Varaha Purana 32.17: Adhyaya 32, Shloka 17
Dharma as the Bull-Form: Soma’s Transgression and the Institution of the Thirteenth Lunar Day Observance
Pūrva Bhāga · Pr̥thivī-uddhāra / Deva-asura saṃvāda (cosmic stabilization motif)
इदानीं तोषयध्वं वै सर्व एव सुरासुराः । येन स्थितिर्वो भवति समं देवासुरा इति ॥ ३२.१८ ॥
idānīṃ toṣayadhvaṃ vai sarva eva surāsurāḥ | yena sthitir vo bhavati samaṃ devāsurā iti || 32.18 ||
idAnIM toShayadhvaM vai sarva eva surAsurAH | yena sthitirvo bhavati samaM devAsurA iti || 32.18 ||
ഇപ്പോൾ നിങ്ങളെല്ലാവരും—ദേവന്മാരും അസുരന്മാരും—സന്തോഷം വരുത്തുക; അതിനാൽ നിങ്ങളുടെ നില സ്ഥിരമാകും, ദേവാസുരർക്കും സമമായി।
Sandhi Notes
- स्थितिर्वो = स्थितिः वः
- देवासुरा = देव-असुराः (द्वन्द्व)
- ‘सर्वे’ here functions as address along with ‘सुरासुराः’
Varāha
Stability is achieved through making amends to the injured dharma, not through victory over the other side; order is inclusive (samam) rather than factional.
In disputes, prioritize restitution and repair to the harmed party/principle; design solutions that stabilize the whole system, not just one camp.
The verse frames dharma as the condition for cosmic equilibrium: stability (sthiti) is not partisan but shared; propitiation is a ritual-ethical technology for restoring order.
Implicit yajña-logic (toṣaṇa/propitiation) rather than Varāha anatomy: satisfaction of the sustaining principle restores balance among cosmic stakeholders.
Harmony arises when actions align with sustaining order; ‘sthiti’ suggests preservation (sthiti) function—ethics as the substrate of cosmic maintenance.
All parties (even opposing groups) should perform ‘toṣaṇa’—propitiation/restitution to the wronged principle/person—so that collective stability is restored.
Restitution yields ‘sthiti’ (stability, equilibrium) for all; neglect perpetuates imbalance and conflict between devas and asuras.
32.32.19 (collective stuti following the instruction); 32.32.17 (Dharma’s affliction as cause)
FAQs
It reflects a common Purāṇic narrative strategy: cosmic stability (sthiti) is presented as contingent on correct conciliatory or ritual action, framed within deva–asura discourse to universalize the instruction across rival groups.
No geographic location is named in this verse; the focus is on social-cosmic equilibrium rather than sacred geography.
The verse emphasizes restoring or maintaining stability through appeasement/conciliation, presenting an ethic of equilibrium and orderly coexistence even among opposing parties.
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