Varaha Purana 193.5: Adhyaya 193, Shloka 5

Naciketas’ Journey to Yama’s Abode and the Eulogy of Truthfulness

Devanagari script

कुरूणां पश्चिमो राजा पश्चात्तापेन पीडितः ॥ व्यासशिष्यमुपागम्य प्रश्नमेनमपृच्छत ॥

Sanskrit recitationVaraha Purana 193.5

Transliteration

kurūṇāṃ paścimo rājā paścāttāpena pīḍitaḥ || vyāsaśiṣyam upāgamya praśnam enam apṛcchata

Translation

കുരുക്കളുടെ പിന്നീടുള്ള രാജാവ് പശ്ചാത്താപം മൂലം പീഡിതനായി വ്യാസന്റെ ശിഷ്യനെ സമീപിച്ച് ഈ ചോദ്യം ചോദിച്ചു.

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Word by Word

• kurūṇām: of the Kurus

• paścimaḥ: later, subsequent (also ‘western’ by context, but here ‘later’ fits genealogy)

• rājā: king

• paścāttāpena: by remorse/repentance

• pīḍitaḥ: afflicted

• vyāsa: Vyāsa

• śiṣya: disciple

• upāgamya: approaching

• praśnam: question

• enam: him

• apṛcchata: asked

Speaker

Narrator (contextual narration)

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"observer"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}

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":"ethics of repentance and inquiry","core_concept":"Paścāt-tāpa becomes dharmic when it turns into seeking right knowledge from a qualified teacher rather than despair.","practical_application":"When burdened by wrongdoing, approach a learned guide, ask precise questions, and accept corrective disciplines."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Historical Dharma-shastra"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuṇa

Secondary Rasa: śānta

Geographic Context

Type: itihāsa-linked royal setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa: lead-in to karma-phala and Yama-loka description (193.6–193.8)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Janamejaya, a Kuru king, visibly remorseful, approaches Vaiśampāyana (Vyāsa’s disciple) with humility to ask a question.","item_prompts":["kingly attire subdued (remorse)","folded hands (añjali)","Vaiśampāyana with ascetic marks and manuscript","court retinue kept at distance to emphasize humility"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: expressive eyes and hand-gestures; king with muted regal ornaments; sage with calm, symmetrical posture; stylized trees and lamp-lit āśrama.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: sage as central icon-like figure with gold halo; king kneeling at lower right; gold detailing on throne/āsana borders; minimal but rich composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined shading; emphasis on textiles and restrained ornamentation; emotional contrast—king’s bowed head vs. sage’s steady gaze.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: narrative court-to-forest edge; delicate figures; soft landscape; the king’s remorse shown by lowered eyes and slightly bent posture."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"penitential, attentive","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"madhyama (medium-slow)","voice_tone":"hushed reverence, with clear articulation on paścāt-tāpa and praśna."}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Narrative
• Itihāsa Linkages

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It aligns the Varāha Purāṇa’s discourse with broader Itihāsa transmission lines (Vyāsa → disciple), echoing the scholastic framing used in epic-era narrative traditions.

Which geographic location is identified?

No explicit location is named here; the verse focuses on lineage and the act of inquiry.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

Repentance is presented as a catalyst for seeking authoritative guidance, linking inner moral reflection to formal questioning and learning.