Varaha Purana 55.48: Adhyaya 55, Shloka 48
Observance of the Auspicious Dvādaśī Vow and the Sacred Account of the Kubjākāmra Tīrtha
एवमुक्तस्तदा देवः शङ्खचक्रगदाधरः । बभौ तत्पुरतः सौम्यो वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह ॥ ५५.४८ ॥
evam uktas tadā devaḥ śaṅkhacakragadādharaḥ | babhau tat-purataḥ saumyo vākyaṃ cedam uvāca ha || 55.48 ||
یوں کہے جانے پر شَنکھ، چکر اور گدا دھارنے والے دیوتا اُس کے سامنے نہایت لطیف صورت میں ظاہر ہوئے اور یہ کلام فرمایا۔
Narrator (speaker not explicit in fragment; within Varāha Purāṇa dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"boar_form_detail":"No boar traits; the deity appears in Vaiṣṇava iconography with śaṅkha-cakra-gadā.","earth_interaction":"He manifests before the petitioner and begins speaking—granting darśana as response to the request."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"krishna_connection":"Vaiṣṇava four-armed iconography (śaṅkha-cakra-gadā) aligns with Nārāyaṇa/Hari worship that later includes Kṛṣṇa as Bhagavān, but no explicit Mathurā link here."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"The shift from requested svarūpa to a recognizable Nārāyaṇa-form underscores avatāra plurality: the Supreme can disclose himself in forms suited to devotion and instruction.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Not explicit; iconographic markers (conch/discus/mace) function as cosmic-order symbols (śaṅkha—pranava/creation call; cakra—time/dharma; gadā—power).","vedantic_connection":"Saguna manifestation as pedagogical compassion: the Absolute becomes approachable through form, name, and attributes."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"bhakti epistemology","core_concept":"Divine knowledge is mediated through darśana and śabda (the Lord’s own words) after sincere petition.","practical_application":"In practice, combine prayer with attentive listening to dharmic teaching; treat revealed instruction as transformative."}
Subject Matter: ["Narrative","Theophany (appearance of a deity)","Dialogue framing"]
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: visionary encounter (darśana)
Related Themes: 55.55.47 (request for form); 55.55.49 (boon offer)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hari appears before the devotee/king, four-armed, holding conch, discus, and mace, with a gentle, soothing countenance, poised to speak.","item_prompts":["four-armed Viṣṇu/Hari","śaṅkha (conch)","cakra (discus)","gadā (mace)","gentle facial expression","aura/halo","devotee in foreground"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: symmetrical four-armed Hari with bold outlines, luminous halo, saturated greens/reds, devotee at lower corner, poised speaking gesture.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central standing Hari with heavy gold-leaf ornaments and halo, crisp weapons, devotee kneeling, ornate arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: elegant Viṣṇu with soft modeling, detailed jewelry, subtle glow, refined weapon depiction, calm narrative balance.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: slender graceful Hari with delicate features, pastel background, minimal architecture, emphasis on gentle darśana and dialogue moment."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"awe settling into calm","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear, resonant, softened on 'saumyaḥ' and 'uvāca'"}
FAQs
It preserves a common Purāṇic narrative device: the deity’s epiphanic appearance followed by direct instruction, a stylistic marker of didactic dialogue literature.
No geographic location is named in this verse; it functions as a transition into a forthcoming speech rather than a place-description.
No explicit ethical injunction appears here; the verse primarily establishes the authoritative speaker (the deity) and prepares the reader for the instructional discourse that follows.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
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 word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.