Varaha Purana 25.37: Adhyaya 25, Shloka 37
The Birth of Ahaṅkāra as Guha/Skanda and His Appointment as Divine Commander
Pūrva Bhāga · Narrative Dialogue (Devāḥ–Ṛṣayaḥ–Siddhāḥ; counsel for an ally)
सर्वैश्च देवै ऋषिभिश्च सिद्धैः सेनापतिर्वरदानेन तेन । आप्यायितः सोऽपि सुरानुवाच सखायार्थं क्रडने कार्यमेव ॥ २५.३७ ॥
sarvaiś ca devai ṛṣibhiś ca siddhaiḥ senāpatir varadānena tena | āpyāyitaḥ so 'pi surān uvāca sakhāyārthaṃ kraḍane kāryam eva || 25.37 ||
sarvaishcha devai RRiShibhishcha siddhaiH senApatirvaradAnena tena | ApyAyitaH so.api surAnuvAcha sakhAyArthaM kraDane kAryameva || 25.37 ||
सारे देव, रिशि और सिद्ध ने उस सेनापति को वरदान दिया। वो बहुत स्ट्रॉंग हो गया। फिर उसने देवतों को कहा, दोस्त के लिए यह लड़ाई ज़रूर लड़नी है।
Sandhi Notes
- सर्वैश्च→सर्वैः+च
- ऋषिभिश्च→ऋषिभिः+च
- सेनापतिर्व→सेनापतिः
- सोऽपि→सः+अपि
- सुरानुवाच→सुरान्+उवाच
- सखायार्थं→सखायार्थम् (म्→ं)
- क्रडने read as क्रीडने (orthographic/printing variant)
Varāha
When duty conflicts with hesitation, how should one act—especially when action is required for a friend and for dharmic purpose?
Strength and honor are meant to be converted into timely, purposeful action—especially to protect friendship/alliance and uphold rightful order.
When responsibility is clear, act decisively without procrastination; let loyalty and dharma guide strategy rather than fear or vanity.
Senāpati as dharma-agent: the narrative frames empowered leadership as service (sakhyārtha) rather than egoic conquest—ethical teleology over mere force.
Karma-yoga resonance: action is to be undertaken because it is ‘kārya’ (to be done) for dharmic ends, not for self-aggrandizement.
Counsel of duty: when strengthened by legitimate boons and honored by the worthy, the leader/commander must undertake necessary action for protecting allies and upholding purpose.
Timely, duty-aligned action yields protection, victory, and social/cosmic order; failure to act when required leads to loss of honor, harm to allies, and disorder.
25.25.36 (boon/worship context leading to empowerment); 25.25.34-35 (senāpati as office/function)
FAQs
It exemplifies a common Purāṇic narrative motif: divine assemblies (devas, ṛṣis, siddhas) legitimizing action through a boon and counsel, reflecting how authority and duty are framed in Sanskrit epic–Purāṇic literature.
No explicit geographic toponym appears in this verse; it focuses on a divine council and the resolve to act for an ally.
The verse foregrounds responsibility toward an ally or friend (sakhāya-artham) and presents decisive action as a required duty when circumstances demand it.
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