Varaha Purana - Adhyaya 216
Varaha PuranaAdhyaya 21625 Shlokas

Adhyaya 216: The Sacred Account of Gokarṇa, Śṛṅgeśvara, and Related Tīrthas

Gokarṇaśṛṅgeśvarādi-māhātmya

Ancient-Geography (Tīrtha-Māhātmya) and Ritual Topography

En el marco didáctico de Varāha y Pṛthivī, el capítulo traza el origen sagrado del paisaje de Gokarṇa y Śṛṅgeśvara. Brahmā relata que Tryambaka, tomando forma de ciervo, abandona un lugar previo, y que los dioses procuran estabilizar un “cuerno” (śṛṅga) triple conforme al rito prescrito. Indra (Vajrapāṇi) fija la cumbre del cuerno, mientras Viṣṇu establece un devatīrtha en su base, dando los nombres de Gokarṇa y Śṛṅgeśvara. Luego se narra la austeridad (tapas) de Rāvaṇa en Gokarṇeśvara, el don de “conquista de los tres mundos” y el intento posterior, por medio de Indrajit, de arrancar el śṛṅga instalado. El relato concluye distinguiendo a Dakṣiṇa-Gokarṇa como sede de Śiva auto-manifestada (svayaṃ-pratiṣṭhita) y resumiendo el surgimiento de la vyuṣṭi del kṣetra y de los tīrthas asociados, vinculando la geografía sagrada con la estabilidad ordenada de la tierra.

Speakers

VarāhaPṛthivī

Key Concepts

tīrtha-māhātmya and kṣetra-phala (merit of pilgrimage landscapes)svayaṃ-pratiṣṭhita (self-established sacred presence) and ritual installation (sthāpana)tri-partite sacred topography (tridhā vibhakta śṛṅga)tapas and boons (vara) as political power narratives (trailokya-vijaya)terrestrial order through fixed landmarks (stability of the kṣetra)
Recitation with translationVaraha Purana Adhyaya 216

Shlokas in Adhyaya 216

Verse 1

अथ गोकर्णशृङ्गेश्वरादिमाहात्म्यम् ॥ ब्रह्मोवाच ॥ तस्मात्स्थानादपक्रान्ते त्र्यम्बके मृगरूपिणि ॥ अन्योन्यं मन्त्रयित्वा तु मया सह सुरोत्तमाः ॥

Ahora comienza el relato sagrado de Gokarṇa, Śṛṅgeśvara y los lugares afines. Dijo Brahmā: Cuando Tryambaka, habiendo asumido la forma de un ciervo, se apartó de aquel lugar, los más excelsos de los dioses deliberaron entre sí junto conmigo.

Verse 2

त्रिधाविभक्तं तच्छृङ्गं पृथक्पृथगवस्थितम् ॥ सम्यक्स्थापयितुं देवा विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा ॥

Aquel ‘pico/cuerno’ quedó dividido en tres y permaneció separado en lugares distintos. Los dioses procuraron establecerlo debidamente, mediante un rito conforme al procedimiento prescrito.

Verse 3

स्थापितं देवि नीत्वा वै शृङ्गाग्रं वज्रपाणिना ॥ मया तत्रैव तन्मध्यं स्थापितं विधिवत्प्रभोः ॥

Oh Diosa, habiendo hecho que Vajrapāṇi trasladara en verdad la punta del pico, yo establecí allí mismo su porción media, conforme al rito debido, para el Señor.

Verse 4

देवैर्देवर्षिभिश्चैव सिद्धैर्ब्रह्मर्षिभिस्तथा ॥ गोकर्ण इति विख्यातिः कृता वैशेषिकी वरा ॥

Por los dioses, por los rishis divinos, por los Siddhas y asimismo por los brahmarishis, se estableció una renombre excelente y singular: «(esto es) Gokarṇa».

Verse 5

विष्णुना देवतीर्थेन तन्मूलं स्थापितं ततः ॥ तस्य शृङ्गेश्वर इति नाम तत्राभवन्महत् ॥

Luego, por Viṣṇu—en asociación con el tīrtha divino—fue establecido su fundamento. Allí surgió para ello el gran nombre «Śṛṅgeśvara».

