Opening the text
On Nārāyaṇa’s Ten Avatāras and Eightfold Manifestations, and the Account of King Aśvaśirā
इत्येताः कथितास्तस्य मूर्त्तयो भूतधारिणि । दर्शनं प्राप्तुमिच्छूनां सोपानानीव शोभते ॥ ४.३ ॥
ityetāḥ kathitās tasya mūrttayo bhūtadhāriṇi | darśanaṁ prāptum icchūnāṁ sopānānīva śobhate || 4.3 ||
Ainsi ont été décrites ces mūrti (formes manifestées) de Lui, ô Soutien des êtres; pour ceux qui désirent obtenir le darśana (vision) de Lui, elles brillent comme les degrés d’un escalier.
Varāha (default narrative instructor, not explicitly marked in this fragment)
It reflects a common Purāṇic didactic strategy: enumerating divine manifestations as a structured means for understanding and contemplative approach, framed in a dialogue style typical of early medieval Sanskrit compendia.
No geographic toponym appears in this verse; it functions as a transitional statement summarizing prior descriptions of forms rather than mapping a sacred site.
The verse conveys a philosophical instruction about gradual approach to understanding—described forms serve as 'steps' toward insight (darśana), emphasizing methodical learning rather than coercive obligation.
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.