Varaha Purana 81.44 — Adhyaya 81, Shloka 44

Description of the Divine Mountain Abodes: Meru, Devakūṭa, and Kailāsa

Devanagari script

आग्नेयाश्च नाम्ना गन्धर्वातिबलिनः।

Transliteration

āgneyāś ca nāmnā gandharvātibālinaḥ |

Translation

వారిని ‘ఆగ్నేయులు’ అని పిలుస్తారు; అక్కడి గంధర్వులు అత్యంత బలవంతులు।

Word by Word

• आग्नेयाः: Agneya-named / belonging to Agni’s quarter
• आग्नेयाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आग्नेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (नगराः/जनाः इत्यादि लुप्त-विशेष्ये)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• नाम्ना: by name / called
• नाम्ना: करण (Karaṇa/Instrumental of designation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन; अव्ययीभावार्थे ‘नाम्ना’ = ‘by name/as named’

• गन्धर्वातिबलिनः: very strong (among) Gandharvas
• गन्धर्वातिबलिनः: विशेषण (qualifier of implied subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गन्धर्व + अतिबलिन् (प्रातिपदिक; बलिन् from बल (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (कर्मधारय/उपपद-भाव: ‘गन्धर्वेषु अतिबलिनः’ = exceedingly strong among Gandharvas); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

Speaker

Varāha

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious; absorbing ethnographic naming","key_question":"What are these Gandharvas called, and what is their distinguishing power/quality?"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"symbolic taxonomy","core_concept":"Names encode qualities (nāma as guṇa-sūcaka): ‘Āgneya’ signals a fire-like nature—energy, brilliance, force.","practical_application":"Read sacred cosmographies as layered: literal placement plus symbolic characterization; cultivate discernment (viveka) about guṇa-signatures."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Geography","Cosmology"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: mythic ethnographic zone

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 81.43 (seven Gandharva cities)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A caption-like revelation: the Gandharvas of those cities are ‘Āgneyas’, depicted with a subtle fiery aura and commanding presence.","item_prompts":["Gandharvas with flame-like halos","red-gold aura motifs","vīṇā and celestial ornaments","city silhouettes behind them"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized Gandharvas with red-gold prabhāmaṇḍala, ornamental jewelry, minimal flames as decorative motifs, palace backdrop.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: embossed gold flames around Gandharvas, rich reds, gem-inlaid look, strong frontal poses.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant figures with restrained flame motifs, soft glow effects, detailed textiles.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: delicate fiery wash around figures, lyrical posture, palace terraces in the background."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"assertive, declarative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium-fast","voice_tone":"firm, slightly emphatic on the name ‘Āgneyāḥ’"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Mythic Ethnography

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It illustrates how Purāṇic texts attach names and attributes to communities, aiding mnemonic mapping of the sacred landscape.

Which geographic location is identified?

A locale or group designated “Āgneyas”; the term may evoke an association with the fire-direction (Agni/Agneya), though the verse itself only states the name.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

No explicit ethical injunction is stated; the focus is classificatory description of inhabitants and their perceived strength.