Varaha Purana 164.35 — Adhyaya 164, Shloka 35
The Efficacy of Circumambulating Annakūṭa
Govardhana
ततो हरो निवेद्याशु यात्राफलमनुत्तमम् ॥ चक्रतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा पञ्चतीर्थाख्यकुण्डके ॥
tato haro nivedyāśu yātrāphalam anuttamam || cakratīrthe naraḥ snātvā pañcatīrthākhyakuṇḍake ||
แล้วพระหระ (ศิวะ) ทรงประกาศผลอันยอดยิ่งแห่งการจาริก: ผู้ใดอาบน้ำชำระที่จักรตีรถะ และที่สระชื่อปัญจตีรถะ ย่อมได้บุญกุศลนั้น
Varāha (default dialogue-frame attribution)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"observer","bhu_devi_state":"attentive (hearing a reported declaration by Hara)"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":true,"specific_site":"Cakratīrtha and Pañcatīrtha-kuṇḍa","parikrama_context":"Explicit yātrā-phala statement: bathing at these two stations constitutes a key segment of the regional pilgrimage route, likely undertaken in a prescribed order.","krishna_connection":"Cakra (Viṣṇu’s discus) imagery aligns with Vaiṣṇava sacrality of Vraja; not explicit to Kṛṣṇa-līlā but harmonizes with Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa identity."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"instruction_summary":"Pilgrimage merit is specified: snāna at Cakratīrtha and Pañcatīrtha-kuṇḍa yields ‘anuttama’ yātrā-phala as declared (here attributed to Hara).","karmic_consequence":"Observance grants superior merit; omission implies loss of the ‘anuttama’ fruit within the yātrā sequence."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"promised_fruit":"Anuttama yātrā-phala (supreme pilgrimage merit) through snāna at the named tīrthas."}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Cakra signifies dharma-protection and cosmic order; bathing at ‘Cakratīrtha’ ritually aligns the pilgrim with Viṣṇu’s sustaining power, while ‘Pañcatīrtha’ suggests a confluence/aggregation of multiple purifying streams (pañca) into one locus.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Implicit pañca-structure echoes yajña’s ordered components; cakra evokes the wheel of ṛta/dharma that yajña sustains.","vedantic_connection":"Pilgrimage is framed as a means to sattva-śuddhi: aligning with dharma (cakra) and integrating multiple purificatory disciplines (pañca) to support liberation-oriented living."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"inter-sectarian dharma / tīrtha-sādhana","core_concept":"Sacred practice transcends sectarian boundaries: even Hara proclaims the excellence of Vaiṣṇava-tinged tīrthas; disciplined yātrā and snāna cultivate purity and merit.","practical_application":"Follow the yātrā sequence: take snāna at Cakratīrtha, then at Pañcatīrtha-kuṇḍa; accompany with mantra-japa and charity to pilgrims/priests as capacity allows."}
Subject Matter: ["Geography","Heritage Sites","Ethics"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tīrtha and kuṇḍa (water sanctuaries)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 164.36.0-164.39.0 (cluster of Vraja tīrtha-māhātmya statements)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim route scene: at Cakratīrtha, a discus emblem (cakra) is carved on a shrine or appears as a sign; then the pilgrim bathes at a nearby pond labeled Pañcatīrtha; a dignified Hara figure is shown declaring the yātrā’s unsurpassed fruit.","item_prompts":["water ghāṭa at Cakratīrtha","cakra emblem on stone/temple wall","second pond with ‘Pañcatīrtha’ marker","Hara (Śiva) as declarer—trident, matted hair—gesturing in instruction","pilgrims bathing and offering flowers"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Hara in stylized form instructing; bold cakra symbol; twin water-sites; ornamental borders; saturated blues/greens for water.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-leaf cakra emblem and Hara’s ornaments; richly decorated ghāṭa; luminous water; inscriptions for both tīrthas.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined depiction of Śiva teaching; detailed temple architecture; subtle glow around cakra emblem; calm devotional palette.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: narrative sequence in one frame (two ponds separated by grove); small Śiva figure speaking; delicate landscape and flowing water lines."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative-instructional, devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"measured and authoritative, with gentle emphasis on ‘अनुत्तमम्’ and the tīrtha names"}
FAQs
It reflects a Purāṇic cataloguing of sacred micro-geographies (tīrthas and kuṇḍas), preserving a ritual map associated with Govardhana-region pilgrimage circuits.
Cakratīrtha and a pond called Pañcatīrtha-kuṇḍa; these names are typically associated in scholarship with the Govardhana/Br̥j area’s sacred water-sites.
The verse promotes disciplined pilgrimage practice framed as culturally valued conduct (yātrā), emphasizing purification through bathing at designated heritage water-sites.
Ask anything about this verse
A free Google sign-in 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 audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.