Varaha Purana 210.44: Adhyaya 210, Shloka 44
Inquiry into Moral Agency (Karma) and Practical Means for the Dissolution of Sin: the Śiśumāra Contemplation
यम उवाच ॥ यथा स भगवानाह धर्ममेतं प्रजापतिः ॥ तदहं भावयिष्यामि नमस्कृत्य स्वयम्भुवम् ॥
yama uvāca | yathā sa bhagavān āha dharmam etaṃ prajāpatiḥ | tad ahaṃ bhāvayiṣyāmi namaskṛtya svayambhuvam ||
Yama sprach: „So wie der ehrwürdige Prajāpati dieses Dharma verkündet hat, so werde auch ich es darlegen—nachdem ich Svayambhū, dem Selbstgeborenen, Ehrerbietung erwiesen habe.“
Yama
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"instruction_summary":"Dharma is to be taught as received through authoritative transmission: Yama presents it as declared by Prajāpati, after saluting Svayambhū.","karmic_consequence":"Upholding śāstric lineage (guru/ādi-authority) legitimizes practice and is implied to lead to right conduct and pāpa-kṣaya; ignoring authority risks adharmic deviation."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"epistemology of dharma (pramāṇa)","core_concept":"Dharma is known through authoritative revelation/transmission (Prajāpati → Yama), approached with namaskāra (humility).","practical_application":"Before undertaking rules/rituals, ground them in recognized authority and cultivate reverence; treat dharma as received teaching, not personal invention."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Philosophy","Textual Authority"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: didactic assembly (unspecified)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 210.49 (purpose: loka-śreyas and pāpa-vināśa)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Yama begins his exposition, first bowing to Svayambhū, then declaring he will teach dharma exactly as Prajāpati spoke it.","item_prompts":["Yama with staff/daṇḍa and dignified posture","gesture of namaskāra toward an unseen Svayambhū or symbolic lotus","assembly of listeners","inscription/palm-leaf indicating ‘dharma’"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Yama in regal yet restrained attire, hands in añjali; a symbolic lotus or radiant presence for Svayambhū; strong outlines and flat color fields.","tanjore_prompt":"Yama with gold-embossed ornaments; Svayambhū suggested by a golden aura/lotus; ornate frame emphasizing authority.","mysore_prompt":"Balanced composition with soft gradients; Yama’s calm face, teaching readiness; subtle divine glow for Svayambhū.","pahari_prompt":"Miniature court-like teaching scene; Yama seated, bowing; delicate halo motif; sparse background to stress transmission."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"solemn, authoritative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"measured, respectful emphasis on ‘नमस्कृत्य’ and ‘स्वयम्भुवम्’"}
FAQs
It shows how Purāṇic texts legitimize instruction through lineage and citation (Prajāpati/Svayambhū), a key feature of Sanskrit normative literature.
No location is named; the verse establishes authority and intent to teach.
Ethical teaching is framed as transmitted knowledge: Yama presents himself as relaying an established dharma rather than inventing a new rule.
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