Varaha Purana 137.147 — Adhyaya 137, Shloka 147
The Tale of the Vulture and the She-Jackal: The Māhātmya of the Saukarava Sacred Field
एतच्चिह्नं महाभागे पुण्ये सौकरवे मम॥ सौमतीर्थे विशालाक्षि येन मुच्यन्ति जन्तवः॥
etac cihnaṃ mahābhāge puṇye saukarave mama || saumatīrthe viśālākṣi yena mucyanti jantavaḥ ||
హే మహాభాగే, ఇది నా పుణ్యమైన సౌకరవ ప్రాంతపు చిహ్నము. హే విశాలాక్షి, సౌమతీర్థమున దీనివలన జీవులు (బంధన/క్లేశముల నుండి) విముక్తి పొందుదురు.
Varāha (default speaker framework; strong internal cue: “mama saukarave”)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"earth_rescue","boar_form_detail":"Saukarava explicitly evokes Varāha’s boar-identity (saukara) though no limbs/tusks described","earth_interaction":"Varāha identifies his own sacred region and a liberating tīrtha (Sauma-tīrtha), instructing Bhū Devī about its salvific mark/sign."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"receptive, seeking relief for beings","key_question":"What is the identifying sign and where is the place by which beings gain release?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"Sauma-tīrtha","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"Association with/visitation of Sauma-tīrtha in Varāha’s Saukarava region is presented as a liberating act for beings (a tīrtha-phala teaching).","karmic_consequence":"Engagement with the tīrtha leads to mucyante (release from bondage/affliction); neglect forfeits this easy means of purification."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"‘Saukarava’ frames the landscape as sanctified by the cosmic boar—Varāha’s descent imprints liberation into geography; tīrtha becomes a terrestrial analogue of cosmic rescue (uddhāra).","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Tīrtha as yajña-field: purification/release mirrors sacrificial expiation; Varāha’s ‘sign’ functions like a ritual mark guaranteeing efficacy.","vedantic_connection":"Liberation language (mucyante) suggests tīrtha as upāya within īśvara-anugraha: grace mediated through place, remembrance, and right approach."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"grace through sacred geography","core_concept":"Divine acts leave liberating traces in the world; approaching such loci with faith and right conduct can loosen karmic bondage.","practical_application":"Undertake tīrtha-yātrā with ethical preparation (truthfulness, restraint), perform respectful bathing/offerings, and cultivate remembrance of Varāha’s salvific power."}
Subject Matter: ["Heritage Sites","Geography","Ethics"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tīrtha (sacred ford/shrine-site)
Related Themes: Connects back to the ‘wonder’ (light without moon) as a sign of the site’s extraordinary nature
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha indicates a sacred ford named Sauma-tīrtha within his Saukarava domain; the place bears a visible ‘sign’ (cihna)—a luminous mark or emblem—suggesting liberation for all who approach.","item_prompts":["river/ford with steps","a distinct sacred emblem/mark (stone imprint, glowing sign, or boar-associated symbol)","Varāha pointing toward the tīrtha","pilgrims/bhaktas in background","aura over the water"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: lush riverbank, stylized waves; Varāha with dignified presence; a clear cihna on a stone near the water; pilgrims in simplified forms; warm earthy palette to stress ‘Saukarava’.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central sacred stone/cihna rendered with gold; Varāha and Bhū Devī flanking; ornate river motif; strong iconographic clarity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: detailed ghat architecture, soft luminous effect over the tīrtha; refined depiction of the ‘sign’ as an imprint or radiant emblem.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: scenic river valley with a small ghat; delicate pilgrims; Varāha indicating the spot; the cihna subtly glowing, integrated into nature."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"reverent, declarative, salvific","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"solemn assurance, emphasizing ‘pūṇye’ and ‘mucyante’"}
FAQs
It preserves toponyms (Sauma-tīrtha, Saukarava) useful for mapping Purāṇic sacred geography and tracing regional cultic or pilgrimage networks.
Sauma-tīrtha is explicitly named; Saukarava appears as a broader region or locale associated with Varāha imagery. Precise modern identification requires cross-text comparison and regional gazetteers.
It associates place-based practices with relief and ‘release’ (mokṣa-like or therapeutic framing), encouraging care for and remembrance of culturally significant sites.
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.