Varaha Purana 157.5: Adhyaya 157, Shloka 5
Praise of the Malayārjuna Sacred Ford and the Mathurā–Yamunā Pilgrimage Cycle
यमुनासलिले स्नातः शुचिर्भूत्वा जितेंद्रियः ॥ समभ्यर्च्याच्युतं सम्यक् प्राप्नोति परमां गतिम् ॥
yamunāsalile snātaḥ śucirbhūtvā jitendriyaḥ || samabhyarcyācyutaṃ samyak prāpnoti paramāṃ gatim ||
Wer im Wasser der Yamunā badet, rein wird und sich selbst beherrscht, und Acyuta in rechter Weise verehrt, der erlangt den höchsten Zustand.
Varāha (default dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":true,"specific_site":"Yamunā (Kālindī) river-tīrtha (Mathurā-maṇḍala implied)","parikrama_context":"Snāna and arcana function as core acts within Mathurā-tīrtha-yātrā; verse supports tīrtha-sevā as part of the broader maṇḍala visitation.","krishna_connection":"Direct Vaiṣṇava focus via Acyuta; anticipates Govinda/Janārdana worship typical of Mathurā-Kṛṣṇa landscape."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"instruction_summary":"After bathing in Yamunā, remain śuci and jitendriya, then perform proper worship of Acyuta to attain the highest goal.","karmic_consequence":"Proper snāna + self-restraint + correct arcana leads to paramā gati; negligence implies loss of that supreme fruit (phala) of tīrtha and worship."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"soteriology through bhakti supported by śauca and indriya-nigraha","core_concept":"External purity (snāna) and internal mastery (jitendriya) together make worship efficacious for attaining the supreme state.","practical_application":"Undertake Yamunā-snāna with restraint (diet, speech, senses), then perform focused Viṣṇu-arcana rather than treating pilgrimage as mere tourism."}
Subject Matter: ["Sacred Rivers","Ritual Purity","Pilgrimage Worship","Ethics (discipline)"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: sacred river / tīrtha
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa Mathurā-māhātmya tīrtha-phala passages (adjacent adhyāya context)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim at dawn bathing in the Yamunā, then offering flowers and lamp to Acyuta at a riverside shrine, with an atmosphere of purity and restraint.","item_prompts":["Yamunā river with gentle ripples","dawn light","pilgrim with wet cloth (śuci)","simple altar with Viṣṇu icon (Acyuta)","flowers, tulasī, dīpa","hands in añjali"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: serene Yamunā bank, stylized lotuses, devotee performing arcana to Viṣṇu (Acyuta), warm earthy palette, clear linework, devotional calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central Viṣṇu/Acyuta icon with gold-leaf halo, devotee at Yamunā edge, rich ornaments on deity, bright river blues, embossed arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate shading, refined facial features, soft dawn gradient over Yamunā, devotee offering tulasī and lamp to Acyuta, balanced composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: lyrical riverscape, rolling banks and trees, small shrine to Acyuta, devotee in simple attire, cool palette with fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"purificatory and devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"clear, steady, contemplative"}
FAQs
It documents the coupling of riverine purification with deity worship, a common feature in Purāṇic ritual geography that shaped pilgrimage itineraries and local sacred economies.
The Yamunā River (ancient Yamunā), a major north Indian river flowing through the Mathurā region in Uttar Pradesh.
The verse emphasizes inner discipline (jitendriya) alongside external rites (snāna and arcana).
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