Varaha Purana 122.14 — Adhyaya 122, Shloka 14
The Greatness of Kokāmukha
Sacred Site Eulogy and Salvific Narrative
भद्रकर्णह्रदं चैव हित्वा कोकां प्रशंससि ॥ नगरं च द्विरण्डं च मुकुटं मण्डलेश्वरम्
bhadrakarṇahradaṃ caiva hitvā kokāṃ praśaṃsasi || nagaraṃ ca dviraṇḍaṃ ca mukuṭaṃ maṇḍaleśvaram
भद्रकर्णह्रदं चैव हित्वा कोकां प्रशंससि; नगरं च द्विरण्डं च मुकुटं मण्डलेश्वरम्।
Pṛthivī (Dharāṇī/Vasundharā)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"dialogue","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"Bhūdevī challenges/clarifies Varāha/Viṣṇu’s praise of Kokā over Bhadrakarṇa-hrada, pressing for comparative tīrtha evaluation."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"questioner","bhu_devi_state":"curious, slightly puzzled, analytical","key_question":"Why do you praise Kokā while setting aside Bhadrakarṇa-hrada, and what is the relative greatness of Nagara, Dviraṇḍa, Mukuṭa, and Maṇḍaleśvara?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None explicit."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"None","karmic_consequence":"None"}
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":"hermeneutics of sacred space","core_concept":"Sacred geography is interpreted through divine narration; ‘praise’ implies hidden criteria (guhya-hetu) beyond surface features.","practical_application":"Do not assume all tīrthas are equivalent; learn the intended discipline, story, and proper approach for each site before practice/pilgrimage."}
Subject Matter: ["Heritage Sites","Sacred Geography","Comparative Tīrtha Discourse"]
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tīrthas (hrada/pond; kṣetra/settlement; īśvara-shrine)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 122.8 (Kokā-mukha as perilous threshold); Varāha Purāṇa 122.12 (request for guhya tīrtha knowledge)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Bhūdevī points toward a sacred pond (Bhadrakarṇa-hrada) while questioning why Kokā is praised; a sequence of signposts/temple silhouettes indicates Nagara, Dviraṇḍa, Mukuṭa, and Maṇḍaleśvara.","item_prompts":["sacred pond with lotus (hrada)","a marked ‘Kokā’ entrance/region","temple icon for Maṇḍaleśvara","travel markers listing place-names","Bhūdevī in inquisitive gesture"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized pond and shrine icons; Bhūdevī’s questioning hand gesture; Varāha/Viṣṇu composed; place-names rendered as decorative panels.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: embossed gold signboards for each tīrtha; central figures in dialogue; pond rendered with rich blue-green and gold highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: balanced composition with miniature architectural motifs; emphasis on refined dialogue and geographic symbols.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: rolling landscape with pond, village, and hill-shrine; narrative feel of a pilgrim route; soft colors and fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"inquiring, explanatory setup","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"curious yet respectful"}
FAQs
It exemplifies Purāṇic cataloging of sacred sites, often reflecting regional pilgrimage networks and the relative prestige attributed to locations.
Bhadrakarṇa-hrada and Kokā are explicitly named; Nagara, Dviraṇḍa, Mukuṭa, and Maṇḍaleśvara appear as additional toponyms requiring cross-text confirmation for modern identification.
No direct ethical injunction is stated; the focus is on evaluating sacred geography and the rationale for praising one site over others.
Ask anything about this verse
A free Google sign-in keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Varaha Purana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.