Varaha Purana 97.1: Adhyaya 97, Shloka 1
The Glory of Rudra: The Origin of the Kapālamocana Pilgrimage Site and Rudra’s Expiatory Vow
Pūrva Bhāga · Rudra-māhātmya (origin of the Rudra-vrata)
॥ अथ रुद्रमाहात्म्यम् ॥ वराह उवाच ॥ अथ रुद्रव्रतोत्पत्तिं शृणु देवि वरानने ॥ येन ज्ञातेन पापेभ्यो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः ॥
|| atha rudramāhātmyam || varāha uvāca || atha rudravratotpattiṃ śṛṇu devi varānane || yena jñātena pāpebhyo mucyate nātra saṃśayaḥ ||
|| atha rudramAhAtmyam || varAha uvAcha || atha rudravratotpattiM shRRiNu devi varAnane || yena j~nAtena pApebhyo muchyate nAtra saMshayaH
ఇప్పుడు రుద్ర మహాత్మ్యం. వరాహుడు పలికెను—ఓ సుందరముఖి దేవీ, రుద్రవ్రత ఉద్భవాన్ని వినుము; దీనిని తెలిసినవాడు పాపాల నుండి విముక్తుడవుతాడు—ఇందులో సందేహం లేదు.
Sandhi Notes
- nātra = na + atra
- rudramāhātmyam = rudra-māhātmyam
- rudravratotpattim = rudra-vrata-utpattim
Varāha
Curious
What is the origin and efficacy of the Rudra-vrata that removes sins?
Purāṇic ‘knowing/hearing’ (jñāna/śravaṇa) of a vow’s origin is itself purificatory and leads toward liberation from sin.
Approach vrata with śraddhā: first learn its nidāna (origin), then observe it with understanding rather than mere ritualism.
Direct address to Bhū-devī as interlocutor (‘devi varānane’), initiating instruction.
Hearing/knowing the Rudra-vrata’s origin is presented as a sin-destroying means (pāpa-mocana) without doubt.
Adherence (śravaṇa/jñāna leading to observance) results in release from sins; neglect implies continued bondage to pāpa.
Release from sins (pāpa-mukti), with strong assurance (‘nātra saṃśayaḥ’).
Varāha Purāṇa 97.2–97.4: Rudra’s manifestations and Atharvanic mantra as the doctrinal ground for the vrata’s power
FAQs
It introduces a vrata narrative, a common Purāṇic genre that links ritual observance with moral purification, reflecting lived religious practices and their textual legitimization.
No place-name appears in this opening verse; it functions as a thematic heading and narrative invitation.
The verse encourages attentive learning of a prescribed observance’s origin, presenting knowledge and disciplined practice as means toward moral purification.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple 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 word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
