force","core_concept":"Ahimsa is not passivity: guardianship (prajāpālana) may require decisive restraint of active harm, grounded in compassion for the many.","practical_application":"Leaders and individuals tasked with protection should act proportionately against imminent harm while retaining a welfare-orientation even toward the erring."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Governance"]
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: VP 126.35 (danger of venomous serpent); VP 126.37 (punishment of those who harm the virtuous)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha explains to Bhū-devī that he slew the venom-intoxicated harmful being and affirms his role as guardian of creatures—even those on a wrong path.","item_prompts":["Varāha in protective stance","Bhū-devī addressed as Bhadrā","Subdued depiction of a defeated serpent/threat","Gesture of assurance (abhaya-mudrā-like)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Varāha with commanding posture, one hand in assurance; Bhū-devī attentive; stylized subdued serpent at the base; ornate but restrained drama.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold haloed Varāha as protector; Bhū-devī beside; symbolic subdued serpent; emphasis on regal guardianship with rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: balanced composition; Varāha’s calm authority; minimal violence, more ethical explanation; fine detailing of garments/jewels.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: narrative vignette—Varāha speaking, Bhū-devī listening; defeated threat shown small; emphasis on moral dialogue over combat."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"authoritative and protective","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"steady, firm, reassuring"}
FAQs
It articulates a duty-of-protection rationale (prajāpāla), relevant to the history of South Asian political ethics and dharma discourse.
No place-name is present in this verse.
Protection of the vulnerable is presented as an overriding responsibility, extending even toward those considered morally errant.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple 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 word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.