Varaha Purana 71.21 — Adhyaya 71, Shloka 21
Vision of the Trimūrti in Rudra, the Gautama Curse, the Manifestation of the Godāvarī, and the Niḥśvāsa-saṃhitā Account
मारीच उवाच । शाण्डिल्य शोभनं वक्ष्ये पिता ते गौतमो मुनिः । तम् अनुक्त्वा न गच्छामस् तपश् चर्तुं तपोवनम् ॥ ७१.२१ ॥
mārīca uvāca | śāṇḍilya śobhanaṃ vakṣye pitā te gautamo muniḥ | tam anuktvā na gacchāmas tapaś cartuṃ tapovanam || 71.21 ||
Mārīca sprach: „O Śāṇḍilya, ich will dir etwas Heilsames sagen: Dein Vater ist der Weise Gautama. Ohne ihn zu unterrichten, werden wir nicht in den Tapovana, den Wald der Askese, gehen, um Tapas zu üben.“
Mārīca
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"observer"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"varnashrama","instruction_summary":"One should not depart for tapas/forest-discipline without informing (and implicitly obtaining assent of) one’s father/elder-guru, especially when lineage authority is involved.","karmic_consequence":"Following it preserves guru-pitṛ-sambandha and supports success in tapas; violating it risks adharma through disrespect and obstruction to spiritual fruit."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of renunciation","core_concept":"Vairāgya must be yoked to maryādā—renunciation without respect for relational dharma becomes egoic.","practical_application":"Before major spiritual commitments, seek counsel/blessing from parents/teachers; treat consent as part of sādhana, not a hindrance."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Asceticism (tapas)","Lineage and authority (guru/parental consent)"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: dhīra (nīti)
Type: tapo-vanam / āśrama network
Related Themes: Lead-in to sages’ debate on obligation created by accepting food (71.71.22)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Mārīca addresses young Śāṇḍilya, pointing toward the path of tapas while invoking Gautama’s authority; sages listen approvingly.","item_prompts":["Mārīca speaking gesture (upadeśa-mudrā)","Śāṇḍilya attentive posture","forest path leading to tapovana","kamaṇḍalu and daṇḍa"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Teacher-disciple tableau with clear hand-mudrā, stylized forest, restrained palette, emphasis on dharma-maryādā.","tanjore_prompt":"Gold halo for Mārīca, rich textiles minimal but luminous, ornate frame, symbolic path motif in background.","mysore_prompt":"Soft, classical faces; detailed rendering of water-pot and deer-skin; gentle didactic mood.","pahari_prompt":"Intimate guru-śiṣya scene under a tree, delicate landscape, narrative clarity with minimal props."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic and auspicious","suggested_raga":"Śrī","pace":"madhyama","voice_tone":"firm, benevolent, advisory"}
FAQs
It reflects a common Purāṇic narrative ethic: ascetic practice (tapas) is framed within social and lineage obligations, emphasizing consultation with elders or guardians as part of disciplined conduct.
No specific geographic toponym is named; “tapovana” denotes a generic ‘forest/grove of austerities,’ a standard literary setting for ascetic practice rather than a uniquely identifiable site.
Undertaking ascetic life should not be done impulsively or secretly; one should inform the appropriate authority figure (here, the father Gautama) before departing for disciplined practice.
Ask anything about this verse
A free Google sign-in keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Varaha Purana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.