Varaha Purana 6.15 — Adhyaya 6, Shloka 15
The Puṇḍarīkākṣapāraka Hymn and Puṣkara Tīrtha: The Account of King Vasu’s Release from Sin
शरण्यं शरणं देवं विष्णुं जिष्णुं सनातनम् । नीलमेघप्रतीकाशं नमस्ये चक्रपाणिनम् ॥ ६.१५ ॥
śaraṇyaṁ śaraṇaṁ devaṁ viṣṇuṁ jiṣṇuṁ sanātanam | nīlamegha-pratīkāśaṁ namasye cakrapāṇinam || 6.15 ||
शरणागतांचा आश्रय, खरा शरण, देव विष्णु—जिष्णु, सनातन—नील मेघासारख्या तेजाचा, चक्रधारी प्रभूस मी नमस्कार करतो।
Varāha (default speaker per dialogue framework; not explicit in fragment)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"The refuge motif (śaraṇa) and cakra-bearing iconography are later central to Kṛṣṇa as protector; still, no Mathurā-specific marker appears."}
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":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"devotional theology","core_concept":"Śaraṇāgati: Viṣṇu is both the one who grants refuge and the refuge itself; eternity (sanātana) grounds trust.","practical_application":"Adopt śaraṇāgati in crisis and daily life: remember the Cakrapāṇi as protector; align actions with reliance on dharma rather than fear."}
Subject Matter: ["Theology (Vaiṣṇava iconography)","Devotional Literature","Philosophical Refuge (śaraṇa concept)"]
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: None
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 6.6.12-14, 6.6.16 (same hymn sequence)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dark rain-cloud-hued Viṣṇu holding the discus, approached as the ultimate refuge—an intimate devotional darśana.","item_prompts":["nīlamegha complexion","cakra in hand (sudarśana)","añjali-mudrā devotee","gentle protective stance"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: deep blue-green Viṣṇu with bright red/orange garment, prominent cakra, calm protective eyes; devotee at feet in surrender.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: richly ornamented Cakrapāṇi with gold-leaf halo, dark-blue body, raised cakra gleaming; ‘śaraṇa’ mood via kneeling devotee.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: classical temple-icon feel, balanced proportions, subtle cloud-like shading on skin, cakra rendered with crisp geometry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: romantic monsoon palette, Viṣṇu as cloud-dark protector near a stylized sky, tender surrender posture of devotee."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"surrendering, reassuring","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"warm, comforting, steady emphasis on ‘śaraṇyam śaraṇam’"}
FAQs
It exemplifies a common Purāṇic archival feature: a devotional invocation (stuti) that frames the narrative voice and anchors the text in recognizable Vaiṣṇava epithets and iconography.
No geographic location is named in this verse; it is primarily an invocation describing Viṣṇu’s attributes.
A philosophical instruction of seeking refuge (śaraṇa) in an ideal of protection and permanence—articulated here through the language of reverence and the concept of a dependable protector (śaraṇya).
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