Varaha Purana 4.24 — Adhyaya 4, Shloka 24
On Nārāyaṇa’s Ten Avatāras and Eightfold Manifestations, and the Account of King Aśvaśirā
कृताञ्जलिपुटो भूत्वा ततो राजा महायशाः । उवाच शम्यतां विप्रौ नायं विष्णुरथेदृशः ॥ ४.२४ ॥
kṛtāñjalipuṭo bhūtvā tato rājā mahāyaśāḥ | uvāca śamyatāṁ viprau nāyaṁ viṣṇur athedṛśaḥ || 4.24 ||
Da sprach der ruhmreiche König, die Hände zum ehrfürchtigen Añjali gefaltet: „Beruhigt euch, o Brahmanen; dies ist nicht Viṣṇu, noch ist er von solcher Art.“
Rājā (the king; name not given in excerpt)
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":"observer","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"Is this truly Viṣṇu, or something else—why does this appearance not match the expected form?"}
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 king should steady public fear and address brahmins with respectful composure (añjali) while restoring order in the assembly.","karmic_consequence":"Maintaining calm and honoring brahmins preserves rāṣṭra-stability and merit; rash speech or disrespect amplifies disorder and demerit."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"The verse foregrounds epistemic doubt in the face of theophany—how form (rūpa) can mislead without right knowledge.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"Distinguishing appearance from reality: without tattva-jñāna, even a divine sign can be misread; humility (añjali) is the proper stance amid uncertainty."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics","core_concept":"Reverence and restraint are dharmic responses to fear and uncertainty; authority should pacify, not inflame.","practical_application":"When confronted with extraordinary events, pause, show respect to the wise, and avoid premature conclusions."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Dialogue","Kingship","Social Conduct"]
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: court
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 4.4.23 (theophany causing alarm); Varāha Purāṇa 4.4.26 (sages respond with yogamāyā)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The king stands with folded hands (añjali), addressing frightened brahmins and courtiers, urging calm while expressing doubt about the identity of the apparition.","item_prompts":["king with añjali gesture","brahmins in front rows","mixed reactions—fear and attention","royal throne/pavilion","gesture of calming (palm-down) implied in speech"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: king in profile with añjali, brahmins seated; stylized hand gestures; restrained palette emphasizing śānti.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: richly dressed king with gold highlights; brahmins in white; ornate court backdrop; focus on añjali and regal jewelry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: nuanced expressions—king calm, brahmins attentive; detailed textiles and court décor; soft lighting.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: simplified pavilion scene; king centered, hands folded; brahmins grouped; expressive linework for speech moment."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"calming, admonitory","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"measured and reassuring, with slight emphasis on शम्यताम्"}
FAQs
It preserves a conventional Purāṇic narrative scene where a king employs formal etiquette (añjali) and conciliatory speech to de-escalate tension, reflecting ideals of royal conduct and social mediation in Sanskrit literature.
No geographic location is named in this verse fragment; it focuses on interpersonal address within a narrative setting.
The verse foregrounds restraint and de-escalation: the king urges calmness and clarifies identity to prevent misrecognition-driven conflict, presenting measured speech as a normative social virtue.
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