Varaha Purana - Adhyaya 48
Varaha PuranaAdhyaya 4825 Shlokas

Adhyaya 48: The Kalki Dvādaśī Observance and the Episode of King Viśāla

Kalki-dvādaśī-vrata-vidhiḥ tathā Viśāla-rājopākhyānam

Ritual-Manual with Purāṇic Exemplum (Avatāra-Theology and Royal Ethics)

在伐罗诃(Varāha)与大地女神(Pṛthivī)的教诲框架中,本章制定了婆陀罗月白半月第十二日(Bhādrapada-śukla Dvādaśī)奉行之法,专礼毗湿奴之相——迦尔基(Kalki):以逐名安置肢分的赞颂(aṅga-nyāsa式)、安奉迦尔基金像,并将金像施与博学婆罗门。随后转入迦尸(Kāśī)毗舍罗王(Viśāla)的事迹:他失国后退隐至靠近跋陀梨(Badarī)的甘达摩陀那(Gandhamādana),遇见那罗与那罗延(Nara、Nārāyaṇa),得许愿赐福,遂求能以多种达克希那(dakṣiṇā)行诸祭祀(yajña)。那罗阐明毗湿奴诸化身次第,并说明不同礼拜形态对应不同所求:智慧、宗族延续、护佑、富饶、子嗣、容光与摧敌。章末指出,毗舍罗持守此Dvādaśī得复王权,终至解脱,彰显严谨仪轨为社会秩序与大地安稳之基。

Speakers

VarāhaPṛthivīDurvāsāViśāla (rājā)NaraNārāyaṇa

Key Concepts

Bhādrapada-śukla Dvādaśī (tithi-based vrata timing)Kalki-arcana (iconic worship and aṅga-invocation)Dāna to śāstra-vit brāhmaṇa (ritual economy and learned stewardship)Viṣṇu avatāra taxonomy (Matsya–Kūrma–Varāha–Narasimha–Vāmana–Rāma–Vāsudeva–Buddha–Kalki)Yajña and dakṣiṇā (royal duty and redistribution)Restoration of rājya and attainment of nirvāṇa (political order to soteriology)Prakṛti-sthāpanā (re-establishing the world in balanced condition)Earth-centered ethics (Pṛthivī’s stability as a consequence of dharma)
Recitation with translationVaraha Purana Adhyaya 48

Shlokas in Adhyaya 48

Verse 1

दुर्वासा उवाच । तद्वद् भाद्रपदे मासि शुक्लपक्षे तु द्वादशीम् । सङ्कल्प्य विधिना देवं अर्च्छयेत् परमेश्वरम् ॥ ४८.१ ॥

杜尔婆娑说道:“同样地,在跋陀罗钵陀月的明半月第十二日(Dvādaśī),先立下誓愿之意(saṅkalpa),应依仪轨礼拜至上主——帕拉梅湿伐罗(Parameśvara)。”

Verse 2

नमोऽस्तु कल्किने पादौ हृषीकेशाय वै कटिम् । म्लेच्छविध्वंसनायेति जगन्मूर्त्ते तथोदरम् ॥ ४८.२ ॥

礼敬迦尔吉(Kalkin)——其足;礼敬赫利希凯沙(Hṛṣīkeśa)——其腰;礼敬“摧灭弥勒叉(mleccha)者”;亦复礼敬那以宇宙为形之主的腹部。

Verse 3

शितिकण्ठाय कण्ठं तु खड्गपाणेति वै भुजौ । चतुर्भुजायेति हस्तौ विश्वमूर्त्ते तथा शिरः ॥ ४८.३ ॥

当称其喉为“归于尸提坎塔(Śitikaṇṭha)”;当称其臂为“持剑者(Khaḍgapāṇi)之臂”;当称其手为“四臂者之手”;亦复称其首为“毗湿瓦穆尔蒂(Viśvamūrti,宇宙形者)之首”。

