Varaha Purana 32.22 — Adhyaya 32, Shloka 22
Dharma as the Bull-Form: Soma’s Transgression and the Institution of the Thirteenth Lunar Day Observance
त्वमात्मा सर्वभूतानां सतां सत्त्वस्वरूपवान् । राजसानां रजस्त्वं च तामसानां तम एव च ॥ ३२.२३ ॥
tvam ātmā sarvabhūtānāṃ satāṃ sattvasvarūpavān | rājasānāṃ rajastvaṃ ca tāmasānāṃ tama eva ca || 32.23 ||
ನೀನು ಸರ್ವಭೂತಗಳ ಆತ್ಮ; ಸತ್ಪುರುಷರಲ್ಲಿ ನೀನು ಸತ್ತ್ವಸ್ವರೂಪ. ರಾಜಸ ಗುಣವಂತರಲ್ಲಿ ನೀನೇ ರಜಸ್ಸು, ತಾಮಸ ಗುಣವಂತರಲ್ಲಿ ನೀನೇ ತಮಸ್ಸು.
Varāha (default, instructor voice in Varāha–Pṛthivī dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"dialogue","earth_interaction":"Continues instruction to Pṛthivī by mapping the Lord’s immanence as ātman and as the operative presence within the three guṇas."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious/reflective (receiving guṇa-ātman teaching)","key_question":"How can the one Supreme be the Self of all beings while appearing as sattva, rajas, and tamas in different dispositions?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Yajña-Varāha as cosmic person: the Lord is the inner self of beings and the functional principle behind guṇic differentiation—one reality expressing as multiple qualities without losing unity.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Not explicit; guṇa-triad functions as a conceptual ‘threefold band’ of prakṛti through which the one ātman is reflected in conduct and temperament.","vedantic_connection":"Sāṃkhya-influenced Purāṇic synthesis: īśvara as ātman/antaryāmin while prakṛti’s guṇas condition empirical experience; points toward guṇa-transcendence through knowledge and devotion."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"guṇa-ontology & ethics","core_concept":"The Lord is the Self of all; guṇas describe modes of manifestation in beings, not a limitation of the Supreme.","practical_application":"Cultivate sattva (purity, clarity) through diet, conduct, and worship; recognize rajas/tamas as conditions to be transformed, while maintaining compassion for all beings as sharing one ātman."}
Subject Matter: ["Cosmology","Ethics","Philosophy (Guṇas and Ātman)"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: jñāna (didactic)
Type: philosophical/psychocosmic
Related Themes: 32.32.22 (nothing exists apart from you); 32.32.24 (symbolic/ritualized body description that can be read through guṇa/yajña lenses)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teaching vision: the Lord as luminous inner Self behind three panels or streams labeled sattva, rajas, tamas, with different beings embodying each mode while sharing one inner light.","item_prompts":["central inner light/ātman motif","three color streams (white/gold for sattva, red for rajas, dark/blue-black for tamas)","figures representing sage/king/slothful being","Varāha/Viṣṇu as instructor with calm gaze"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: bold tri-color guṇa bands behind the Lord, stylized figures in each band, strong symmetry, sacred ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold central ātman radiance, embossed tri-band guṇa backdrop, jeweled detailing; three attendant figures in distinct hues.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: subtle gradations for guṇas, refined faces, soft glow indicating shared Self, elegant didactic composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: lyrical triptych-like background washes, delicate figures, central white glow, minimal iconographic clutter."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative instruction","suggested_raga":"Kalyāṇi (Yaman)","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"measured, analytical, with clear articulation of ‘sattva/rajas/tamas’"}
FAQs
It reflects a common Purāṇic synthesis in which a supreme principle is described as immanent in beings while also being expressible through the Sāṃkhya-style guṇas (sattva, rajas, tamas), illustrating cross-pollination between devotional and philosophical vocabularies.
No geographic location is named in this verse; it is primarily a doctrinal statement about the Self and the guṇas.
The verse frames moral and psychological dispositions (sattva/rajas/tamas) as meaningful categories for self-understanding, implying that ethical cultivation involves increasing sattva (clarity, balance) and reducing the dominance of rajas and tamas.
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