Varaha Purana 213.41 — Adhyaya 213, Shloka 41

The Glory of Gokarṇeśvara: Nandin’s Austerities and Śiva’s Boons

Devanagari script

नीलकण्ठाय भीमाय भूतभव्यभवाय च ॥ लम्बभ्रुवे करालाय हरिनेत्राय मीढुषे ॥

Transliteration

nīlakaṇṭhāya bhīmāya bhūtabhavyabhavāya ca || lambabhruve karālāya harinetrāya mīḍhuṣe ||

Translation

“นอบน้อมแด่นีลกัณฐะ ผู้คอสีน้ำเงิน แด่ภีมะผู้เกรียงไกร; แด่ผู้เป็นอดีต อนาคต และปัจจุบัน; แด่ผู้คิ้วยาว ผู้ดุดันน่าเกรงขาม; แด่ผู้มีเนตรสีทอง และแด่มีฑุษ ผู้ประทานอย่างเมตตา”

Word by Word

• नील-कण्ठाय: to the blue-throated one
• नील-कण्ठाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Dative recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नील (प्रातिपदिक) + कण्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः: नीलः कण्ठः यस्य—“blue-throated”

• भीमाय: to the terrible/awesome one
• भीमाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Dative recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन

• भूत-भव्य-भवाय: to (him who is) past, future, and present
• भूत-भव्य-भवाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Dative recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक) + भव्य (प्रातिपदिक) + भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; द्वन्द्वः (समाहार/इतरेतर): भूतं च भव्यं च भवश्च—“past, future, and present/existence” (as an epithet)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• लम्ब-भ्रुवे: to the long-browed one
• लम्ब-भ्रुवे: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Dative recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लम्ब (प्रातिपदिक) + भ्रू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः: लम्बे भ्रू (यस्य)—“having long/pendant eyebrows”

• करालाय: to the fierce one
• करालाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Dative recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कराल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन

• हरि-नेत्राय: to the one with Hari-/deer-like eyes
• हरि-नेत्राय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Dative recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक) + नेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: हरेः नेत्रे (यस्य) / हरिणे (मृगस्य) नेत्रे इव—“having eyes like Hari’s / like a deer” (epithet)

• मीढुषे: to the bestower (showerer of boons)
• मीढुषे: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Dative recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मीढुष् (प्रातिपदिक; √मिह्/√मीढ् ‘to shower, to grant’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; वैदिक-प्रयोगः/विशेष-नाम (epithet: “the showerer/bestower”)

Speaker

Sage/ascetic (mahātapāḥ)

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"devotee"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"time-and-transcendence","core_concept":"The deity encompasses the triad of time (past-present-future) while remaining the beneficent giver (mīḍhuṣ): transcendence does not negate grace.","practical_application":"Contemplate impermanence and time’s sweep; cultivate surrender to the timeless while acting responsibly in the present."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Time triad (past-present-future)","Protective/terrific divine imagery","Epithets and semantics"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 213.43–44 (stuti sequence)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Śiva is praised as blue-throated and terrible, embodying all time; his eyes appear tawny, brows long, visage formidable yet benevolent.","item_prompts":["blue throat (nīlakaṇṭha) clearly marked","fierce yet composed facial expression","long brows","tawny/golden eyes","a subtle time motif (three bands/three flames)","devotee chanting in foreground"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: strong blue at throat, bold eyes and brows; background with three rhythmic bands symbolizing time; devotee in añjali; saturated earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-leaf halo; blue throat enamel-like; fierce features softened by benevolent posture; decorative tri-time motif around frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: nuanced expression—terrible yet compassionate; delicate blue shading at throat; minimal symbolic time elements.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: stylized blue throat and bright eyes; time suggested by three clouds or three mountain ridges; intimate devotional scale."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"majestic and slightly fearsome devotion","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"deep, emphatic on ‘nīlakaṇṭhāya’ and ‘bhūtabhavyabhavāya’"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Hymnody
• Śaiva Traditions
• Sanskrit Philology

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It combines ‘terrific’ and ‘beneficent’ descriptors, illustrating a Purāṇic strategy of portraying divinity as simultaneously awe-inspiring and protective, with a notable time-triad formulation.

Which geographic location is identified?

No geographic location is identified in this verse.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

By linking power with beneficence, the verse implicitly values strength exercised for protection and generosity rather than domination.