Varaha Purana 27.1 — Adhyaya 27, Shloka 1

The Slaying of Andhaka and the Manifestation of the Eight Mother-Goddesses from Divine Afflictions

Devanagari script

महातपा उवाच । पूर्वमासीन्महादैत्यो बलवानन्धको भुवि । स देवान् वशमानिन्ये ब्रह्मणो वरदर्पितः ॥ २७.१ ॥

Transliteration

mahātapā uvāca | pūrvam āsīn mahādaityo balavān andhako bhuvi | sa devān vaśam āninye brahmaṇo varadarpitaḥ || 27.1 ||

Translation

ମହାତପା କହିଲେ—ପୂର୍ବେ ପୃଥିବୀରେ ବଳବାନ ମହାଦାନବ ଅନ୍ଧକ ଥିଲା। ବ୍ରହ୍ମାଙ୍କ ବରଦାନରେ ଦର୍ପିତ ହୋଇ ସେ ଦେବମାନଙ୍କୁ ବଶ କଲା।

Word by Word

• महातपा: the great ascetic
• महातपा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महातपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि (one who has great tapas): महत् तपः यस्य सः; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• पूर्वम्: formerly / earlier
• पूर्वम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• आसीत्: there was
• आसीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• महादैत्यः: a great demon
• महादैत्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + दैत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय: महान् दैत्यः; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• बलवान्: powerful
• बलवान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (of अन्धकः)

• अन्धकः: Andhaka
• अन्धकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्धक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• भुवि: on earth
• भुवि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू (प्रातिपदिक: भुव्/भूमि)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (locative), एकवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• देवान्: the gods
• देवान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (accusative), बहुवचन

• वशम्: into subjection
• वशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; (idiomatically with नय्: ‘bring under control’)

• आनिन्ये: brought / led
• आनिन्ये: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नी (धातु) उपसर्ग-आ + लिट्
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

• ब्रह्मणः: of Brahmā
• ब्रह्मणः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (genitive), एकवचन

• वर-दर्पितः: emboldened by a boon
• वर-दर्पितः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक) + दर्पित (दृप् धातु + क्त, कृदन्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (instrumental sense): वरेण दर्पितः (made proud by a boon); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (of सः/अन्धकः)

Speaker

Mahātapā

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"Ethics of power and boons","core_concept":"Boon-born power without humility becomes a cause of oppression; pride (darpa) is a seed of adharma.","practical_application":"Treat achievements/‘boons’ as responsibilities; cultivate humility to prevent harm to others."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Cosmology","Ethics","Mythic History"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vīra

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic realm

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 27.27 (Andhaka-upākhyāna frame)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A powerful Dānava Andhaka stands on earth, radiating pride from Brahmā’s boon, while subdued devas appear constrained or overshadowed.","item_prompts":["Andhaka as towering asura","a subtle boon-symbol (Brahmā’s gesture or aura)","devas shown diminished/overpowered","earthly landscape indicating Bhūmi"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: monumental Andhaka with bold outlines and saturated reds; devas in restrained postures; symbolic boon-aura behind him.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: Andhaka central with ornate jewelry; gold-leaf halo indicating boon-pride; devas arranged in smaller registers.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: refined linework; Andhaka’s confident stance; devas with anxious expressions; muted cosmic background.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: narrative tableau on earth; Andhaka dominating foreground; devas clustered to one side, preparing to depart."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative-solemn, foreboding","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"firm, story-telling with a warning undertone"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Narrative
• Vaiṣṇavism
• Sanskrit Epic-Purāṇa Traditions

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It exemplifies a common Purāṇic narrative motif: a powerful figure gains exceptional capability through a boon and subsequently disrupts cosmic and social order, setting the stage for restoration through dharma-oriented intervention.

Which geographic location is identified?

The verse uses the general term bhuvi (“on earth”) and does not specify a particular sacred site or identifiable geographic location.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

The verse foregrounds the ethical risk of darpa (pride) arising from power or privilege (here, a boon), implying that unchecked arrogance can lead to domination and disorder.