Varaha Purana 24.23: Adhyaya 24, Shloka 23

The Birth of the Nāgas, Brahmā’s Curse, and the Pañcamī Observance

Devanagari script

अहं करोमि वो नागाः समयं मनुजैः सह । तदेकमनसः सर्वे शृणुध्वं मम शासनम् ॥ २४.२३ ॥

Sanskrit recitationVaraha Purana 24.23

Transliteration

ahaṃ karomi vo nāgāḥ samayaṃ manujaiḥ saha | tad-ekamanasaḥ sarve śṛṇudhvaṃ mama śāsanam || 24.23 ||

Translation

ഹേ നാഗങ്ങളേ, മനുഷ്യരോടൊപ്പം നിങ്ങള്ക്കായി ഞാൻ ഒരു കരാർ സ്ഥാപിക്കുന്നു. അതിനാൽ നിങ്ങൾ എല്ലാവരും ഏകമനസ്സോടെ എന്റെ ആജ്ഞ ശ്രവിക്കൂ.

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Word by Word

• ahaṃ: I

• karomi: I make/establish

• vaḥ: for you/your

• nāgāḥ: Nāgas (serpent-beings)

• samayam: agreement/compact

• manujaiḥ: with humans

• saha: together with

• tat: therefore/that

• eka-manasaḥ: of one mind, unified in intention

• sarve: all

• śṛṇudhvaṃ: listen (imperative, 2nd pl.)

• mama: my

• śāsanam: instruction/command/directive

Speaker

Varāha (defaulted per dialogue framework; speaker not explicit in excerpt)

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"rajaniti","instruction_summary":"The sovereign/divine authority establishes a binding compact (समय) and demands unified compliance for social peace.","karmic_consequence":"Obedience to the compact yields protection and stability; breach invites punishment, loss of privilege, and karmic downfall through adharma."}

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":"dharma as covenant","core_concept":"Dharma operates through shared commitments; unity of intention (एकमनस्) is required for rules to function.","practical_application":"For communal rules to work, cultivate collective buy-in and clarity of directive; avoid factionalism."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Governance","Social Order"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: śānta

Secondary Rasa: vīra

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic governance setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Varaha Purana 24.24.22 (request for maryādā); Varaha Purana 24.24.24-25 (allocation of realms and temporal discipline)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha (or a divine kingly form) addresses the Nāgas, proclaiming a compact with humans; the assembly listens with focused attention.","item_prompts":["Varāha as authoritative speaker (scepter/gesture of command)","Nāgas attentive in rows","symbolic ‘agreement’ (palm-leaf/scroll)","humans represented as a separate group","a boundary line motif between groups"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Varāha rendered with iconic boar head if desired, commanding hand gesture, Nāgas in disciplined rows, bold outlines and ornamental detailing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Varāha enthroned with gold aura, compact symbol held or shown, Nāgas and humans symmetrically placed, heavy ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant court composition, subtle expressions of obedience, refined textiles, gentle shading.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: storytelling tableau with clear group separation, lyrical lines, emphasis on the speaking gesture and attentive faces."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"authoritative and stabilizing","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"steady, directive, protective"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Narrative
• Vaishnavism
• Dharma-śāstra Motifs

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It reflects a Purāṇic motif of negotiated social order—formalizing a “samaya” (compact) between communities—framed as an authoritative directive within narrative governance.

Which geographic location is identified?

No geographic location is named in this verse fragment; it focuses on establishing an agreement and issuing instruction.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

The verse emphasizes collective alignment (“eka-manasaḥ”) and attentive compliance with a stated directive, presenting concord and disciplined listening as the practical ethical requirement.