Varaha Purana 47.14 — Adhyaya 47, Shloka 14
The Rite of Śrāvaṇa Bright-Fortnight Dvādaśī (Dāmodara Worship) and the Exemplum of King Nṛga
तुरगस्य च हेतोस्तु निस्त्रिंशा वनचारिणः । राजानं सुप्तमासाद्य निगृहीतुं प्रचक्रमुः ॥ ४७.१४ ॥
turagasya ca hetos tu nistriṁśā vanacāriṇaḥ | rājānaṁ suptam āsādya nigṛhītuṁ pracakramuḥ || 47.14 ||
കുതിരയുടെ കാരണത്താൽ വാളുകൾ കൈയിൽ പിടിച്ച വനവാസികൾ ഉറങ്ങിക്കിടന്ന രാജാവിനെ സമീപിച്ച് പിടികൂടാൻ തുടങ്ങി।
Varāha (default narrative voice in the Varāha–Pṛthivī dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"rajaniti","instruction_summary":"A sleeping king is vulnerable; hostile forest-dwellers/bandits exploit lapses in royal vigilance, implying the duty of protection and watchfulness around royal assets (e.g., the sacrificial/royal horse).","karmic_consequence":"Neglect of royal security invites adharma, loss of sovereignty, and social disorder; vigilance preserves rājyadharma and subjects’ safety."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of power (rājyadharma)","core_concept":"Dharma requires alertness and protection of entrusted order; adharma often enters through negligence.","practical_application":"Maintain safeguards for dependents and public trust; do not let fatigue/comfort create openings for harm."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Heritage Sites","Political Narrative","Conflict and Kingship"]
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: bhayānaka
Type: araṇya/vanānta (wilderness margin)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 47.47.15-18 (protective goddess manifestation; inquiry; karmic backstory)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Forest-dwellers with drawn swords creep upon a sleeping king to seize him, motivated by the horse.","item_prompts":["sleeping king on a simple camp-bed","horse tethered nearby","bandits/vanacāriṇas with nistriṁśa swords","dark forest edge","tense stealth posture"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: dense green araṇya backdrop, stylized warriors with curved swords approaching a reclining king; dramatic but flat-perspective composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central sleeping king with ornate frame; attackers at margins; gold highlights on weapons and royal ornaments; deep jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: refined linework, subdued forest palette, chiaroscuro around the sleeping figure; crisp detailing of swords and horse tack.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: lyrical forest hillside, small figures in narrative sequence; emphasis on stealth and night atmosphere with cool colors."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"tense narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium-fast","voice_tone":"grave, suspenseful"}
FAQs
It reflects a common Purāṇic narrative motif: the vulnerability of political authority in liminal spaces (the forest), a setting frequently used in Sanskrit literature to stage tests of kingship, order, and social boundaries.
No specific toponym is named in this verse; the setting is indicated generally as the forest (vana), a conventional narrative landscape rather than a uniquely identifiable site.
The verse presents a cautionary narrative moment emphasizing vigilance and the instability of power when protective order is absent; it does not state an explicit moral injunction but supports an ethical theme of prudent governance and awareness.
Ask anything about this verse
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