Varaha Purana 200.10: Adhyaya 200, Shloka 10

Description of the Forms of Infernal Torments

Naraka Yātanās

Devanagari script

पातुकामश्च पानीयं राक्षसैर्नीयते सरः ॥ हंससारससंकिर्णं पद्मोत्पलविभूषितम् ॥

Sanskrit recitationVaraha Purana 200.10

Transliteration

pātukāmaś ca pānīyaṃ rākṣasair nīyate saraḥ || haṃsasārasa-saṃkīrṇaṃ padmotpala-vibhūṣitam ||

Translation

Und wer zu trinken begehrt, wird von Rākṣasas zu einem See geführt, erfüllt von Schwänen und Kranichen, geschmückt mit Lotos und Wasserlilien.

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Word by Word

• पातुकामः: desiring to drink
• पातुकामः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पातु-काम (प्रातिपदिक; components: पातु (infinitive of √पा) + काम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (implied person: one wishing to drink)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• पानीयम्: drinking water
• पानीयम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पानीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• राक्षसैः: by demons (rakshasas)
• राक्षसैः: Kartr-karana (कर्ता-करण/Agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• नीयते: is led away, is taken
• नीयते: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नी (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

• सरः: lake, pond
• सरः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• हंससारससंकिर्णम्: filled with swans and cranes
• हंससारससंकिर्णम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हंस-सारस-संकिर्ण (प्रातिपदिक; components: हंस + सारस + संकीर्ण)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying सरः)

• पद्मोत्पलविभूषितम्: adorned with lotuses and water-lilies
• पद्मोत्पलविभूषितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म-उत्पल-विभूषित (प्रातिपदिक; components: पद्म + उत्पल + विभूषित)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle of √भूष् with vi-), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying सरः)

Speaker

Ṛṣiputra

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"instruction_summary":"Desire (tṛṣṇā) is exploited in punitive realms: rākṣasas lure the thirsty toward an apparently beautiful lake.","karmic_consequence":"Unchecked craving leads one into deceptive appearances and further suffering; restraint prevents being ‘led’ by desire and its agents."}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"Ethics of desire and perception","core_concept":"Viṣaya-śobha (the attractiveness of objects) can mask harm; craving makes the mind follow external ‘guides’ (rākṣasa = predatory impulse).","practical_application":"Train the mind to pause before pursuit; practice contentment (santoṣa) and discrimination (viveka) when confronted with alluring objects."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Cosmology","Ethics","Heritage Sites"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: otherworld/afterlife landscape (deceptive oasis)

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa, ch. 200 (thirst-and-lake episode)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rākṣasas escort a parched being toward a serene lotus-lake with swans and cranes—an oasis of beauty set against a threatening backdrop.","item_prompts":["rakshasas guiding/pushing a thirsty figure","lake with lotuses (padma) and water-lilies (utpala)","swans (haṃsa) and cranes (sārasa)","contrast: beautiful water vs ominous surroundings"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, stylized lotus-lake with white swans, dark rakshasas with bold eyes leading a gaunt figure, strong color contrast between oasis and infernal ground.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, ornate lotus-lake with gold highlights on lotuses and birds, rakshasas rendered with dramatic expressions, central lure composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, delicate birds and florals, rakshasas in subdued menace, refined shading to emphasize deceptive calm.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style, idyllic lake vignette framed by darker margins, expressive rakshasas, fine botanical detail on lotuses/utpalas."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"ominous, suspenseful","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"narrative, cautionary"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Studies
• Symbolic Landscapes

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It uses familiar auspicious landscape motifs (lotus-lakes, swans) in an infernal context, illustrating Purāṇic narrative strategies that contrast appearance and consequence.

Which geographic location is identified?

No specific earthly lake is identified; the lake functions as a cosmological motif within the naraka narrative.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

It suggests that desire-driven pursuit (here, thirst) can be manipulated within punitive settings, reinforcing caution regarding uncontrolled craving and its outcomes.