Varaha Purana 136.7 — Adhyaya 136, Shloka 7

A Sūtra-like Manual of Expiations for Ritual Transgressions

Devanagari script

शुचिर्भूत्वा यथान्यायं मम कर्मपथे स्थितः ॥ एतत्ते कथितं भद्रे स्पर्शने दीपकस्य तु

Transliteration

śucir bhūtvā yathā-nyāyaṁ mama karma-pathe sthitaḥ | etat te kathitaṁ bhadre sparśane dīpakasya tu ||

Translation

Став чистым и пребывая по должному правилу на пути Моих обрядов, это сказано тебе, о благостная, относительно прикосновения к светильнику.

Word by Word

• śuciḥ: pure

• bhūtvā: having become

• yathā-nyāyam: according to rule/propriety

• mama: my

• karma-pathe: on the path of rites

• sthitaḥ: abiding/standing

• etat: this

• te: to you

• kathitam: told

• bhadre: O gracious/auspicious one

• sparśane: regarding touching

• dīpakasya: of the lamp

• tu: indeed

Speaker

Varāha

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"Direct address to Bhū-devī (‘bhadre’), conveying procedural purity regarding lamp-contact"}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"attentive","key_question":"What is the correct, rule-bound way (yathā-nyāya) to engage in your rite—specifically the lamp-touching practice?"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"prayaschitta","instruction_summary":"Be purified and follow proper procedure on the path of my rites; the rule about touching/handling the ritual lamp is thus prescribed.","karmic_consequence":"Correct purity and procedure preserve merit and remove fault; improper handling risks ritual defect and continued aparādha."}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":true,"vrata_name":"Dīpa-sparśa-niyama within Dīpa-dāna/Dvādaśī observance","tithi_month":"Implied continuation from the Dvādaśī sequence","promised_fruit":"Auspiciousness through properly performed lamp-rite; avoidance of ritual fault"}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Touching the lamp ‘properly’ symbolizes approaching knowledge/devotion with śuddhi and vidhi—purity is the ‘fit vessel’ for light.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Lamp as portable yajña-flame; ‘path of my rites’ frames devotion as a sacrificial pathway where purity is the altar-condition.","vedantic_connection":"Sattva-śuddhi as prerequisite for jñāna-bhakti; external vidhi supports internal transformation."}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ritual hermeneutics (vidhi)","core_concept":"Dharma is not only intention but also right method; purity and procedure safeguard spiritual efficacy.","practical_application":"Before lamp-rite, bathe/cleanse, maintain mental focus, and follow prescribed handling without negligence."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Practice"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: śānta

Secondary Rasa: vātsalya

Geographic Context

Type: None

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 136.6 (lamp-gift efficacy); Varāha Purāṇa 136.8 (impurity from cremation-ground contact)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha addresses Bhū-devī tenderly (‘bhadre’), explaining the proper, purified procedure for lamp-touching in his rite.","item_prompts":["Varāha teaching gesture (mudrā)","Bhū-devī seated/listening","ritual lamp placed between them","water pot or bathing symbol for śauca"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: frontal figures, lamp centered, stylized water vessel, calm ochres and reds, devotional pedagogy mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-leaf lamp aura, richly ornamented Varāha and Bhū-devī, emphasis on sacred implement.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant courtly teaching scene, fine lamp detailing, subdued glow.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate indoor shrine scene, small lamp flame, soft dialogue expressions."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional-calm","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"warm, precise, teacherly"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Vaishnavism
• Ritual Purity

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It functions as a closure marker typical of instructional units, indicating completion of a specific prāyaścitta topic within a broader procedural chapter.

Which geographic location is identified?

No geographic location is identified.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

To maintain purity and procedural correctness in ritual practice, particularly regarding the handling/contact of ritual implements (here, the lamp).