Varaha Purana 208.3: Adhyaya 208, Shloka 3
Narration of the Exemplum of the Pativratā
Devoted Wife
विवर्णवदनो राजा प्रभातेजोविवर्जितः ॥ अचिरादेव सञ्जातः क्रोधेन भृशदुःखितः
vivarṇa-vadano rājā prabhā-tejo-vivarjitaḥ || acirād eva sañjātaḥ krodhena bhṛśa-duḥkhitaḥ
विवर्णवदनो राजा प्रभातेजोविवर्जितः। अचिरादेव सञ्जातः क्रोधेन भृशदुःखितः।
Ṛṣiputra (contextual continuation; Yama is the subject, not the speaker)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"dharma-psychology (tejas vs krodha)","core_concept":"Krodha causes immediate tejas-kṣaya (loss of splendor/clarity), producing duḥkha and impaired discernment.","practical_application":"When anger arises, pause (kāla-vicāra), regulate breath/speech, and postpone judgment; preserve tejas as the basis of righteous decision."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Narrative Literature","Psychology of Anger"]
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: otherworldly (naraka/dharma-sabhā)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa: Dharmarāja/Yama episode within the pativratā narrative arc
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Dharmarāja (Yama) sits or stands as king, but his face is pale, his usual radiance dimmed; anger and distress visibly weigh on him.","item_prompts":["Yama with royal insignia","dimmed halo/tejas","pale face (vivarṇa)","stern throne hall","attendants subdued","visual contrast: shadow over face"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Yama with dark-blue/green complexion conventions but pallor indicated by muted highlights; halo dulled; strong expressive eyes showing krodha.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: ornate throne and crown with gold leaf, but the face rendered noticeably pale; reduced brilliance in the aureole to signal tejo-vivarjana.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: refined court scene, subtle pallor and emotional shading, controlled depiction of anger as inner heat.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: intimate court vignette, minimal architecture, emphasis on facial expression and the fading aura around Yama."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"grave, foreboding","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"low, weighty, emphasizing tejas-kṣaya"}
FAQs
It contributes to the literary depiction of Dharmarāja/Yama as a moral authority who is nevertheless narratively shown with human-like emotional reactions—useful for ethical storytelling.
None in this verse.
Anger is presented as a force that diminishes tejas (splendor/clarity), implying the value of restraint even for figures associated with justice.
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