Varaha Purana 145.38 — Adhyaya 145, Shloka 38
The Greatness of the Śālagrāma Sacred Region
चक्राङ्कितशिलास्तत्र दृश्यन्ते च इतस्ततः ॥ चक्राङ्कितशिला यत्र वरवर्णिनि तिष्ठति ॥
cakrāṅkitaśilāstatra dṛśyante ca itastataḥ || cakrāṅkitaśilā yatra varavarṇini tiṣṭhati ||
ที่นั่นมีศิลาซึ่งมีรอยจักรปรากฏให้เห็นอยู่ทั่วไป โอ้ผู้มีผิวพรรณงาม ที่ซึ่งศิลามีรอยจักรนั้นตั้งอยู่ ณ ที่นั้นเอง
Varāha
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"earth_interaction":"Varāha points out tangible signs in the landscape (cakra-marked stones) to Bhū-devī, guiding her recognition of the sacred site."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious, observant","key_question":"How can the sacred spot be identified on the ground—what visible markers indicate it?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":true,"specific_site":"Cakrāṅkita-śilā (discus-marked stone) associated with the Cakrasvāmin precinct","parikrama_context":"Functions as a darśana-marker encountered during tīrtha-yātrā/parikramā, helping pilgrims locate the correct node in the mandala.","krishna_connection":"Indirect: cakra-marked stones resonate with Vaiṣṇava presence in Vraja/Mathurā sacred topography later centered on Kṛṣṇa."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"The cakra impressed upon stone signifies the Lord’s ‘seal’ on prakṛti: matter becomes a scripture (śilā as pramāṇa) pointing to the transcendent.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Cakra as the cutting/ordering principle that ‘marks’ the world; the stone as stable altar-base (adhiṣṭhāna) where divine order is inscribed.","vedantic_connection":"Arcā/cihna (iconic sign) supports upāsanā: the formless is approached through a sanctioned mark; the world is read as līlā-kṣetra when recognized through such signs."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"sacralization of place through signs","core_concept":"Divine presence is apprehended through sanctioned symbols embedded in the landscape.","practical_application":"Seek and honor tīrtha-cihnas (marked stones), approach with reverence, and let external markers awaken internal devotion."}
Subject Matter: ["Heritage Sites","Archaeological Markers (iconic stones)","Sacred Geography"]
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: tīrtha-marker / archaeological-sacred feature
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 145.41 (Cakrasvāmin); Varāha Purāṇa 145.43 (extent and bathing discipline)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sacred landscape scattered with stones bearing engraved/embossed discus marks; Varāha indicates the specific cakra-marked śilā to Bhū-devī.","item_prompts":["multiple stones with cakra carvings","one prominent cakrāṅkita-śilā","Varāha gesturing/pointing","Bhū-devī attentive","pilgrims examining stones"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: patterned ground with repeated cakra motifs on stones; Varāha pointing; Bhū-devī in graceful stance; bold outlines and ornamental detailing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: foreground cakrāṅkita-śilā with gold-highlighted cakra; Varāha and Bhū-devī richly adorned; minimal background, iconic composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: naturalistic stone textures with delicate cakra engraving; calm teacher-student posture; soft palette and precise ornamentation.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: lyrical riverside/forest edge with scattered marked stones; intimate dialogue; fine brushwork, cool colors, airy space."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"descriptive, guiding","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"clear, instructive, gently emphatic"}
FAQs
It provides a rare material-culture cue—marked stones—showing how sacred geography could be anchored to visible landscape features.
A locus within the kṣetra is defined by the presence/standing of a cakra-marked stone, functioning as a site-marker.
It implicitly promotes attentive observation and respectful recognition of cultural markers within the landscape.
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