Varaha Purana 186.7: Adhyaya 186, Shloka 7
Ritual Procedure for Installing Silver and Gold Images, and the Special Status of Śālagrāma
आश्लेषासु च नक्षत्रे राशौ कर्कटके स्थिते ।। अस्तङ्गते दिनकरे स्वजने यजति स्थिरे ॥
āśleṣāsu ca nakṣatre rāśau karkaṭake sthite || astaṅgate dinakare sva-jane yajati sthire ||
आश्लेषानक्षत्रे कर्कटराशिस्थिते च, अस्तङ्गते दिनकरे, स्वजनेषु स्थिरः सन् यजनं कुर्यात्॥
Varāha (procedural timing instruction; speaker not explicit but continuous context)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"instruction_summary":"Perform worship at the specified astral configuration—Āśleṣā nakṣatra, Karkaṭaka rāśi, after sunset—steadily within one’s household/community.","karmic_consequence":"Observing the prescribed muhurta is implied to intensify auspicious results and communal stability; ignoring timing is implied to diminish fruit or invite obstacles."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":true,"tithi_month":"Āśleṣā nakṣatra; Karkaṭaka rāśi; after sunset (tithi not specified)","promised_fruit":"Auspicious, steady worship with supportive communal/household alignment; enhanced efficacy through correct jyotiṣa timing (general phala implied)."}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"kāla as sacred order","core_concept":"Time (kāla) is a limb of dharma; aligning worship with cosmic rhythms harmonizes human action with the larger order.","practical_application":"Use calendrics (nakṣatra/rāśi/sunset) to schedule key worship; keep the mind ‘sthira’ and include family/community in disciplined devotion."}
Subject Matter: ["Ritual Procedure","Astral Timing (Jyotiṣa interface)","Community Practice"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: domestic/community ritual space
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 186 (timing rules within the same ritual sequence)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Evening worship in a household/community courtyard: the sun has set; a priest notes Āśleṣā and Karkaṭaka on a palm-leaf almanac while the family performs steady pūjā.","item_prompts":["twilight sky after sunset","family/community gathered","palm-leaf pañcāṅga or jyotiṣa chart","oil lamps","offerings tray","calm seated posture (sthira)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: warm dusk tones, household shrine with lamps, priest holding pañcāṅga, family in orderly rows, stylized stars/nakṣatra motif overhead.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-lit evening shrine, lamps and offerings, priest with almanac, rich textiles, embossed lamp flames and ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: gentle chiaroscuro of lamp-light, detailed faces in calm devotion, subtle night-sky cues, refined domestic architecture.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: cool twilight courtyard, delicate starry band, intimate family worship scene, soft hills in background, lyrical composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"evening steadiness and focus","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"soft, steady, communal-chant friendly"}
FAQs
It reflects the integration of calendrical-astral markers (nakṣatra, rāśi, sunset) into Purāṇic ritual planning, valuable for studying lived religious timekeeping.
No geographic location is identified; the verse uses astronomical coordinates (Āśleṣā, Karkaṭaka) rather than place-names.
To perform communal rites with steadiness and order, coordinating practice with agreed calendrical conventions within one’s community.
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