Varaha Purana - Adhyaya 36
Varaha PuranaAdhyaya 3623 Shlokas

Adhyaya 36: Account of the Maṇija Kings and a Hymn to Govinda Leading to Liberation

Maṇija-nṛpa-vaṃśa-kathanaṃ tathā Govinda-stutiḥ

Genealogical-Historiography and Devotional-Soteriology

ヴァラーハ(Varāha)とプリティヴィー(Pṛthivī)の教導枠の中で、本章は教訓的な王統史を示す。マハータパー(Mahātapā)は一人の王に、トレーター・ユガ(Tretāyuga)に連なる諸王の系譜を語り、地上を治め多様なヤジュニャ(yajña)を修する統治者は天界に至ると説く。続いてヴァラーハはその帰結を語る。王仙(rājarṣi)はこの「ブラフマヴィディヤー(brahmavidyā)に似た」物語を聞いて出家・苦行へと向かい、ヴリンダーヴァナ(Vṛndāvana)に退いて、創造・融解・解脱の最高根拠としてゴーヴィンダ(Govinda=ハリ/ヴィシュヌ Hari/Viṣṇu)を讃える集中的な讃歌(stuti)を捧げる。讃歌は輪廻(saṃsāra)を危うい大海に譬え、迷妄(māyā)と二元を越えるには神への帰依こそが渡し舟であると示す。物語は、瑜伽的に身を捨てて永遠のゴーヴィンダに融入(laya)する結末に至り、プリティヴィーの背負う王権の重荷を鎮める倫理としての離欲を模範化する。

Speakers

VarāhaPṛthivīMahātapāRājā (rājarṣi; speaker of the stuti)

Key Concepts

Tretāyuga royal succession (nṛpa-vaṃśa) and dharmic kingshipYajña and posthumous attainment (svarga-prāpti)Tapas and forest/retreat praxis (vana-vāsa)Govinda/Viṣṇu as creator–sustainer–dissolver (sṛṣṭi–sthiti–saṃhāra)Saṃsāra-cakra, māyā, and liberation (mokṣa) through upāsanā and yogaYogic death and laya in the paramātman
Recitation with translationVaraha Purana Adhyaya 36

Shlokas in Adhyaya 36

Verse 1

महातपा उवाच । आदितरेतासु राजानो मणिजा ये प्रकीर्तिताः । कथयिष्यामि तान् राजन् यत्र जातोऽपि पार्थिव ॥ ३६.१ ॥

マハータパーは言った。「王よ、アーディタレータスの子孫のうち、“マニジャ(Maṇijā)”として称えられる諸王を、かの君主もまた生まれたその系譜において、わたしは語ろう。」

Verse 2

योऽसौ सुप्रभानामासीत्त स त्वं राजन् कृते युगे । जातोऽसि नाम्ना विख्यातः प्रजापाल इति शोभनः ॥ ३६.२ ॥

王よ、クリタ・ユガにおいて汝はまさしく「スプラバー(Suprabhā)」として知られたその者である。いま再び生を受け、「プラジャーパーラ(Prajāpāla)」の名で名高い、輝ける御方よ。

Verse 3

शेषास्त्रेतायुगॆ राजन् भविष्यन्ति महाबलाः । यो दीप्ततेजा मणिजः स शान्तेति प्रकीर्तितः ॥ ३६.३ ॥

王よ、残る者たちはトレーター・ユガにおいて大いなる力を備えた者として現れる。燃え立つ光輝を具え、マニ(Maṇi)より生まれた者は「シャーンティ(Śānti)」と称えられる。

Verse 4

सुरश्मिर्भविता राजा शशकर्णो महाबलः । शुभदर्शनः पाञ्चालो भविष्यति नराधिपः ॥ ३६.४ ॥

「スラシュミ(Suraśmi)」という王が現れ、また大いなる力をもつ「シャシャカルナ(Śaśakarṇa)」が現れる。さらに容姿端麗な「パンチャーラ(Pāñcāla)」が人々の王となる。

Verse 5

सुशान्तिरङ्गवंशे वै सुन्दरोऽप्यङ्ग इत्युत । सुन्दश्च मुचुकुन्दोऽभूत्सुद्युम्नस्तुर एव च ॥ ३६.५ ॥

まことに、アンガ(Aṅga)の系統にはスシャーンティ(Suśānti)があり、またスンダラ(Sundara)—別名アンガ(Aṅga)—がいた。さらにスンダ(Sunda)とムチュクンダ(Muchukunda)、同様にスデュムナ(Sudyumna)とトゥラ(Tura)もいた。

Verse 6

सुमनाः सोमदत्तस्तु शुभः संवरणोऽभवत् । सुशीलो वसुदानस्तु सुखदो सुपतिर्भवत् ॥ ३६.६ ॥

