Varaha Purana 81.32 — Adhyaya 81, Shloka 32

Description of the Divine Mountain Abodes: Meru, Devakūṭa, and Kailāsa

Devanagari script

ताम्राभे तक्षकस्य पुरशतम्॥

Transliteration

tāmābhe takṣakasya puraśatam

Translation

‘താമ്രാഭ’ എന്ന ശിഖരത്തിൽ തക്ഷകന്റെ നൂറ് കോട്ടനഗരങ്ങൾ ഉണ്ട്।

Word by Word

• ताम्राभे: in/at Tām्रābha (the copper-hued place)
• ताम्राभे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताम्राभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—कर्मधारयः (ताम्रः + आभः/आभा ‘copper-coloured/with copper lustre’)

• तक्षकस्य: of Takṣaka
• तक्षकस्य: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तक्षक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• पुरशतम्: a hundred cities (forts)
• पुरशतम्: कर्म/विधेय (Karma/Predicate nominal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुर + शत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc. 1st/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (पुराणां शतम् = ‘a hundred cities/forts’)

Speaker

Varāha

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious, slightly wary (Nāga/ Takṣaka association)","key_question":"None (implicit: where are the Nāga strongholds located?)"}

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":false}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"liminality-and-power","core_concept":"Not all power is luminous; some is hidden, subterranean, and ambivalent—yet still part of cosmic order.","practical_application":"Approach hidden forces (fear, desire, secrecy) with vigilance and discipline; integrate them ethically rather than denying their existence."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Cosmology","Geography","Heritage Sites"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: mountain peak / nāga stronghold in puranic cosmography

Cross References

Related Themes: Varaha Purana 81 (continuation of mountain/city catalogues)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A copper-hued mountain peak (Tāmābha) crowned with many fortified nāga-citadels, with Takṣaka’s presence implied or shown as a majestic serpent-king.","item_prompts":["copper/bronze-toned mountain","multiple forts/citadels (repetition to imply ‘hundred’)","serpent-king Takṣaka with jeweled hood","subterranean entrances/caves","guards with nāga insignia"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: rich copper and green palette; Takṣaka as ornate nāga with gem-studded hood; forts stylized along the ridge; dramatic yet controlled composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Takṣaka centered with heavy gold ornamentation; citadels as gilded miniatures; copper mountain rendered with warm tones and gold highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant nāga-king with detailed jewelry; atmospheric mountain; forts carefully drawn with fine architectural lines.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: poetic mountain scene with warm mineral hues; Takṣaka emerging near a cave-mouth; small forts dotting the ridge under a pale sky."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"mysterious, weighty","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow-medium","voice_tone":"grave, slightly hushed to suggest hidden realms"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Vaishnavism
• Ancient Geography
• Puranic Cosmography

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It exemplifies the Purāṇic catalog style, mapping mythic-polity (puras/citadels) onto a cosmographic landscape, useful for studying how early Sanskrit texts organized sacred space.

Which geographic location is identified?

Tāmābha is presented as a named peak/region within the Meru mountain complex in Purāṇic cosmography; it is not securely identifiable with a single modern location.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

No explicit ethical injunction appears; the verse functions primarily as a descriptive register of inhabited sacred geography.