Varaha Purana 47.20: Adhyaya 47, Shloka 20
The Rite of Śrāvaṇa Bright-Fortnight Dvādaśī (Dāmodara Worship) and the Exemplum of King Nṛga
सर्वापत्सु च सा देवी भवन्तं परिरक्षति । यया विनिहताः क्रूरा म्लेच्छाः पापसमन्विताः । भवांश्च रक्षितो राजन् श्रावणद्वादशी तु सा ॥ ४७.२० ॥
sarvā-patsu ca sā devī bhavantaṃ parirakṣati | yayā vinihatāḥ krūrā mlecchāḥ pāpa-samanvitāḥ | bhavāṃś ca rakṣito rājan śrāvaṇa-dvādaśī tu sā || 47.20 ||
ہر مصیبت میں وہ دیوی تمہاری حفاظت کرتی ہے؛ اسی کے ذریعے گناہ آلودہ ظالم مِلِچھ ناپید کیے گئے۔ اے راجَن، تم بھی محفوظ رہے؛ وہی شراون دوادشی ہے۔
Varāha (default speaker per dialogue framework; not explicit in excerpt)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","key_question":"Which observance/day is this protective goddess, and what is her protective power in calamities?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"krishna_connection":"Indirect: Dvādaśī as Vaiṣṇava sacred day aligns with Viṣṇu-bhakti that later centers on Kṛṣṇa, but no explicit Mathurā/Kṛṣṇa marker here."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"prayaschitta","instruction_summary":"Observe Śrāvaṇa Dvādaśī as a protective dharmic rite; it functions as apad-rakṣā (protection in calamity) and as a purifier that counters adharma forces.","karmic_consequence":"Observance brings protection and victory over harmful forces; neglect implies vulnerability in calamities and diminished dharmic safeguard."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":true,"vrata_name":"Śrāvaṇa Dvādaśī","tithi_month":"Dvādaśī in Śrāvaṇa (month)","promised_fruit":"Protection in all calamities; destruction/repulsion of hostile, adharmic forces; safeguarding of the king."}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"bhakti + dharma as protective order","core_concept":"Sacred time (Dvādaśī) personified as Devī becomes a shield for the devotee/king; dharmic observance aligns the ruler with cosmic protection.","practical_application":"In periods of political or personal संकट, intensify disciplined observance of Vaiṣṇava tithis with devotion and ethical governance."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Observance (Vrata)","Kingship and Protection"]
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 47.47.19 (phala: kingdom attained); Varāha Purāṇa 47.47.21 (amplification via ‘twelve’); Varāha Purāṇa 48.48.1 (dvadaśī worship with saṅkalpa)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A protective goddess identified with Śrāvaṇa Dvādaśī stands as guardian over a king; calamities and hostile forces are shown being repelled or destroyed.","item_prompts":["goddess as personified tithi with protective gesture (abhaya-mudrā)","king under her protection","dark chaotic figures representing ‘āpad’ and hostile invaders being driven away","calendar/tithi symbol (moon with ‘dvādaśī’ mark)","Vaiṣṇava emblems subtly present (śaṅkha/cakra motifs)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Devī as protective tithi with abhaya; stylized adversaries subdued; strong reds/ochres; serene face despite vīra theme.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Devī and king under ornate prabhāmaṇḍala; gold-leaf on jewelry; adversaries minimized at the base as vanquished figures.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant Devī-guardian composition; fine shading; calm protective aura; restrained depiction of conflict.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: narrative vignette—king sheltered by luminous Devī; small dramatic scene of foes fleeing; soft night-sky hinting lunar tithi."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective, resolute","suggested_raga":"Durgā (for rakṣā-bhāva)","pace":"medium-fast","voice_tone":"firm, confident, blessing-like"}
FAQs
It illustrates a common Purāṇic literary motif: framing calendrical observances (tithi-based vratas) as culturally authoritative practices by linking them to royal protection and social order within the narrative voice of the text.
No specific toponym is mentioned in this verse; the reference is calendrical (Śrāvaṇa-dvādaśī) rather than geographic.
The verse presents an ethics of protective order: adherence to a recognized observance is portrayed as supporting safety during crises and restraining harmful forces, expressed through the theme of safeguarding the king and community.
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