Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 18
Chapter 49 — मत्स्यादिलक्षणवर्णनम्
Description of the Characteristics of Matsya and the Other Incarnations
अचतुर्बाहुर्वराहस्तु शेषः पाणितले धृतः धारयन् बाहुना पृथ्वीं वाम्नेन कमलाधरः
acaturbāhurvarāhastu śeṣaḥ pāṇitale dhṛtaḥ dhārayan bāhunā pṛthvīṃ vāmnena kamalādharaḥ
พระวราหะมิใช่สี่กร; ทรงวางพระเศษะไว้บนฝ่าพระหัตถ์ ทรงพยุงแผ่นดินด้วยกรหนึ่ง และทรงถือดอกบัวด้วยกรซ้าย.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Varaha iconography specification for sculptors: arm-count exception, supporting Earth, inclusion of Śeṣa and lotus as identifying attributes.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Varāha Murti-lakshana (Dharā-dhāraṇa, Śeṣa-hasta, Padma)","lookup_keywords":["Varaha","a-chaturbahu","Shesha","Prithvi-dharana","padma"],"quick_summary":"Depict Varāha as not four-armed; show Śeṣa resting on his palm, one arm supporting the Earth, and the left holding a lotus."}
Concept: Cosmic restoration: the deity bears and stabilizes the world (bhū-dhāraṇa).
Application: In worship and art, emphasize the avatāra’s function (world-support) through clear compositional cues (Earth held aloft, Śeṣa, lotus).
Khanda Section: Avataras (Vishnu-avatara-varnana / Iconography of incarnations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha shown with fewer than four arms, holding Śeṣa on the palm, lifting/supporting the Earth with one arm, and holding a lotus in the left hand.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Varāha with boar head, non-four-armed depiction, Śeṣa coiled on palm, Earth goddess/earth globe supported, lotus in left hand, saturated colors, temple mural composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, Varāha with ornate crown and gold embossing, Śeṣa on palm rendered with jeweled hood, Earth supported prominently, lotus in left, rich gold halo and arch","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean iconographic labeling feel, Varāha non-four-armed, clear placement of Śeṣa-on-palm and Earth-support gesture, delicate pastel palette, fine gesso work","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, Varāha lifting Earth with dynamic posture, Śeṣa detailed with multiple hoods, lotus in left hand, intricate landscape/waters suggesting cosmic rescue"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अचतुर्बाहुर्वराहस्तु → अ-चतुर्बाहुः-वराहः + तु; pāṇitale is पाणि-तले; participles धृतः/धारयन् from √धृ; वाम्नेन taken as instrumental ‘with the left (arm/hand)’.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 49 (avatāra iconography sequence)
FAQs
It conveys murti-lakṣaṇa (iconographic specification) for depicting Varāha: the arm-count, the gesture of holding Śeṣa on the palm, supporting the Earth, and carrying a lotus—details used in image-making and temple installation traditions.
Alongside myths, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical specifications for sacred art and worship (iconography), showing how purāṇic literature functions as a reference manual for theology, cosmology, and temple culture.
Meditating on or installing Varāha as Earth-supporter symbolizes divine rescue of the world from chaos and is regarded as merit-producing (puṇya), strengthening devotion and the protective, sustaining aspect of Viṣṇu.