Varaha Purana 81.41 — Adhyaya 81, Shloka 41

Description of the Divine Mountain Abodes: Meru, Devakūṭa, and Kailāsa

Devanagari script

मर्यादापर्वते देवकूटे पुरविन्यासः कीर्त्यते॥

Transliteration

maryādāparvate devakūṭe puravinyāsaḥ kīrtyate

Translation

ໃນພູແດນຂອບເຂດ ຄື ເທວະກູຕະ ໄດ້ກ່າວເຖິງການຈັດວາງຜັງເມືອງທັງຫຼາຍ।

Word by Word

• मर्यादा-पर्वते: on/at the boundary-mountain
• मर्यादा-पर्वते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मर्यादा + पर्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन

• देव-कूटे: at Devakūṭa (a named peak)
• देव-कूटे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + कूट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन

• पुर-विन्यासः: arrangement/laying-out of the city
• पुर-विन्यासः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुर + विन्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन

• कीर्त्यते: is described/is proclaimed
• कीर्त्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कीर्त् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), कर्मणि-प्रयोग (Passive), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Varāha

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"None","karmic_consequence":"None"}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"order-and-limitation (maryādā)","core_concept":"Maryādā (right boundary/measure) is protective: order arises when limits are honored—cosmically and socially.","practical_application":"Maintain maryādā in conduct and community planning: clear duties, restrained senses, and orderly living spaces that support sāttvika life."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Geography","Cosmology","Heritage Sites"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: parvata marking a limit/border; urban/city-plan zone

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 81 (Devakūṭa and adjacent regions)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A boundary mountain named Devakūṭa overlooking a planned grid of cities—walls, gates, and avenues laid out with cosmic symmetry.","item_prompts":["ridge-line boundary markers","planned city grid","gates and ramparts","processional roads","surveying/measurement motifs (cord, staff)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized city blocks with rhythmic repetition; Devakūṭa as a decorative green ridge; temple towers punctuating the plan.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: city plan as geometric gold-embossed pattern; prominent gateways; mountain as a gilded backdrop.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: detailed vāstu-like layout with fine lines; muted colors; emphasis on symmetry and clarity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: hillside towns in stepped terraces; boundary ridge above; delicate architectural outlines with soft washes."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructive, architectural","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"precise, explanatory"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Puranic Cosmography
• Sacred Geography
• Urban/Spatial Imaginaries

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It indicates an interest in spatial ordering (vinyāsa) within cosmographic narrative, relevant to how Purāṇic texts conceptualize boundaries and organized settlements.

Which geographic location is identified?

Devakūṭa is named as a ‘boundary mountain’ (maryādāparvata) within the chapter’s cosmographic framework; modern identification is uncertain.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

The verse suggests ordered spatial boundaries (maryādā) as a conceptual principle, but it does not state a direct moral injunction.