Varaha Purana 16.17: Adhyaya 16, Shloka 17
The Account of Saramā: Indra’s Restoration after Loss of Sovereignty
Pūrva Bhāga · Pr̥thivī-uddhāra (Earth-restoration) narrative context
अपश्यत् सा दितेः पुत्रैर्नीता गावो धराधरे । दैत्यैरपि शुनी दृष्टा दृष्टमार्गा विशेषतः ॥ १६.१७ ॥
apaśyat sā diteḥ putrair nītā gāvo dharādhare | daityair api śunī dṛṣṭā dṛṣṭamārgā viśeṣataḥ || 16.17 ||
apashyat sA diteH putrairnItA gAvo dharAdhare | daityairapi shunI dRRiShTA dRRiShTamArgA visheShataH || 16.17 ||
उसने देखा कि दिति के बेटे उस पहाड़ पर गायें ले जा रहे हैं जो धरती को धान के रखता है। दैत्य लोगों ने भी उस कुतिया को देख लिया जो रास्ता पहचान चुकी थी।
Sandhi Notes
- पुत्रैर्नीता = पुत्रैः + नीताः
- दैत्यैरपि = दैत्यैः + अपि
Varāha
FAQs
It reflects a common Purāṇic narrative motif—cattle being seized by antagonistic groups—used to frame social values such as protection of livelihood and communal resources, while embedding mythic lineages (Diti/Daityas) into the storyline.
No specific toponym is given here; the term dharādhara indicates a mountain or ‘earth-bearing’ massif as a narrative setting rather than a uniquely identifiable historical location.
Implicitly, the verse foregrounds the vulnerability and cultural value of cattle (gāvaḥ) and frames their unlawful removal as a disordering act, supporting a broader Purāṇic ethic of stewardship and protection of shared resources.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Varaha Purana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
