Varaha Purana 147.58 — Adhyaya 147, Shloka 58
The Sacred Merit of Goniṣkramaṇa
the Tīrtha of the Cows’ Emergence/Release
श्लोकं वा यदि वा पादं यदीच्छेत् परमां गतिम्॥ तत्क्षेत्रं तु महाभागे पञ्चयोजनमण्डलम्॥
ślokaṃ vā yadi vā pādaṃ yadīcchet paramāṃ gatim || tatkṣetraṃ tu mahābhāge pañcayojanamaṇḍalam ||
خواہ پورا شلوک ہو یا صرف ایک پاد—اگر کوئی اعلیٰ ترین گتی چاہے—تو اے نیک بانو! وہ مقدس کھیتر پانچ یوجن کے دائرے تک ہے۔
Varāha
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"Varāha addresses Bhū-devī respectfully (mahābhāge), defining the sacred circuit’s extent for her understanding."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious","key_question":"What is the extent/measure of that kṣetra whose mere recitation grants the highest goal?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"Defines a pañca-yojana maṇḍala—implicitly a pradakṣiṇā/parikramā-able sacred circuit.","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"None","karmic_consequence":"None"}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"soteriology via śravaṇa/smaraṇa","core_concept":"Alpa-upāya, mahā-phala: even a fragment of sacred utterance, when linked to a potent kṣetra and right aspiration, can orient one to paramā gati.","practical_application":"Maintain reverent engagement with sacred texts and sacred geography: learn/recite even small portions with faith; undertake the kṣetra-parikramā within its defined boundary."}
Subject Matter: ["Geography","Heritage Sites","Textual Tradition"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: kṣetra/maṇḍala (sacred circuit)
Related Themes: 147.65.0; 147.66.0; 147.67.0
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha as divine teacher indicates the sacred region’s boundary as a five-yojana circuit, speaking to Bhū-devī.","item_prompts":["Varāha in calm teaching posture","Bhū-devī listening with folded hands","circular maṇḍala/map-like ring indicating ‘pañca-yojana’","pilgrims walking a circumambulatory path","subtle script/leaf-manuscript motif for ‘śloka/pāda’"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: serene Varāha as guru, Bhū-devī attentive, a stylized circular kṣetra-maṇḍala behind them, warm earthy palette, ornate jewelry, flat decorative landscape.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: Varāha and Bhū-devī with gold-leaf halos, embossed circular maṇḍala border signifying five yojanas, temple-like arch framing, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework, soft shading, Varāha gesturing to a drawn maṇḍala on the ground, Bhū-devī seated, manuscript palm-leaf in foreground.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: lyrical hills and pilgrimage path forming a ring, Varāha and Bhū-devī in intimate dialogue, minimal architecture, crisp colors and fine facial expressions."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"reverential, instructive","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear, didactic, gently emphatic on ‘paramāṃ gatim’ and ‘pañcayojana’"}
FAQs
It is evidence for how Purāṇic sources demarcate sacred space using measurement language (yojana), relevant to historical geography and pilgrimage studies.
A specific named site is not provided in the fragment; the verse defines the extent of a kṣetra as a five-yojana circuit.
It emphasizes the value of even minimal textual engagement (a pāda) and links it to aspirational ethical-spiritual aims.
Ask anything about this verse
Curious about the meaning, context, or a word? Ask, and continue the conversation in the Vedapath app.
A free Google sign-in keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Varaha Purana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.