Varaha Purana 167.4 — Adhyaya 167, Shloka 4
The Glory of the Viśrānti Tīrtha and the Account of a Rākṣasa’s Liberation
पुण्यतीर्थं समासाद्य न च स्नानं करोति सः ॥ वेदवेदाङ्गरहितः परदाररतः सदा ॥
puṇyatīrthaṃ samāsādya na ca snānaṃ karoti saḥ || vedavedāṅgarahitaḥ paradārarataḥ sadā ||
ಪುಣ್ಯತೀರ್ಥವನ್ನು ತಲುಪಿದರೂ ಅವನು ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವನು ವೇದ-ವೇದಾಂಗಗಳಿಂದ ವಂಚಿತನಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಸದಾ ಪರಸ್ತ್ರೀಯಲ್ಲಿ ಆಸಕ್ತನಾಗಿದ್ದನು.
Varāha
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"concerned","key_question":"What is the spiritual consequence of reaching a tīrtha yet refusing its prescribed observances, and of living without Vedic discipline while committing adultery?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"prayaschitta","instruction_summary":"At a tīrtha one should perform snāna and allied observances; neglect of tīrtha-dharma plus parastrī-gamana (adultery) constitutes grave adharma requiring expiation.","karmic_consequence":"Disrespect to tīrtha and sexual misconduct destroy accumulated merit and invite severe karmic retribution; expiation and reform are implied as the only remedy."}
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":"karma-śuddhi (purification)","core_concept":"Sacred places and rites are effective only when met with śraddhā and self-restraint; knowledge without conduct—or conduct without restraint—fails dharma.","practical_application":"When visiting tīrthas, perform prescribed snāna with intention; cultivate brahmacarya-like restraint within gārhasthya; seek instruction rather than living ‘Veda-less’ by choice."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Heritage sites (tīrtha)","Education (Vedic learning)"]
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: pilgrimage ford / sacred bathing place
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 167 (tīrtha and conduct theme continues)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim site with clear water; the brāhmaṇa stands at the bank refusing to bathe, while scenes hint at his lack of learning and illicit desire.","item_prompts":["tīrtha river/kuṇḍa","steps/ghāṭa","brāhmaṇa turning away from water","unrolled palm-leaf texts absent/ignored","shadowy motif of forbidden liaison"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: luminous blue-green water at ghāṭa; brāhmaṇa in white, arms folded, refusing snāna; symbolic side-panel of temptation; strong narrative clarity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted ghāṭa architecture; stylized water; brāhmaṇa with proud stance; small moral vignette framed like a medallion; ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: delicate rendering of rippling water and stone steps; restrained depiction of moral lapse through gesture and spacing; Varāha as narrator in upper corner.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: lyrical riverside with trees; brāhmaṇa at bank, water shimmering; subtle narrative of transgression suggested through distant figures; soft pastels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"cautionary, grave","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"stern, reflective"}
FAQs
It reflects a normative linkage between pilgrimage culture, learning traditions (Veda/vedāṅga), and social conduct in Purāṇic moral storytelling.
A ‘puṇya-tīrtha’ is mentioned generically here; no specific site-name is given in this verse.
Neglect of customary observances and learning, coupled with sexual misconduct, is presented as a composite pattern of ethical failure.
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