Varaha Purana 155.18: Adhyaya 155, Shloka 18
The Efficacy and Sacred Merit of Akrūra Tīrtha
जागरं देवदेवस्य कर्तुमिच्छामि राक्षस ॥ मम व्रतं सार्वकाळं यज्जागर्मि हरेः पुरः ॥
jāgaraṃ devadevasya kartum icchāmi rākṣasa | mama vrataṃ sārvakālaṃ yaj jāgarmi hareḥ puraḥ |
„O Rākṣasa, ich wünsche die Nachtwache für den Gott der Götter zu vollziehen. Dies ist mein Gelübde zu allen Zeiten: in der Gegenwart Haris wach zu bleiben.“
Sudhana
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"devotee"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"krishna_connection":"Implicit Vaiṣṇava devotion to Hari; no Mathurā/Kṛṣṇa-līlā marker in this verse."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"instruction_summary":"Maintain jāgaraṇa (night-vigil) as a continual vrata before Hari, treating wakefulness as a devotional discipline.","karmic_consequence":"Steadfast observance strengthens bhakti and ritual merit; breaking the vigil is treated as vrata-bhaṅga leading to loss of intended fruit."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":true,"vrata_name":"Viṣṇu-jāgaraṇa (Hari-jāgara)","tithi_month":"Not specified here (general/‘sārvakāla’ framing).","promised_fruit":"Pleasing Devadeva (Hari) and accruing merit through unwavering devotional wakefulness."}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"Bhakti-ethics (niyama)","core_concept":"Devotion is enacted through disciplined presence—wakefulness as continuous offering to the Lord.","practical_application":"Undertake a vigil with clear saṅkalpa; keep attention fixed on Viṣṇu through japa, kīrtana, śravaṇa, and restraint from sleep."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Vows (Vrata)","Devotional practice","Dialogue"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 155 (Sudhana–Brahmarākṣasa narrative; jāgara-vrata sequence continues in 155.21–24)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A merchant-devotee (Sudhana) calmly declares his resolve to keep vigil before Hari while addressing a threatening rākṣasa, turning danger into a vow-centered moment.","item_prompts":["Sudhana as a composed vaiśya/merchant","a looming rākṣasa in shadow","a small Viṣṇu shrine or lamp-lit altar","night setting with oil lamps","hands in añjali or holding japa-mālā"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: flat luminous colors, ornate jewelry; Sudhana before a lamp-lit Viṣṇu icon, rākṣasa at the edge, strong linework and calm devotional expression.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central Viṣṇu icon with gold-leaf aura; Sudhana in reverent posture; rākṣasa subdued in background; rich reds/greens and embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate shading, refined faces; night-vigil ambiance with soft lamp glow; Sudhana’s serenity contrasted with rākṣasa’s tense hunger.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: cool night palette, minimal shrine architecture; expressive rākṣasa silhouette; Sudhana’s quiet resolve emphasized with simple gestures."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"Solemn devotional resolve under threat","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"Medium-slow","voice_tone":"Steady, restrained, vow-like clarity"}
FAQs
It documents a recognizable devotional observance—keeping vigil before Viṣṇu—attested across Purāṇic and later bhakti traditions.
No location is specified; the phrase “hareḥ puraḥ” indicates ritual proximity to an image/shrine rather than a named place.
Steadfastness in vowed discipline (vrata-niṣṭhā) even when confronted with fear or coercion.
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