Varaha Purana 17.21 — Adhyaya 17, Shloka 21
King Prajāpāla’s Visit to Sage Mahātapā’s Hermitage and the Doctrinal Praise of Nārāyaṇa
नृप उवाच । भगवन् सर्वधर्मज्ञ कथं विष्णुः सनातनः । पूज्यते मोक्षमिच्छद्भिः पुरुषैर्वद तत्त्वतः ॥ १७.२१ ॥
nṛpa uvāca | bhagavan sarvadharmajña kathaṃ viṣṇuḥ sanātanaḥ | pūjyate mokṣam icchadbhiḥ puruṣair vada tattvataḥ || 17.21 ||
กษัตริย์ตรัสว่า “ข้าแต่พระผู้เป็นเจ้า ผู้รู้ธรรมทั้งปวง ผู้ใฝ่โมกษะควรบูชาพระวิษณุผู้เป็นนิรันดร์อย่างไร โปรดอธิบายตามสัจธรรมโดยแท้”
Nṛpa (the King)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"questioner","key_question":"How should the eternal Viṣṇu be worshipped by those seeking mokṣa, according to essential truth (tattvataḥ)?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"varnashrama","instruction_summary":"A seeker of liberation should approach Viṣṇu-worship grounded in dharma and tattva, asking for the correct method rather than mere external rite.","karmic_consequence":"Right worship aligned with dharma and truth leads toward purification and mokṣa; wrong/ignorant practice yields limited fruit and continued saṃsāra."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"soteriology and bhakti-yoga praxis","core_concept":"Mokṣa-oriented worship requires tattva (right understanding) alongside dharma (right conduct).","practical_application":"Seek instruction from a qualified knower of dharma; prioritize intention (mokṣa) and correct principles over performative ritualism."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Soteriology (Liberation/Mokṣa)","Ritual Practice (Pūjā)","Vaishnava Theology (textual)"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: royal court/assembly (implied)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 17.17.22-25 (immediate response: how Viṣṇu is pleased; Viṣṇu as source of devas)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king, hands folded, questions a great ascetic about the true method of worshipping eternal Viṣṇu for liberation.","item_prompts":["seated king with añjali-mudrā","sage/ācārya on kuśa seat","palm-leaf manuscript","simple court/āśrama setting"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: dignified king in añjali before a tapasvin sage; flat warm palette, ornate borders, calm śānta mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: king and sage with rich textiles; subtle halo motifs; gold accents on ornaments; minimal background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: delicate linework, restrained courtly setting, soft shading; emphasis on respectful dialogue.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: intimate indoor pavilion/forest hermitage; lyrical faces; muted greens and ochres; focus on the questioning gesture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"reverent inquiry","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"clear, respectful, didactic"}
FAQs
It exemplifies the Purāṇic pedagogical format—an inquiry by a ruler to an authoritative teacher—framing ritual practice (pūjā) in relation to mokṣa, a central concern in late-classical Sanskrit religious-philosophical literature.
No geographic location is named in this verse; the focus is doctrinal and procedural (how worship is performed by seekers of liberation).
The verse foregrounds a disciplined pursuit of truth-oriented understanding (tattvataḥ) in matters of dharma and practice, emphasizing informed, principled action rather than mere formalism.
Ask anything about this verse
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