Varaha Purana 202.10: Adhyaya 202, Shloka 10
Description of Infernal Punishments and the Ripening of Karmic Consequences
जिह्वा अस्य छिद्यतां शीघ्रं वाचा दुष्टस्य पापिनः ॥ गम्यागम्यं पुरा येन विज्ञातं न दुरात्मना ॥
jihvā asya chidyatāṃ śīghraṃ vācā duṣṭasya pāpinaḥ || gamyāgamyaṃ purā yena vijñātaṃ na durātmanā ||
“Let his tongue be cut off swiftly—this sinner whose speech is wicked—by whom formerly what should and should not be approached was not recognized, that evil-minded one.”
Varāha (default, instructor voice in Varāha–Pṛthivī dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"instruction_summary":"Wicked speech and failure to discern proper/improper associations (gamya/agamyā) lead to retributive punishment targeting the organ of speech (tongue-cutting).","karmic_consequence":"Mutilation of the tongue in infernal punishment; loss of speech mirrors prior misuse and moral blindness."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of vāk and viveka","core_concept":"Speech is karmically potent; lack of discernment about what to approach/avoid (saṅga-viveka) and malicious speech create self-binding consequences.","practical_application":"Practice satya-hita-mita speech; cultivate discernment in relationships and places; pause before harmful words; seek correction through confession and restraint."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Speech Ethics","Norms of Conduct"]
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: otherworldly torment-field
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 202 (speech-related sins within naraka catalogue)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sinner is restrained while an infernal executioner moves to sever the tongue; the scene emphasizes the mouth and the terror of losing speech.","item_prompts":["bound figure with open mouth","blade/iron tongs near tongue","yamadūtas restraining arms","dark punitive chamber","blood minimal or symbolic (depending on style)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized, non-gory depiction; emphasis on gesture and facial expression; strong reds for warning, controlled depiction of the blade.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: iconic composition with ornate framing; symbolic rather than graphic; gold accents on weapon; dramatic hand gestures.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined realism; careful expression of fear; subdued palette; detailed metalwork on the instrument.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: narrative miniature; crisp linework; symbolic depiction of tongue-cutting with minimal gore; expressive eyes and posture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"grave moral warning","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"stern, precise articulation, slight pause around ‘gamya-agamyaṃ’"}
FAQs
It reflects a classical concern with vāk (speech) as ethically potent, aligning with Dharmaśāstra and didactic traditions that treat harmful speech as a major moral fault.
No geographic location is named in this verse.
The verse highlights accountability for harmful speech and for failing to discern proper vs. improper conduct (gamyāgamya).
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