Varaha Purana 125.6 — Adhyaya 125, Shloka 6
The Cycle of Māyā
Illusory Causation and Perceptual Reversal
ज्ञातुमिच्छामि मायार्थं रहस्यं परमुत्तमम् ॥ ततस्तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा विष्णुर्मायाकरण्डकः ॥
jñātum icchāmi māyārthaṃ rahasyaṃ paramuttamam | tatas tasya vacaḥ śrutvā viṣṇur māyākaraṇḍakaḥ ||
Aku ingin memahami makna māyā—rahsia yang paling luhur dan utama ini. Lalu setelah mendengar kata-katanya, Viṣṇu, yang menampung māyā bagaikan dalam peti, pun bersiap untuk menjawab.
Pṛthivī (first pāda), Narrator (second pāda)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"earth_interaction":"Earth declares her desire to know the supreme secret; narration then depicts Viṣṇu as ‘māyā-karaṇḍaka’, poised to respond—teacher preparing to instruct (or to set limits)."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"questioner","bhu_devi_state":"deeply curious, reverent, seeking the ‘paramottama rahasya’; intent on comprehension rather than debate.","key_question":"I want to know the true meaning of māyā—this highest mystery."}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"‘Māyā-karaṇḍaka’ portrays the Lord as the container/master of māyā—māyā is not ultimate but held, bounded, and governed by the Supreme.","vedantic_connection":"Supports theistic Vedānta: māyā/śakti is dependent (paratantra) on Brahman/Īśvara; the Lord remains untouched while wielding it as upādhi for creation and pedagogy."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"Theology of divine power (śakti)","core_concept":"Māyā is a ‘mystery’ not because it is independent, but because it is the Lord’s governed power—subtle, pervasive, and not grasped by ordinary categories.","practical_application":"Approach metaphysical topics with humility; treat ‘mystery’ as an invitation to disciplined listening (śravaṇa) rather than speculative overreach."}
Subject Matter: ["Philosophy","Narrative framing","Metaphysics (māyā)"]
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: mythic-cosmic discourse space
Related Themes: Narrative transition into Viṣṇu/Varāha’s reply (pratyuvāca sequence follows)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Bhu Devi expresses a solemn vow-like desire to know; the narrator’s lens shifts to Viṣṇu/Varāha, depicted as holding a small jeweled casket symbolizing māyā.","item_prompts":["Bhu Devi earnest posture","Viṣṇu/Varāha with a small casket (karaṇḍaka) in hand","subtle swirling veil/light emerging from casket","halo and calm teacherly gaze"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Viṣṇu/Varāha holding a stylized karaṇḍaka; decorative aura motifs; Bhu Devi attentive; earthy greens and reds.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-leaf karaṇḍaka with gem inlay; radiant halo; layered gold patterns as māyā’s shimmer; Bhu Devi in devotional stance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant, restrained depiction of the casket as symbolic prop; soft gradients; emphasis on narrative shift (two-part composition).","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: poetic symbolism—small casket with luminous mist; delicate figures; spacious background suggesting mystery."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"mysterious yet serene","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"measured, slightly hushed on ‘rahasya’"}
FAQs
It combines direct speech and narrative transition, a hallmark of Purāṇic redactional style, and preserves a rare epithet (māyākaraṇḍaka) for Viṣṇu.
No location is identified; the verse is a narrative pivot into explanation.
It presents knowledge-seeking (jñātum icchāmi) as a legitimate pursuit when approached as disciplined inquiry into a 'rahasya' rather than as mere speculation.
Ask anything about this verse
A free Google sign-in keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Varaha Purana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.