Varaha Purana 149.69 — Adhyaya 149, Shloka 69

The Sacred Geography and Merit of Dvārakā

Devanagari script

बहुमत्स्यजलाकीर्णं सर्वतस्तु फलान्वितम् ॥ शिलातलगुहाच्छन्नं सुगन्धिकुसुमैः सह

Transliteration

bahumatsyajalākīrṇaṃ sarvatas tu phalānvitam || śilātalaguhācchannaṃ sugandhikusumaiḥ saha

Translation

അത് ധാരാളം മത്സ്യങ്ങളാലും ജലത്താലും നിറഞ്ഞിരിക്കുന്നു; എല്ലാടവും ഫലസമൃദ്ധമാണ്—ശിലാതലവും ഗുഹകളും കൊണ്ട് മൂടപ്പെട്ടത്, സുഗന്ധപുഷ്പങ്ങളോടുകൂടി।

Word by Word

• bahu-matsya-jala-ākīrṇam: filled with much water (and) fish
• bahu-matsya-jala-ākīrṇam: Karta (कर्ता) — विशेषणरूपेण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu (प्रातिपदिक) + matsya (प्रातिपदिक) + jala (प्रातिपदिक) + √kṝ (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: समासान्त विशेषण; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• sarvatas: on all sides / everywhere
• sarvatas: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarvatas (अव्यय)
• Form: दिक्कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb)

• tu: but / indeed
• tu: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वयार्थक निपात (particle)

• phala-anvitam: endowed with fruits
• phala-anvitam: Karta (कर्ता) — विशेषणरूपेण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: phala (प्रातिपदिक) + anvita (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• śilā-tala-guhā-channam: covered with rocky ground and caves
• śilā-tala-guhā-channam: Karta (कर्ता) — विशेषणरूपेण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śilā (प्रातिपदिक) + tala (प्रातिपदिक) + guhā (प्रातिपदिक) + √chad (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: समासान्त विशेषण; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• sugandhi-kusumaiḥ: with fragrant flowers
• sugandhi-kusumaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su-gandhi (प्रातिपदिक) + kusuma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• saha: together with
• saha: Sahārtha (सहार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: सह-योगे अव्यय, तृतीयाविभक्त्यर्थसहचर्य

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":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious, attentive to sacred-geographic description","key_question":"What is the nature and sacred character of this described landscape/tīrtha?"}

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":"sacred-ecology / dharma of place","core_concept":"Natural plenitude and fragrance are signs of a tīrtha’s sattvic potency and inherited merit","practical_application":"Approach such places with restraint and reverence; treat ecology as part of sacred heritage (do not pollute, overfish, or damage caves/flowers)"}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Ecological Narratives","Geography","Heritage Sites"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: tīrtha landscape (water-body with rocky caves/forest edge)

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 149 (tīrtha/natural-site description sequence)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene sacred lake/pond teeming with fish, ringed by fruit-laden trees; rocky shelves and cave-mouths nearby; air thick with fragrant blossoms.","item_prompts":["clear water with many fish","fruit trees on all sides","rocky ground/stone ledges","cave entrances","clusters of fragrant flowers","soft light suggesting sanctity"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized sacred pond with rhythmic fish patterns, dense fruiting trees, rock-caves rendered in flat decorative planes, floral fragrance suggested by curling motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central gleaming water-body with embossed fish motifs, gold-highlighted fruit trees and blossoms, ornate rocky cave frames with jewel-like detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework for fish and ripples, nuanced greens for orchards, softly shaded rock-caves, refined floral accents.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: lyrical hillside pond scene, bright fish in translucent water, flowering trees and caves with crisp contours, airy perspective and gentle palette."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative-descriptive","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"soft, clear, wonder-tinged"}

Tags

• Aquatic Ecology
• Sacred Landscape
• Purāṇic Natural Description

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It documents a composite eco-topography (aquatic life, fruit-bearing abundance, rocky and cave terrain), valuable for environmental humanities approaches to Sanskrit textual landscapes.

Which geographic location is identified?

No explicit toponym is stated; the verse describes environmental attributes rather than naming a site.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

By portraying biodiversity and habitat features as noteworthy, the verse implicitly supports a conservation-minded appreciation of integrated ecosystems.