Varaha Purana 153.24: Adhyaya 153, Shloka 24
The Glory of the Mathurā Sacred Landscape: Saṃyamana Tīrtha and the Twelve Sacred Forests
नित्यमिच्छन्ति वै लोको यमस्येच्छन्ति नान्यथा ॥ एवं ज्ञात्वा प्रसन्नेन कर्त्तव्यं चात्मनो हितम् ॥
nityam icchanti vai loko yamasye cchanti nānyathā || evaṃ jñātvā prasannena karttavyaṃ cātmano hitam ||
ผู้คนย่อมปรารถนาอยู่เนืองนิตย์ แท้จริงเขาปรารถนาสิ่งที่อยู่ในอำนาจแห่งยมะ (ความตาย) มิใช่อื่นใด เมื่อรู้ดังนี้แล้ว พึงทำสิ่งที่เป็นประโยชน์แก่ตนด้วยจิตที่ผ่องใสและสงบ
Varāha (default dialogue framework; speaker not explicit in excerpt)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"Vairagya / ethical psychology","core_concept":"Unchecked desire tends toward death-bound objects; recognizing impermanence, one should act with prasanna-citta for true self-good.","practical_application":"Practice reflective restraint: before pursuing an object of desire, contemplate its perishability and choose actions aligned with long-term well-being (dharma/inner peace)."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Philosophy","Mortality"]
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Karuna
Related Themes: Varaha Purana: renunciation-leaning counsel in the surrounding verses (153.28)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A contemplative teacher-figure speaking on desire and Yama’s domain; in the background, a subtle allegory of Yama or the shadow of death contrasts with a calm, luminous mind.","item_prompts":["seated instructor","listeners with thoughtful faces","symbolic Yama silhouette or buffalo emblem (subtle)","fading worldly objects (garlands, coins)","calm aura around the speaker"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: symbolic backdrop with restrained depiction of Yama; warm tones, strong outlines; emphasis on serene facial expression (prasanna).","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central calm figure with gold halo; minimal but iconic symbols of death and desire rendered ornamentally.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: gentle chiaroscuro, contemplative mood; symbolic elements integrated softly into the scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: poetic allegory—light/dark contrast, delicate landscape, understated Yama motif."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative, sobering","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"grave, clear"}
FAQs
It captures a widely attested South Asian ethical theme: human craving persists despite mortality; therefore, prudent self-benefit is framed as disciplined conduct rather than accumulation.
No geographic location is referenced in this verse.
Recognize the inevitability of death and act with mental clarity toward genuine well-being (ātma-hita), rather than compulsive desire.
Ask anything about this verse
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