Varaha Purana 167.2 — Adhyaya 167, Shloka 2
The Glory of the Viśrānti Tīrtha and the Account of a Rākṣasa’s Liberation
पृथिव्युवाच ॥ किमर्थं राक्षसेनोक्ता संज्ञा विश्रान्तिसंज्ञिता ॥ किमर्थं पृष्टवान्विप्रः सर्वं कथय मे प्रभो ॥
pṛthivī uvāca || kimarthaṃ rākṣasenoktā saṃjñā viśrāntisaṃjñitā || kimarthaṃ pṛṣṭavān vipraḥ sarvaṃ kathaya me prabho ||
पृथिवी म्हणाली— राक्षसाने सांगितलेली ती संज्ञा ‘विश्रान्ति’ असे का म्हणतात? आणि त्या विप्राने कोणत्या कारणाने विचारले? हे प्रभो, सर्व मला सांगा।
Pṛthivī
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"Bhū-devī directly questions Varāha, requesting the full explanation of the name ‘Viśrānti’ and the motives of the rākṣasa and brāhmaṇa—an explicit teacher–student exchange."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"questioner","bhu_devi_state":"curious, investigative, eager for complete understanding","key_question":"Why is the designation called ‘Viśrānti’; why did a rākṣasa speak it; and why did the brāhmaṇa inquire—what is the full story and its meaning?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":true,"specific_site":"Viśrānti (Viśrānti-ghāṭa/tīrtha implied)","parikrama_context":"Her question frames the site as a meaningful stop within kṣetra movement—‘rest’ as both physical halt and spiritual repose during pilgrimage circuits.","krishna_connection":"The name ‘Viśrānti’ naturally aligns with later Kṛṣṇa-kathā of resting after heroic deeds in Mathurā; the inquiry invites that layered kṣetra-memory."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"None","karmic_consequence":"None"}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"‘Viśrānti’ (rest) can be read as a spiritual metaphor: the jīva seeks viśrānti in brahman/viṣṇu; Bhū-devī’s inquiry turns geography into a pointer toward inner cessation of saṃsāric fatigue.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Rest as completion of ritual exertion: after yajña, there is śānti/viśrānti; the tīrtha-name hints at śānti-phala analogous to ritual pacification.","vedantic_connection":"Upaśama/śānti as marks of realization: the question invites a teaching where true ‘rest’ is cessation of craving and fear, culminating in mokṣa."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"hermeneutics of sacred place-names","core_concept":"Names (saṃjñā) are not arbitrary; they encode dharmic causality and spiritual function, prompting inquiry (jijñāsā) as a virtue.","practical_application":"Cultivate respectful questioning in scripture study and pilgrimage; ask ‘why this name/rite?’ to convert travel into transformative understanding."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Narrative framing","Terminology (saṃjñā)"]
Primary Rasa: jijñāsā (knowledge-seeking)
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: tīrtha/ghāṭa (implied)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa: continuation of the Viśrānti-nāma-kathā immediately following this question
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Bhū-devī, earnest and inquisitive, addresses Varāha with folded hands and questioning gaze; the background suggests a riverbank ghāṭa labeled ‘Viśrānti’ as the topic of inquiry.","item_prompts":["Bhū-devī in añjali","Varāha attentive teacher stance","speech-gesture indicating questions","river ghāṭa steps","inscription/banner with ‘Viśrānti’"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: expressive Bhū-devī questioning, Varāha poised to answer, stylized ghāṭa and river behind, strong outlines and warm tones emphasizing dialogue.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Bhū-devī and Varāha with gold halos, ornate riverbank architecture, decorative text panel ‘Viśrānti’, rich jewel colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined facial expressions highlighting inquiry, gentle river scene, balanced composition with subtle ornamentation.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate conversational scene with lyrical riverbank, delicate gestures, emphasis on the emotional nuance of curiosity and reverence."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"inquiring, attentive","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"clear, questioning inflection, respectful"}
FAQs
It exemplifies the Purāṇic dialogic method in which a personified entity (Pṛthivī) prompts an explanatory narrative, a common technique for embedding ethical and geographic lore.
No location is specified in this verse; it functions as a question introducing a narrative explanation.
The verse foregrounds inquiry and clarification—ethical teaching is prepared through careful definition of terms and reasons (kimartham).
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