Varaha Purana - Adhyaya 44
Varaha PuranaAdhyaya 4419 Shlokas

Adhyaya 44: The Vaiśākha Bright-Twelfth Observance: Worship of Hari as Jāmadagnya and Its Fruits

Vaiśākha-śukla-dvādaśī-vrata (Jāmadagnya-Hari-pūjā) phala-kathana

Ritual-Manual (Vrata-vidhi) with Phalaśruti Narrative

Dalam rangka pengajaran Varāha–Pṛthivī, bab ini menghuraikan tatacara vrata Dvādaśī (hari kedua belas) pada separuh terang bulan Vaiśākha serta keberkesanannya melalui teladan raja. Setelah mandi penyucian dan bernazar, pengamal pergi ke kuil lalu memuja Hari dengan rangkaian seruan/nyāsa pada anggota tubuh (pāda, udara, kaṭi, bāhu, kaṇṭha, śiras). Kemudian didirikan bekas bertutup (ghaṭa) dan Hari dipratishtha dalam bejana khas (vaiṇava-pātra), dibayangkan bertangan kanan memegang paraśu, serta dipersembahkan wangian dan bunga. Disusuli berjaga malam (jāgara) dan ketika matahari terbit memberi persembahan serta dana kepada brāhmaṇa. Kisahnya menyebut Raja Vīrasena yang tidak beranak, nasihat Yājñavalkya bahawa Dvādaśī ini mengurniakan putera dengan sedikit kesukaran, lalu lahirlah Nala; turut dihuraikan ganjaran selepas wafat—berdiam di Brahmaloka, ditemani apsara—serta kembalinya kedaulatan, menegaskan disiplin ritual dan ekonomi sedekah sebagai penstabil masyarakat dan pemelihara bumi.

Key Concepts

Vaiśākha-śukla-dvādaśī-vrata (lunar calendrics and seasonal discipline)Hari as Jāmadagnya (iconography with paraśu; body-part nyāsa-style praise)Mandira-gamana, snāna, pūjā, jāgara (ritual sequence and vigilance)Ghaṭa-vinyāsa and vastra-veṣṭana (vessel installation and covering)Brāhmaṇa-nivedana (dāna and redistribution ethics)Putrārthitā and royal legitimacy (lineage continuity via vrata)Phalaśruti (this-worldly and other-worldly reward structure)Eco-ethical framing via regulated resource use (water, flowers, fragrances) and social reciprocity

In this adhyaya

People

  • VarahaSpeaksVarāha (instructional voice; with Durvāsas referenced as a narratorial authority in the tradition of the passage)
  • PrithiviSpeaksListensPṛthivī (Earth)

What happens

  1. How it opens

    Within the Varāha-Pṛthivī upadeśa frame, the chapter opens as a vrata-vidhi for Vaiśākha śukla-dvādaśī, presenting disciplined calendrical conduct (snāna, saṅkalpa, mandira-gamana) as a stabilizing dharmic technology for householders and rulers alike.

  2. Stories within

    King Vīrasena’s childlessness and quest for an heir; Yājñavalkya’s counsel prescribing the Vaiśākha śukla-dvādaśī observance; Birth of Nala as the vrata’s fruit; Postmortem ascent to Brahmaloka and enjoyment with apsarases followed by renewed fortune/sovereignty

  3. The turning point

    A stepwise worship of Hari in the form/epithet Jāmadagnya is taught: bodily-part invocations (pāda, udara, kaṭi, bāhu, kaṇṭha, śiras) accompany pūjā; a covered ghaṭa is installed; Hari is established in a special vaiṣṇava vessel (vaiṇava-pātra) and iconographically fashioned holding a paraśu; fragrance and flowers are offered; an all-night jāgara is observed; at sunrise, brāhmaṇa-nivedana (gift/feeding) completes the rite.

  4. How it ends

    The efficacy is dramatized through King Vīrasena’s crisis of childlessness and Yājñavalkya’s counsel that this dvādaśī yields a son with minimal hardship; the rite is performed and the desired heir, Nala, is born, restoring lineage continuity and royal legitimacy.

Tirthas

No explicit toponyms are provided in these verses. Ecological/ritual setting is implied: devālaya (temple precinct), snāna context (water-source implied), and Brahmaloka as a cosmological locale.