Verse 4

एवमभ्यर्च्य मेधावी प्राग्वत् तस्याग्रतो घटम् । विन्यसेत् कल्किनं देवं सौवर्णं तत्र कारयेत् ॥ ४८.४ ॥

如是礼拜之后,具慧者当如前在其前安置水罐;于彼处当安立迦尔吉天,并令于彼处铸造其金像。

Verse 5

सितवस्त्रयुगच्छन्नं गन्धपुष्पोपशोभितम् । कृत्वा प्रभाते विप्राय प्रदेयं शास्त्रवित्तमे । एवं कृते भवेद्यस्तु तन्निबोध महामुने ॥ ४८.५ ॥

以一对洁白衣裳覆之,并以香与花庄严之;于黎明时当施与通达诸论典(śāstra)之婆罗门。如此行之将得何果——大牟尼啊,请谛听。

Verse 6

पूर्वं राजा विशालोऽभूत् काश्यां पुर्यां महाबलः । गोत्रजैर्हृतराज्योऽसौ गन्धमादनमाविशत् ॥ ४८.६ ॥

昔日,在迦尸城(Kāśī)有一位大力之王,名曰毗舍罗(Viśāla)。他被本族之人夺去王位,遂入(前往)甘达摩达那(Gandhamādana)。

Verse 7

तस्य द्रोण्यां महाराज बदरीं प्राप्य शोभनाम् । हृतराज्यो विशेषेण गतश्रीको नरोत्तमः ॥ ४८.७ ॥

大王啊,他在那山谷中抵达了庄严殊胜的婆陀梨(Badarī);这位人中最胜者失去王国,尤其丧失了往昔的荣华福泽,遂至于此。

Verse 8

कदाचिदागतौ तत्र पुराणावृषिसत्तमौ । नरनारायणौ देवौ सर्वदेवनमस्कृतौ ॥ ४८.८ ॥

有一次,两位最尊胜的上古圣仙来到那里——那罗与那罗延(Nara、Nārāyaṇa),乃为诸天所共敬礼的神圣者。

Verse 9

तौ दृष्ट्वा तत्र राजानं पूर्वागतमरिंदमौ । ध्यायन्तं परमं ब्रह्म विष्ण्वाख्यं परमं पदम् ॥ ४८.९ ॥

二位降伏怨敌者见到那先至的国王在彼处,正观修至上梵——名为毗湿奴的最高住处。

Verse 10

तौ प्रीतावूचतुस् तं तु राजानं क्षीणकल्मषम् । वरं वृणीष्व राजेन्द्र वरदौ स्वस्तवागतौ ॥ ४८.१० ॥

二位心生欢喜,对那垢染已尽的国王说道:“王中之王啊,请择一愿;我等安然至此,乃能施愿赐福者。”

Verse 11

राजोवाच । भवन्तौ कौ न जानामि कस्य गृह्णाम्यहं वरम् । आराधयामि यत् तस्माद् वरमिच्छामि शोभनम् ॥ ४८.११ ॥

国王说道:“我不知二位是谁;我当从谁处受愿?既然我正敬奉我所礼拜之主,因此我愿求一愿吉祥殊胜之福。”

Verse 12

एवमुक्तौ तु तौ राज्ञा कामाराधयसे प्रभो । कं वा वरं वृणुष्व त्वं कथयस्व कुतूहलात् ॥ ४८.१२ ॥

国王如此对那二位说后,又言:“噢,主宰啊,请随汝圣意垂允我的祈求。汝欲择何等恩赐(vara),请为我一解好奇而告之。”

Verse 13

एवमुक्तस्ततो राजा विष्णुमाराधयाम्यहम् । कथयित्वा स्थितस्तूष्णीं ततस्तावूचतुः पुनः ॥ ४८.१३ ॥

王受此言后说道:“我将礼敬毗湿奴(Viṣṇu)。”言毕默然;随后那二位又再次开口。

Verse 14

राजन् तस्यैव देवस्य प्रसादादावयोर् वरः । दातव्यस् ते वरं ब्रूहि कस् ते मनसि वर्तते ॥ ४८.१४ ॥

“大王啊,凭借那位神祇本身的恩典,我们二人当赐予你一项恩赐。请说出所求之愿:你心中所怀为何?”

