Varaha Purana 197.2 — Adhyaya 197, Shloka 2

The Division of the Gates of Yama’s City and the Description of the Tribunal Hall

Devanagari script

समालिखदिवाकाशं प्रदीप्तमिव तेजसा ॥ गोपुरं तूत्तमं तत्र प्रासादशतशोभितम् ॥

Transliteration

samālikha-divākāśaṃ pradīptam iva tejasā || gopuraṃ tūttamaṃ tatra prāsāda-śata-śobhitam ||

Translation

Казалось, днём он очерчивает небосвод, словно пылая великолепием; там возвышалась превосходная гопура, украшенная сотней святилищ.

Word by Word

• समालिख-दिवाकाशम्: as if sketched in the bright sky
• समालिख-दिवाकाशम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-आ-लिख् (धातु) + दिव (प्रातिपदिक) + आकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘(as if) drawn/outlined in the sky by day’ (समालिखितं दिवाकाशे इति भावः)

• प्रदीप्तम्: blazing
• प्रदीप्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-दीप् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• इव: like/as if
• इव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय (particle of comparison)

• तेजसा: with radiance/splendor
• तेजसा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; instrumental singular

• गोपुरम्: gateway-tower
• गोपुरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोपुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; nominative/accusative singular

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विशेषार्थक-निपात (particle: indeed)

• उत्तमम्: excellent/supreme
• उत्तमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; agreeing with ‘गोपुरम्’

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• प्रासाद-शत-शोभितम्: adorned with hundreds of palaces
• प्रासाद-शत-शोभितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रासाद (प्रातिपदिक) + शत (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + शोभित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (प्रासादशतेन शोभितम्), agreeing with ‘गोपुरम्’

Speaker

Ṛṣiputra (continuation; explicit in 197.1)

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"observer","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None"}

Mathura Mandala

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

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"None","karmic_consequence":"None"}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"threshold symbolism","core_concept":"The sacred is approached through a luminous threshold: the gopura marks transition, aspiration (verticality), and visibility of dharma in built form.","practical_application":"Enter sacred places with inner recollection (smaraṇa) and restraint; treat gateways as moments for mental purification and intention-setting."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Heritage Sites","Aesthetics"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: gopura / monumental entrance

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa: kṣetra descriptions where entrances/gopuras are praised as markers of sanctity (general parallel)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A towering gopura that seems to ‘draw’ the daytime sky, glowing as if aflame with splendor; surrounding it are many shrines enhancing its beauty.","item_prompts":["monumental gopura reaching into the sky","daylight sky backdrop","glowing aura/tejas around the tower","clusters of prāsādas flanking the gateway","ornamental carvings and flags"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: tall gopura with stylized flame-like tejas halo, decorative bands, sky rendered as flat blue-green field, shrines as repeating motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gopura frontally centered, heavy gold-leaf on architectural edges, gemstone-like highlights, radiant tejas as embossed aureole.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined architectural detailing, luminous but soft tejas, balanced composition with shrines framing the gateway.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: slender vertical gopura against pale sky wash, delicate flame-garland suggestion via thin red/orange strokes, miniature shrines around."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"uplifting, luminous","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium-fast","voice_tone":"bright, ringing, celebratory"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Studies
• Temple Architecture
• Sanskrit Poetics

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It illustrates how Purāṇic texts use luminous imagery (tejas, pradīpta) to aestheticize monumental gateways, offering evidence for the literary imagination of temple urbanism.

Which geographic location is identified?

No specific location is named; the verse provides a visual description of a gateway within a complex.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

The verse primarily functions descriptively; ethically, it supports the cultural value placed on maintaining impressive, orderly sacred built environments.