Varaha Purana 17.21: Adhyaya 17, Shloka 21
King Prajāpāla’s Visit to Sage Mahātapā’s Hermitage and the Doctrinal Praise of Nārāyaṇa
नृप उवाच । भगवन् सर्वधर्मज्ञ कथं विष्णुः सनातनः । पूज्यते मोक्षमिच्छद्भिः पुरुषैर्वद तत्त्वतः ॥ १७.२१ ॥
nṛpa uvāca | bhagavan sarvadharmajña kathaṃ viṣṇuḥ sanātanaḥ | pūjyate mokṣam icchadbhiḥ puruṣair vada tattvataḥ || 17.21 ||
Der König sprach: „O Bhagavān, Kenner aller Dharma, wie soll der ewige Viṣṇu von Menschen verehrt werden, die Befreiung (mokṣa) begehren? Lege es der Wahrheit gemäß dar, nach seinen wesentlichen Grundsätzen.“
Nṛpa (the King)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"questioner","key_question":"How should the eternal Viṣṇu be worshipped by those seeking mokṣa, according to essential truth (tattvataḥ)?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"varnashrama","instruction_summary":"A seeker of liberation should approach Viṣṇu-worship grounded in dharma and tattva, asking for the correct method rather than mere external rite.","karmic_consequence":"Right worship aligned with dharma and truth leads toward purification and mokṣa; wrong/ignorant practice yields limited fruit and continued saṃsāra."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"soteriology and bhakti-yoga praxis","core_concept":"Mokṣa-oriented worship requires tattva (right understanding) alongside dharma (right conduct).","practical_application":"Seek instruction from a qualified knower of dharma; prioritize intention (mokṣa) and correct principles over performative ritualism."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Soteriology (Liberation/Mokṣa)","Ritual Practice (Pūjā)","Vaishnava Theology (textual)"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: royal court/assembly (implied)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 17.17.22-25 (immediate response: how Viṣṇu is pleased; Viṣṇu as source of devas)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king, hands folded, questions a great ascetic about the true method of worshipping eternal Viṣṇu for liberation.","item_prompts":["seated king with añjali-mudrā","sage/ācārya on kuśa seat","palm-leaf manuscript","simple court/āśrama setting"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: dignified king in añjali before a tapasvin sage; flat warm palette, ornate borders, calm śānta mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: king and sage with rich textiles; subtle halo motifs; gold accents on ornaments; minimal background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: delicate linework, restrained courtly setting, soft shading; emphasis on respectful dialogue.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: intimate indoor pavilion/forest hermitage; lyrical faces; muted greens and ochres; focus on the questioning gesture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"reverent inquiry","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"clear, respectful, didactic"}
FAQs
It exemplifies the Purāṇic pedagogical format—an inquiry by a ruler to an authoritative teacher—framing ritual practice (pūjā) in relation to mokṣa, a central concern in late-classical Sanskrit religious-philosophical literature.
No geographic location is named in this verse; the focus is doctrinal and procedural (how worship is performed by seekers of liberation).
The verse foregrounds a disciplined pursuit of truth-oriented understanding (tattvataḥ) in matters of dharma and practice, emphasizing informed, principled action rather than mere formalism.
Ask anything about this verse
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