Varaha Purana 162.32 — Adhyaya 162, Shloka 32
The Efficacy and Merit of Cakra-tīrtha
आत्मनस्त्यागिनश्चैव आपस्तम्बोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥ आत्मघाती नरः पापो नरके पच्यते चिरम् ॥
ātmanastyāginaś caiva āpastambo ’bravīd idam || ātmaghātī naraḥ pāpo narake pacyate ciram ||
Āpastamba sprach dies über den, der sich selbst aufgibt: Wer sich selbst tötet, ist sündig und soll lange Zeit in der Hölle gequält werden.
Varāha (default dialogue framework; fragment cites Āpastamba as quoted authority)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious","key_question":"What is the dharmic status and consequence of abandoning one’s own life (ātma-tyāga/ātmahatyā), and what do authoritative dharma sources say?"}
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":"Citing Āpastamba: suicide (ātmahatyā) is pāpa; the self-killer is tormented in naraka for a long time.","karmic_consequence":"Violation leads to prolonged naraka suffering; adherence to dharma (non-self-harm, endurance, seeking lawful remedies) avoids that fate and supports auspicious gati."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of life and prāṇa","core_concept":"Life is not to be renounced through violence against oneself; suffering does not license adharma, and śāstra condemns self-killing.","practical_application":"In despair or pain, seek dharmic supports—community, counsel, medical care, prayer—rather than self-harm; cultivate kṣānti (forbearance)."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Law/Dharmaśāstra","Prāyaścitta"]
Primary Rasa: bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: dialogue-teaching frame (Varāha instructing Earth)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 162.31–34 (narrative buildup: pain, death, śāstra consultation, eligibility debate)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Lord Varāha in a teaching posture, delivering a stern dharmic warning while invoking Āpastamba; a faint background vision of naraka as consequence.","item_prompts":["Varāha as instructor (seated/standing)","gesture of admonition (abhaya/teaching mudrā)","palm-leaf text symbolizing Āpastamba","subtle naraka flames/shadows in background","Bhu Devi listening (if included as frame)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Varāha with strong outlines and dignified teaching stance; include a small manuscript motif and subdued naraka vignette; Bhu Devi attentive at side.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Varāha central with gold embellishments, ornate arch; manuscript icon near hand; naraka hinted as dark lower band; rich reds/greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant Varāha with refined facial features, soft shading; manuscript detail; minimal but evocative naraka background.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: narrative clarity—Varāha addressing Earth in a serene landscape; small symbolic flames/clouds indicating naraka; delicate linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"stern admonition, dharmic warning","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"firm, authoritative"}
FAQs
It preserves a Dharmaśāstric-style ethical stance within a Purāṇic narrative frame, explicitly invoking Āpastamba as an authoritative voice.
No explicit geographic location appears in this verse.
The verse frames self-killing (ātmaghāta) as a serious moral transgression with severe post-mortem consequences.
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