Varaha Purana 164.31 — Adhyaya 164, Shloka 31

The Efficacy of Circumambulating Annakūṭa

Govardhana

Devanagari script

स्वनाम्ना विदितं कुण्डं कृतं तीर्थमदूरतः ॥ राधाकुण्डमिति ख्यातं सर्वपापहरं शुभम् ॥

Transliteration

svanāmnā viditaṃ kuṇḍaṃ kṛtaṃ tīrthamadūrataḥ || rādhākuṇḍamiti khyātaṃ sarvapāpaharaṃ śubham ||

Translation

അവളുടെ സ്വന്തം നാമത്തിൽ അറിയപ്പെടുന്ന ഒരു കുളം സമീപത്തുതന്നെ തീർത്ഥരൂപത്തിൽ സ്ഥാപിക്കപ്പെട്ടു. അത് ‘രാധാകുണ്ഡം’ എന്നു പ്രസിദ്ധം; മംഗളകരവും സർവ്വപാപഹരവും ആകുന്നു.

Word by Word

• स्वनाम्ना: by (its/her) own name
• स्वनाम्ना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (स्वस्य नाम्ना)

• विदितम्: known
• विदितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विद् (धातु) → विदित (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (Past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘कुण्डम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• कुण्डम्: pond
• कुण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• कृतम्: made/created
• कृतम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) → कृत (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘कुण्डम्/तीर्थम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• तीर्थम्: holy place/pilgrimage spot
• तीर्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘कुण्डम्’ इत्यस्य समानााधिकरण

• अदूरतः: from nearby / not far away
• अदूरतः: Desha (देश/स्थान-सूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अदूर (प्रातिपदिक) → अदूरतस् (अव्ययीभाव/तसिल्)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb), अर्थः ‘अदूरात्/न दूरात्’

• राधाकुण्डम्: Rādhā’s pond (Rādhākuṇḍa)
• राधाकुण्डम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राधा + कुण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (राधायाः कुण्डम्)

• इति: thus; called
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/नामनिर्देश-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• ख्यातम्: renowned/known as
• ख्यातम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ख्या (धातु) → ख्यात (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘राधाकुण्डम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• सर्वपापहरम्: removing all sins
• सर्वपापहरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + पाप + हर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सर्वाणि पापानि हरति) विशेषणं ‘राधाकुण्डम्’

• शुभम्: auspicious
• शुभम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणं ‘राधाकुण्डम्’

Speaker

Varāha (default dialogic frame)

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious, receptive (listener in tīrtha-kathā frame)"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":true,"specific_site":"Rādhākuṇḍa","parikrama_context":"Implied as a near-by tīrtha to be visited in sequence within Vraja/Mathurā-maṇḍala tīrtha-yātrā.","krishna_connection":"Strong implicit Vraja-bhakti linkage via Rādhā’s name; anticipates Kṛṣṇa-līlā landscape where Rādhā is central."}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"tīrtha-śraddhā / nāma-mahattva","core_concept":"A sacred site becomes salvific through sanctified naming, remembrance, and proximity to divine līlā-field; pāpa is removable through contact with tīrtha.","practical_application":"Undertake tīrtha-yātrā with faith; perform snāna/ācamana and japa while contemplating the tīrtha’s name and sanctity."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Sacred Geography","Heritage Sites","Ritual Practice"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: śānta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: kuṇḍa (sacred pond)

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 164.37.0 (snāna-phala at Ariṣṭa & Rādhākuṇḍa)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene sacred pond with steps (ghāṭa), pilgrims approaching; the kuṇḍa is identified by an inscription or spoken proclamation as ‘Rādhākuṇḍa’, radiating auspiciousness.","item_prompts":["lotus-filled pond","stone ghāṭa steps","pilgrims with water-pots (kalaśa)","small shrine/marker naming Rādhākuṇḍa","trees of Vraja (kadamba/vaṭa)","soft dawn light signifying śubha"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: flat yet rich color fields; sacred pond with stylized lotuses; pilgrims in traditional attire; subtle divine aura around the kuṇḍa-name marker; ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central gleaming plaque/inscription ‘Rādhākuṇḍa’ with gold-leaf halo; symmetrical ghāṭa; jewel-toned lotuses; miniature shrine with gold highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework, muted elegance; reflective water surface; detailed textiles on pilgrims; gentle atmospheric perspective with Vraja trees.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: lyrical landscape with rolling groves; pale sky; the kuṇḍa nestled in nature; small figures bathing; emphasis on devotional serenity."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"reverential, descriptive (māhātmya-kathā)","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"clear, warm, gently emphatic on ‘Rādhākuṇḍam’ and ‘sarvapāpaharam’"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Vaishnavism
• Cultural Heritage
• Ancient Geography

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It documents a naming tradition for a sacred water-site, illustrating how Purāṇic texts function as cultural archives for pilgrimage topography.

Which geographic location is identified?

Rādhākuṇḍa is explicitly named; modern identification is not provided in the fragment, so the repository should record it as a canonical Purāṇic toponym.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

The verse frames purification as linked to place-based practices, encouraging disciplined engagement with culturally preserved heritage waterscapes.