Varaha Purana 136.24 — Adhyaya 136, Shloka 24

A Sūtra-like Manual of Expiations for Ritual Transgressions

Devanagari script

किं न बुध्यति चात्मानं गणैः परिवृतो भवान् ॥ किमिदं देवदेवेश विवर्णः पृथुलोचनः

Transliteration

kiṃ na budhyati cātmānaṃ gaṇaiḥ parivṛto bhavān || kim idaṃ devadeveśa vivarṇaḥ pṛthulocanaḥ

Translation

ഗണങ്ങളാൽ ചുറ്റപ്പെട്ടിട്ടും നീ നിന്റെ സ്വരൂപം തിരിച്ചറിയുന്നില്ലേ? ഹേ ദേവദേവേശാ, ഇതെന്ത്—നീ വർണ്ണം മങ്ങിയവനായി, വിശാലനേത്രനായി എന്തുകൊണ്ട്?

Word by Word

• kim: why/what

• na: not

• budhyati: understands/awakens to

• ca: and

• ātmānam: oneself

• gaṇaiḥ: by the gaṇas (attendant hosts)

• parivṛtaḥ: surrounded

• bhavān: you

• devadeveśa: O lord of the gods

• vivarṇaḥ: pale/discolored

• pṛthulocanaḥ: wide-eyed

Speaker

Varāha (default framework)

Varaha Avatara Context

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

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"Do you not recognize yourself though surrounded by your gaṇas? Why are you pale and wide-eyed, O Lord of gods?"}

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":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"The gaṇas signify delegated powers and retinue of functions; yet the lord’s self-forgetfulness shows that external supports cannot replace inner jñāna. Varāha’s role is to catalyze recollection (smṛti) and reintegration of power.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Gaṇas as ritual assistants; the ‘pale, wide-eyed’ sacrificer-lord indicates inauspicious disruption—Varāha’s questioning is the diagnostic prelude to restoring auspiciousness (śubha) for yajña.","vedantic_connection":"Self-recognition (ātma-pratyabhijñā) as the cure for disorientation; symptoms (vivarṇa, pṛthulocana) mark tamasic disturbance that must be cleared for right functioning."}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"psychology of delusion and recovery","core_concept":"Outer power and followers do not prevent inner collapse; restoration begins with honest inquiry into one’s state and remembrance of true nature.","practical_application":"Notice signs of inner imbalance (fear, pallor, agitation); seek corrective instruction and re-center before acting."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Ethics"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuṇa

Secondary Rasa: vīra

Geographic Context

Type: divine assembly within ritual-cosmic setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Continuation of Varāha’s awakening address (136.23–25)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rudra stands amid gaṇas, visibly pale and wide-eyed; Varāha questions him closely, as if diagnosing a sudden spiritual faintness; the gaṇas’ faces show alarm.","item_prompts":["Rudra with pale complexion","wide, startled eyes","gaṇas clustered protectively","Varāha leaning forward in inquiry","dimmed aura around Rudra"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: expressive wide eyes, stylized pallor; gaṇas as patterned figures; Varāha’s gesture of questioning prominent; strong color contrast to show loss of tejas.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold halo subdued around Rudra (less radiant), brighter around Varāha; embossed gaṇa ornaments; dramatic facial emphasis on eyes.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: nuanced pallor and emotion; careful rendering of gaṇas’ anxious expressions; restrained but clear divine setting.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: tight narrative grouping; Rudra central with startled gaze; gaṇas behind; Varāha at side with questioning hand gesture; minimal background to focus on emotion."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"concerned, interrogative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"empathetic, searching"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Vaishnavism

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It presents a diagnostic portrait of distress using embodied markers (color, eyes) alongside cognitive terms (budhyati), a common Purāṇic narrative strategy.

Which geographic location is identified?

No geographic identification occurs in this verse.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

It emphasizes self-recognition and composure—restoring awareness even amid social or institutional support (the gaṇas).