Varaha Purana 177.3 — Adhyaya 177, Shloka 3
The Curse of Sāmba and the Prescribed Observance of Sun-Worship
एकान्ते प्राप्य कृष्णं च विज्ञप्तिमकरोत्प्रभुः ॥ कृष्ण किञ्चिद्वक्तुकामस्तत्त्वं शृणु महामते ॥ साम्बनाम तव युवा पुत्रो वाग्मी तु रूपवान् ॥ स्पृहणीयः सदा कान्तः स्त्रीजनस्य सुरेश्वर ॥
ekānte prāpya kṛṣṇaṃ ca vijñaptim akarot prabhuḥ || kṛṣṇa kiñcid vaktukāmas tattvaṃ śṛṇu mahāmते || sāmbanāma tava yuvā putro vāgmī tu rūpavān || spṛhaṇīyaḥ sadā kāntaḥ strījanasya sureśvara
Als er Kṛṣṇa unter vier Augen begegnete, trug der Ehrwürdige ihm eine Bitte vor: „Kṛṣṇa, ich möchte etwas sagen — höre die Sache an, o Großgesinnter. Dein junger Sohn namens Sāmba ist beredt und von schöner Gestalt, stets begehrenswert und den Frauen lieblich, o Herr der Götter.“
Unspecified (Nārada speaking within Varāha’s narrated discourse)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"observer","key_question":"How should Kṛṣṇa be informed about Sāmba’s exceptional charm and its ethical implications?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"krishna_connection":"Kṛṣṇa is directly addressed; the narrative frames a domestic-ethical concern within Kṛṣṇa’s royal household."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of desire and social responsibility","core_concept":"Personal charisma (rūpa-vāgmitā) can become a cause of social disturbance; wise counsel anticipates consequences.","practical_application":"Treat attractiveness and influence as a responsibility; establish boundaries and guidance before harm arises."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Historical Narrative"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: śṛṅgāra
Type: royal/private chamber
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 177 (Sāmba-related narrative sequence)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage-messenger meets Kṛṣṇa privately and speaks with concern, describing Sāmba’s youth, eloquence, and beauty as a looming ethical issue.","item_prompts":["Kṛṣṇa seated in a private audience","sage (Nārada-like) with vīṇā or ascetic staff","gesture of confidential speech","Sāmba depicted as youthful and radiant in the background (optional)","palace interior with subdued lighting"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Kṛṣṇa in deep blue with ornate jewelry, sage in saffron, interior palace pillars, restrained expressions suggesting confidential counsel.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: Kṛṣṇa enthroned with gold-leaf ornaments, sage presenting a respectful submission, rich textiles, haloed figures.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework, soft shading, intimate court scene, emphasis on facial expression and hand gestures of counsel.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: quiet palace alcove, lyrical composition, sage leaning in to speak, Kṛṣṇa attentive, pastel architecture and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"confidential and cautionary","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"soft, advisory, slightly grave"}
FAQs
It exemplifies Purāṇic characterization through stock epithets and sets up a causality chain for an ensuing moral episode (often framed through desire, social boundaries, and consequences).
No new location is named here; the scene continues in Dvārakā as established earlier in the chapter.
It implicitly warns that socially potent traits (beauty, eloquence, desirability) can become catalysts for ethical complications if not governed by restraint.
Ask anything about this verse
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