Verse 6

गोकर्ण आत्मलिङ्ग तत्र तत्रैव भगवान्स्तस्मिन्शृङ्गे त्रिधा स्थिते ॥ सान्निध्यं कल्पयामास भागेनैकेन चोन्मना ॥

En Gokarṇa, como Ātmaliṅga, el Señor—cuando aquella cumbre quedó dispuesta en triple forma—dispuso su sagrada presencia aquí y allí, mediante una sola porción de sí mismo, con la mente elevada.

Verse 7

शतं तेन तु भागानामात्मनो निहितं मृगे ॥ तस्माद्द्विकं तु भागानां शृङ्गाणां त्रितये न्यधात् ॥

Por ese acto, cien porciones de sí mismo fueron depositadas en el ciervo. De ellas, luego asignó dos porciones al triple conjunto de cumbres.

Verse 8

मार्गेण तच्छरीरेण निर्ययौ भगवान्विभुः ॥ शैशिरस्य गिरेः पादं प्रपेदे स्वयमात्मनः ॥

El Señor omnipenetrante partió por el camino, en ese mismo cuerpo, y por sí mismo alcanzó el pie del monte Śaiśira.

Verse 9

शतसङ्ख्या स्मृता व्युष्टिस्तस्मिञ्छैलेश्वरे विभोः ॥ त्रिधा विभक्ते शृङ्गेऽस्मिन्नेकाग्रगतिनिप्रभोः ॥

En aquel Śaileśvara del Señor omnipenetrante, se recuerda que el ‘alba/intervalo’ cuenta cien. En este pico dividido en tres, está el poder radiante cuya marcha es de un solo punto.

Verse 10

देवदानवगन्धर्वाः सिद्धयक्षमहोरगाः ॥ श्लेष्मातकवनं कृत्स्नं सर्वतः परिमण्डलम् ॥

Dioses, Dānavas, Gandharvas, Siddhas, Yakṣas y grandes serpientes—(todos estaban presentes); y todo el bosque de Śleṣmātaka formaba un recinto circular por todas partes.

Verse 11

तीर्थयात्रां पुरस्कृत्य प्रदक्षिण्यं च चक्रतुः ॥ फलान्निर्दिश्य तीर्थानां तथा क्षेत्रफलṃ महत्

Poniendo en primer lugar la peregrinación a los sagrados tīrthas, ambos realizaron la pradakṣiṇā; y, al indicar los frutos de los tīrthas, se expone también el gran mérito que nace de los santos kṣetras.

Verse 12

यथास्थानानि ते तस्मान्निवृत्ताश्च सुरादयः ॥ एवं तस्मान्निवृत्तेषु दैवतेषु तदा ततः

Desde aquel lugar, los dioses y los demás regresaron a sus respectivas moradas. Así, cuando las deidades se hubieron retirado, entonces, a continuación, ocurrió lo que sigue.

Verse 13

पौलस्त्यो रावणो नाम भ्रातृभिः सह राक्षसैः ॥ आगम्योग्रेण तपसा देवमाराधयद्विभुम्

Paulastya, llamado Rāvaṇa, llegó junto con sus hermanos y los rākṣasas; mediante una áspera austeridad (tapas) propició al dios, el Poderoso.

Verse 14

शुश्रूषया च परया गोकर्णेश्वरमव्ययम् ॥ यदा तु तस्य तुष्टो वै वरदः शंकरः स्वयम्

Y con un servicio devoto supremo atendió a Gokarṇeśvara, el imperecedero; y cuando Śaṅkara mismo, el otorgador de dones, quedó complacido con él,

Verse 15

तदा त्रैलोक्यविजयं वरं वव्रे स राक्षसः ॥ प्रसादात्तस्य तत्सर्वं वाञ्छितं मनसा हि यत्

Entonces aquel rākṣasa pidió como don la conquista de los tres mundos. Por la gracia de esa deidad, le fue concedido todo lo que había deseado en su corazón.

Verse 16

अवाप्य च दशग्रीवस्तदिष्टं परमेश्वरात् ॥ त्रैलोक्यविजयायाशु तत्क्षणादेव निर्ययौ

Y habiendo obtenido del Señor Supremo lo que le había sido concedido, Daśagrīva partió de inmediato para la conquista de los tres mundos, en ese mismo instante.

Verse 17

त्रैलोक्यं स विनिर्जित्य शक्रं च त्रिदशाधिपम् ॥ तदुत्पाट्यानयामास पुत्रेणेन्द्रजिता सह

Habiendo conquistado los tres mundos, también apresó a Śakra, señor de los treinta dioses; arrancándolo de su lugar, lo llevó consigo junto con su hijo Indrajit.

