Varaha Purana 74.2: Adhyaya 74, Shloka 2
Measures of the Earth and the Cosmos: The Expansion of the Universe and the Division of Continents and Regions
ऋषय ऊचुः । त्वं परः सर्वदेवानामस्माकं च सुरेश्वर । पृच्छाम तेन त्वां प्रश्नमेकं तद् वक्तुमर्हसि ॥ ७४.२ ॥
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | tvaṃ paraḥ sarvadevānām asmākaṃ ca sureśvara | pṛcchāma tena tvāṃ praśnam ekaṃ tad vaktum arhasi || 74.2 ||
The sages said: “You are supreme among all the gods, and also our lord of the devas. Therefore we ask you a single question; you ought to explain it.”
Ṛṣayaḥ (Sages)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"questioner","bhu_devi_state":"curious, reverent","key_question":"A single decisive inquiry is requested from the supreme lord among devas (Rudra), seeking authoritative explanation (the specific question follows in the next verse)."}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"epistemology of instruction (guru-pramāṇa)","core_concept":"Knowledge is sought by first recognizing a competent authority (surēśvara) and then posing a focused question—an ideal purāṇic inquiry protocol.","practical_application":"Frame spiritual/cosmological inquiry with humility and precision; ask one well-formed question to elicit a complete, reliable teaching."}
Subject Matter: ["Dialogue Framework","Authority of Instruction","Hermeneutics"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 74.1–3 (sages’ approach and ensuing cosmography question)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Sages, hands folded, address Rudra as supreme among devas and request a single clarifying teaching.","item_prompts":["ṛṣis in añjali-mudrā","Rudra seated as teacher","calm ashram ambience","subtle trident presence","focused eye-lines indicating inquiry"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: semicircle of sages with expressive eyes, Rudra central; strong gestures of supplication; ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: sages with folded hands before enthroned Rudra; gold-leaf halos; rich textiles and jewelry details.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: gentle, scholarly mood; refined faces; minimal props emphasizing dialogue.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate conversational grouping; light landscape; emphasis on respectful body language."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"inquiring, respectful","suggested_raga":"Ānandabhairavī","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"soft but clear, petitionary"}
FAQs
It exemplifies a common Purāṇic narrative device: sages formally acknowledging an authoritative speaker and requesting instruction, which frames the transmission of doctrine and cultural memory.
No geographic location is named in this verse; it functions as a preface to an inquiry within the chapter’s dialogue setting.
The verse foregrounds epistemic humility and disciplined inquiry: knowledge is sought through respectful questioning of a recognized teacher within a structured discourse.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple 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 word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.