Varaha Purana 151.19 — Adhyaya 151, Shloka 19
The Sacred Greatness of Lohārgala
The ‘Iron-Bolt’ Tīrtha
चतुर्विंशतिद्वादश्यां मासेन विधिना मम ॥ बलिः प्रदीयते तत्र सर्वकामविशोधनः
caturviṃśatidvādaśyāṃ māsena vidhinā mama || baliḥ pradīyate tatra sarvakāmaviśodhanaḥ
مہینے کے مقررہ وقت میں، چوبیسویں دوادشی کو، میری مقررہ وِدھی کے مطابق وہاں بَلی (نذر) پیش کی جاتی ہے—جو تمام خواہشات کو پاک کرنے والی کہی گئی ہے۔
Varāha (default dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"Varāha prescribes a calendrical rite to Bhūmi: on a specified Dvādaśī, a bali offering is to be made ‘by my procedure’ at that place."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious, ritual-focused; receiving procedural detail","key_question":"Which tithi-based observance and offering at this site purifies all desires, and how is it to be performed?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":true,"specific_site":"The same ‘there’ (tatra) within Mathurā-maṇḍala; exact site not named in this verse","parikrama_context":"Tithi-observance likely undertaken during pilgrimage stay; bali at the site functions as a parikramā-linked ritual act","krishna_connection":"Vaiṣṇava Dvādaśī observances are strongly connected to Viṣṇu-bhakti; in Mathurā region this naturally harmonizes with later Kṛṣṇa devotion, though not explicit."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"On the specified Dvādaśī (the ‘twenty-fourth’ Dvādaśī observance) in the stated month, offer bali at that site according to Varāha’s prescribed rite for purification of desires.","karmic_consequence":"Proper bali is said to cleanse/refine all kāmas (desires); omission implies persistence of desire-impurity (not explicitly stated)."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":true,"vrata_name":"Dvādaśī-vrata with bali (specific ‘caturviṃśati-dvādaśī’ observance)","tithi_month":"Dvādaśī; month is referenced but not named in the provided verse segment","promised_fruit":"Sarva-kāma-viśodhana: purification/refinement of all desires (leading toward higher bhakti and liberation)."}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ritual as inner transformation","core_concept":"Desire is not only suppressed but ‘viśodhita’—purified/clarified—through properly directed offering and obedience to divine vidhi.","practical_application":"Observe Dvādaśī with disciplined worship and offering; treat ritual as a tool for transforming motivations, not bargaining for pleasures."}
Subject Matter: ["Ritual Practice","Ethics","Heritage Sites"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: tīrtha/temple precinct associated with bali offering
Related Themes: Connects to 151.22’s description of a horse fashioned ‘for me’—likely part of the same offering complex
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Dvādaśī rite at a sacred site: priests/devotees prepare a bali offering with regulated procedure under Varāha’s injunction.","item_prompts":["altar/platform for bali","offerings (rice balls, flowers, incense)","conch (śaṅkha) and bell","tithi marker (moon phase motif)","devotees in clean garments"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: ritual scene with stylized altar, lamps, conch; Varāha/Viṣṇu as presiding deity; rhythmic arrangement of attendants.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate altar with gold highlights; deity with heavy jewelry; offerings rendered richly; embossed lamps and vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: detailed ritual implements, subtle expressions; emphasis on procedural calm and purity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate courtyard ritual; soft colors; moon/tithi symbolism in sky; delicate depiction of offerings."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"ritualistic, precise","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"measured, instructional"}
FAQs
It provides evidence of calendrical ritual structuring (Dvādaśī-based observances) and localized offering practices, important for reconstructing the lived ritual calendar around tīrthas.
The verse indicates performance “there” (tatra) but does not supply a toponym; identification depends on adjacent passages and manuscript recensions.
Desires are to be disciplined and refined (viśodhana) through regulated observance rather than indulgence.
Ask anything about this verse
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