Varaha Purana 115.2: Adhyaya 115, Shloka 2
The Arising of Diverse Dharmas: Devotional Observances and Varṇa-Based Duties
Uttara Bhāga (traditional division; later didactic section) · Instruction to Earth: listening to teachings; devotees’ stability (sthiti) and bhakti
यत्त्वया पृच्छ्यते देवि तच्छृणुष्व वसुन्धरे ॥ स्थितिं सत्तां तु मर्त्यानां भक्त्या ये च व्यवस्थिताः
yattvayā pṛcchyate devi tac chṛṇuṣva vasundhare || sthitiṃ sattāṃ tu martyānāṃ bhaktyā ye ca vyavasthitāḥ
yattvayA pRRichChyate devi tachChRRiNuShva vasundhare || sthitiM sattAM tu martyAnAM bhaktyA ye cha vyavasthitAH
O co pytasz, o Bogini, tego słuchaj, o Wasundharo. Wyjaśnię stan i tryb istnienia śmiertelników, a także tych, którzy są ugruntowani w oddaniu.
Sandhi Notes
- yattvayā = yat + tvayā
- tac chṛṇuṣva = tat + śṛṇuṣva (final -t before ś-)
- verse continues after || with separate clause
Varāha/Nārāyaṇa
Attentive; receptive to clarification about human states and devotional steadfastness
There is a discernible difference between ordinary mortal existence and the mode of being of those stabilized in devotion; bhakti constitutes a transformative ‘state’.
Evaluate one’s life not only by external acts but by inner establishment (vyavasthā) in devotion; cultivate practices that make bhakti steady rather than episodic.
The Lord addresses Earth tenderly (devī, vasundharā) and frames his response: explaining the condition of mortals and the special status of devotees established in bhakti.
General Vaiṣṇava bhakti anthropology that later supports Kṛṣṇa-bhakti narratives.
115.1.0 (promise to teach diverse dharmas); 114.114.5–114.114.6 (devotee gati; contemplation; doctrinal request)
FAQs
It exemplifies the Purāṇic teacher–inquirer format, with Earth personified as a recipient of ethical and metaphysical instruction.
No specific location; ‘Vasundharā’ functions as a personified Earth, relevant to the Varāha narrative’s Earth-centered frame.
It emphasizes attentive learning and steadiness (vyavasthā) as prerequisites for understanding human life-conditions and devotion.
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