スーマナーと、まことにソーマダッタは、シュバ(Śubha)およびサンヴァラナ(Saṃvaraṇa)となった。同様に、スシーラ(Suśīla)とヴァスダーナ(Vasudāna)は、スカダ(Sukhada)とスパティ(Supati)として知られた。

Verse 7

शम्भुः सेनापतिरभूत् सुकान्तो दशरथः स्मृतः । सोमोऽभूज्जनको राजा एते त्रेतायुगॆ नृप ॥ ३६.७ ॥

シャンブ(Śambhu)は軍の統帥(セーナーパティ)となり、スカーンタ(Sukānta)はダシャラタ(Daśaratha)として記憶される。ソーマ(Soma)はジャナカ王(Janaka)となった—これらがトレーター・ユガの王たちである。

Verse 8

सर्वे भूमिमिमां राजन् भुक्त्वा ते वसुधाधिपाः । इष्ट्वा च विविधैर्यज्ञैर्दिवं प्राप्स्यन्त्यसंशयम् ॥ ३६.८ ॥

王よ、かの地上の支配者たちは皆、この国土を享受し(すなわち治め)、さまざまな祭祀(ヤジュニャ)を修して、疑いなく天界に到達するであろう。

Verse 9

श्रीवराह उवाच । एवं श्रुत्वा स राजर्षिर्ब्रह्मविद्याममृतं प्रभुः । आख्यानं परमं प्रीतस्तपश्चर्तुमियाद्वनम् ॥ ३६.९ ॥

聖なるヴァラーハは言った。「このように聞き終えると、その王仙(ラージャルシ)は—力ある主として—甘露のごときブラフマンの智(ブラフマ・ヴィディヤー)を受け取った。至上の物語に歓喜し、苦行(タパス)を修するため森へ赴いた。」

Verse 10

ऋषिरध्यात्मयोगेन विहायेदं कलेवरम् । ब्रह्मभूतोऽभवद्धात्री हरौ लयमवाप च ॥ ३६.१० ॥

内なる霊的修練(アディヤートマ・ヨーガ)によって、その聖仙はこの身体を捨てた。ブラフマンに安住してブラフマンとなり、また保持者ダートリ(Dhātrī)もハリ(Hari)において融解(ラヤ)を得た。

Verse 11

वृन्दावनं च राजा असौ तपोऽर्थं गतवान् प्रभुः । तत्र गोविन्दनामानं हरिं स्तोतुमथारभत् ॥ ३६.११ ॥

その王は—卓越した主君として—苦行のためにヴリンダーヴァナへ赴き、そこで「ゴーヴィンダ」と名高いハリを讃える讃歌を唱え始めた。

Verse 12

राजोवाच । नमामि देवं जगतां च मूर्तिं गोपेन्द्रमिन्द्रानुजमप्रमेयम् । संसारचक्रक्रमणैकदक्षं क्षितीधरं देववरं नमामि ॥ ३६.१२ ॥

王は言った。「諸世界の具現たる神に礼拝する。ゴーペーンドラ(Gopendra)、インドラの弟、量り知れぬ御方に礼拝する。輪廻(サンサーラ)の輪を動かすことにただ一人巧みなる御方に、また大地を担う神々の中の最勝者に、我は礼拝する。」

Verse 13

भवोदधौ दुःखशतोर्मिभीमे जरावर्ते कृष्णपातालमूले । तदन्तमेको दधते सुखं मे नमोऽस्तु ते गोपतिरप्रमेय ॥ ३६.१३ ॥

苦しみの百波におびえる有(bhava)の大海において、老いの渦の中、闇のパーターラ(Pātāla)の根底にあっても、ただ汝のみがその終わりを定め、我に安寧を授け給う。礼拝す、ゴーパティ(gopati)よ、量り知れぬ御方よ。

Verse 14

व्याध्यादियुक्तः पुरुषैर्ग्रहैश्च सङ्घट्टमानं पुनरेव देव । नमोऽस्तु ते युद्धरते महात्मा जनार्दनो गोपतिरुग्रबाहुः ॥ ३६.१४ ॥

神よ—病などの苦患に悩む人々が、また敵対する力にも取り囲まれ、再び打たれ圧倒されるとき—戦いに励む大魂、ジャナールダナ(Janārdana)、衆生の守護者ゴーパティ、猛き腕を持つ御方に礼拝する。

Verse 15

त्वमुत्तमः सर्वविदां सुरेश त्वया ततं विश्वमिदं समस्तम् । गोपेन्द्र मां पाहि महानुभाव भवाद्भीतं तिग्मरथाङ्गपाणे ॥ ३६.१५ ॥

汝は一切の智者の中の最勝、神々の主よ。汝によってこの全宇宙は余すところなく遍満されている。ゴーペーンドラ(Gopendra)よ、護り給え—大威徳の御方よ—有(bhava)を恐れる我を。灼熱の円盤(チャクラ)を御手に持つ御方よ。