  • DevalayaDevālaya (temple precinct)
  • Snana-settingSnāna-setting (water-source implied)
  • Brahmalokacosmological realm
Recitation with translationVaraha Purana Adhyaya 44

Shlokas in Adhyaya 44

Verse 1

दुर्वासा उवाच । वैशाखेऽप्येवमेवं तु संकल्प्य विधिना नरः । तद्वत् स्नानादिकं कृत्वा ततो देवालयं व्रजेत् ॥ ४४.१ ॥

Durvāsā berkata: “Dalam bulan Vaiśākha juga, setelah membuat saṅkalpa demikian menurut tatacara yang ditetapkan, seseorang hendaklah melakukan mandi dan amalan-amalan yang berkaitan dengan cara yang sama; kemudian pergilah ke kuil.”

Verse 2

तत्राराध्य हरिं भक्त्या एभिर्मन्त्रैर्विचक्षणः । जामदग्न्याय पादौ तु उदरं सर्वधारिणे । मधुसूदनायेति कटिमुरः श्रीवत्सधारिणे ॥ ४४.२ ॥

Di sana, pengamal yang arif hendaklah menyembah Hari dengan bhakti melalui mantra-mantra ini: menyebut “Jāmadagnya” bagi kedua kaki; menyebut “Yang Menanggung segala-galanya” (Sarvadhāriṇe) bagi perut; dan menyebut “Madhusūdana” bagi pinggang serta dada—Dia pemegang tanda Śrīvatsa.

Verse 3

क्षत्रान्तकाय च भुजौ मणिकण्ठाय कण्ठकम् । स्वनाम्ना शङ्खचक्रौ तु शिरो ब्रह्माण्डधारिणे ॥ ४४.३ ॥

Dan (hendaklah) diperuntukkan kedua-dua lengan kepada Kṣatrāntaka, perhiasan leher kepada Maṇikaṇṭha; sangkha dan cakra disebut menurut nama masing-masing; dan kepala kepada Pemegang brahmāṇḍa, telur kosmik alam semesta.

Verse 4

एवमभ्यर्च्य मेधावी प्राग्वत् तस्याग्रतो घटम् । विन्यस्य स्थगितं तद्वद् वस्त्रयुग्मेन वेष्टितम् ॥ ४४.४ ॥

Setelah melakukan pemujaan demikian, orang bijaksana, seperti sebelumnya, hendaklah meletakkan sebuah kendi air di hadapannya; kendi itu juga hendaklah ditutup dan dibalut dengan sepasang kain.

Verse 5

वैणवेन तु पात्रेण तस्मिन् संस्थापयेद्धरिम् । जामदग्न्येति विख्यातं नाम्ना क्लेशविनाशनम् ॥ ४४.५ ॥

Kemudian, dengan menggunakan bejana Vaiṣṇava, hendaklah Hari diinstal di dalamnya—Hari yang masyhur dengan nama “Jāmadagnya”, suatu nama yang dikatakan memusnahkan kleśa, yakni segala penderitaan batin.

Verse 6

दक्षिणे परशुं हस्ते तस्य देवस्य कारयेत् । सर्वगन्धैश्च सम्पूज्य पुष्पैर्नानाविधैः शुभैः ॥ ४४.६ ॥

Pada tangan kanan dewa itu hendaklah dibuatkan sebuah kapak (paraśu); dan setelah dipuja dengan segala jenis wewangian, hendaklah dipersembahkan pula pelbagai bunga yang suci dan membawa berkat.

Verse 7

ततस्तस्याग्रतः कुर्याज्जागरं भक्तिमान्नरः । प्रभाते विमले सूर्ये ब्राह्मणाय निवेदयेत् । एवं नियमयुक्तस्य यत्फलं तन्निबोध मे ॥ ४४.७ ॥

Kemudian, seorang yang berbhakti hendaklah berjaga (berjaga malam) di hadapannya. Pada waktu fajar, ketika matahari tampak jernih dan suci, hendaklah dipersembahkan (persembahan itu) kepada seorang brāhmaṇa. Sekarang dengarlah daripadaku apakah hasil yang diperoleh oleh orang yang berdisiplin dengan niyama dan amalan demikian.

Verse 8

आसीद् राजा महाभागो वीरसेनो महाबलः । अपुत्रः स पुरा तीव्रं तपस्तेपे महौजसा ॥ ४४.८ ॥

Pada suatu masa dahulu ada seorang raja yang amat bertuah dan sangat perkasa, bernama Vīrasena. Dahulu baginda tidak mempunyai putera, lalu baginda menjalankan tapa yang keras dengan ojas, yakni tenaga rohani yang agung.

