Varaha Purana 48.25 — Adhyaya 48, Shloka 25
The Kalki Dvādaśī Observance and the Episode of King Viśāla
इह जन्मनि राजा असौ राज्यं कृत्वा इयाद् वनम् । यज्ञैश्च विविधैरिष्ट्वा परं निर्वाणमाप्तवान् ॥ ४८.२५ ॥
iha janmani rājā ’sau rājyaṁ kṛtvā iyād vanam | yajñaiś ca vividhair iṣṭvā paraṁ nirvāṇam āptavān || 48.25 ||
ഈ ജന്മത്തിലേ തന്നെ ആ രാജാവ് രാജ്യം ഭരിച്ചു വനത്തിലേക്ക് പോയി. വിവിധ യജ്ഞങ്ങൾ അനുഷ്ഠിച്ച് പരമ നിർവാണം പ്രാപിച്ചു.
Varāha (default, speaker not explicit in fragment)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"observer"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"rajaniti","instruction_summary":"A king should rule righteously, then withdraw to the forest (vānaprastha motif), perform sacrifices, and aim for final release.","karmic_consequence":"Righteous governance followed by disciplined renunciation and yajña leads to ‘parama nirvāṇa’; failure implies continued saṃsāra and loss of the highest good."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"āśrama-dharma and soteriology","core_concept":"Integration of pravṛtti (ruling/ordering society) and nivṛtti (withdrawal/renunciation) culminating in liberation (nirvāṇa).","practical_application":"Fulfill social duty without attachment, then intentionally shift to austerity, ritual discipline, and contemplative life aimed at release."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Kingship (Rājadharma)","Renunciation (Vānaprastha/Saṁnyāsa motifs)","Soteriology (Liberation/Nirvāṇa)"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Type: āśrama-setting (vānaprastha/renunciant landscape)
Related Themes: 48.48.24 (cakravartin fruit of observance, followed here by renunciant culmination)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king completes his reign, leaves the palace for the forest, performs varied yajñas, and attains serene liberation.","item_prompts":["king laying down crown or handing over throne","forest hermitage (kuṭīra), sacred fire altar","offerings (samidh, ghee ladle)","a calm, radiant aura indicating nirvāṇa/peace"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: transition tableau—palace to forest; vivid yajña fire with priests; final panel with the king in meditative stillness, haloed, amid stylized foliage.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-leaf emphasis on yajña fire and halo; king in saffron garments; ornate arch framing the ‘forest-āśrama’ scene.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant renunciation scene with soft lighting; detailed yajña implements; subdued, contemplative finish.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: mountain-forest hermitage with delicate trees; king-turned-ascetic by a small fire altar; airy composition suggesting release."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative, concluding","suggested_raga":"Bhairavī","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"grave, serene, with a soft cadence on ‘parama nirvāṇam’"}
FAQs
It reflects a widespread Purāṇic and Dharmaśāstra-era ideal: a ruler completes worldly duties (governance and ritual patronage) and then turns toward renunciation, presenting a culturally influential model of life-stages and ethical governance.
No specific place-name is given in this verse; “vanam” indicates the archetypal ‘forest’ setting associated with withdrawal from courtly life rather than a uniquely identifiable geographic site.
The verse presents an ethical trajectory from responsible worldly rule to disciplined withdrawal and spiritual pursuit, emphasizing that public duty and personal liberation are framed as sequential aims within an idealized life-course.
Ask anything about this verse
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