Verse 16

परोऽसि देव प्रवरः सुराणां पुंसः स्वरूपोऽसि शशिप्रकाशः । हुताशवक्त्राच्युत तीव्रभाव गोपेन्द्र मां पाहि भवे पतन्तम् ॥ ३६.१६ ॥

おお超越の神よ、あなたは神々の中の最勝者。あなたは至上のプルシャの真実の御姿であり、月のごとく輝く。おおアチュタよ、口は火のようで、烈しい威力を具える方よ。おおゴーペーンドラ(牧人の主)よ、世の生存の輪へと落ちゆく私をお護りください。

Verse 17

संसारचक्रक्रमणान्यनेका- न्याविर्भवन्त्यच्युत देहिनां यत् । त्वन्मायया मोहितानां सुरेश कस्ते मायां तरते द्वन्द्वधामा ॥ ३६.१७ ॥

おおアチュタよ、身を持つ者たちには、サンサーラの輪の中を巡るさまざまな歩みが現れる。おお神々の主よ、あなたのマーヤーに惑わされた者にとって、二元の住処たるそのマーヤーを誰が渡り越えられようか。

Verse 18

अगोत्रमस्पर्शमरूपगन्ध- मनामनिर्देशमजं वरेण्यम् । गोपेन्द्र त्वां यद्युपासन्ति धीराः- स्ते मुक्तिभाजो भवबन्धमुक्ताः ॥ ३६.१८ ॥

おおゴーペーンドラよ、もし堅固なる賢者たちがあなたを礼拝するなら—あなたは系譜を超え、触を超え、形と香を超え、心と言説を超え、不生にして最も崇むべき御方—彼らは解脱(ムクティ)に与り、世の生存の束縛から मुक्तとなる。

Verse 19

शब्दातिगं व्योमरूपं विमूर्त्तिं विकर्म्मिणां शुभभावं वरेण्यम् । चक्राब्जपाणिं तु तथोपचारादुक्तं पुराणे सततं नमामि ॥ ३६.१९ ॥

私は常に礼拝して頭を垂れる。プラーナに説かれ、定められた供養の作法に従い、音声を超え、虚空のごとき相をもち、形体をもたぬ御方に。儀礼の行為に携わる者にとって吉祥なる本性であり、最も選び取るに値する御方—その御手にチャクラと蓮華を持つ御方に。

Verse 20

त्रिविक्रमं क्रान्तजगत्त्रयं च चतुर्मूर्त्तिं विश्वगतां क्षितीशम् । शम्भुं विभुं भूतपतिं सुरेशं नमाम्यहं विष्णुमनन्तमूर्त्तिम् ॥ ३६.२० ॥

私は無量の御姿をもつヴィシュヌに礼拝する。三界を歩み尽くしたトリヴィクラマに、四つの相を備え万有に遍満する地の主に、吉祥なる御方、自在なる主、衆生の主、神々の主に—無尽の御姿のヴィシュヌに。

Verse 21

त्वं देव सर्वाणि चराचराणि सृजस्यथो संहरसे त्वमेव । मां मुक्तिकामं नय देव शीघ्रं यस्मिन् गता योगिनो नापयान्ति ॥ ३६.२१ ॥

おお主よ、動くものも動かぬものも、あらゆる存在を創り、またただ御身のみがそれらを収めて帰一させ給う。解脱を願うこの身を、神よ速やかに、ヨーギーたちが到達すれば再び戻らぬその境地へ導き給え。

Verse 22

जयस्व गोविन्द महानुभाव जयस्व विष्णो जय पद्मनाभ । जयस्व सर्वज्ञ जयाप्रमेय जयस्व विश्वेश्वर विश्वमूर्ते ॥ ३६.२२ ॥

勝利あれ、ゴーヴィンダよ、偉大なる御心の主よ。勝利あれ、ヴィシュヌよ。勝利あれ、パドマナーバよ。勝利あれ、全知なる御方よ。勝利あれ、量り知れぬ御方よ。勝利あれ、宇宙の主、宇宙をその御身とする御方よ。

Verse 23

श्रीवराह उवाच । एवं स्तुत्वा तदा राजा निधाय स्वं कलेवरम् । परमात्मनि गोविन्दे लयमागाच्छ शाश्वते ॥ ३६.२३ ॥

聖ヴァラーハは言った。「このように讃嘆を捧げたのち、王は自らの身体を置き、永遠なるゴーヴィンダ、至上我(パラマートマン)において融解・帰入(ラヤ)した。」

Inside Adhyaya 36

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Within the Varāha–Pṛthivī dialogue, the teaching opens as a didactic historiography: Mahātapā addresses a king and recounts a succession of Maṇija/Tretāyuga rulers, using their reigns to illustrate dharmic governance, yajña-performance, and the resulting heavenly attainments.

