Varaha Purana 136.31 — Adhyaya 136, Shloka 31

A Sūtra-like Manual of Expiations for Ritual Transgressions

Devanagari script

एवं मह्यं हरो वाक्यमुक्त्वा भूतमहेश्वरः ॥ मुहूर्त्तं ध्यानमास्थाय पुनः प्रोवाच माधवि

Transliteration

evaṃ mahyaṃ haro vākyam uktvā bhūtamaheśvaraḥ || muhūrttaṃ dhyānam āsthāya punaḥ provāca mādhavi

Translation

یوں مجھ سے یہ کلمات کہہ کر، بھوتوں کے مہیشور ہر نے ایک لمحہ دھیان اختیار کیا، پھر، اے مادھوی، دوبارہ فرمایا۔

Word by Word

• evaṃ: thus

• mahyam: to me

• haraḥ: Hara (Śiva)

• vākyam: words/speech

• uktvā: having spoken

• bhūta: beings/creatures

• maheśvaraḥ: great lord

• muhūrttam: for a moment

• dhyānam: meditation

• āsthāya: having entered/undertaken

• punaḥ: again

• provāca: spoke

• mādhavi: O Mādhavī (voc.)

Speaker

Narrator (default framework: Varāha as instructor) (inferred narrative voice)

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false}

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":"Meditative discipline as prerequisite to right speech","core_concept":"After speaking, Hara enters brief dhyāna, implying that counsel/teaching should arise from recollection, inner stillness, and alignment with dharma.","practical_application":"Before advising or acting in morally complex situations, pause for dhyāna—steady the mind, review intention, and speak from clarity rather than impulse."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Narrative transition","Meditative practice (dhyāna)","Dialogue framing"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: śānta

Cross References

Related Themes: Immediate surrounding verses: Śiva’s confession and request for guidance; subsequent instruction likely follows this meditative pause.

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hara falls silent, closes his eyes, and enters a brief meditative absorption; the listener (Mādhavī/recipient) waits as the atmosphere becomes still.","item_prompts":["Śiva seated in yogic posture","half-closed eyes, serene face","subtle breath/energy lines indicating dhyāna","quiet attendant/listener figure","minimal background to emphasize stillness"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Śiva in dhyāna with stylized lotus seat, flat color fields, rhythmic ornament, subdued background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central meditating Śiva with large gold halo, embossed ornaments, sparse setting to highlight the pause.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, refined shading on face and hands, gentle gold accents, emphasis on calm interiority.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature, Śiva meditating under a simple canopy or tree, soft landscape, quiet companion figure at a respectful distance."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"Quiet, transitional, inward-turning","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"soft, measured, with a deliberate pause after the verse"}

Tags

• Purāṇic Narrative
• Sanskrit Literature
• Meditation Terminology
• Textual Framing

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It preserves a common Purāṇic narrative technique: a brief meditative pause marks a shift from praise/identity statements to practical instruction.

Which geographic location is identified?

No geographic reference appears in this verse.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

It models reflective restraint: pausing in dhyāna before further speech, implying deliberation prior to action or counsel.