Varaha Purana 60.3 — Adhyaya 60, Shloka 3
The Rite of the Śāntivrata: A Yearlong Observance with Viṣṇu-on-Śeṣa and Nāga-Anganyāsa Worship
नक्तं देवं तु सम्पूज्य हरिं शेषोपरि स्थितम् । अनन्तायेति पादौ तु वासुकायेति वै कटिम् ॥ ६०.३ ॥
naktaṃ devaṃ tu sampūjya hariṃ śeṣopari sthitam | anantāyeti pādau tu vāsukāyeti vai kaṭim || 60.3 ||
ครั้นบูชาเทวะหริผู้ประทับเหนือเศษะในยามราตรีโดยชอบแล้ว พึงกล่าวนาม ‘อนันตะ’ แด่พระบาท และกล่าวนาม ‘วาสุกิ’ แด่พระเอว।
Varāha (default dialogue framework; speaker not explicit in excerpt)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"Hari-on-Śeṣa iconography anticipates later Vaiṣṇava temple worship that culminates in Kṛṣṇa-bhakti, but no direct Mathurā/Kṛṣṇa reference here."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"Perform nocturnal worship of Hari resting on Śeṣa, assigning divine serpent-names to body-parts (feet as Ananta; waist as Vāsuki) as a nyāsa-like identification.","karmic_consequence":"Correct mantric identification stabilizes protection and devotion; incorrect/neglected procedure is said to reduce efficacy (mantra-śakti) of the rite."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":true,"vrata_name":"Śeṣa-śayana-Hari-pūjā with nāga-nāma-nyāsa (as part of the Kārttika observance sequence)","tithi_month":"Within the Kārttika vrata-cycle; performed at night (naktam)","promised_fruit":"Protection, steadiness of mind, and enhanced merit through properly embodied worship (aṅga-pūjā/nyāsa)."}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"Ritual interiorization (aṅga-devatā-bhāvanā)","core_concept":"The deity is approached through ordered attention to limbs and names, training concentration (ekāgratā) and sacralizing perception.","practical_application":"During pūjā, proceed limb-by-limb with clear name-recitation, maintaining a single devotional visualization of Hari on Śeṣa."}
Subject Matter: ["Ritual Practice","Vaishnavism","Mantric Identification","Sacred Iconography"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: Iconic/temple setting (conceptual)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 60.60.4-5 (continuation of limb/name assignments)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Night-time worship: Hari reclining/poised upon Śeṣa; the worshipper performs aṅga-pūjā, touching/gesturing to feet and waist while reciting Ananta and Vāsuki.","item_prompts":["Hari on Śeṣa (multi-hooded serpent couch)","oil lamp/night setting","worshipper’s hand-gestures to feet/waist","pūjā tray with flowers and incense"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: deep night blues, glowing lamp; Hari on Śeṣa with stylized serpent hoods; devotee performing aṅga-nyāsa with precise mudrā.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate Hari-on-Śeṣa icon with gold work; lamp-lit night; devotee below labeling limbs with Ananta/Vāsuki in inscription-like bands.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant temple interior, soft chiaroscuro; detailed Śeṣa couch; refined gestures of limb worship.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate shrine scene under moonlight; simplified Śeṣa couch; lyrical focus on lamp and recitation posture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"Devotional and focused","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"Medium","voice_tone":"Soft but precise, mantra-like articulation"}
FAQs
It preserves a ritual-lexical convention in Purāṇic literature where parts of Viṣṇu’s form are associated with nāga names (Śeṣa/Ananta/Vāsuka), reflecting medieval South Asian iconography and liturgical address formulas.
No specific geographic toponym is mentioned in this verse; the content is primarily ritual and iconographic rather than a sacred-geography notice.
The verse emphasizes disciplined and attentive worship—careful, respectful address to the divine form—presented as a procedural (rather than coercive) guideline within a Vaiṣṇava devotional-ritual framework.
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