Varaha Purana 167.4 — Adhyaya 167, Shloka 4
The Glory of the Viśrānti Tīrtha and the Account of a Rākṣasa’s Liberation
पुण्यतीर्थं समासाद्य न च स्नानं करोति सः ॥ वेदवेदाङ्गरहितः परदाररतः सदा ॥
puṇyatīrthaṃ samāsādya na ca snānaṃ karoti saḥ || vedavedāṅgarahitaḥ paradārarataḥ sadā ||
“نیکی کے تیرتھ پر پہنچ کر بھی وہ اسنان نہ کرتا تھا۔ وہ وید اور ویدانگ سے محروم تھا، اور ہمیشہ پرائی عورت کی طرف مائل رہتا تھا۔”
Varāha
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"concerned","key_question":"What is the spiritual consequence of reaching a tīrtha yet refusing its prescribed observances, and of living without Vedic discipline while committing adultery?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"prayaschitta","instruction_summary":"At a tīrtha one should perform snāna and allied observances; neglect of tīrtha-dharma plus parastrī-gamana (adultery) constitutes grave adharma requiring expiation.","karmic_consequence":"Disrespect to tīrtha and sexual misconduct destroy accumulated merit and invite severe karmic retribution; expiation and reform are implied as the only remedy."}
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":"karma-śuddhi (purification)","core_concept":"Sacred places and rites are effective only when met with śraddhā and self-restraint; knowledge without conduct—or conduct without restraint—fails dharma.","practical_application":"When visiting tīrthas, perform prescribed snāna with intention; cultivate brahmacarya-like restraint within gārhasthya; seek instruction rather than living ‘Veda-less’ by choice."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Heritage sites (tīrtha)","Education (Vedic learning)"]
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: pilgrimage ford / sacred bathing place
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 167 (tīrtha and conduct theme continues)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim site with clear water; the brāhmaṇa stands at the bank refusing to bathe, while scenes hint at his lack of learning and illicit desire.","item_prompts":["tīrtha river/kuṇḍa","steps/ghāṭa","brāhmaṇa turning away from water","unrolled palm-leaf texts absent/ignored","shadowy motif of forbidden liaison"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: luminous blue-green water at ghāṭa; brāhmaṇa in white, arms folded, refusing snāna; symbolic side-panel of temptation; strong narrative clarity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted ghāṭa architecture; stylized water; brāhmaṇa with proud stance; small moral vignette framed like a medallion; ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: delicate rendering of rippling water and stone steps; restrained depiction of moral lapse through gesture and spacing; Varāha as narrator in upper corner.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: lyrical riverside with trees; brāhmaṇa at bank, water shimmering; subtle narrative of transgression suggested through distant figures; soft pastels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"cautionary, grave","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"stern, reflective"}
FAQs
It reflects a normative linkage between pilgrimage culture, learning traditions (Veda/vedāṅga), and social conduct in Purāṇic moral storytelling.
A ‘puṇya-tīrtha’ is mentioned generically here; no specific site-name is given in this verse.
Neglect of customary observances and learning, coupled with sexual misconduct, is presented as a composite pattern of ethical failure.
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