Varaha Purana 167.27 — Adhyaya 167, Shloka 27
The Glory of the Viśrānti Tīrtha and the Account of a Rākṣasa’s Liberation
विश्रामं कुरुते तत्र तेन विश्रान्तिसंज्ञिता ॥ राक्षसस्य वचः श्रुत्वा विप्रो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥
viśrāmaṃ kurute tatra tena viśrāntisaṃjñitā || rākṣasasya vacaḥ śrutvā vipro vacanam abravīt
Dia beristirahat di sana; maka tempat itu dinamakan ‘Viśrānti’. Setelah mendengar kata-kata rākṣasa itu, sang brāhmana pun berkata sebagai jawapan.
Narrator (implicit); dialogue turn to Vipra
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"Why is the tīrtha called ‘Viśrānti’ (what is the etymological cause)?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":true,"specific_site":"Viśrānti-tīrtha","parikrama_context":"Etymology serves as a mnemonic for pilgrims; implies the site’s role as a resting/pausing point in Mathurā’s sacred circuit, though parikramā is not directly stated.","krishna_connection":"‘He reposes there’ aligns with Vāsudeva/Kṛṣṇa presence traditions in Mathurā, anticipating later kṣetra-theology."}
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":"sacred etymology as upāsanā","core_concept":"Etymology (nirukti-like explanation) is used devotionally: the name encodes the deity’s līlā/guṇa, turning geography into contemplative practice.","practical_application":"When visiting or hearing of a tīrtha, meditate on the name’s meaning as a form of smaraṇa; let ‘rest/repose’ become inner śānti."}
Subject Matter: ["Sacred Geography","Etymology","Dialogue Structure"]
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: jijnasa
Type: tīrtha/ghāṭ as ‘place of repose’
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 167.27-28 (māhātmya hearing and Vāsudeva linkage)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The etymology is stated: the Lord rests there, hence ‘Viśrānti’; the scene pivots as the brāhmaṇa prepares to respond after hearing the rākṣasa.","item_prompts":["river ghāṭ labeled ‘Viśrānti’","suggested resting-place motif (seat/śayyā)","brāhmaṇa turning to speak","rākṣasa listening","gesture indicating explanation"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: brāhmaṇa in speaking mudrā, rākṣasa attentive, river/ghāṭ band with name, calm palette emphasizing repose.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted name-plaque ‘Viśrānti’, ornate ghāṭ steps, brāhmaṇa with manuscript mid-speech, devotional symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: poised dialogue moment, detailed ghāṭ architecture, subtle serene lighting to convey ‘repose’.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: gentle riverside conversation, minimal architecture, emphasis on expressive faces and the quiet meaning of rest."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic-serene","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"calm, explanatory; slight pause after the etymology before the dialogue handover."}
FAQs
It exemplifies Purāṇic folk-etymology (nirukti-style explanation) used to sacralize geography and make place-names memorable.
Viśrānti-tīrtha is explicitly defined by an etymology tied to ‘rest’ (viśrāma).
The passage promotes attentive listening and orderly turn-taking in discourse, presenting knowledge as dialogically verified.
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