Varaha Purana 73.14: Adhyaya 73, Shloka 14

Rudra’s Hymn: Vision of Nārāyaṇa, the Emergence of the Ādityas, and the Mutual Boon of Hari and Hara

Devanagari script

तावदङ्गुष्ठमात्रं तु ज्वलद्भास्करतेजसम् । तमेवाहं प्रपश्यामि तस्य नाभौ तु पङ्कजम् ॥ ७३.१४ ॥

Sanskrit recitationVaraha Purana 73.14

Transliteration

tāvad aṅguṣṭha-mātraṃ tu jvalad-bhāskara-tejasam | tam evāhaṃ prapaśyāmi tasya nābhau tu paṅkajam || 73.14 ||

Translation

അത്രവരെ ഞാൻ അവനെയേ കാണുന്നു—അംഗുഷ്ഠമാത്രം, ജ്വലിക്കുന്ന സൂര്യന്റെ തേജസ്സോടെ ദീപ്തം; അവന്റെ നാഭിയിൽ ഞാൻ താമരയും കാണുന്നു.

Ask anything about this verse...Ask

Word by Word

• tāvat: so far/as much as this

• aṅguṣṭha-mātram: thumb-sized (measure)

• tu: indeed/but

• jvalat: blazing

• bhāskara: sun

• tejasam: radiance/splendour

• tam: that (one/form)

• eva: only/just

• aham: I

• prapaśyāmi: I clearly see/behold

• tasya: of it/of him

• nābhau: in/on the navel

• paṅkajam: lotus

Speaker

Varāha (default 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":false,"speaker_role":"observer"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"The thumb-sized (aṅguṣṭha-mātra) blazing form with a navel-lotus compresses macrocosm into microcosm: the supreme person is subtle yet contains the seed of creation (lotus/Brahmā).","vedantic_connection":"Links to the ‘aṅguṣṭha-mātra puruṣa’ motif (inner self as subtle person) while retaining Vaiṣṇava cosmogony (nābhi-padma as creation-source)."}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"Microcosm–macrocosm theology","core_concept":"The infinite can appear in a subtle, graspable form without losing supremacy; creation is latent within the Lord (symbolized by the navel-lotus).","practical_application":"Use the nābhi-padma image as a dhyāna-support: contemplate the Lord as inner light and source of orderly manifestation; cultivate reverence for the causal ground behind phenomena."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Cosmology","Sacred Iconography","Philosophical Anthropology"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: Adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: Śānta

Geographic Context

Type: Inner-vision/cosmic iconography

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa: lotus-from-navel cosmogony motifs in creation narratives

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A blazing, thumb-sized divine figure appears; on its navel a lotus is clearly visible—suggesting the seed of creation within a concentrated theophany.","item_prompts":["tiny radiant figure (aṅguṣṭha-mātra)","sun-like blaze/tejas","navel-lotus (pankaja) prominently detailed","observer figure gazing in astonishment","dark backdrop to heighten radiance"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized miniature deity with intense circular halo; crisp lotus at navel; observer at side; bold color blocks and ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: miniature central deity with heavy gold radiance; embossed lotus at navel; rich jewelry and aureole; high contrast background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: nuanced glow around a small figure; finely painted lotus and facial features; contemplative observer expression.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: delicate miniature luminous figure against deep indigo; lotus rendered with fine petals; observer in quiet wonder, minimalistic setting."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"Awe-struck, luminous","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"Medium-slow","voice_tone":"Bright, hushed wonder with clear enunciation"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Cosmology
• Vaiṣṇavism
• Sanskrit Philology

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It preserves a Purāṇic cosmological motif—vision of a minute, radiant form and the lotus at the navel—attested across early Sanskrit narrative theology and iconographic traditions, useful for tracing intertextual transmission and ritual-art vocabulary.

Which geographic location is identified?

No specific geographic location is named in this verse; the imagery is cosmological and iconographic rather than topographical.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

The verse primarily conveys contemplative attention to subtle cosmological order rather than a direct ethical injunction; its philosophical instruction is observational—recognizing radiance and generative symbolism (the lotus) within a visionary framework.