Varaha Purana 57.14 — Adhyaya 57, Shloka 14
The Observance for Attaining Radiance: The Soma Kānti-Vrata
तां कलां सोमराजोऽसौ तपसा लब्धवानिति । सोमत्वं चागमत सोऽस्य ओषधीनां पतिर् बभौ ॥ ५७.१४ ॥
tāṃ kalāṃ somarājo 'sau tapasā labdhavān iti | somatvaṃ cāgamat so 'sya oṣadhīnāṃ patir babhau || 57.14 ||
Dikatakan bahawa Raja Bulan itu memperoleh bahagian (kalā) tersebut melalui tapas (pertapaan). Lalu setelah mencapai keadaan sebagai “Soma”, dia menjadi tuan bagi segala tumbuhan ubatan.
Varāha
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Soma as a tapas-born cosmic potency becomes the sustaining principle in vegetation; the verse frames ecology (oṣadhi) as governed by a deified, ritually significant essence (Soma), aligning natural cycles with sacred order.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Soma as the yajña-drink/essence that ‘rules’ oṣadhis; plants as recipients/containers of Soma-rasa (implicit yajñic ecology rather than explicit Varāha-body mapping).","vedantic_connection":"Implied viśva-adhisthāna: one sacred principle manifests as multiple functional powers (adhidaiva/adhyātma), with Soma as a cosmic regulator within īśvara-sṛṣṭi."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"cosmological-theological","core_concept":"Tapas generates adhikāra and cosmic function; sacred natural substances participate in divine governance.","practical_application":"Approach medicinal plants and Soma-related rites with reverence; see healing/ecology as part of dharmic order."}
Subject Matter: ["Cosmology","Ecology","Sacred Natural Substances","Mythic Genealogy"]
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: cosmic-ecological sphere
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 57.57.16 (unity of divinity by names—frames Soma’s divinity as functional manifestation)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A luminous Moon-king (Soma) radiating nectar-like essence that descends into a field of medicinal herbs, indicating his lordship over oṣadhis gained through tapas.","item_prompts":["crescent moon crown","cool white/silver aura","stream of soma-rasa/nectar","cluster of labeled medicinal herbs (oṣadhi)","ascetic motif (matted hair/meditation seat) as background vignette"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Soma as serene deva with pale aura, stylized herbs below, flat decorative foliage, minimal shading, sacred diagram-like composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Central Soma with embossed halo and gold-leaf radiance; nectar stream rendered with gem-like highlights; ornate floral borders.","mysore_prompt":"Soft gradations on Soma’s face, delicate botanical detailing for oṣadhis, balanced courtly composition.","pahari_prompt":"Cool night landscape with moonlit meadow of herbs; Soma as gentle celestial figure above, fine linework and lyrical atmosphere."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative-cosmic","suggested_raga":"Punnagavarali","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"cool, steady, explanatory"}
FAQs
The verse reflects a Purāṇic framework linking cosmic figures (Soma/Moon) with terrestrial resources (oṣadhī, medicinal plants), illustrating how natural knowledge is embedded in mythic-cosmological genealogy within Sanskrit literature.
No specific geographic location is named in this verse; the reference is thematic (Soma’s association with oṣadhīs) rather than topographical.
Implicitly, the verse frames medicinal plants as governed within a cosmic order, encouraging a view of ecological resources as culturally significant and to be approached with disciplined, respectful stewardship rather than mere exploitation.
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