Varaha Purana 171.52 — Adhyaya 171, Shloka 52
Śuka’s Ocean Voyage: Adverse Winds, Arrival at a Viṣṇu Shrine, and Aid from the Jaṭāyu Birds
अस्माकं जीवनार्थाय त्वया कार्यं विहङ्गम ॥ कथाभिरनुकूलाभिर्धर्मदर्शिभिरेव च ॥
asmākaṃ jīvanārthāya tvayā kāryaṃ vihaṅgama || kathābhir anukūlābhir dharmadarśibhir eva ca ||
“Demi kelangsungan hidup kami, wahai burung, engkau harus bertindak—melalui wejangan yang menenteramkan, dan juga melalui mereka yang melihat dharma.”
Narrator (default dialogue frame: Varāha–Pṛthivī; speaker not explicit in fragment)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"What action should be undertaken for our survival—through what supportive discourse and through which dharma-seeing persons?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"Dharma-upadeśa as remedy: sustain life and social order by seeking/using anukūla-kathā (supportive instruction) from dharma-darśins (wise discerners).","karmic_consequence":"Turning to dharmic counsel reduces despair and leads to right action (puṇya); rejecting wise counsel prolongs suffering and invites adharma."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"dharma pedagogy","core_concept":"Śāstra-kathā and sat-saṅga (company of dharma-seers) function as practical medicine for crisis.","practical_application":"In grief or instability, seek competent ethical guidance; use constructive narratives and instruction to restore agency and right conduct."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Heritage Sites"]
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: didactic/social setting
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 171.58 (Śuka’s learned consolatory discourse)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An appeal addressed to a bird: ‘Act for our living—through supportive discourse and by dharma-seeing sages.’","item_prompts":["speaker addressing a bird","gesture of supplication/instruction","presence of sages/wise elders implied","scrolls or palm-leaf manuscripts as symbols of kathā/vidyā"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: didactic tableau with a green bird near a seated elder, stylized manuscripts, calm authoritative mudrā.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-backed teacher figure, bird attentive, miniature sages in background, ornate manuscript bundle.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: classroom-like intimacy, fine facial expressions, subtle props (palm leaves), emphasis on counsel.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: gentle hillside pavilion scene, bird perched near speaker, a few ascetics nearby, lyrical calm after sorrow."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"advisory, steadying","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"firm, reassuring"}
FAQs
It highlights the Purāṇic valuation of kathā (narrative discourse) as a social-ethical instrument, aligning persuasion and counsel with dharma.
No location is named in this verse.
Use dharma-aligned, supportive speech and counsel to sustain community wellbeing.
Ask anything about this verse
Curious about the meaning, context, or a word? Ask, and continue the conversation in the Vedapath app.
A free Google sign-in keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Varaha Purana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.