Varaha Purana 137.23: Adhyaya 137, Shloka 23
The Tale of the Vulture and the She-Jackal: The Māhātmya of the Saukarava Sacred Field
न त्वां वै द्रक्ष्यते कश्चिच्छयनीये महाव्रताम् ॥ एवं गच्छति काले तु तयोस्तु तदनन्तरे ॥
na tvāṃ vai drakṣyate kaścic chayanīye mahāvratām || evaṃ gacchati kāle tu tayos tu tadanantare ||
హే మహావ్రతధారిణీ, శయనస్థానంలో ఉన్న నిన్ను నిజంగా ఎవ్వరూ చూడరు. ఈ విధంగా కాలం గడిచినప్పుడు, వెంటనే ఆ ఇద్దరికీ తదనంతర సంఘటన జరుగుతుంది.
Varāha (default—speaker not explicit in the fragment)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"observer"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"instruction_summary":"Depicts royal procession etiquette: the king is followed by the fourfold conveyance/retinue (elephants, horses, chariots, attendants), with inner-apartment women remaining within prescribed spaces.","karmic_consequence":"Properly ordered polity and disciplined retinue support rājadharma and stability; disorder signals decline of kingship (implied)."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"rājadharma (implicit)","core_concept":"Social roles and ordered followership (anuyāna) sustain the king’s public function; joy arises from perceived legitimacy and auspicious order.","practical_application":"In leadership and community life, maintain clear roles, disciplined logistics, and respectful boundaries for protected spaces (antahpura)."}
Subject Matter: ["Narrative Structure","Courtly Culture","Temporal Sequence","Ethics"]
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: palace/city
Related Themes: Genealogical/royal narrative blocks surrounding the Kalinga episode (contextual continuity)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A jubilant royal procession: elephants and horses caparisoned, chariots rolling, attendants and citizens following; women of the inner palace visible only as a background presence within balconies/inner courts.","item_prompts":["caparisoned elephants","horses with banners","chariots (ratha) with standard","king (narādhipa) in center","palace balconies/inner court hinting antahpura","garlands, drums, conches"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dynamic procession with layered figures, ornate elephant trappings, rhythmic repetition, bright reds/ochres, temple-like city backdrop.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-leaf ornaments on elephants and royal parasol; frontal king in chariot; rich jewel tones; decorative borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant linework, detailed textiles and harnesses, balanced composition with procession depth, gentle facial expressions of delight.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: sweeping hillside/city-road composition, stylized animals, fluttering pennants, narrative clarity with minimal but vivid detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"majestic, processional","suggested_raga":"Bilahari","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"resonant, uplifting"}
FAQs
It illustrates a common Purāṇic narrative technique: compressed transitions using temporal markers, which can also indicate manuscript variation or ellipsis in transmission.
No specific place-name appears in this fragment; it functions as a narrative bridge rather than a geographic locator.
The phrase “mahāvratā” foregrounds disciplined vows; the verse’s ethical tone is indirect, emphasizing restraint and the social visibility (or invisibility) of conduct.
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