Varaha Purana 17.17: Adhyaya 17, Shloka 17
King Prajāpāla’s Visit to Sage Mahātapā’s Hermitage and the Doctrinal Praise of Nārāyaṇa
ततः कृतासनो राजा प्रणम्य ऋषिपुङ्गवम् । पप्रच्छ वसुधे प्रश्नमिमं परमदुर्लभम् ॥ १७.१७ ॥
tataḥ kṛtāsano rājā praṇamya ṛṣipuṅgavam | papraccha vasudhe praśnam imaṁ paramadurlabham || 17.17 ||
Kemudian raja, setelah duduk di tempatnya, bersujud kepada yang terunggul di antara para resi, lalu bertanya (wahai Vasudhā) soalan ini yang amat sukar diperoleh.
Narrator (contextual verse introducing the king’s inquiry; speaker not explicit in the fragment)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"observer","bhu_devi_state":"curious","key_question":"An exceedingly rare question is about to be posed—framed as a precious inquiry worthy of sages."}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"instruction_summary":"Knowledge should be sought with humility—sit properly, bow to the guru/sage, then inquire.","karmic_consequence":"Humble inquiry leads to right instruction and merit; arrogant questioning obstructs learning and yields confusion."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"epistemic discipline (jijñāsā-vidhi)","core_concept":"Right knowledge begins with right approach—reverence, readiness, and a well-formed question.","practical_application":"Before seeking counsel, cultivate humility, listen, and ask a single pointed question aimed at the highest good."}
Subject Matter: ["Dialogue Frame","Ethics","Knowledge Transmission"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: teaching space (guru-sannidhi)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa: dialogue framing conventions (Varāha–Pṛthivī model)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The king, now seated, bows to the foremost sage and prepares to ask a rare, weighty question.","item_prompts":["king seated on low seat","sage seated on kusa mat","praṇāma gesture","quiet audience/disciples optional","scroll/palm-leaf optional"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Formal guru-sannidhi composition; king in añjali; sage centered; minimal props; rhythmic foliage borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Gold halo accents for sage; king’s crown subdued; emphasis on the moment before speech—hands folded, heads inclined.","mysore_prompt":"Elegant interior-hermitage blend; nuanced facial expressions; soft light on bowed king.","pahari_prompt":"Intimate miniature: king leaning forward; sage calm; sparse background with symbolic trees."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"anticipatory, reverent","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"measured, slightly suspenseful narrative"}
FAQs
It exemplifies a common Purāṇic pedagogical structure: a ruler approaches a sage with reverence, establishing authority, transmission of knowledge, and the social ideal of learned counsel.
No specific geographic site is named in this verse; it functions as a narrative transition into a forthcoming question.
The verse foregrounds epistemic humility and respectful inquiry—knowledge is approached through reverence toward learned teachers and careful questioning.
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