  2. Central event

    Varāha narrates the transformative effect of hearing this ‘brahmavidyā-like’ account: the rājarṣi’s mind turns from royal enjoyment and merit to renunciation; he withdraws to Vṛndāvana and begins an intense hymn (stuti) to Govinda as the supreme cause of creation, maintenance, dissolution, and liberation.

  3. Climax resolution

    The stuti crescendos into a soteriological vision—saṃsāra as a dangerous ocean, māyā and dualities as binding forces, and Govinda as the sole refuge. The rājarṣi stabilizes his mind in yoga, relinquishes the body, and attains laya (mergence) in the eternal Govinda, modeling the passage from dharmic kingship to mokṣa-oriented withdrawal.

Geographical context

Vṛndāvana (sacred grove/forest landscape associated with Govinda); broader implied terrestrial domain of kingship (bhūmi, vasudhā) as Pṛthivī’s sphere.

Tirtha focus

  • Primary TirthaVṛndāvana
  • Associated RegionMathurā–Vraja
  • Pilgrimage MeritThe chapter implies Vṛndāvana as a liberation-oriented retreat-space where concentrated Govinda-upāsanā and yogic absorption can culminate in release from saṃsāra; merit is framed less as tirtha-phala and more as mokṣa through devotion and yoga.

Ritual instructions

  • Primary RitualGovinda-stuti with tapas and yogic absorption (upāsanā leading to laya)
  • BenefitProgression from royal merit (svarga-prāpti through yajña and dharma) to liberation (mokṣa) through Govinda-upāsanā, overcoming māyā and saṃsāric fear, culminating in yogic release and merger in the supreme.

The narrative frame

  • Varāha (primary narrator within the Varāha–Pṛthivī frame); Mahātapā (internal teacher recounting royal succession); Rājarṣi (voice of the Govinda hymn)Pṛthivī (outer frame); an addressed king (inner frame listener to Mahātapā’s account) · Pedagogical and exemplary—moving from instructive royal historiography to intensely devotional and contemplative soteriology.

The emotional journey

  • Dominant RasaŚānta (tranquil, liberation-oriented devotion)
  • Emotional ProgressionAdmiration for dharmic rulers and confidence in karmic order → inward turning and disenchantment with worldly power → urgency to cross saṃsāra’s peril → refuge-taking in Govinda → serene absorption and release.

Planning a pilgrimage

  • Visit FeasibilityHighly feasible: Vṛndāvana is a major living pilgrimage center with extensive temple networks and established devotional practices aligned with Govinda-bhakti; the chapter’s emphasis supports contemplative visits and japa/recitation retreats.
  • Best SeasonOctober to March
  • Modern Location NameVrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Related FestivalKārttika (Dāmodara month) in Vṛndāvana; also Janmāṣṭamī in the wider Mathurā–Vraja region

Frequently Asked Questions

The text juxtaposes two ideals: (1) dharmic governance—rulers enjoy and administer the earth (bhūmi/vasudhā) and perform yajñas, gaining posthumous merit; and (2) renunciant soteriology—hearing the teaching prompts a shift toward tapas, upāsanā of Govinda, and yogic release from saṃsāra. Together these present a continuum from responsible kingship (supporting Pṛthivī’s stability) to liberation-oriented withdrawal.

The chapter uses yuga-chronology rather than ritual calendrics: it explicitly references Kṛtayuga and Tretāyuga, and describes future rulers “in Tretāyuga.” No tithi, nakṣatra, māsa, or seasonal timings are specified for yajña or vrata practice in the provided verses.

Environmental stewardship is implicit in the idiom of Pṛthivī as the governed earth: kings ‘enjoy/hold’ the land (bhūmi, vasudhā) and are accountable through yajña and dharma, suggesting that legitimate rule includes maintaining terrestrial order. The narrative’s turn to renunciation further reduces the burden of acquisitive power on the earth, presenting withdrawal and self-restraint as complementary strategies for preserving balance within Pṛthivī’s domain.

A catalogue of rulers is presented, including names such as Suprabha (identified with the addressed king in Kṛtayuga), Śānti (as a noted Maṇija), Suraśmi, Śaśakarṇa, a Pāñcāla ruler, and other royal figures: Suśānti, Sundara (and Aṅga), Sunda, Muchukunda, Sudyumna, Sumanas, Somadatta, Śubha, Saṃvaraṇa, Suśīla, Vasudāna, Sukhada, Supati, Śambhu (as senāpati), Sukānta, Daśaratha, and Janaka. The chapter frames them as exemplary Tretāyuga nṛpas connected to royal succession traditions.

Ask anything about Adhyaya 36 of the Varaha Purana

Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.

Not sure where to start?

A free sign-in with Google or Apple 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 word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Continue reading in the Vedapath app

Open in App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play