Varaha Purana 136.98 — Adhyaya 136, Shloka 98

A Sūtra-like Manual of Expiations for Ritual Transgressions

Devanagari script

भेरीशब्दमकृत्वा तु यस्तु मां प्रतिबोधयेत् ॥ बधिरो जायते भूमे एकं जन्म न संशयः

Transliteration

bherīśabdam akṛtvā tu yas tu māṁ pratibodhayet || badhiro jāyate bhūme ekaṁ janma na saṁśayaḥ

Translation

لیکن جو کوئی بھیر ی (ڈھول) کی آواز کیے بغیر مجھے جگائے/متنبہ کرے، اے زمین، وہ ایک جنم کے لیے بہرا پیدا ہوتا ہے—اس میں کوئی شک نہیں۔

Word by Word

• bherī-śabdam: drum sound

• akṛtvā: without making

• tu: but

• yaḥ: whoever

• tu: indeed

• mām: me

• pratibodhayet: would awaken/alert

• badhiraḥ: deaf

• jāyate: is born

• bhūme: O Earth

• ekam: one

• janma: birth/life

• na saṁśayaḥ: no doubt

Speaker

Varāha

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"Varāha addresses Bhu Devi (‘bhūme’) while prescribing ritual etiquette about awakening/alerting him."}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"attentive","key_question":"Implicit: What is the fault (doṣa) in waking/alerting the Lord improperly, and what is its karmic result?"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"prayaschitta","instruction_summary":"Do not rouse/alert the deity (or the Lord in ritual context) without the prescribed bherī (drum) sound; improper etiquette incurs a specific doṣa.","karmic_consequence":"Violation results in deafness for one birth (a limited but definite karmaphala)."}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Sound (nāda) is treated as ritual order; bherī functions as sanctioned ‘awakening’ of sacred presence—misuse disrupts harmony and rebounds as sensory impairment.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Implicit: bherī as ritual proclamation (like a yajña-call); the ear as the organ of Vedic reception—its impairment mirrors disrespect to prescribed sacred sound.","vedantic_connection":"Ethic of reverence to śabda (revealed sound) and regulated worship; sensory consequence underscores the sanctity of hearing as a gateway to dharma."}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ritual-ethics","core_concept":"Sacred acts require prescribed forms; disrespect or negligence toward ritual sound yields proportionate karmic effects.","practical_application":"Maintain proper temple/rite protocol; treat instruments and signals (bherī) as part of dharma, not mere ornament."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Etiquette","Sound Culture"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: None

Cross References

Related Themes: Sets up the prāyaścitta instruction in 136.109

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual moment: someone attempts to awaken/alert the Lord without the drum; the consequence is symbolized by muted ears or a shadow over the ear.","item_prompts":["bherī (kettle-drum)","worshipper reaching toward sanctum","Varāha’s admonishing gesture","ear motif (symbolic)","temple doorway/curtain"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: temple interior with bherī at side; worshipper hesitating; Varāha instructing; symbolic darkened ear icon in margin.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: sanctum arch with gold; prominent bherī rendered richly; small vignette of ear with a veil to indicate deafness consequence.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined depiction of ritual etiquette; emphasis on instrument detail; subtle symbolic cue for consequence.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: narrative split-scene—left improper awakening without drum, right consequence shown as a figure with covered ears; delicate colors."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"Cautionary, crisp","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"firm, slightly admonishing"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Ritual
• Cultural History

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It preserves evidence of sound-signaling (drum) as a ritual protocol marker, relevant to cultural history of liturgy and public ceremonial practice.

Which geographic location is identified?

No geographic location is identified; the verse concerns procedural conduct rather than place.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

Observe correct ritual protocol (including prescribed signals) to avoid negative consequences described in karmic terms.