Varaha Purana 174.10 — Adhyaya 174, Shloka 10
The Sanctifying Power of River Confluences: Release from the Preta-State and the Rite of Śravaṇa Dvādaśī with Vāmana Worship
ईषदुत्त्रस्तहृदयस्तिष्ठदुन्मील्य चक्षुषी ॥ आलम्ब्य स ततो धैर्यं त्रासमुत्सृज्य दूरतः
īṣad uttrastahṛdayas tiṣṭhad unmīlya cakṣuṣī || ālambya sa tato dhairyaṃ trāsam utsṛjya dūrataḥ
Mit leicht erschrockenem Herzen blieb er stehen und öffnete die Augen; dann, sich an Mut haltend, warf er die Furcht von sich und hielt Abstand.
Narrator (default framework: Varāha’s discourse to Pṛthivī)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"observer"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"instruction_summary":"Model of dharmic courage: acknowledge fear, steady the mind, keep prudent distance, and respond with discernment rather than rashness.","karmic_consequence":"Cultivated dhairya prevents adharma born of panic (violence, flight from duty); lack of self-control leads to error and further suffering."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"adhyātma-ethics (mind training)","core_concept":"Fear is a vṛtti to be observed and mastered; courage is not absence of fear but regulated response.","practical_application":"When confronted by the frightening/unknown, pause, observe clearly, create safe space, and act from steadiness."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Psychology of Fear"]
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: bhayānaka
Type: pathway / encounter-site
Related Themes: Preta encounter sequence (174.9–12) culminating in inquiry into karmic causes
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The dvija recoils slightly, then steadies himself—eyes opening wide—regaining courage and stepping back to maintain distance from the pretas.","item_prompts":["dvija with startled-to-steady facial transition","open eyes emphasized","subtle backward step","pretas in mid-ground","space gap indicating ‘dūrataḥ’"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: expressive eyes and hand gestures; clear spatial separation between dvija and pretas; rhythmic composition showing inner shift from fear to courage.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: dvija highlighted with gold accents to signify inner dhairya; pretas darker and matte; strong frontal composition with clear distance line.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined psychological expression; gentle gradation in posture; balanced composition emphasizing calm regained.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: narrative clarity—dvija slightly back, pretas forward; crisp outlines; minimal background to foreground the emotional pivot."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"controlled tension resolving into steadiness","suggested_raga":"Āhīr Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"steady, instructive, slightly grave"}
FAQs
It models a moral-psychological response—fear acknowledged yet regulated—typical of didactic storytelling in Purāṇic literature.
No specific location is named; the verse focuses on the traveler’s internal response during the journey.
Cultivate steadiness (dhairya) and act with measured distance rather than panic when confronted by alarming phenomena.
Ask anything about this verse
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