Varaha Purana 171.46: Adhyaya 171, Shloka 46
Śuka’s Ocean Voyage: Adverse Winds, Arrival at a Viṣṇu Shrine, and Aid from the Jaṭāyu Birds
शुकेन मन्त्र मूढत्वात्पितुरेवं निवेदितम् ॥ अहं पक्षी लघुतनुर्भवन्तं नेतुमक्षमः ॥
śukena mantramūḍhatvāt pitur evaṃ niveditam || ahaṃ pakṣī laghutanur bhavantaṃ netum akṣamaḥ ||
Kerana terkeliru oleh mantra, Śuka menyampaikan kepada ayahnya demikian: “Aku seekor burung bertubuh ringan; aku tidak mampu membawa Ayah.”
Śuka (reported speech within narration; otherwise narrator in frame)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"observer"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"prayaschitta","instruction_summary":"Mantra-delusion (mantra-mūḍhatva) can impair judgment; one should truthfully report incapacity rather than attempt a dharmically risky act beyond one’s strength.","karmic_consequence":"Truthful admission prevents harm and accrues integrity (satya); reckless action under delusion leads to injury, failure of duty, and demerit from negligence (pramāda)."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"epistemic humility / dharma under limitation","core_concept":"Recognizing one’s svabhāva and śakti (capacity) is part of dharma; mantra-power without clarity can become moha, so satya and restraint are safeguards.","practical_application":"When spiritually/emotionally ‘confused,’ pause, consult elders/teachers, and communicate limits honestly rather than forcing outcomes."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics"]
Primary Rasa: karuṇa
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 171 (Śuka–father exchange; mantra motif within the narrative)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Śuka, depicted as a bird or bird-headed sage, speaks to his father with folded hands, confessing inability to carry him due to mantra-bewilderment; the father listens with gravity.","item_prompts":["Śuka as bird/sage","father-figure seated or standing","añjali gesture","subtle aura or mantra-script motif indicating confusion","light body imagery (feathers, slender form)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, stylized bird-sage Śuka with expressive eyes, muted background, emphasis on gesture and dialogue, minimal props with mantra glyphs faintly behind.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, ornate depiction of Śuka with gold accents on feathers/jewelry, father with halo-like arch, mantra letters as decorative border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined facial expressions, delicate feather detailing, soft interior setting, understated mantra motif.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style, intimate father-son dialogue under a tree or hermitage setting, lyrical lines, gentle colors, emphasis on humility."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"confessional, gentle, reflective","suggested_raga":"Kafi","pace":"vilambita (slow)","voice_tone":"soft, sincere, slightly tremulous on ‘akṣamaḥ’"}
FAQs
It illustrates a common Purāṇic device: reported speech explaining constraints, linking mantra-related causality with practical action in narrative.
No location is specified in this verse.
Truthful disclosure of one’s limitations and transparent communication within family/teacher relations.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple 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 word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.