Varaha Purana 70.47 — Adhyaya 70, Shloka 47
Nārāyaṇa as the Sacrificial Principle, Analysis of the Three Guṇas, and the Account of Delusion-Doctrines
य एवṃ वेत्ति विप्रर्षे परं नारायणं तथा । अपरं पद्मयोनिं तु ब्रह्माणं त्वपरं तु माम् । गुणतो मुख्यतस्त्वेक एवाहं मोह इत्युत ॥ ७०.४७ ॥
ya evaṃ vetti viprarṣe paraṃ nārāyaṇaṃ tathā | aparaṃ padmayoniṃ tu brahmāṇaṃ tv aparaṃ tu mām | guṇato mukhyatas tv eka evāhaṃ moha ity uta || 70.47 ||
Wahai resi brahmana yang utama, sesiapa yang mengetahui demikian: Nārāyaṇa itu Yang Tertinggi; Brahmā yang lahir dari teratai (padmayoni) itu di bawah-Nya; dan aku juga di bawah-Nya—serta memahami bahawa dari segi hakikat dan keutamaan yang sejati hanya Ada Yang Satu—maka dia dikatakan bebas daripada kekeliruan (moha).
Varāha
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"How should one correctly understand the hierarchy—Nārāyaṇa as supreme, Brahmā and even the speaker as subordinate—while affirming a single ultimate reality beyond guṇas, so as to be free from moha (delusion)?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"Hold right metaphysical discernment (tattva-jñāna): recognize Nārāyaṇa as para (supreme) and other deities as apara (dependent), thereby avoiding delusion.","karmic_consequence":"Right knowledge removes moha and stabilizes one in clear discernment; wrong hierarchy sustains भ्रम/अविद्या and consequent saṃsāric entanglement."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Varāha’s teaching frames a Purāṇic ‘graded theism’ culminating in a non-competitive unity: one para-tattva is primary, while deity-forms function as guṇa/adhikāra-based manifestations; liberation is tied to seeing the One as the essential ground.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"Antaryāmin/paramātman supremacy and ekatva (oneness) as the ‘mukhyataḥ’ standpoint; aligns with Upaniṣadic hierarchy where Brahmā and Rudra are dependent powers under the Supreme Nārāyaṇa."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"theology/metaphysics","core_concept":"Para–apara discrimination with ultimate ekatva: Nārāyaṇa is supreme; other deities are subordinate in function, while the highest standpoint is one reality beyond guṇas.","practical_application":"Cultivate right ‘devatā-tattva’ understanding in worship and contemplation; avoid sectarian confusion by grounding devotion in the supreme principle."}
Subject Matter: ["Cosmology","Ethics"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: None
Related Themes: 71.71.2; 71.71.3
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha as a teacher-deity instructing a sage-assembly on the supreme status of Nārāyaṇa and the subordinate roles of Brahmā and the speaker, emphasizing one ultimate reality.","item_prompts":["Varāha (divine teacher) seated or standing in discourse posture","assembly of ṛṣis listening attentively","subtle iconographic suggestion of Nārāyaṇa above, Brahmā below (hierarchy)","scriptural palm-leaves or Vedic manuscripts","aura indicating ‘para-tattva’ unity"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Varāha as upadeśa-mūrti with luminous halo, ṛṣis in traditional attire, layered divine hierarchy suggested through halos and placement, rich earthy reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central Varāha with ornate jewelry and gold-leaf aura; small inset medallions for Nārāyaṇa (supreme) and Brahmā (lotus-born) arranged hierarchically; sages in reverent poses.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: refined linework, soft shading; Varāha teaching with calm śānta expression; subtle symbolic placement of Nārāyaṇa as transcendent light above.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: serene hillside āśrama setting; Varāha instructing sages; delicate facial expressions emphasizing śānta-rasa and philosophical clarity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative, didactic","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"steady, authoritative, clarity-focused"}
FAQs
It reflects a common Purāṇic strategy of organizing divine hierarchy while simultaneously gesturing toward a unitary ultimate principle, illustrating how sectarian theology and broader philosophical monism can coexist in medieval Sanskrit textual traditions.
No geographic location is named in this verse; the passage is doctrinal, focused on ontological ranking and the removal of delusion (moha).
The verse frames correct discernment of primacy and subordination as a means to overcome delusion, presenting intellectual clarity (right understanding) as the key philosophical discipline.
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