Varaha Purana 91.16: Adhyaya 91, Shloka 16
The Vaiṣṇavī Goddess on Mount Mandara: Emergence of the Maidens, Construction of the Goddess-City, and Nārada’s Visit
दृष्ट्वा मुहूर्तं देवेशि विस्मितो नारदोऽभवत् । अहो रूपमहो कान्तिरहो धैर्यमहो वयः ॥
dṛṣṭvā muhūrtaṃ deveśi vismito nārado'bhavat | aho rūpam aho kāntir aho dhairyam aho vayaḥ ||
しばし見つめて、ナーラダは驚嘆した。「ああ、なんという美しさ！ ああ、なんという光輝！ ああ、なんという不動の落ち着き！ ああ、なんという若き力！」
Nārada (exclamations); Narrator (setup clause)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"observer","bhu_devi_state":"radiant, steadfast, youthful; inspiring awe","key_question":"None (exclamatory praise): Nārada voices astonishment at her beauty, radiance, steadiness, and youth."}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"guna-vision / devotional aesthetics","core_concept":"True beauty in purāṇic poetics includes moral-spiritual virtues (dhairya) alongside form and radiance.","practical_application":"Train perception to admire steadiness and inner excellence, not only external charm; use stuti as a way to stabilize the mind in sattva."}
Subject Matter: ["Aesthetics in narrative","Virtue descriptors (steadfastness)","Character portrayal"]
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Type: sacred presence / darśana-sthāna
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 91.91.24 (niṣkāmatā reflection)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Close focus on Nārada’s astonished face as he beholds the goddess—her luminous complexion, poised posture, and youthful serenity dominating the frame.","item_prompts":["goddess with radiant halo (kānti)","upright, steady stance (dhairya)","Nārada with widened eyes, slight backward lean of wonder","soft light rays or aura patterns"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: exaggerated expressive eyes, strong halo, ornate jewelry; Nārada’s astonishment shown through stylized facial expression and hand gesture.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: heavy gold halo and ornaments emphasizing kānti; goddess centered, Nārada at side with raised hand in exclamation; rich arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant shading, delicate textiles, subtle glow around the goddess; Nārada’s expression refined rather than dramatic.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: lyrical, romantic palette; goddess on terrace with aura, Nārada in foreground with expressive posture and speech-scroll feel."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"wonder-struck praise","suggested_raga":"Bilahari","pace":"medium-fast on the repeated ‘aho’","voice_tone":"bright, animated, rising intonation with each exclamation"}
FAQs
It demonstrates a stylized Sanskrit praise-register (aho + noun), a common poetic device used to highlight exemplary qualities in Purāṇic character description.
No location is specified.
The verse implicitly values inner steadiness (dhairya) alongside outward qualities, presenting composure as a notable virtue.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
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.