Varaha Purana 137.136 — Adhyaya 137, Shloka 136
The Tale of the Vulture and the She-Jackal: The Māhātmya of the Saukarava Sacred Field
स एष ब्राह्मणो भूत्वा संसाराद्विप्रमुच्यते ॥ तस्य चिह्नं प्रवक्ष्यामि सोम तीर्थस्य सुन्दरी ॥
sa eṣa brāhmaṇo bhūtvā saṃsārād vipramucyate || tasya cihnaṃ pravakṣyāmi soma-tīrthasya sundarī
అతడు బ్రాహ్మణుడై సంసారబంధం నుండి పూర్తిగా విముక్తుడవుతాడు. ఓ సుందరీ, సోమతీర్థం యొక్క లక్షణాన్ని నేను చెప్పుదును.
Varāha (default dialogue framework; instructional “pravakṣyāmi”)
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":"devotee","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None (a plea/request: she asks the king not to ask a certain question)."}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"rajaniti","instruction_summary":"Courtly etiquette: a wife petitions respectfully (holding the husband’s feet) and urges restraint in questioning—implying discretion and propriety in speech.","karmic_consequence":"Respectful conduct preserves harmony and dharma in household/court; impropriety in questioning/speech risks conflict and adharma (implied)."}
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":"ethics-of-speech-and-relationship","core_concept":"Dharma in relationships includes humility, respectful address, and discerning what should or should not be asked.","practical_application":"Practice vāg-niyama (restraint in speech) and situational discretion; approach sensitive matters with gentleness and consent."}
Subject Matter: ["Heritage Sites","Sacred geography","Soteriology (liberation discourse)","Ritual markers"]
Primary Rasa: karuṇa
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: palace/interior
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 137 (narrative episode involving a king and queen/wife; surrounding verses likely clarify what ‘this’ refers to)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A queen/wife kneels, holding her husband-king’s feet in supplication, asking him to be gracious and not to press a certain question; attendants and court ambiance implied.","item_prompts":["king seated on throne","queen kneeling holding feet (caraṇau gṛhītvā)","gesture of pleading (añjali)","court pillars/curtains","attendants in background with subdued expressions"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized palace interior, king seated, queen at his feet in respectful supplication, warm palette, ornamental borders and jewelry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-leaf throne and halo-like arch, richly adorned king and queen, embossed ornaments, dramatic central composition of supplication.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined court scene, delicate expressions, soft shading, emphasis on gesture and decorum, balanced composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate palace vignette, slender figures, expressive faces, minimal but elegant architectural cues, gentle colors."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"pleading-and-restrained","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"soft, imploring, respectful"}
FAQs
It signals a cataloging style typical of tīrtha-māhātmya sections: the text promises diagnostic ‘signs’ (cihna) to locate/recognize a sacred site, useful for the study of pilgrimage networks and cultural geography.
Soma-tīrtha is explicitly named; its precise modern identification requires corroboration from the wider chapter/tradition and regional tīrtha lists.
The verse frames sacred geography as tied to moral transformation and liberation, emphasizing the narrative link between conduct/merit and existential release.
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.