Verse 9

चरस्तत्तपो घोरं याज्ञवल्क्यो महामुनिः । आजगाम महायोगी तं दृष्ट्वा नातिदूरतः ॥ ४४.९ ॥

Ketika Yājñavalkya, maha muni, sedang menjalankan tapa yang dahsyat itu, seorang mahāyogī datang menghampiri; setelah melihatnya dari jarak yang tidak jauh, dia pun mendekat.

Verse 10

तमायान्तमथो दृष्ट्वा ऋषिं परमवर्चसम् । कृताञ्जलिपुटो भूत्वा राजाभ्युत्थानमाकरॊत् ॥ ४४.१० ॥

Ketika itu, melihat ṛṣi yang sedang datang—yang bercahaya luar biasa—raja pun merapatkan kedua tangan dalam hormat lalu bangkit untuk menyambutnya.

Verse 11

स पूजितो मुनिः प्राह किमर्थं तप्यते तपः । राजन् कथय धर्मज्ञ किं ते कार्यं विवक्षितम् ॥ ४४.११ ॥

Setelah dihormati dengan sewajarnya, sang muni berkata: “Atas tujuan apakah tapa ini dilakukan? Wahai raja, engkau yang mengetahui dharma, katakanlah: apakah hajat yang hendak engkau nyatakan?”

Verse 12

राजोवाच । अपुत्रोऽहं महाभाग नास्ति मे पुत्रसन्ततिः । तेन मे तप आस्थाय क्रिष्यते स्वतनुर्द्विज ॥ ४४.१२ ॥

Raja berkata: “Wahai yang berbahagia, aku tidak mempunyai putera; tiada zuriat putera bagiku. Maka aku menempuh tapa, dan tubuhku sendiri, wahai yang dua kali lahir, menjadi semakin susut.”

Verse 13

याज्ञवल्क्य उवाच । अलं ते तपसाऽनेन महाक्लेशेन पार्थिव । अल्पायासेन ते पुत्रो भविष्यति न संशयः ॥ ४४.१३ ॥

Yājñavalkya berkata: “Cukuplah bagimu tapa ini, wahai raja, dengan kesusahan yang besar. Dengan usaha yang sedikit sahaja, seorang putera akan lahir bagimu—tiada syak lagi.”

Verse 14

राजोवाच । कथं मे भविता पुत्रोऽल्पायासेन वै द्विज । एतन्मे कथय प्रीतो भगवन् प्रणतस्य ह ॥ ४४.१४ ॥

Raja berkata: “Wahai yang dua kali lahir, bagaimana aku akan memperoleh putera dengan usaha yang sedikit? Ceritakanlah kepadaku dengan berkenan, wahai tuan yang mulia, kepada aku yang telah tunduk berserah.”

Verse 15

दुर्वासा उवाच । एवमुक्तो मुनिस्तेन पार्थिवेन यशस्विना । आचख्यौ द्वादशीं चेमां वैशाखे सितपक्षजाम् ॥ ४४.१५ ॥

Durvāsā berkata: Setelah ditegur demikian oleh raja yang termasyhur itu, sang resi pun menjelaskan amalan Dvādaśī ini, yang jatuh pada paruh terang bulan Vaiśākha.

Verse 16

स हि राजा विधानॆन पुत्रकामो विशेषतः । उपोष्य लब्धवान् पुत्रं नलं परमधार्मिकम् । योऽद्यापि कीर्त्यते लोके पुण्यश्लोको नरोत्तमः ॥ ४४.१६ ॥

Raja itu, yang sangat menginginkan putera, melaksanakan upacara menurut ketetapan dan berpuasa, lalu memperoleh seorang putera bernama Nala, yang amat luhur dharmanya. Hingga kini beliau dipuji di dunia sebagai insan utama, termasyhur dengan kemuliaan yang berpunca daripada kebajikan.

Verse 17

प्रासङ्गिकं फलं ह्येतद्गतस्यास्य महामुने । सुपुत्रो जायते वित्तविद्यावान्कान्तिरुत्तमा ॥ ४४.१७ ॥

Wahai maha resi, inilah benar-benar hasil sampingan bagi orang yang telah sampai (atau menempuh amalan) itu: lahir seorang putera yang baik; ia dikurniai harta dan ilmu; serta terpancar cahaya/seri yang unggul.

Verse 18

इह जन्मनि किं चित्रं परलोके शृणुष्व मे । कल्पमेकं ब्रह्मलोके वसित्वाऽप्सरसां गणैः ॥ ४४.१८ ॥

Apakah yang menghairankan dalam kehidupan ini? Dengarlah daripadaku tentang alam yang lain: setelah tinggal selama satu kalpa di Brahmaloka, (ia hidup) bersama rombongan para apsara.

