Varaha Purana 7.12 — Adhyaya 7, Shloka 12
The Sanctity of Gayā: Raibhya’s Encounter and Hymn to Viṣṇu
Gadādhara
शृणुष्व चान्यं नृपतिर्बभूव विशालनामास पुरीं विशालाम् । उवास धन्यो धृतिमानपुत्रः स्वयं विशालाधिपतिर्द्विजाग्र्यान् । पप्रच्छ पुत्रार्थममित्रसाह - स्ते ब्राह्मणाश्चोचुरदीनसत्त्वाः ॥ ७.१२ ॥
śṛṇuṣva cānyaṁ nṛpatir babhūva viśālanāmā sa purīṁ viśālām | uvāsa dhanyo dhṛtimāna-putraḥ svayaṁ viśālā-dhipatir dvijāgryān | papraccha putrārtham amitra-sāha-ste brāhmaṇāś cocur adīna-sattvāḥ || 7.12 ||
ఇంకొక వృత్తాంతం వినుము—విశాలుడు అనే రాజు ఉండెను; విశాలా అనే మహానగరంలో నివసించెను. అతడు ధన్యుడు, ధైర్యవంతుడు, కాని సంతానహీనుడు; విశాలాధిపతిగా ద్విజశ్రేష్ఠులను చేరి పుత్రప్రాప్తి మార్గం అడిగెను. ఆ బ్రాహ్మణులు అచంచలమనస్సుతో సమాధానం పలికిరి.
Varāha (default narrative voice per dialogue framework; explicit speaker not stated in fragment)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"None","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"varnashrama","instruction_summary":"A king seeking putra (progeny) should approach learned brāhmaṇas and inquire properly, receiving dharmic counsel rather than acting by impulse.","karmic_consequence":"Proper counsel-seeking supports legitimate lineage, stable kingship, and merit; neglecting dharmic consultation risks adharma, instability, and fruitless rites."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"dharma as guided action (śāstra-guru-pramāṇa)","core_concept":"Right action begins with right inquiry—seeking authoritative guidance when personal desire (putrārtha) is involved.","practical_application":"When pursuing major life aims (progeny, power, wealth), consult competent teachers/ritual experts and align means with dharma rather than mere wish."}
Subject Matter: ["Kingship","Dharma (counsel-seeking)","Lineage and progeny (putrārtha)","Courtly consultation with Brahmins"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: karuṇa
Type: royal city / capital
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 7.7.13–15: brāhmaṇas prescribe Gayā-dāna and pitṛ-kārya; king observes mysterious figures during piṇḍa-pradāna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In the royal city of Viśālā, King Viśāla—childless yet steadfast—approaches a gathered assembly of eminent brāhmaṇas to ask about obtaining a son.","item_prompts":["palace court setting","king with crown and folded hands (añjali)","seated brāhmaṇas with manuscripts/kuśa","city backdrop labeled Viśālā (optional)","attendants and royal parasol","mood of earnest inquiry"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: formal court tableau, king in añjali before brāhmaṇa assembly, strong reds/ochres, stylized architecture, dignified calm expressions.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: king and brāhmaṇas with gold-leaf accents on throne/parasol, ornate jewelry, symmetrical composition emphasizing dharmic consultation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: refined court interior, subtle gestures of humility, detailed textiles, brāhmaṇas rendered with scholarly gravitas.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: intimate narrative court scene, delicate faces, architectural framing, emphasis on the king’s longing and respectful posture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative, anticipatory","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"storytelling clarity with slight gravity on ‘aputraḥ’ and ‘putrārtham’"}
FAQs
It preserves a common Purāṇic narrative pattern: a ruler consults learned brāhmaṇas for guidance on dynastic continuity (putrārtha), reflecting the social role of scholarly counsel in classical Sanskrit courtly culture.
Viśālā/Viśālā (often associated in broader Sanskrit literature with Vaiśālī in ancient Videha/Licchavi regions). This verse itself names the city but does not provide further identifiers; correlation is based on comparative textual geography.
The verse foregrounds a governance ethic of seeking learned counsel (dvijāgryān) for major life and state concerns, presenting deliberation and consultation as culturally valued practices.
Ask anything about this verse
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