Varaha Purana 177.24: Adhyaya 177, Shloka 24
The Curse of Sāmba and the Prescribed Observance of Sun-Worship
Uttara Bhāga · Narrative Dialogue (hearsay from sages; counsel to avert disgrace)
मया श्रुतस्तु लोकेभ्यो ब्रह्मर्षिभ्यो मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ साम्बत्यागात्प्रमार्ष्टुं त्वमयशः कुलनाशकम् ॥
mayā śrutas tu lokebhyo brahmarṣibhyo muhur muhuḥ || sāmbatyāgāt pramārṣṭuṁ tvam ayaśaḥ kulanāśakam
mayA shrutastu lokebhyo brahmarShibhyo muhurmuhuH || sAMbatyAgAtpramArShTuM tvamayashaH kulanAshakam
मैंने बहुत लोगों से सुना है, ब्रह्मर्शियों से भी। तुम्हे साम्ब को घर से निकाल देना चाहिए। वही तुम्हारी बदनामी मिटा सकता है। वरना तुम्हारा पूरा खत्म हो जाएगा।
Sandhi Notes
- साम्बत्यागात् = साम्ब + त्यागात्
Varāha
Observer; emphasis on counsel and social remedy
Is severing ties with a culpable relative dharmic when it protects the kula and removes disgrace?
Compassion must be yoked to accountability; protecting many can require hard renunciation of one.
Seek counsel from the wise; if misconduct is persistent and harmful, enact proportionate separation to prevent wider harm.
When a member’s conduct brings ayashas and threatens kula, dharma may require renunciation/expulsion to protect social order.
Abandoning the wrongdoer ‘wipes away’ disgrace; failure to act allows ayashas to mature into kula-kṣaya (lineage ruin).
Indirect: Sāmba belongs to the Yādava/Kṛṣṇa milieu; the counsel concerns safeguarding dynastic dharma.
177.27.0 (cause of ruin and rumor); 177.29.0 (closure of counsel); 177.32.0 (later remedial dharma for curse)
FAQs
It reflects the Purāṇic emphasis on lineage continuity and public honor, and the authority of sage testimony as a legitimizing narrative mechanism.
No terrestrial location is specified; “lokebhyaḥ” is generic (“from the worlds/people”).
Social harm and dishonor are portrayed as lineage-threatening; decisive corrective action is recommended to prevent wider damage.
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