Verse 19

क्रीडत्यन्ते पुनः सृष्टौ चक्रवर्ती भवेद् ध्रुवम् । त्रिंशत्यब्दसहस्राणि जीवते नात्र संशयः ॥ ४४.१९ ॥

Pada penghujung zaman, apabila ciptaan muncul kembali, dia pasti menjadi cakravartin (raja pemerintah sejagat). Dia hidup selama tiga puluh ribu tahun—tiada keraguan tentangnya.

Inside Adhyaya 44

Tirtha focus

  • Pilgrimage MeritNo named tīrtha is specified; merit is attached to correct timing (Vaiśākha śukla-dvādaśī), temple-based worship, night-vigil, and sunrise brāhmaṇa-nivedana, yielding both worldly (putra, rājya-sthiratā) and otherworldly (Brahmaloka) fruits.

Ritual instructions

  • Primary RitualVaiśākha-śukla-dvādaśī vrata: worship of Hari as Jāmadagnya with ghaṭa-vinyāsa, vaiṣṇava-pātra-sthāpana, jāgara, and brāhmaṇa-nivedana.
  • BenefitPutra-prāpti (especially for childless couples/householders), alleviation of hardship through disciplined observance, reinforcement of royal/household stability, and elevated postmortem rewards (Brahmaloka, apsaras-company), culminating in renewed prosperity/sovereignty.

The narrative frame

  • Dialogue ToneDidactic and procedural (vrata-manual) with exemplary persuasion via royal case-study and expansive phalaśruti.

Closing phalashruti

The phalaśruti expands from immediate putra-prāpti to postmortem ascent (Brahmaloka sojourn, apsaras-company) and a return to renewed sovereignty/fortune, presenting vrata + dāna as a reciprocal economy that sustains social order and, by implication, Earth’s well-being through regulated conduct.

The emotional journey

  • Dominant RasaŚānta (devotional composure) with a strong undercurrent of Vīra (royal resolve) and Karuṇa shifting to Harṣa (from anxiety to joy).
  • Emotional ProgressionRitual sobriety and restraint → tension of childlessness/legitimacy crisis → confidence through sage’s prescription → intensified devotion via jāgara → sunrise release and gifting → joy of progeny and assurance of cosmic reward.

Planning a pilgrimage

  • Visit FeasibilityText does not mandate a named tīrtha; the observance is feasible at any reputable Viṣṇu temple or home shrine with proper purity, timing, and capacity for brāhmaṇa-nivedana. For travel, choose a major Vaiṣṇava kṣetra to amplify communal observance and access to learned brāhmaṇas.
  • Best SeasonVaiśākha (typically April–May) during śukla-pakṣa; plan for dvādaśī with an overnight stay to keep jāgara and complete sunrise rites.
  • Related FestivalVaiśākha śukla-dvādaśī (often aligned with regional Dvādaśī/Viṣṇu observances; local temple calendars may pair it with special Viṣṇu pūjās and night vigils).

Frequently Asked Questions

The text frames disciplined ritual practice (snāna, pūjā, jāgara, and dāna) as a structured form of ethical self-regulation that yields social goods—especially lineage continuity and stable kingship—while promoting orderly resource use and reciprocity through offerings and brāhmaṇa-nivedana.

The observance is specified for Vaiśākha during the bright fortnight (śukla-pakṣa), explicitly on dvādaśī (the twelfth lunar day). The rite culminates at prabhāta when the sun is clear (vimala sūrya), indicating a sunrise completion and gifting moment.

Although not explicit as an ecological treatise, the chapter implies Earth-oriented balance through regulated, calendrically timed conduct: bathing practices tied to seasonal cycles, restrained and formalized use of water, flowers, and fragrances, and a redistribution ethic (nivedana) that channels resources through socially recognized stewardship roles—an indirect model of sustainable ritual economy.

The narrative references Durvāsas as the narrator of the instruction, the sage Yājñavalkya as the advising authority, King Vīrasena as the exemplar, and Nala as the famed son produced through the dvādaśī observance; Hari is invoked with epithets including Jāmadagnya and Madhusūdana, and iconographically associated with the paraśu.

Ask anything about Adhyaya 44 of the Varaha Purana

Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.

Not sure where to start?

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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Continue reading in the Vedapath app

Open in App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play