Verse 18

शृङ्गाग्रं यत्पुरा नीत्वा स्थापितं वज्रपाणिना ॥ तदुत्पाट्यानयामास पुत्रेणेन्द्रजिता सह

Aquel pico-cumbre que antaño, tras llevarlo, Vajrapāṇi había establecido en su lugar—él lo arrancó y se lo llevó, junto con su hijo Indrajit.

Verse 19

न शशाक यदा रक्षस्तदुत्पाटयितुं बलात् ॥ वज्रकल्पं समुत्सृज्य तदा लङ्कां विनिर्ययौ

Cuando el rākṣasa no pudo arrancarlo por la fuerza, entonces, soltando algo “semejante a un rayo”, partió hacia Laṅkā.

Verse 20

स तु दक्षिणगोकर्णो विज्ञेयस्ते महामते ॥ स्वयं प्रतिष्ठितस्तत्र स्वयं भूतपतिः शिवः

Eso debes conocerlo como Dakṣiṇa-Gokarṇa, oh magnánimo; allí Śiva, el Señor de los seres, está establecido por sí mismo, auto-manifestado en ese lugar.

Verse 21

एतत्ते कथितं सर्वं मया विस्तरतो मुने ॥ यथावदुत्तरस्तस्य गोकर्णस्य महात्मनः ॥

Oh sabio, te he narrado todo esto con amplitud, conforme al debido orden: el relato subsiguiente acerca del gran Gokarṇa, el magnánimo.

Verse 22

दक्षिणस्य च विप्रर्षे तथा शृङ्गेश्वरस्य च ॥ शैलेश्वरस्य च विभो स्थित्युत्पत्तिर्यथाक्रमम् ॥

Oh el más excelso de los brahmanes sabios, oh poderoso: he explicado, en su debido orden, el establecimiento y el surgimiento de los santuarios llamados Dakṣiṇa, Śṛṅgeśvara y Śaileśvara.

Verse 23

व्यु ष्टिः क्षेत्रस्य महती तीर्थानां च समुद्भवः ॥ प्रोक्तं सर्वं मया वत्स किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥

La gran manifestación del kṣetra sagrado y el surgimiento de sus tīrthas han sido explicados por mí por completo, querido. ¿Qué más deseas oír?

Verse 24

ततः सुरासुरगुरुर्देवं भूतमहेश्वरम् ॥ तपसोऽग्रेण संसेव्य वव्रिरे विविधान्वरान् ॥

Entonces el preceptor de dioses y asuras, tras servir al dios Bhūta-Maheśvara con la más excelsa austeridad, solicitó diversos dones.

Verse 25

तद्यावद्रावणः स्थाप्य मुहूर्त्तमुदधेस् तटे ॥ संध्यामुपासते तत्र लग्नस्तावदसौ भुवि ॥

Mientras Rāvaṇa, tras colocarlo por un breve instante en la orilla del océano, realizaba allí el culto de sandhyā, tanto tiempo permaneció fijo sobre la tierra.

Inside Adhyaya 216

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Within the Varāha–Pṛthivī teaching frame, the discourse turns to a tīrtha-māhātmya style “etiological map” explaining how a coastal-kṣetra becomes ritually ordered and named through divine acts of sthāpana (installation) and the fixing of sacred landmarks.

  2. Central event

    Tryambaka/Īśvara, assuming a deer-form, departs from an earlier locus; the gods respond by ritually stabilizing a tri-partite śṛṅga (horn/peak) as a fixed terrestrial marker. Indra (Vajrapāṇi) establishes the summit, while Viṣṇu establishes a devatīrtha at the base—yielding the place-names and sacral identities of Gokarṇa and Śṛṅgeśvara.

  3. Climax resolution

    Rāvaṇa performs tapas at Gokarṇeśvara and receives a boon of trailokya-vijaya (three-world conquest). Later, through Indrajit, he attempts to uproot the installed śṛṅga—dramatizing the tension between acquired power and the inviolability of ritually fixed sacred geography. The narrative resolves by reaffirming the śṛṅga’s established stability and the kṣetra’s protected order.

  4. Closing phalashruti

    The chapter closes not with a fully explicit phalaśruti formula, but with a summarizing assertion of the kṣetra’s ‘vyuṣṭi’ (manifest arising/expansion) and the differentiation of tīrthas—especially Dakṣiṇa-Gokarṇa as svayaṃ-pratiṣṭhita—implicitly promising merit through recognition, visitation, and reverent non-disruption of the established sites.

