Varaha Purana 90.9: Adhyaya 90, Shloka 9
Description of the Threefold Goddess-Power and Brahmā’s Hymn to Sṛṣṭi
Pūrva Bhāga · Names and Forms of Devī as Speech/Knowledge (Sarasvatī Motif)
वागीशेति समाख्याता क्वचिद्देवी सरस्वती । सैव विद्येश्वरी देवी सैव क्वाप्यमिताक्षरा । सैव ज्ञानविधिः क्वापि सैव देवी विभावरी ॥
vāgīśeti samākhyātā kvacid devī sarasvatī | saiva vidyeśvarī devī saiva kvāpy amitākṣarā | saiva jñāna-vidhiḥ kvāpi saiva devī vibhāvarī ||
vAgIsheti samAkhyAtA kvachid devI sarasvatI | saiva vidyeshvarI devI saiva kvApyamitAkSharA | saiva j~nAnavidhiH kvApi saiva devI vibhAvarI
ചിലിടങ്ങളിൽ അവൾ ‘വാഗീശി’ എന്നു പ്രസിദ്ധ, മറ്റിടങ്ങളിൽ ദേവി ‘സരസ്വതി’ എന്നു. അവൾ തന്നെയാണ് വിദ്യാധീശ്വരി ദേവി; അവൾ തന്നെയാണ് ചിലിടങ്ങളിൽ ‘അമിതാക്ഷരാ’ എന്നു വിളിക്കപ്പെടുന്നത്. അവൾ തന്നെയാണ് ചിലിടങ്ങളിൽ ജ്ഞാനവിധി; അവൾ തന്നെയാണ് ദേവി ‘വിഭാവരി’.
Sandhi Notes
- वागीशेति = वागीशी + इति
- क्वचिद्देवी = क्वचित् + देवी
- क्वाप्यमिताक्षरा = क्वापि + अमिताक्षरा
- ज्ञानविधिः = ज्ञान-विधिः (समास)
Varāha
Attentive, contemplative (receiving theological-hermeneutic teaching)
How can one goddess be understood through multiple names/epithets, and what do those names signify about knowledge and speech?
One goddess is designated by many epithets corresponding to functions: speech (Vāgīśā), learning (Sarasvatī/Vidyā-īśvarī), imperishable syllable (Amitākṣarā), and the ordinance/method of knowledge (Jñāna-vidhi).
In stotra, japa, and study, treat differing names as context-sensitive pointers to one śakti; choose epithets aligned with the intended sādhana (learning, mantra, illumination).
Instructional address within the Varāha–Bhū dialogue frame.
Varāha as teacher frames a śabda-brahman style theology: the many names (nāma) are functional manifestations of one śakti that governs vāk (speech), akṣara (syllable), and jñāna-vidhi (the method/ordinance of knowing).
Implicit: akṣara as the indestructible ‘syllable’ underlying mantra; vāk as the ritual medium through which yajña and knowledge operate.
Leans toward non-dual/qualified-nondual hermeneutics: one reality/śakti apprehended through multiple upādhis and nāma-rūpa; echoes the idea of akṣara as imperishable ground of meaning.
Varāha Purāṇa 90.90.4-7 (continuation on names, triadic form, and pervasion)
FAQs
It documents a Purāṇic strategy of equivalence—multiple names and functions are cataloged to express a single underlying principle (speech/knowledge).
No explicit location is identified; kvacit/kvāpi indicate variation across traditions or contexts rather than a place-name.
The verse promotes intellectual humility and inclusivity of traditions by recognizing diverse names and formulations for a shared concept.
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