Verse 15

राजोवाच । यथा यज्ञेश्वरं देवं यज्ञैर्विविधदक्षिणैः । यष्टुं समर्थता मे स्यात् तथा मे ददतां वरम् ॥ ४८.१५ ॥

国王说道:“愿赐我一恩,使我具足能力,以种种祭礼并奉献多样的达克希那(dakṣiṇā,酬献)来礼敬祭祀之主神——耶阇涅湿伐罗(Yajñeśvara)。”

Verse 16

नर उवाच । स्वयं नारायणो देवो लोकमार्गप्रदर्शकः । मया सह तपः कुर्याद् बदर्यां लोकभावनः ॥ ४८.१६ ॥

那罗(Nara)说道:“愿那罗延(Nārāyaṇa)亲自——显示世间正道的神圣者、护持诸界安宁者——与我同在跋陀梨(Badarī)共修苦行(tapas)。”

Verse 17

अयं मत्स्योऽभवत् पूर्वं पुनः कूर्मस्वरूपवान् । वराहश्चाभवद् देवो नरसिंहस्ततोऽभवत् ॥ ४८.१७ ॥

先前,祂曾化现为摩蹉(鱼);复又示现为俱尔摩(龟)。此天神亦化为婆罗诃(野猪),其后又化为那罗辛诃(人狮)。

Verse 18

वामनस्तु ततो जातो जामदग्न्यो महाबलः । पुनर्दाशरथिर्भूत्वा वासुदेवः पुनर्बभौ ॥ ४८.१८ ॥

随后,婆摩那(侏儒圣者)降生;继而是大力的阇摩达格尼之子(帕罗修罗摩)。又一次,化为达沙罗陀之子(罗摩)之后,婆苏提婆再度显现。

Verse 19

बुद्धो भूत्वा जनं ह्येष मोहयामास पार्थिव । सपत्नान् दस्यवो म्लेच्छान् पुनर्हत्वा महीमिमाम् । प्रकृतिस्थां चकारायं स एष भगवान् हरिः ॥ ४८.१९ ॥

大王啊,祂化为佛陀,确使众人陷于迷惑。继而又诛灭诸敌——盗贼与弥勒叉(mleccha)——使此大地复归安定,回到顺乎本性的秩序。此人正是薄伽梵哈利。

Verse 20

पूज्यते मत्स्यरूपेण सर्वज्ञत्वमभीप्सुभिः । स्ववंशोद्धरणार्थाय कूर्मरूपी तु पूज्यते ॥ ४८.२० ॥

求一切智者,以摩蹉(鱼)之形礼敬祂;为拯救并护持自身族系者,则以俱尔摩(龟)之形奉祀祂。

Verse 21

भवोदधिनिमग्नेन वाराहः पूज्यते हरिः । नारसिंहेन रूपेण तद्वत् पापभयाद् नरैः ॥ ४८.२१ ॥

沉没于轮回之海(saṁsāra)者,当以婆罗诃(野猪)之形礼敬哈利;同样,因惧罪而受逼迫之人,当以那罗辛诃之形礼敬祂。

Verse 22

वामनं मोहनाशाय वित्तार्थे जगदग्निजम् । क्रूरशत्रुविनाशाय यजेद् दाशरथिं बुधः ॥ ४८.२२ ॥

为除迷妄,智者当礼敬婆摩那(Vāmana);为求财富,当礼敬阇伽达阿尼迦(Jagadagnija);为灭残暴之敌,智者当礼敬达沙罗提(Dāśarathi,罗摩)。

