Varaha Purana 157.44 — Adhyaya 157, Shloka 44
Praise of the Malayārjuna Sacred Ford and the Mathurā–Yamunā Pilgrimage Cycle
नरो वाप्यथवा नारी प्राप्नोत्यविकलं फलम् ॥ तत्रैव तु तपस्तप्तं राज्ञा शन्तनुना पुरा ॥
naro vāpyathavā nārī prāpnotyavikalaṃ phalam || tatraiva tu tapastaptaṃ rājñā śantanunā purā
పురుషుడైనా స్త్రీయైనా, అవికలమైన ఫలాన్ని పొందుతాడు/పొందుతుంది. అలాగే అదే స్థలంలో పూర్వకాలంలో రాజు శంతను తపస్సు చేశాడు.
Varāha (default framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"Unspecified ‘that very place’ (tatraiva) linked to Śantanu’s tapas"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"The tīrtha’s fruit is non-discriminatory: both men and women obtain ‘undiminished’ results; the site is validated by royal tapas precedent (Śantanu).","karmic_consequence":"Observance yields akṣaya/avikala-phala; ignoring the tīrtha opportunity implies missing an especially validated merit-field."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"tīrtha ontology and spiritual egalitarian access","core_concept":"Sacred places function as concentrated fields of merit; eligibility is broad (nara/nārī) when approached with dharma and śraddhā.","practical_application":"Encourage inclusive pilgrimage/observance; approach renowned sites with tapas-like discipline (restraint, simplicity, sincerity)."}
Subject Matter: ["Heritage Sites","Ethics","Geography"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tīrtha/kshetra (heritage-sacred site)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 157.44-47 (solar worship, darśana, Saptamī bath, fruits)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tīrtha praised for giving undiminished results to all; flashback/mention of King Śantanu performing austerities at the same spot.","item_prompts":["ancient king in ascetic posture (tapas) near a pond/forest edge","simple deer-skin/cloth, japa beads","tīrtha markers: steps, shrine, sacred tree","men and women pilgrims receiving blessings equally","subtle aura indicating ‘avikala-phala’"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Śantanu as rāja-ṛṣi in tapas near a stylized tīrtha; pilgrims at margins; earthy palette, dignified stillness.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Śantanu with regal yet ascetic ornaments minimized; gold aura around the tīrtha shrine; pilgrims in symmetrical arrangement.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined depiction of ascetic king; detailed architecture of the tīrtha; soft devotional lighting.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: forested riverside/pond landscape; Śantanu seated under a tree; small groups of pilgrims; narrative vignette feel."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"affirming, commemorative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani (auspicious, expansive)","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"warm, declarative, slightly historical"}
FAQs
It links a tīrtha (sacred site) to a remembered royal figure (Śantanu), a common Purāṇic strategy for situating local sacred geography within epic-era cultural memory.
The verse refers to an already-established tīrtha context (“there itself”), but does not name the site in this line; identification depends on adjacent verses in Adhyāya 157.
The passage emphasizes equal access to ritual merit—both men and women can obtain the full result—framing sacred practice as broadly available.
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.