Varaha Purana 186.44 — Adhyaya 186, Shloka 44
Ritual Procedure for Installing Silver and Gold Images, and the Special Status of Śālagrāma
सर्वैर्वर्णैस्तु सम्पूज्याः प्रतिमाः सर्वदेवताः ॥ लिङ्गान्यपि तु पूज्यानि मणिभिः कल्पितास्तथा
sarvair varṇais tu sampūjyāḥ pratimāḥ sarvadevatāḥ || liṅgāny api tu pūjyāni maṇibhiḥ kalpitās tathā
સર્વ વર્ણોના લોકો દ્વારા સર્વ દેવતાઓની પ્રતિમાઓ વિધિપૂર્વક પૂજનીય છે; તેમજ મણિથી રચાયેલાં લિંગો પણ પૂજ્ય છે.
Varāha (default dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None"}
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":"All varṇas should worship images (pratimā) of all deities; liṅgas too are to be worshipped, including gem-made ones.","karmic_consequence":"Affirms ritual eligibility and merit through proper icon/linga worship; neglect implies loss of puṇya and ritual lapse (implied)."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ritual-ethics (ācāra)","core_concept":"Devotional access is mediated through sanctioned forms (mūrti/liṅga) and shared ritual duty across social groups.","practical_application":"Maintain regular pūjā of mūrti and liṅga with appropriate upacāras; treat consecrated forms as worthy of universal reverence."}
Subject Matter: ["Ritual Practice","Social Ethics","Material Culture"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: None
Type: None
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 186.49-53 (Śālagrāma handling, purity rules, gifting)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha as teacher instructs on worship of diverse deity-images and liṅgas, with artisans presenting gem-inlaid liṅgas and devotees of multiple varṇas offering flowers and lamps.","item_prompts":["Varāha seated in discourse posture","rows of pratimās (Viṣṇu, Śiva, Devī, Sūrya)","liṅga on pedestal","gem-studded liṅga (maṇi-kalpita)","offerings: flowers, incense, lamp","devotees of varied attire signifying different social groups"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Varāha in calm teaching pose, flat warm palette, ornate jewelry; temple interior with stylized pratimās and a liṅga, devotees offering dīpa and puṣpa.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central liṅga and pratimās with gold-leaf halos; Varāha as guru with rich textiles; gem highlights on liṅga rendered as raised ornament.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework, subdued elegance; Varāha instructing, pratimās arranged symmetrically, soft lamp-glow on ritual vessels.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: intimate satsang scene; Varāha speaking to attendants, small shrine with pratimās and liṅga, bright garments, minimal architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic, steady","suggested_raga":"Śrī","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear, instructive, composed"}
FAQs
It is a notable textual witness to broadly framed participation in image-worship, useful for studies of ritual access and the social history of devotion.
No geographic location is named.
It articulates a principle of broad eligibility for worship of icons and liṅgas, emphasizing inclusivity in ritual participation.
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