Varaha Purana 28.2: Adhyaya 28, Shloka 2
The Manifestation of Māyā as Durgā/Kātyāyanī and the Slaying of Vaitrāsura
Pūrva Bhāga · Narrative Genealogy and Royal Dharma Context
महातपा उवाच । आसीद् राजा पुरा राजन् सिन्धुद्वीपः प्रतापवान् । वरुणांशो महाराज सोऽरण्ये तपसि स्थितः ॥ २८.२ ॥
mahātapā uvāca | āsīd rājā purā rājan sindhudvīpaḥ pratāpavān | varuṇāṃśo mahārāja so 'raṇye tapasi sthitaḥ || 28.2 ||
mahAtapA uvAcha | AsId rAjA purA rAjan sindhudvIpaH pratApavAn | varuNAMsho mahArAja so.araNye tapasi sthitaH || 28.2 ||
മഹാതപാ പറഞ്ഞു—ഹേ രാജാവേ, പുരാതനകാലത്ത് സിന്ധുദ്വീപൻ എന്ന പ്രതാപശാലിയായ രാജാവ് ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു. ഹേ മഹാരാജാവേ, അവൻ വരുണന്റെ അംശമായിരുന്നു; വനത്തിൽ തപസ്സിൽ സ്ഥിരനായി വസിച്ചു।
Sandhi Notes
- सोऽरण्ये = सः + अरण्ये
- श्लोके ‘महातपा’ सम्बोधन-रूपेण अपि सम्भवति, अत्र वक्तृ-नामरूपेण प्रथमा ग्रहिता।
Mahātapā
FAQs
It exemplifies a common Purāṇic narrative device: introducing a royal figure with divine lineage and ascetic credentials, which frames subsequent teachings or events within an idealized model of kingship and discipline.
The verse names an 'araṇya' (forest) as the setting but does not specify a particular toponym; 'Sindhudvīpa' is a personal name and may also evoke associations with the Sindhu region in broader Sanskrit literature, though this verse alone does not allow a firm modern identification.
The verse foregrounds the ideal of disciplined conduct: even a powerful king is portrayed as 'established in tapas,' emphasizing self-restraint and moral cultivation as a foundation for authority.
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