Varaha Purana 21.82 — Adhyaya 21, Shloka 82

The Disruption of Dakṣa’s Sacrifice, the Hari–Hara Conflict, and the Establishment of Rudra’s Sacrificial Share

Devanagari script

स तां जग्राह विधिवद् रुद्रः परमशोभनाम् । दक्षस्य च प्रियं कुर्वन् बहुमानपुरःसरम् ॥ २१.८३ ॥

Transliteration

sa tāṃ jagrāha vidhivad rudraḥ paramaśobhanām | dakṣasya ca priyaṃ kurvan bahumānapuraḥsaram || 21.83 ||

Translation

Rudra accepted her in accordance with the proper rite—she of surpassing beauty—seeking to please Dakṣa, with due honor set foremost.

Word by Word

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular (एकवचन); pronoun referring to Rudra

• tām: her
• tām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) Singular (एकवचन)

• jagrāha: accepted/took
• jagrāha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: grah (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष) Singular (एकवचन), parasmaipada; from √grah (ग्रह्)

• vidhivat: according to proper rite
• vidhivat: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vidhi (प्रातिपदिक) + vat (वत्)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb meaning ‘according to rule/rite’ (विधिवत्)

• rudraḥ: Rudra
• rudraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rudra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular (एकवचन); in apposition to ‘saḥ’

• parama-śobhanām: most beautiful
• parama-śobhanām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + śobhanā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) Singular (एकवचन); qualifies ‘tām’

• dakṣasya: of Dakṣa
• dakṣasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dakṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी) Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), conjunction (समुच्चय)

• priyam: what is pleasing / a pleasing act
• priyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: priya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) Singular (एकवचन); object of ‘kurvan’

• kurvan: doing / making
• kurvan: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular (एकवचन); from √kṛ (कृ)

• bahumāna-puraḥsaram: preceded by honor/respect
• bahumāna-puraḥsaram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahumāna (प्रातिपदिक) + puraḥsara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) Singular (एकवचन); उपपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘having respect in front/preceding’; qualifies ‘priyam’ (act)

Speaker

Varāha (default narrative voice per repository rule; explicit speaker not stated in fragment)

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"Marriage acceptance (grahaṇa) is to be done ‘vidhivat’—according to prescribed rite—along with honoring the bride’s father/elders.","karmic_consequence":"Ritual correctness and honoring elders fosters harmony and auspiciousness; discourtesy/adharma breeds conflict and future rupture (implied)."}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of relationship (maryādā)","core_concept":"Even powerful beings uphold dharma through humility, honoring social bonds and ritual order.","practical_application":"In alliances (marriage, partnership, community), prioritize due process and respect for stakeholders to prevent latent resentment."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Genealogy","Ritual Practice","Ethics"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: śānta

Secondary Rasa: śṛṅgāra

Geographic Context

Type: ritual assembly space

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 21.21.82 (kanyādāna); Varāha Purāṇa 21.21.84 (post-marriage allotment of Kailāsa)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rudra formally receives Gaurī with ritual correctness, showing deliberate honor toward Dakṣa, foregrounding etiquette and auspicious acceptance.","item_prompts":["Rudra’s composed posture receiving the bride","Gaurī adorned, modestly poised","Dakṣa receiving honor (añjali, respectful gaze)","ritual fire or officiant presence","garlands, sacred thread motifs","attendants holding offerings"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Rudra and Gaurī centered; Dakṣa slightly forward receiving respect; stylized fire-altar; warm palette, emphasis on vidhivat gesture-mudrās.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold highlights on garlands and halos; Rudra’s serene face; Dakṣa’s regal dignity; embossed ornaments and ritual vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined courtly scene; subtle expressions of respect; detailed textiles; gentle lighting around Gaurī.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: lyrical, intimate acceptance moment; delicate gestures; soft landscape hints behind the court; emphasis on interpersonal honor."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"measured, auspicious","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"steady, respectful, narrative"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Narrative
• Śaiva-Vaiṣṇava Shared Traditions
• Sanskrit Philology

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It reflects Purāṇic narrative conventions that link divine genealogy with social-ritual norms, presenting marriage as an act ideally performed 'vidhivat' (according to established rite) and framed within kinship diplomacy (pleasing Dakṣa).

Which geographic location is identified?

No geographic location is named in this verse fragment.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

The verse foregrounds procedural propriety (acting in accordance with prescribed rites) and social ethics of respect (bahumāna) in maintaining harmonious relations.