Varaha Purana 79.2 — Adhyaya 79, Shloka 2

Description of the Inner Basins (Droṇīs): Śrīsaras, Śrīvana, Bilva Forest, and Tāla Grove

Devanagari script

त्रियोजनशतायामं शतयोजनविस्तृतम् । सुरसामलपानीयं रम्यं तत्र सुरोचनम् ॥ ७९.२ ॥

Transliteration

triyojanaśatāyāmaṃ śatayojanavistṛtam | surasāmalapānīyaṃ ramyaṃ tatra surocanam || 79.2 ||

Translation

તે (પ્રદેશ) લંબાઈમાં સો યોજન અને પહોળાઈમાં સો યોજન વિસ્તૃત છે; ત્યાં સુરસા અને આમલા સમાન મધુર-નિર્મળ પીવાનું પાણી મળે છે; તે સ્થાન રમ્ય, તેજસ્વી અને મનોહર છે।

Word by Word

• त्रि-योजन-शत-आयामम्: having a length of three hundred yojanas
• त्रि-योजन-शत-आयामम्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक) + योजन (प्रातिपदिक) + शत (प्रातिपदिक) + आयाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘आयाम’ (length) परिमाणवाचक तत्पुरुषसमास

• शत-योजन-विस्तृतम्: extended to a hundred yojanas (in breadth)
• शत-योजन-विस्तृतम्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शत (प्रातिपदिक) + योजन (प्रातिपदिक) + विस्तृत (कृदन्त; √स्तृ ‘to spread’ + वि, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण—‘विस्तृत’ (spread/extended)

• सुरसा-अमल-पानीयम्: with fragrant, pure, drinkable water
• सुरसा-अमल-पानीयम्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुरसा (प्रातिपदिक) + अमल (प्रातिपदिक) + पानीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय—‘सुरसा’ (fragrant) + ‘अमल’ (pure) qualifying ‘पानीय’ (drinkable water)

• रम्यम्: beautiful, delightful
• रम्यम्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (locative adverb)

• सुरोचनम्: (a lake/spot called) Surocana
• सुरोचनम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुरोचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; नाम (proper/common noun)

Speaker

Varāha (default dialogue framework)

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":"curious","key_question":"What is the scale and distinctive life-supporting quality (especially water) of that region?"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","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":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"sattva of place (deśa-guṇa)","core_concept":"A land’s spiritual quality is mirrored in its water—clarity, sweetness, and health-giving nature indicate auspicious order.","practical_application":"Treat water purity as a dharmic duty: protect sources, maintain cleanliness, and recognize that degraded water implies degraded collective conduct."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Geography","Sacred Landscapes","Environmental Description"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: sacred landscape / idealized ecological region

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 79.79.1 (identifies the basin between Sītānta and Kumuda)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A wide, radiant basin-landscape shown at immense scale, with a central clear water-body or streams; the air feels bright and pure, suggesting ‘surocana’.","item_prompts":["expansive valley plain","clear spring/river/lake with crystalline sheen","light rays or luminous atmosphere","measurement motif (subtle grid/scale marks)","lush but orderly vegetation"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Bright, clean water rendered with stylized wave patterns; luminous background; symmetrical composition to suggest measured vastness.","tanjore_prompt":"Gold-leaf shimmer on water highlights and ambient radiance; rich blues/greens; decorative measurement border motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Refined landscape realism; translucent water; gentle light effects; balanced composition emphasizing breadth.","pahari_prompt":"Open panoramic valley with sparkling stream; delicate washes for light; small figures/animals for scale without crowding the scene."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"bright, expansive, serene","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"uplifted, clear, flowing"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Geography
• Vaiṣṇavism
• Cultural Heritage

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It preserves a Purāṇic mode of describing cultural landscapes through idealized dimensions (yojana-based measures) and sensory markers (pleasant potable water), useful for studying how sacred geography is narrated in Sanskrit literary traditions.

Which geographic location is identified?

No specific toponym is present in this isolated verse; it describes a place 'there' (tatra) without naming it. A secure identification would require the surrounding verses of Adhyāya 79.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

Rather than a direct injunction, the verse foregrounds an ecological-cultural ideal: a well-ordered, expansive habitat characterized by wholesome drinking water—an implicit valuation of environmental quality within sacred landscape discourse.