Varaha Purana 27.5 — Adhyaya 27, Shloka 5
The Slaying of Andhaka and the Manifestation of the Eight Mother-Goddesses from Divine Afflictions
ब्रह्मोवाच । अन्धकान्नैव शक्तोऽहं त्रातुं वै सुरसत्तमाः । भवं शर्वं महादेवं व्रजाम शरणार्थिनः ॥ २७.५ ॥
brahmovāca | andhakān naiva śakto 'haṃ trātuṃ vai surasattamāḥ | bhavaṃ śarvaṃ mahādevaṃ vrajāma śaraṇārthinaḥ || 27.5 ||
బ్రహ్మ పలికెను—హే దేవశ్రేష్ఠులారా, అంధకుని నుండి మిమ్మల్ని రక్షించుటకు నేను సమర్థుడను కాను. రండి, శరణార్థులమై భవ-శర్వ మహాదేవుని ఆశ్రయిద్దాం.
Brahmā
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"Humility and appropriate recourse","core_concept":"True authority includes admitting limitation and guiding others to the right refuge; dharma includes knowing ‘who can protect’ in a given domain.","practical_application":"When you cannot solve a problem, responsibly refer to someone competent; humility prevents greater harm."}
Subject Matter: ["Mythic Conflict Narratives","Ethics","Cosmology"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhayānaka
Type: divine transition / pilgrimage of refuge
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 27.27.1-4 (Andhaka threat and devas’ petition)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Brahmā, composed yet candid, tells the devas he cannot protect them from Andhaka and gestures toward the path to Bhava-Śarva (Śiva).","item_prompts":["Brahmā speaking with open-hand gesture","devas listening with mixed relief and concern","directional cue toward Kailāsa/Śiva’s realm (symbolic mountain, trident motif)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Brahmā in calm authority; devas attentive; subtle Śiva-symbols (triśūla, crescent) in the background indicating the next refuge.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Brahmā with gold halo; devas in ornate attire; background arch with triśūla emblem foreshadowing Śiva.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: restrained palette; emphasis on Brahmā’s truthful expression; gentle directional composition leading the eye outward.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: narrative split—Brahmā addressing devas on one side, distant hint of Śiva’s mountain abode on the other."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"grave, advisory","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"steady, matter-of-fact, guiding"}
FAQs
It reflects a common Purāṇic narrative pattern where deities acknowledge limits and seek protection from a higher authority, illustrating interlinked mythic traditions across Purāṇas and the shared cultural vocabulary of divine epithets.
No geographic toponym is named in this verse; the focus is on a narrative decision to approach Mahādeva (Śiva) for refuge rather than on a specific sacred site.
The verse emphasizes prudent humility and collective recourse to protection when faced with overwhelming harm—framed as ‘seeking refuge’ (śaraṇārthin) rather than insisting on self-sufficiency.
Ask anything about this verse
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