Varaha Purana 216.10 — Adhyaya 216, Shloka 10

The Sacred Account of Gokarṇa, Śṛṅgeśvara, and Related Tīrthas

Devanagari script

देवदानवगन्धर्वाः सिद्धयक्षमहोरगाः ॥ श्लेष्मातकवनं कृत्स्नं सर्वतः परिमण्डलम् ॥

Transliteration

devadānavagandharvāḥ siddhayakṣamahoragāḥ || śleṣmātakavanaṁ kṛtsnaṁ sarvataḥ parimaṇḍalam ||

Translation

દેવો, દાનવો, ગંધર્વો, સિદ્ધો, યક્ષો અને મહોરગો—બધા (હાજર હતા); અને સમગ્ર શ્લેષ્માતક વન ચારે તરફથી પરિમંડળરૂપે ઘેરાયેલું હતું॥

Word by Word

• deva-dānava-gandharvāḥ: gods, demons, and gandharvas
• deva-dānava-gandharvāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva + dānava + gandharva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः

• siddha-yakṣa-mahā-oragāḥ: siddhas, yakṣas, and great serpents
• siddha-yakṣa-mahā-oragāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: siddha + yakṣa + mahā + uraga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (mahā-uraga = ‘great serpent’ as internal karmadhāraya)

• śleṣmātaka-vanam: the Śleṣmātaka forest
• śleṣmātaka-vanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śleṣmātaka + vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुषः ‘śleṣmātaka-grove/forest’

• kṛtsnam: entire/whole
• kṛtsnam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛtsna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; agrees with vanam

• sarvataḥ: on all sides
• sarvataḥ: Deśa (देश/extent)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarvataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (दिक्/परिमाणवाचक-अव्यय)

• parimaṇḍalam: circular/encircled
• parimaṇḍalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parimaṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; predicate adjective to vanam

Speaker

Brahmā

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"Śleṣmātaka-vana (forest/grove)","parikrama_context":"Implicit enclosure suggests a circumambulatory boundary but not explicit parikramā","krishna_connection":"None"}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"None","karmic_consequence":"None"}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"The ring-like forest enclosure with multi-species/multi-realm attendance depicts the kṣetra as a cosmic mandala: all orders of beings assemble around a sanctified center, mirroring ritual congregation around an altar.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Parimaṇḍala (circular enclosure) echoes yajña-vedi boundaries; diverse beings as ‘participants’ in a cosmic rite; forest as living vedi.","vedantic_connection":"Suggests a layered cosmos where beings of different ontological tiers share a single sacred field; unity-in-diversity under a central dhārmic order."}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ecology-as-dharma","core_concept":"Sacred groves are not mere scenery but protective mandalas sustaining inter-being harmony.","practical_application":"Preserve and approach forests with non-violence and cleanliness; treat grove-boundaries as ritually significant spaces."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Ecology","Heritage Sites","Mythic Narrative"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vīra

Geographic Context

Type: sacred grove/forest

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 216 (forest and site-description sequence)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circular sacred forest of Śleṣmātaka trees encircling a central area, filled with assembled devas, dānavas, gandharvas, siddhas, yakṣas, and great nāgas.","item_prompts":["dense ring of trees forming a circle","diverse celestial beings in distinct groups","nāgas coiled near water/roots","central clearing suggesting a sanctum"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: ornate circular grove with patterned foliage; rows of devas/gandharvas with musical instruments; nāgas with jewel hoods; strong mandala composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central clearing with embossed gold border; richly ornamented devas and gandharvas; stylized trees with gold highlights; nāgas rendered with gem-like scales.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: elegant crowding of figures with fine jewelry; naturalistic yet idealized forest; balanced circular framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: lyrical forest ring with delicate leaves; small, expressive figures of different beings; nāgas near a stream; airy composition with narrative clarity."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"majestic and panoramic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"sonorous, expansive"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Sacred Groves
• Ecological Narratives
• Ancient Geography

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It reflects the Purāṇic imagination of sacred groves as protected cultural-ecological zones, where forests function as boundaries and communal gathering spaces.

Which geographic location is identified?

A Śleṣmātaka-forest (grove dominated by śleṣmātaka trees) is described; it may indicate a locally remembered woodland feature associated with the tīrtha.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

By presenting the forest as an all-around enclosure, the verse implicitly values preservation of groves as part of heritage-site integrity and environmental stewardship.