Varaha Purana 186.56 — Adhyaya 186, Shloka 56
Ritual Procedure for Installing Silver and Gold Images, and the Special Status of Śālagrāma
शिवादिपूजने के वा सङ्ख्यातास्तच्च मे वद ॥ श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ गृहे लिङ्गद्वयं नार्च्यं शालग्रामत्रयं तथा ॥
śivādipūjane ke vā saṅkhyātās tac ca me vada || śrīvarāha uvāca || gṛhe liṅgadvayaṃ nārcyaṃ śālagrāmatrayaṃ tathā ||
શિવ વગેરેની પૂજામાં કયા કયા (રૂપ) ગણવામાં આવે છે, તે પણ મને કહો. શ્રીવરાહ બોલ્યા—ઘરમાં બે લિંગની પૂજા કરવી નહીં; તેમ જ ત્રણ શાલગ્રામની પણ નહીં।
Śrī Varāha (explicitly marked: “śrīvarāha uvāca”)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"Direct instruction by Śrī Varāha on household icon-count norms, answering a query about counting forms in worship (Śiva and others)."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"questioner","bhu_devi_state":"curious","key_question":"In worship of Śiva and other deities, which forms are to be counted/limited (i.e., what numerical norms apply in household worship)?"}
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":"In a household, do not worship two liṅgas; likewise, do not keep/worship three Śālagrāmas (numerical restraint in domestic icon-worship).","karmic_consequence":"Following preserves ritual order and avoids doṣa from improper multiplicity; violating is implied to create ritual fault (pūjā-doṣa) and instability in household worship."}
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-orthopraxy","core_concept":"Dharma includes proportion and restraint; sacred presence is honored through correct form and measure, not mere accumulation.","practical_application":"Maintain a coherent household altar: avoid multiple competing principal icons; keep worship focused and properly maintained rather than expanding beyond capacity."}
Subject Matter: ["Ritual Practice","Household Norms","Iconography"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: None
Type: domestic sacred space
Related Themes: 186.186.3 (guru as key to valid worship); 186.186.5 (purity/ācāra consequences)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Bhū (or a devotee) asks Varāha; Varāha points to a simple household shrine showing a single liṅga and a limited number of Śālagrāma stones, emphasizing numerical restraint.","item_prompts":["Varāha as teacher","household altar niche","single Śiva-liṅga","Śālagrāma stones (few, arranged)","counting gesture (raised fingers)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Varāha instructing beside a stylized shrine niche; clear icon silhouettes; minimal props with strong outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: altar with embossed icons, gold highlights on shrine arch, Varāha with ornate jewelry pointing to the correct count.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: detailed shrine interior, polished stone textures for liṅga and Śālagrāma, gentle lighting from lamp.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: domestic courtyard shrine, Varāha and devotee in dialogue, simple stones depicted with delicate stippling."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional, precise","suggested_raga":"Dhanyāsi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"firm, explanatory"}
FAQs
It reflects domestic ritual regulation—how many icons are considered appropriate—preserving norms that intersect with later household practice and temple custom.
No geographic location is named; the setting is the generalized “gṛha” (household).
It advises restraint and order in household worship by limiting multiplicity of certain sacred forms (liṅgas and Śālagrāmas).
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