Varaha Purana 22.21: Adhyaya 22, Shloka 21
Gaurī’s Rebirth, Umā’s Austerities, Rudra’s Test, and the Himalayan Wedding
Pūrva Bhāga · Narrative Dialogue (Devī’s Response and Modesty Motif)
तं दृष्ट्वा लज्जिता देवी पूर्वत्यागमनुस्मरन् । न किञ्चिदुत्तरं सुभ्रूर्वदति स्म सुलज्जिता ॥ २२.२१ ॥
taṁ dṛṣṭvā lajjitā devī pūrvatyāgam anusmaran | na kiñcid uttaraṁ subhrūr vadati sma sulajjitā || 22.21 ||
taM dRRiShTvA lajjitA devI pUrvatyAgamanusmaran | na kiMchiduttaraM subhrUrvadati sma sulajjitA || 22.21 ||
देवी ने उसे देखा और शर्मा गई। उसने सोचा कि पहले कैसे चली गई थी। वो इतनी शर्मायी हुई थी कि कुछ भी बोली नहीं। बस चुप रह गई।
Sandhi Notes
- अनुस्मरन् = anusmaran (शतृ-प्रत्यय)
- किञ्चिदुत्तरम् → किञ्चित् उत्तरम्
- सुभ्रूर्वदति → सुभ्रूः वदति
- स्म सुलज्जिता—स्म अव्ययेन वृत्तान्तसूचना।
Narrator (within Varāha–Pṛthivī dialogue frame)
Ashamed, self-conscious, silent; recalling prior abrupt departure
Lajjā (moral shame) and स्मरण (self-recollection) function as inner correctives, restraining speech and reorienting conduct.
When aware of a lapse, pause, reflect, and let humility precede further action or instruction.
22.22.18 (she departed quickly); 22.22.20 (Rudra obtained; sets up encounter)
FAQs
It exemplifies a common Purāṇic narrative technique: character psychology (shame, recollection, silence) is conveyed through compact participial constructions, helping frame dialogue-driven episodes within the broader textual tradition.
No geographic location is named in this verse; it is primarily a narrative moment describing a character’s reaction.
Rather than a direct injunction, the verse presents a reflective ethical motif: remembrance of prior actions can produce restraint and silence, underscoring accountability and the social-emotional dimensions of conduct.
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