Varaha Purana 173.2 — Adhyaya 173, Shloka 2
Account of Gokarṇa’s Śuka-Satra, Temple Consecration, and the Resulting Merit
सम्मान्य पूजयामास यथाविभवशक्तितः ॥ मथुरावासिभिर्लोकैरुद्यानं कारयंस्तदा
sammānya pūjayāmāsa yathā-vibhava-śaktitaḥ || mathurā-vāsibhir lokair udyānaṃ kārayaṃs tadā
เขาได้ให้เกียรติและบูชาตามกำลังทรัพย์ของตน; และในกาลนั้นร่วมกับชาวเมืองมถุรา ได้ให้จัดสร้างอุทยานขึ้น
Varāha (narration)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":true,"specific_site":"Mathurā (city precinct; udvāna/garden within Mathurā-vāsa)","parikrama_context":"Civic beautification of a tīrtha-city supports pilgrims and parikramā culture by providing rest, shade, and ritual-friendly public space.","krishna_connection":"Indirect: Mathurā as Kṛṣṇa’s janma-bhūmi is evoked by place-name; the garden anticipates later Vaiṣṇava sacralization of Mathurā’s groves (vana/upavana) associated with Kṛṣṇa-līlā."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"rajaniti","instruction_summary":"Honor and worship should be offered ‘according to one’s capacity’ (yathā-vibhava-śaktitaḥ), and public works (like gardens) are meritorious civic dharma when done with community participation.","karmic_consequence":"Capacity-based giving avoids hypocrisy and accrues puṇya; creating public amenities yields lasting merit and good repute; stinginess or neglect of civic duty diminishes fame and welfare."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of capacity (yathā-śakti)","core_concept":"Dharma is sustainable when aligned with one’s means and when it benefits the wider community.","practical_application":"Give and host without overextension; support shared sacred spaces—plant trees, maintain gardens, fund water/rest facilities for pilgrims."}
Subject Matter: ["Heritage Sites","Geography","Ethics","Civic Culture"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Type: sacred city (tīrtha-kṣetra)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa: Mathurā-māhātmya sections that praise groves, tīrthas, and civic merit (general internal thematic link)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Mathurā citizens collaborate with Gokarṇa to lay out a garden—digging beds, planting trees and flowering shrubs—while he honors people with modest offerings.","item_prompts":["city backdrop of Mathurā","workers planting saplings","water pots and irrigation channels","flowering creepers and shade trees","Gokarṇa supervising with calm authority","citizens in groups (Mathurā-vāsinaḥ)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized Mathurā skyline; rhythmic arrangement of gardeners; lush greens and reds; Gokarṇa centrally placed blessing the work.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate arch framing Mathurā; gold highlights on flowering trees; Gokarṇa with halo-like prabhā; decorative garden symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined courtly civic scene; detailed foliage; gentle expressions; emphasis on ‘yathā-śakti’ modest offerings in hand.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: bright, narrative landscape; terraced garden beds; small groups planting; river hint in distance; lyrical springtime mood."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"uplifting, civic-commendatory","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear, encouraging, narrative"}
FAQs
It preserves a literary memory of civic beautification (garden/park construction) and collective participation, useful for studying ideals of urban culture in Sanskrit narrative sources.
Mathurā is explicitly mentioned; it is commonly identified with modern Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, India.
One should honour others and undertake beneficial works in proportion to one’s capacity (yathā-vibhava-śaktitaḥ).
Ask anything about this verse
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