Varaha Purana 180.2 — Adhyaya 180, Shloka 2
The Glory of Dhruva-Tīrtha: Rules of Ancestor Libations and Śrāddha, and the Consequences of Lineage-Continuity
अस्यां पुर्यां तु राजा आसीद्धार्मिकः सत्यविक्रमः ॥ चन्द्रसेनेति नाम्ना च यज्वा दानहिते रतः
asyāṁ puryāṁ tu rājāsīd dhārmikaḥ satyavikramaḥ || candraseneti nāmnā ca yajvā dānahite rataḥ
या नगरीत एक राजा होता—धार्मिक, सत्य पराक्रमी—चंद्रसेन नावाचा; तो यज्ञ करणारा आणि दान-कल्याणात रत होता।
Varāha
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"Varāha continues the didactic narrative for Bhū-devī, introducing a dhārmika king as exemplar within the tīrtha-episode."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"attentive","key_question":"None"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"rajaniti","instruction_summary":"Ideal kingship is characterized by dharma, satya-vikrama (truthful valor), yajña-performance, and dāna for public good.","karmic_consequence":"Such rājadharma yields fame, stability, and merit; deviation leads to decline and loss of dharmic legitimacy (implied by exemplar framing)."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethical exemplar (dharma embodied)","core_concept":"Dharma is not abstract: it is enacted through truthful courage, sacrificial responsibility, and generosity oriented to loka-hita.","practical_application":"Leaders should combine integrity (satya), courage (vikrama), ritual responsibility (yajña), and philanthropy (dāna) for social welfare."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Heritage Sites"]
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: puri / nagara
Related Themes: Dhruva-tīrtha narrative arc (king as protagonist)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A righteous king Candrasena is introduced—regal, composed—associated with sacrifice and charitable giving.","item_prompts":["king on throne or in court","royal insignia (crown, parasol)","yajña altar with fire","priests with ladles","dāna scene (gifting cows/coins/cloth)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized royal court; king with dignified stance; small vignette of yajña fire and dāna; bold outlines and warm tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: opulent king with gold embellishments; embossed throne and ornaments; miniature yajña-kuṇḍa and dāna recipients with gold highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined palace interior; king portrayed with subtle shading; detailed yajña implements and orderly dāna distribution.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: hill-style court scene with narrative panels—king’s yajña and charity—bright textiles and delicate faces."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative-praiseful","suggested_raga":"Śrī","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"steady, dignified"}
FAQs
It provides a classic Purāṇic ‘exemplary king’ profile—linking sovereignty with yajña and dāna—useful for studying normative political ethics in Sanskrit narrative.
The verse references “this city” without naming it; the location must be inferred from the broader Dhruva-tīrtha narrative context.
It promotes an ethical model of rulership grounded in righteousness, ritual responsibility, and public welfare through generosity.
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