Varaha Purana 186.3 — Adhyaya 186, Shloka 3

Ritual Procedure for Installing Silver and Gold Images, and the Special Status of Śālagrāma

Devanagari script

ईदृशीं प्रतिमां कृत्वा मम कर्मपरायणः ।। गीतवादित्रशब्देन शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिःस्वनैः ॥

Transliteration

īdṛśīṁ pratimāṁ kṛtvā mama karma-parāyaṇaḥ || gīta-vāditra-śabdena śaṅkha-dundubhi-niḥsvanaiḥ ||

Translation

ఇలాంటి ప్రతిమను నిర్మించి, నా కర్మంలో (సేవావిధానంలో) పరాయణుడైనవాడు—గీత-వాద్య ధ్వనులతో, శంఖ-దుందుభుల నినాదాలతో (క్రియను కొనసాగించాలి)।

Word by Word

• īdṛśīm: such (of this kind)
• īdṛśīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: īdṛśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (f.), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative/2nd), Ekavacana (sg.); viśeṣaṇa of 'pratimām'

• pratimām: image, idol
• pratimām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pratimā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (f.), Dvitīyā (Acc./2nd), Ekavacana (sg.)

• kṛtvā: having made
• kṛtvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (कृ धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय, अव्ययकृदन्त), 'having done/made'

• mama: of me, my
• mama: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (अस्मद् सर्वनाम)
• Form: Ṣaṣṭhī vibhakti (Genitive/6th), Ekavacana (sg.)

• karma-parāyaṇaḥ: devoted to (ritual) action
• karma-parāyaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: karma (प्रातिपदिक) + parāyaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (m.), Prathamā (Nom./1st), Ekavacana (sg.); ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa: 'karmaṇi parāyaṇaḥ'

• gīta-vāditra-śabdena: with the sound of singing and instruments
• gīta-vāditra-śabdena: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gīta (प्रातिपदिक) + vāditra (प्रातिपदिक) + śabda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (m.), Tṛtīyā (Instrumental/3rd), Ekavacana (sg.); samāsa: gītasya vāditrasya ca śabdaḥ (coordinative sense inside, overall tatpuruṣa)

• śaṅkha-dundubhi-niḥsvanaiḥ: with the resounding sounds of conches and drums
• śaṅkha-dundubhi-niḥsvanaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṅkha (प्रातिपदिक) + dundubhi (प्रातिपदिक) + niḥsvana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (m.), Tṛtīyā (Instr./3rd), Bahuvacana (pl.); samāsa: śaṅkha-dundubhyōḥ niḥsvanāḥ

Speaker

Varāha (continued instruction)

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"Varāha directs the next ritual step after icon-making: proceed with musical and auspicious sound (śaṅkha, dundubhi) as part of his worship."}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"engaged/attentive","key_question":"After preparing the image, how should the worship be commenced—what soundscape and celebratory elements are prescribed?"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"Having made the proper image, perform the rite accompanied by singing and instruments, with conch and kettledrum resonances.","karmic_consequence":"Auspicious sound supports successful consecration/worship and communal merit; omission is not condemned here but implies reduced ritual completeness."}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"bhakti as embodied practice","core_concept":"Devotion is enacted through the senses—especially sound—creating a maṅgala environment that aligns community and mind toward the divine.","practical_application":"In pūjā and utsava, include appropriate devotional music and traditional instruments; keep the sound disciplined and sacred rather than merely entertaining."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Ritual Procedure","Performing Arts (music in ritual)","Heritage Practice"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: utsāha (vīra-utsāha)

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Geographic Context

Type: temple/ritual procession space (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa: pratimā-making and worship sequence (186.1–186.3)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecration-like moment: the newly made icon is honored amid singers and musicians; conches are blown and kettledrums resound.","item_prompts":["singers (gāyaka)","instrument ensemble (vāditra)","śaṅkha (conch)","dundubhi (kettledrum)","processional lamps","newly made silver icon on palanquin/altar"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Dynamic procession with rhythmic musicians; conch-blowers; layered lamps; icon centered, surrounded by devotees in stylized motion.","tanjore_prompt":"Festive consecration tableau with gold-leaf brilliance; ornate instruments; conch and drum emphasized; rich textiles.","mysore_prompt":"Balanced ceremonial scene; detailed instruments; refined expressions of devotion; gentle movement cues.","pahari_prompt":"Joyful yet contained celebration; small ensemble with conch and drum; icon carried or placed under canopy; bright but soft palette."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"festive, auspicious, processional","suggested_raga":"Bilawal (bright ceremonial)","pace":"medium-fast","voice_tone":"resonant, uplifting, rhythmic"}

Tags

• Purāṇic Literature
• Ritual Soundscape
• Cultural Heritage Studies

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It documents the role of organized sound (song, instruments, conch, drums) in ritual movement and installation, relevant to performance history and temple liturgy.

Which geographic location is identified?

No location is mentioned in this verse.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

To conduct communal ritual actions in an orderly, aesthetically mindful manner, integrating arts as part of cultural practice.