Varaha Purana 208.76 — Adhyaya 208, Shloka 76
Narration of the Exemplum of the Pativratā
Devoted Wife
एतन्मे संशयं राजन्कथयस्व तपोधन॥ राजोवाच॥ एष देवो महादेवि विवस्वान्नाम नामतः॥
etan me saṃśayaṃ rājan kathayasva tapodhana || rājovāca || eṣa devo mahādevi vivasvān nāma nāmataḥ ||
“Wahai raja, wahai permata pertapaan, jelaskanlah keraguanku ini.” Raja berkata: “Wahai Mahadewi, dewa ini bernama Vivasvān, yakni Surya (Matahari).”
Devī (first sentence), then King Janaka (rājovāca)
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":"questioner","bhu_devi_state":"curious; seeking clarification (saṃśaya)","key_question":"Who is this deity being referred to, and what is his identity/name?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
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":"theology/epistemic humility","core_concept":"Doubt (saṃśaya) is resolved through respectful inquiry and authoritative naming/identification (nāmākhyāna) of the devatā.","practical_application":"When uncertain about a sacred matter, ask directly with humility and seek precise identification rather than assumption."}
Subject Matter: ["Narrative Literature","Ethics","Theology (descriptive, non-sectarian)"]
Primary Rasa: jijñāsā
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: royal court/assembly
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 208.86-208.89 (continuation of the Sun’s arrival and request)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A courtly dialogue: a queen/devī-figure poses a doubt; King Janaka answers, identifying the deity as Vivasvān (the Sun).","item_prompts":["royal court (sabha) with pillars","Janaka seated with regal insignia","devī/queen in respectful posture","gesture of explanation (vyākhyāna-mudrā)","subtle solar emblem (disc/halo) indicating Vivasvān"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: flat yet ornate court interior, Janaka with stylized crown and large expressive eyes, devī in rich jewelry; a small golden sūrya-maṇḍala motif behind the implied deity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: Janaka and devī in frontal composition with heavy gold ornamentation; embossed sūrya-disc icon as a background medallion; rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework, soft shading; refined court scene with restrained gold highlights; subtle haloed sun-emblem near the dialogue focus.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: intimate palace chamber, cool palette; Janaka explaining to the devī; a small stylized sun in the upper corner as narrative cue."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"inquisitive, dignified","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear, didactic, courtly"}
FAQs
It illustrates the Purāṇic dialogue technique using formulaic speech markers (rājovāca) and honorific epithets to structure narration.
None is specified in this verse.
It emphasizes clarification of uncertainty through respectful questioning and truthful identification.
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