Varaha Purana 24.19: Adhyaya 24, Shloka 19
The Birth of the Nāgas, Brahmā’s Curse, and the Pañcamī Observance
एवमुक्तास्तु वेपन्तो ब्रह्माणं भुजगोत्तमाः । निपत्य पादयोस्तस्य इदमूचुर्वचस्तदा ॥ २४.१९ ॥
evamuktāstu vepanto brahmāṇaṃ bhujagottamāḥ | nipatya pādayostasya idamūcur vacas tadā || 24.19 ||
यह सुन के साँप काँप गए। ब्रह्मा के पाँव में गिर गए। फिर उन्होंने यह बात कही।
Bhujagottamāḥ (foremost serpents/nāgas)
When reprimanded by higher authority, one should approach with humility—trembling, prostrating, and speaking respectfully—to seek mitigation.
Humility and śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) open the possibility of pacification; arrogance would harden the curse’s effects.
Fear becomes spiritually productive when it turns into surrender and truthful speech before the source of order.
In conflict or fault, first adopt humility and accountability; seek correction rather than justification.
Nāgas’ petition (24.24.20)
FAQs
It illustrates a common Purāṇic narrative convention: subordinate beings approach a creator-figure (Brahmā) with formal prostration, signaling hierarchical cosmology and courtly speech etiquette in Sanskrit literature.
No geographic location is named in this verse; it functions as a narrative transition into the nāgas’ forthcoming speech.
The verse foregrounds an ethics of humility and respectful address within dialogue—approaching authority with restraint and decorum before presenting one’s request or statement.
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