Varaha Purana 2.16: Adhyaya 2, Shloka 16
Cosmogony and the Ninefold Creation: Rudra’s Origin and the Prelude to the Sāvitrī-Veda Narrative
सोऽपि तेन सृजस्वेति प्रोक्तो लोकमिमं शुभे । अशक्तः सोऽथ सलिले ममज्ज तपसे धृतः ॥ २.१६ ॥
so 'pi tena sṛjasvety ukto lokam imaṃ śubhe | aśaktaḥ so 'tha salile mamajja tapase dhṛtaḥ || 2.16 ||
โอผู้เป็นมงคล แม้ถูกตรัสว่า “จงสร้างโลกนี้” เขาก็ไม่อาจทำได้; แล้วจึงดำดิ่งลงสู่น้ำ ตั้งมั่นในตบะ
Varāha (default dialogue framework; addressee: Pṛthivī as “śubhe”)
FAQs
It preserves a common Purāṇic cosmogonic motif: a delegated creator is instructed to generate the world but, upon finding the task beyond immediate capacity, undertakes tapas—reflecting ascetic discipline as a legitimizing force in early Sanskrit narrative traditions.
No specific terrestrial location is named in this verse; the term salila (“waters”) functions as a cosmological setting rather than a mapped place-name.
The verse foregrounds disciplined restraint and perseverance: when confronted with incapacity, one seeks readiness through tapas (focused effort and self-discipline) rather than forcing action without competence.
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