Varaha Purana 82.11 — Adhyaya 82, Shloka 11

The Descent of the Rivers: The Sky-Gaṅgā and Her Fourfold Division

Devanagari script

एकत्रिंशद्योजनसहस्राणि आयामः चतुःशतविस्तीर्णम्।

Transliteration

ekatriṃśad-yojanasahasrāṇi āyāmaḥ catuḥśata-vistīrṇam.

Translation

അതിന്റെ നീളം മുപ്പത്തൊന്ന് ആയിരം യോജന; വീതി നാലുനൂറ് (യോജന).

Word by Word

• एकत्रिंशत्-योजनसहस्राणि: thirty-one thousand yojanas
• एकत्रिंशत्-योजनसहस्राणि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एकत्रिंशत् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + योजन + सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc. 1/2), बहुवचन (Pl.); संख्या-विशिष्ट-तत्पुरुषः: 'एकत्रिंशत् (31) योजनानां सहस्राणि'

• आयामः: length, extent
• आयामः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन (Sg.)

• चतुःशत-विस्तीर्णम्: spread to four hundred (yojanas) wide
• चतुःशत-विस्तीर्णम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुःशत (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + विस्तीर्ण (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc. 1/2), एकवचन (Sg.); तत्पुरुषः: 'चतुःशतेन (400) विस्तीर्णम्' (measure-qualifying adjective)

Speaker

Varāha

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor"}

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":"cosmic-order (ṛta) reflection","core_concept":"The cosmos is intelligible and structured; magnitude points to the immeasurable power behind measurable forms.","practical_application":"Use cosmographic recitation as a contemplative practice: let ‘vast numbers’ expand the mind beyond narrow self-concern."}

Subject Matter

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

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic region/river/landform measurement

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 82.10 (site description); Varāha Purāṇa 82.12 (Ketumālā janapadas)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A map-like depiction of an immense cosmic tract annotated with its length and breadth, as Varāha states the dimensions.","item_prompts":["cosmic map grid","inscribed numbers ‘31000 yojana’ and ‘400’","river/land strip elongated to show proportion","Varāha with teaching gesture"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: decorative cartographic panel with stylized borders, Varāha at side as narrator, inscriptions integrated into ornament.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gilded cartouche containing the measurements, symmetrical composition, Varāha framed by arch, embossed numerals/labels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined diagrammatic landscape with soft colors, clear calligraphy for measures, Varāha calm and instructive.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: miniature-style cosmographic scroll, elongated landform across the page, neat Devanagari labels, Varāha as small figure explaining."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"neutral, enumerative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"steady","voice_tone":"matter-of-fact, crisp articulation of numerals"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Ancient Geography
• Cosmography

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It exemplifies the Purāṇic practice of giving numerical dimensions for regions and features, useful for studying premodern South Asian cosmographic systems.

Which geographic location is identified?

The verse provides dimensions but does not unambiguously name the feature in this fragment; it belongs to the surrounding description of a specific region/river system.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

No direct ethical injunction is stated; the passage contributes to a descriptive worldview in which land and waters are systematically accounted for.