Varaha Purana 136.37 — Adhyaya 136, Shloka 37

A Sūtra-like Manual of Expiations for Ritual Transgressions

Devanagari script

कीदृशः समलो विष्णो यत्र गच्छामहे वयम् ॥ ततस्तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा शङ्करस्य महेश्वरि

Transliteration

kīdṛśaḥ samalo viṣṇo yatra gacchāmahe vayam || tatas tasya vacaḥ śrutvā śaṅkarasya maheśvari

Translation

“Wahai Viṣṇu, seperti apakah tempat yang najis itu, ke mana kami harus pergi?” Lalu, wahai Maheśvarī, setelah mendengar ucapan Śaṅkara itu…

Word by Word

• kīdṛśaḥ: what kind/what sort

• samalaḥ: impure/defiled

• viṣṇo: O Viṣṇu

• yatra: where/to which

• gacchāmahe: we go/are to go

• vayam: we

• tataḥ: then

• tasya: his

• vacaḥ: words

• śrutvā: having heard

• śaṅkarasya: of Śaṅkara

• maheśvari: O Maheśvarī

Speaker

Śiva (first hemistich as a question) + Narrator (second hemistich) (inferred)

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"questioner","key_question":"What exactly is the ‘samala’ (impure) place to which we are to go?"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"prayaschitta","instruction_summary":"Clarificatory question within an expiation protocol: the practitioner must know the precise locus/condition of impurity prescribed for the remedy.","karmic_consequence":"Correct understanding enables correct performance of prāyaścitta; misunderstanding risks ineffective or improper expiation."}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"epistemic discipline in dharma","core_concept":"Dharma/prāyaścitta requires clarity (viveka) about terms like mala and about prescribed contexts; sincerity includes careful questioning.","practical_application":"Before undertaking remedial rites, ask for exact definitions, place, and method; avoid vague or improvised ‘purifications’."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Dialogue progression","Concept of impurity (mala)","Narrative address to Maheśvarī"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: śānta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: liminal/ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 136.42 (definition of ‘samala’ as śmaśāna)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Śiva asks, with earnestness, what the impure place is; the narrator frames the moment, addressing Maheśvarī, heightening anticipation.","item_prompts":["Śiva questioning gesture","listener/consort presence implied by ‘Maheśvarī’ address","teacher poised to answer","subtle tension before revelation"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Śiva in three-quarter pose asking; instructor calm; a faint silhouette of Devī as witness; rich borders and stylized eyes.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: compact dialogue scene; Śiva’s questioning hand-mudrā; Devī as side figure; gold accents on halos.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant courtly restraint; emphasis on facial expression and hand gestures; minimal props.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: conversational tableau under a tree; Devī seated nearby; gentle narrative flow and fine textile patterns."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"inquiring, suspenseful","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"curious, respectful"}

Tags

• Purāṇic Dialogue
• Sanskrit Narrative Style
• Ritual Purity Concepts
• Philological Indexing

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It highlights how Purāṇic texts structure instruction through question-and-answer, embedding ritual purity discourse within narrative dialogue.

Which geographic location is identified?

No named site is given in this verse; it anticipates a description in the subsequent passage.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

Clarification before action: the question frames responsible practice by seeking precise understanding of the prescribed remedy.