Varaha Purana 208.17 — Adhyaya 208, Shloka 17
Narration of the Exemplum of the Pativratā
Devoted Wife
पतिव्रतोवाच ॥ धर्मराज महाबाहो कृतज्ञः सर्वसम्मतः ॥ मैवमीर्षां कुरुष्व त्वं ब्राह्मणेषु तपस्विसु ॥ एतेषां तपसां वीर माहात्म्यं बलमेव च ॥ अचिन्त्याः सर्वभूतानां ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः ॥
pativratovāca | dharmarāja mahābāho kṛtajñaḥ sarvasammataḥ | maivam īrṣāṃ kuruṣva tvaṃ brāhmaṇeṣu tapasvisu | eteṣāṃ tapasāṃ vīra māhātmyaṃ balam eva ca | acintyāḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ brāhmaṇā vedapāragāḥ ||
Die Pativratā sprach: O Dharmarāja, du Mächtigarmiger, Dankbarer und von allen Geehrter—hege keine solche Eifersucht gegen die asketischen Brāhmaṇas. Held, die Größe und Kraft ihrer Askese (tapas) ist wahrlich unbegreiflich; Brāhmaṇas, die das jenseitige Ufer des Veda erreicht haben, sind für alle Wesen in ihrer Macht unermeßlich.
Pativratā
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"How should a ruler/authority relate to brāhmaṇa-ascetics and their tapas—especially regarding envy and hostility?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"rajaniti","instruction_summary":"A ruler (Dharmarāja) must not harbor envy toward tapasvin brāhmaṇas; he should recognize the inconceivable power of Veda-grounded austerity.","karmic_consequence":"Respecting and protecting brāhmaṇas sustains dharma and royal legitimacy; jealousy/hostility invites downfall through adharma and the counter-force of tapas."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethical governance and humility before spiritual power","core_concept":"Tapas and Veda-realization confer a potency that worldly authority must honor; envy is a governance-vice.","practical_application":"In leadership, treat spiritual/ethical exemplars with respect; avoid policy driven by resentment toward moral critics or ascetics."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Asceticism (tapas)","Social-religious authority (brāhmaṇa ideal)"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Type: mythic/otherworldly court
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 208: pativratā’s counsel to Dharmarāja on brāhmaṇa-tapas
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A steadfast pativratā addresses Dharmarāja (Yama), warning him against jealousy toward ascetic brāhmaṇas; brāhmaṇas appear as radiant tapasvins in the background.","item_prompts":["Dharmarāja/Yama with staff (daṇḍa) or regal posture","pativratā in modest yet luminous attire","tapasvin brāhmaṇas with matted hair/rosary","aura/tejas around ascetics"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Yama as dignified dark-toned deity with ornaments, pativratā in calm instructive stance, tapasvins with glowing tejas, strong contour lines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-leaf highlights on Yama’s crown/halo and ascetics’ tejas, pativratā centered as moral authority, embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined expressions, subtle admonitory gesture, soft radiance around brāhmaṇas, balanced court composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate dialogue scene, gentle landscape-court hybrid, emphasis on emotion of counsel and restraint, luminous ascetics behind."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"admonitory yet respectful","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"firm, didactic, with reverential stress on ‘brāhmaṇeṣu tapasviṣu’ and ‘acintyāḥ’."}
FAQs
It documents a Purāṇic negotiation of social-spiritual authority, presenting ascetic brāhmaṇas as ethically and metaphysically potent figures within the narrative world.
No geographic location is mentioned in this passage.
Avoid jealousy and antagonism toward disciplined ascetics; recognize the moral force attributed to self-restraint, learning, and ethical practice.
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