Varaha Purana 155.23 — Adhyaya 155, Shloka 23
The Efficacy and Sacred Merit of Akrūra Tīrtha
राक्षसस्य वचः श्रुत्वा स वणिग्वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ सत्यमूलं जगत्सर्वं सर्वं सत्ये प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥
rākṣasasya vacaḥ śrutvā sa vaṇig vākyam abravīt | satyamūlaṃ jagat sarvaṃ sarvaṃ satye pratiṣṭhitam |
ராக்ஷசனின் சொற்களை கேட்ட வணிகன் கூறினான்—முழு உலகத்தின் வேர் சத்தியமே; அனைத்தும் சத்தியத்தில் நிலைபெற்றுள்ளன।
Sudhana (the merchant)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"How can truth (satya) be the foundational principle that upholds all worldly order and trust?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"Satya is the root of dharma and social order; one should speak and act truthfully as the basis of all dealings.","karmic_consequence":"Truthfulness stabilizes one’s reputation and dharmic standing; falsehood erodes trust and leads to moral downfall."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Satya is presented as the metaphysical ‘root’ (mūla) of jagat—echoing the Purāṇic idea that ṛta/satya is the sustaining law by which the cosmos stands, a principle later personalized in Viṣṇu-Varāha as the upholder.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Implicit: satya/ṛta as the ‘support’ of sacrifice and world-order; no explicit limb-mapping in this verse.","vedantic_connection":"Satya as alignment with reality (yathārtha) and dharma; practical satya becomes a sādhanā that purifies antaḥkaraṇa and supports steadiness in truth-seeking."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"Ethical metaphysics (satya as cosmic ground)","core_concept":"Truth is not merely speech-accuracy but the sustaining basis of worldly and moral order.","practical_application":"In commerce, contracts, and speech, treat satya as non-negotiable; let truth govern decisions even under threat."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Truth (Satya)","Philosophical instruction","Dialogue"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Type: None
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 155.26–29 (satya praised; integrity and social order)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A merchant (Sudhana) stands composed before a fearsome rākṣasa, replying with a calm declaration that the world is rooted in truth.","item_prompts":["merchant with travel attire and ledger/cloth bundle","rākṣasa looming in shadow","gesture of teaching (raised hand)","contrast of calm face vs threatening setting"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal, stylized merchant with serene eyes, rākṣasa in deep reds/greens, flat decorative forest backdrop, emphasis on hand-gesture of dharma.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Sudhana with halo-like prabhā, gold-leaf accents on ornaments and border, rākṣasa subdued at side, inscription-like satya motif.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: delicate linework, soft shading, refined expressions; merchant’s calm gaze dominates; rākṣasa rendered with controlled menace.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: lyrical forest scene, cool palette, merchant and rākṣasa in profile conversation, minimal props, emphasis on narrative intimacy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"Didactic and steady","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"firm, clear, unshaken"}
FAQs
It condenses a widely attested Sanskrit ethical principle—truth as foundational order—echoing dharmaśāstra and Upaniṣadic moral vocabulary in Purāṇic narrative form.
None; the verse is a universalizing ethical claim rather than a place-based description.
Truthfulness (satya) is presented as the basis of social and cosmic stability; speech and action should align with truth.
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