Varaha Purana 172.23 — Adhyaya 172, Shloka 23
The Harm of Destroying a Grove and the Merit of Tree-Planting as Pūrta-Dharma
इत्युक्तमात्रे वचने ताः सर्वा लब्धचेतसः ॥ ऐक्यभावेन ताः सर्वाः पप्रच्छुर्वणिजं प्रति ॥ कस्त्वं कथय कस्माच्च स्थानाद्यत्त्वमिहागतः ॥
ity uktamātre vacane tāḥ sarvā labdhacetasaḥ || aikyabhāvena tāḥ sarvāḥ papracchur vaṇijaṃ prati || kas tvaṃ kathaya kasmāc ca sthānād yat tvam ihāgataḥ ||
Assim que essas palavras foram ditas, todas recuperaram a serenidade. Então, com um só intento, perguntaram ao mercador: «Quem és tu? Dize-nos: de que lugar vieste aqui?»
Narrator (women/figures speak collectively within narration)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"questioner","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"Who are you, and from where have you come—what is your origin and purpose here?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"rajaniti","instruction_summary":"In uncertainty, communities should inquire collectively and calmly to establish identity and intent before judgment or action.","karmic_consequence":"Measured inquiry prevents rash harm and supports social order; suspicion without inquiry leads to adharma and conflict."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"Epistemic ethics","core_concept":"Right understanding begins with pramāṇa—asking clear questions once the mind is steady (labdha-cetas).","practical_application":"When disturbed, first regain composure; then ask precise questions about identity, origin, and motive before forming conclusions."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Heritage Sites","Historical Narrative"]
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: None
Related Themes: Immediate continuation into Gokarṇa’s self-identification (v.26)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A group of women/figures, newly composed, stand together and question a merchant with unified intent.","item_prompts":["group of women in coordinated posture","merchant/traveler with pack or cloth bundle","gesture of questioning (raised hand)","faces shifting from fear to steadiness","village/garden edge setting"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: clustered figures with synchronized stance, expressive eyes, merchant in profile with travel bundle, warm earth tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: symmetrical grouping, gold highlights on borders and jewelry, merchant centered, clear hand gestures of inquiry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: refined expressions, soft background architecture, emphasis on calm regained and collective unity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: intimate courtyard scene, delicate textiles, animated questioning gestures, light landscape wash behind."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"inquisitive-calm","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear, dialogic"}
FAQs
It documents a standard Sanskrit narrative protocol: restoration of calm followed by formal interrogation to establish provenance (identity and origin), aiding textual coherence and transmission.
A location is requested (sthānāt), but not named in this verse; later verses may supply it.
Before attributing blame or drawing conclusions, establish facts through calm, collective inquiry.
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