Varaha Purana 53.8: Adhyaya 53, Shloka 8
The Origin Account of Saptamūrti Svara and the Emergence of Saṃbhūti through Vibhūti
Pūrva Bhāga · Dharma-ācāra (Household and conduct instructions)
ततो भृत्यादिभरणं वृषभारोहणं त्रिषु । वनवासश्च निर्दिष्ट आत्मस्थे वृषभे सति ॥ ५३.८ ॥
tato bhṛtyādibharaṇaṁ vṛṣabhārohaṇaṁ triṣu | vanavāsaś ca nirddiṣṭa ātmasthe vṛṣabhe sati || 53.8 ||
tato bhRRityAdibharaNaM vRRiShabhArohaNaM triShu | vanavAsashcha nirddiShTa Atmasthe vRRiShabhe sati || 53.8 ||
उसके बाद सेवकों और दूसरों को पालने की बात है। तीनों में बैल पर चढ़ना भी बताया गया है। जब तक अपने आप में बैल है, तब तक वन में रहना भी कहा गया है।
Varāha
Outer transitions (like vānaprastha/forest life) are legitimate when dharma is firmly seated within; social responsibility precedes renunciation.
First fulfill obligations to dependents; cultivate inner dharma/steadfastness; only then adopt simplified/retired living.
The ‘bull’ (vṛṣabha) functions as a dharma-symbol: when dharma is ‘established in oneself’ (ātmastha), one becomes fit for higher renunciation (forest-dwelling), echoing Purāṇic moral cosmology.
Internalization of dharma as an inner principle (antar-dharma) preceding external āśrama shifts; aligns with Vedāntic emphasis on inner steadiness over mere external marks.
Dharma includes supporting dependents (servants and others), prescribed ‘bull-mounting’/association within a triad of duties, and forest-dwelling when the ‘bull’ (dharma/steadfastness) is internalized.
Sustaining dependents and living the prescribed discipline yields social harmony and personal merit; neglect of dependents and unrighteous conduct leads to demerit and instability in household/realm.
Varāha Purāṇa: dharma sequences linking gṛhastha duties to vānaprastha ideals (adhyāya 53 context)
FAQs
It reflects a Purāṇic synthesis of social responsibility (supporting dependents) and normative life-practices (such as vanavāsa), aligning ethical conduct with broader Dharma discourse found across Sanskrit textual traditions.
No specific geographic location is named in this verse fragment; it discusses conduct categories (e.g., vanavāsa) rather than a pilgrimage site or region.
The verse emphasizes responsibility toward dependents (bhṛtyādibharaṇa) and indicates prescribed modes of conduct, including forest-dwelling (vanavāsa), framed as regulated practices rather than purely personal preference.
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