Varaha Purana 125.166 — Adhyaya 125, Shloka 166
The Cycle of Māyā
Illusory Causation and Perceptual Reversal
ददामि दिव्यभोगान्वै भौमान्वापि तवेप्सितम् ॥ तांस्तु नेच्छसि मायाया दर्शनं वृतवानसि
dadāmi divya-bhogān vai bhaumān vāpi tavepsitam || tāṁs tu necchasi māyāyā darśanaṁ vṛtavān asi
เราประทานความสุขอันทิพย์ หรือความสุขทางโลกตามที่ท่านปรารถนา แต่ท่านมิได้ปรารถนาสิ่งเหล่านั้น; ท่านได้เลือกการเห็นมาญา (māyā)
Varāha
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"dialogue","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","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":false,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"None","karmic_consequence":"None"}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"The Lord’s sovereignty includes both svarga-bhoga and bhū-bhoga; yet the devotee’s higher aspiration is to understand māyā—signaling a shift from artha/kāma to jñāna.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Heavenly vs earthly ‘fruits’ echo iṣṭāpūrta results; māyā-darśana is a different ‘phala’—a revelation that reorients the sacrificer from fruit to truth.","vedantic_connection":"Preyas (pleasant enjoyments) is offered but declined; śreyas (insight) is chosen—aligning with Upaniṣadic discrimination and bhakti-informed jñāna."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"value hierarchy (bhoga vs bodha)","core_concept":"Divine grace can manifest as pleasures, but the superior grace is insight into the workings of māyā; desire determines the kind of ‘boon’ experienced.","practical_application":"When opportunities for pleasure arise, consciously evaluate whether they serve long-term clarity; cultivate the wish for truth over status or comfort."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Philosophy"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: None
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 125.166 (boon-choice); Varāha Purāṇa 125.168 (māyā seen; time distortion)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha offers celestial and terrestrial enjoyments; the brāhmaṇa implicitly refuses and seeks māyā-darśana.","item_prompts":["two symbolic trays: one with svarga motifs (apsaras, clouds), one with earthly wealth (grain, gold)","brāhmaṇa gesturing refusal toward the trays","Varāha indicating a subtler ‘veil’ of māyā"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: symbolic offerings stylized; brāhmaṇa’s refusal shown through hand gesture; māyā as patterned aura behind Varāha.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate offering plates with gold highlights; Varāha central with radiant halo; brāhmaṇa turning toward the subtle māyā-veil.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: balanced composition with two ‘boon’ symbols; restrained elegance; emphasis on the brāhmaṇa’s discerning expression.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: narrative vignette with small symbolic objects; gentle hills/forest; emphasis on quiet renunciation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"calm, persuasive","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"measured, explanatory"}
FAQs
It documents the Purāṇic hierarchy of choices—material prosperity versus experiential/epistemic aims—showing how texts encode value-discussions through boon narratives.
No location is mentioned in this verse.
The verse highlights intentionality: outcomes correspond to what one seeks, and the chosen aim shapes one’s experience.
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