Geographical context

Gokarṇa; Śṛṅgeśvara; Dakṣiṇa-Gokarṇa; Śaileśvara; udadhi-taṭa (seashore); śleṣmātaka-vana (Śleṣmātaka grove/forest).

Tirtha focus

  • Primary TirthaGokarṇa / Gokarṇeśvara–kṣetra (with Śṛṅgeśvara as the stabilizing landmark)
  • Associated RegionWestern coastal seashore zone (udadhi-taṭa); traditionally identified with the Karnataka Konkan coast (Gokarna region)
  • Pilgrimage MeritMerit is framed as kṣetra-phala arising from contact with a ritually stabilized sacred landscape: honoring the fixed śṛṅga, bathing/visiting the named tīrthas, and approaching the svayaṃ-pratiṣṭhita Dakṣiṇa-Gokarṇa are implied to confer purification, protection of worldly order, and the auspicious fruits associated with Śiva-kṣetras (especially removal of obstacles and stabilization of one’s dharmic path).

Ritual instructions

  • Primary RitualSthāpana-oriented worship of the śṛṅga/Śiva-site with daily sandhyā-upāsanā and regulated movement (pradakṣiṇā / tīrtha-yātrā sequence)
  • BenefitPurification through tīrtha-contact, reinforcement of dharmic boundaries, and participation in the kṣetra’s stabilizing power—contrasted with the adharma of attempting to uproot or violate established sacred structures.

The narrative frame

  • Varāha (outer frame) with an embedded narration voiced as BrahmāPṛthivī (Earth) · Pedagogical and etiological (place-origin explanation), with a cautionary undertone about power versus sacred order

The emotional journey

  • Dominant RasaAdbhuta (wonder) with a strong Śānta–Bhakti undertone
  • Emotional ProgressionWonder at divine landscape-making → reverent stabilization and naming of the kṣetra → awe mixed with unease as tapas yields imperial power → tension at the attempted uprooting → restored calm through reaffirmed sacred fixity and the mapping of orderly tīrtha-circuits.

Planning a pilgrimage

  • Visit FeasibilityFeasible as a modern pilgrimage: Gokarna is an active coastal temple-town with multiple nearby shrines and beaches; Śṛṅgeśvara may be approached as a linked sacred motif/landmark tradition depending on local identifications and temple circuits. Plan for walking between sites and coastal weather.
  • Best SeasonPost-monsoon to winter (roughly October–March) for safer coastal travel and comfortable pradakṣiṇā/walking
  • Modern Location NameGokarna, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, India (common modern identification for Gokarṇa-kṣetra)
  • Related FestivalMahāśivarātri (major Śiva observance commonly prominent at Gokarna); local temple car-festivals may vary by shrine

Frequently Asked Questions

The chapter primarily models how terrestrial spaces become ‘ordered’ through ritually defined landmarks (sthāpana) and regulated movement (tīrthayātrā, pradakṣiṇā). Power gained through tapas (as in Rāvaṇa’s boon) is narrated alongside attempts to disrupt fixed sacred structures, implying that stability—social and terrestrial—depends on respecting established boundaries and sites.

No explicit tithi or lunar calendrical markers are provided. A temporal marker appears as ‘muhūrta’ (a short time unit) and as sandhyā-upāsanā (twilight worship), indicating practice tied to daily liminal times rather than a festival calendar.

Environmental balance is treated indirectly through sacred topography: the tri-partite śṛṅga is ritually stabilized by divine agents, and later attempts to uproot it dramatize disruption versus containment. The text’s mapping of groves (śleṣmātaka-vana), seashore zones (udadhi-taṭa), and named kṣetras frames the Earth (Pṛthivī) as a landscape whose integrity is maintained by recognized, protected sites and prescribed circumambulation/pilgrimage patterns.

The narrative references Rāvaṇa (Paulastya lineage implied by the epithet ‘Paulastya’), his son Indrajit, Indra (Vajrapāṇi), Brahmā as narrator within the embedded account, Viṣṇu as installer of a devatīrtha, and Śiva/Īśvara (Tryambaka, Bhūtapati) as the central deity of the kṣetra.

Ask anything about Adhyaya 216 of the Varaha Purana

Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.

Not sure where to start?

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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Continue reading in the Vedapath app

Open in App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play