Varaha Purana 94.18 — Adhyaya 94, Shloka 18
The Birth of Mahiṣāsura and the Goddess’s Victory as Mahīṣamardinī
जया उवाच । कन्यार्थी वदते यद्धि तत्त्वया समुदीरितम् । यदि नाम व्रतं चास्याः कौमारं सार्वकालिकम् । अपि चान्याः कुमार्योऽत्र सन्ति देव्याः पदानुगाः ॥
jayā uvāca | kanyārthī vadate yad dhi tat tvayā samudīritam | yadi nāma vrataṃ cāsyāḥ kaumāraṃ sārvakālikam | api cānyāḥ kumāryo ’tra santi devyāḥ padānugāḥ
Jayā dijo: Lo que has dicho es, en verdad, propio de quien busca una doncella. Pero aunque su voto de virginidad sea perpetuo, aquí hay otras doncellas que siguen a la diosa en su séquito.
Jayā
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":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"Implicitly challenges the legitimacy of the request: if the goddess’s perpetual maidenhood-vow stands, why seek her—would other maidens suffice?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"A perpetual vow (kanyā-vrata/kaumāra) is inviolable; proposals that contradict it are improper, and alternatives may be offered within the retinue.","karmic_consequence":"Respecting vowed status preserves dharma and social order; violating/pressuring against a vow incurs demerit and dishonor (apayaśas) in Purāṇic ethical framing."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":true,"vrata_name":"Kaumāra-vrata (perpetual maidenhood)","tithi_month":"Sārvakālikam (not tithi-bound; lifelong/perpetual)","promised_fruit":"Implied fruit: preservation of śakti/tejas and autonomy; spiritual merit through steadfastness (dṛḍha-vrata) rather than an explicit phala here."}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"dharma of vows and consent","core_concept":"Vrata is a binding self-commitment; dharma requires honoring another’s vowed identity and not treating persons as objects of acquisition.","practical_application":"In relationships and negotiations, treat stated commitments as non-negotiable constraints; offer alternatives without coercion."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Social Customs","Courtly Discourse"]
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: courtly audience space
Related Themes: 94.94.26 (categorical refusal and dismissal)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Jayā addresses the messenger with composed firmness, pointing out the impropriety of a maiden-seeking speech and invoking the goddess’s perpetual vow; other maidens of the retinue stand behind.","item_prompts":["Jayā speaking with instructive gesture","messenger listening, slightly chastened","group of attendant maidens in background","goddess silent on throne","scroll/gesture indicating 'vrata'"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Jayā in authoritative stance, background maidens aligned symmetrically, Devī enthroned; strong outlines and ritualized gestures.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted jewelry; Jayā’s hand-mudrā of admonition; retinue maidens as decorative chorus; rich textiles.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: nuanced expressions—Jayā calm, messenger uneasy; elegant court setting; soft palette.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: conversational intimacy; Jayā slightly angled, maidens clustered; delicate architectural framing and patterned garments."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic and firm","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"madhyama","voice_tone":"crisp enunciation, lightly admonitory on 'कन्यार्थी', steady emphasis on 'व्रतं' and 'सार्वकालिकम्'"}
FAQs
It documents the literary motif of kaumāra-vrata (a vow of maidenhood) and the social logic of marriage proposals, offering evidence for how vows and status are narrated in Purāṇic culture.
No geographic location is mentioned.
It underscores that a vow (vrata) sets boundaries; proposals must acknowledge stated commitments, and alternatives are suggested without coercion.
Ask anything about this verse
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