Varaha Purana 114.21: Adhyaya 114, Shloka 21
The Varāha Incarnation and Pṛthivī’s Inquiries on Ritual Procedure and Devotional Outcomes
Uttara Bhāga · Ritual Procedure and Icon-Worship (Pūjā-vidhi Praśna)
अर्च्चायाः किं प्रमाणं तु स्थापनाṃ चापि कीदृशम् ॥ परिमाणं कथं देव उपवासश्च कीदृशः
arccāyāḥ kiṃ pramāṇaṃ tu sthāpanaṃ cāpi kīdṛśam || parimāṇaṃ kathaṃ deva upavāsaś ca kīdṛśaḥ
archchAyAH kiM pramANaM tu sthApanaM chApi kIdRRisham || parimANaM kathaM deva upavAsashcha kIdRRishaH
भगवान की मूर्ति कितनी बड़ी होनी चाहिए? उसे मंदिर में कैसे लगाना है? नापना कैसे है? और व्रत कैसे रखना है?
Sandhi Notes
- चापि = च + अपि
- उपवासश्च = उपवासः + च
Pṛthivī
Methodical, seeking procedural correctness; reverent toward the deity as ritual authority
What is the correct standard/measure for an icon, how should it be installed, how is measurement determined, and what fasting is prescribed?
Sacred presence is approached through right form (pramāṇa), right procedure (sthāpana), and right self-restraint (upavāsa).
When commissioning/installing an image, follow established iconometric canons and qualified officiants; observe fasting/mental restraint to keep worship sattvic.
Bhū asks Varāha technical-ritual questions on arcā-pramāṇa, installation, and fasting; Varāha as āgamic/dharmic instructor.
The measured icon mirrors cosmic measure (pramāṇa) upheld by the Lord; Varāha who ‘measures and stabilizes’ Earth also authorizes proportion in sacred form.
Arcā as a ‘yajña-body’ with regulated limbs; upavāsa as internal oblation—reducing intake to intensify offering of mind and breath.
Form (mūrti) as upāsanā-support: proportion and consecration discipline the mind toward the formless; fasting reduces rajas/tamas, aiding contemplation.
Arcā worship requires correct pramāṇa (iconometry), proper sthāpana (installation), and regulated upavāsa as part of ritual discipline.
Correct installation and disciplined fasting support siddhi of worship and stable merit; incorrect measures/installation invite doṣa and reduced efficacy of pūjā.
Context-dependent; asked as a rule within worship/installation rather than a named tithi-vrata
Purification and increased efficacy of arcā-pūjā; readiness for consecration and divine grace.
General Vaiṣṇava arcā-worship context.
Ritual-material questions continue from offerings (114.21–22) to icon and fasting (114.23–24)
FAQs
It highlights the intersection of textual ritual authority with material practice—image dimensions, installation procedures, and fasting—key to the history of Hindu icon-worship protocols.
No geographic location is identified in this verse.
The verse stresses disciplined preparation (fasting) and technical correctness (proper measures and installation).
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