Verse 23

बालकृष्णौ यजेद् धीमान् पुत्रकामो न संशयः । रूपकामो यजेद् बुद्धं कल्किनं शत्रुघातने ॥ ४८.२३ ॥

智者若求得子嗣,当无疑礼敬童子黑天(Bāla-Kṛṣṇa)。欲求容貌端严者,当礼敬佛陀;而为诛灭仇敌,当礼敬迦尔吉(Kalkin)。

Verse 24

एवमुक्त्वा नरस्तस्य इमामेवाब्रवीन् मुनिः । द्वादशीं कृतवान् सोऽपि चक्रवर्ती बभूव ह । तस्यैव नाम्ना बदरी विशालाख्या अभवन् मुने ॥ ४८.२४ ॥

如是说毕,纳罗(Nara)又将此言转告于他;而他亦建立了守持“十二日斋”(Dvādaśī),遂确然成为转轮王(cakravartin)。并且,噢牟尼,由其名号之故,跋陀梨(Badarī)之地遂被称为“毗舍罗”(Viśālā)。

Verse 25

इह जन्मनि राजा असौ राज्यं कृत्वा इयाद् वनम् । यज्ञैश्च विविधैरिष्ट्वा परं निर्वाणमाप्तवान् ॥ ४८.२५ ॥

就在此生之中,那位国王在行使王权之后,入于林野;并以种种祭祀(yajña)奉行,遂证得至上的涅槃(究竟解脱)。

Inside Adhyaya 48

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Within the Varāha–Pṛthivī dialogue, the teaching opens as a prescriptive vrata-manual: a Bhādrapada-śukla Dvādaśī observance centered on Kalki (Viṣṇu’s future avatāra) is introduced as a disciplined, rule-bound means to stabilize dharma and worldly order.

  2. Central event

    The text details Kalki-arcana (including aṅga-nyāsa-like limb-by-limb invocation/praise), the installation of a golden Kalki image, and the morning dāna of that prepared gift to a śāstra-versed brāhmaṇa; it then pivots to an exemplum: King Viśāla of Kāśī, dispossessed of his kingdom, withdraws to Gandhamādana near Badarī and encounters Nara–Nārāyaṇa.

  3. Climax resolution

    Nara grants Viśāla a boon; Viśāla asks for the capacity to perform yajñas with varied dakṣiṇās. Nara responds by mapping Viṣṇu’s avatāra-sequence and correlating distinct worship-forms to distinct aims (knowledge, lineage, protection, prosperity, offspring, beauty, enemy-destruction). Viśāla’s disciplined Dvādaśī practice becomes the turning point that restores sovereignty and re-establishes social equilibrium.

  4. Closing phalashruti

    The chapter closes by asserting a twofold fruit: (1) rājya-restoration and terrestrial stability through dharma-centered redistribution (yajña/dakṣiṇā/dāna), and (2) ultimate liberation (nirvāṇa/mokṣa) through sustained, regulated devotion to Viṣṇu in the Kalki form.

Geographical context

Kāśī (Vārāṇasī); Gandhamādana (mountain/forest region); Badarī/Badarikā (Himalayan sacred grove area associated with Nara-Nārāyaṇa).

Tirtha focus

  • Primary TirthaBadarī/Badarikā (Nara–Nārāyaṇa-kṣetra)
  • Associated RegionHimalaya (Uttarakhand; Gandhamādana–Badarī sacred landscape)
  • Pilgrimage MeritAssociation with Nara–Nārāyaṇa and the Badarī sacred grove is presented as a setting where boons, right instruction, and dharma-restoring resolve arise; the merit is framed less as a catalog of tīrtha-fruits and more as enabling correct vrata/yajña orientation that culminates in both worldly restoration and liberation.

Ritual instructions

  • Primary RitualBhādrapada-śukla Dvādaśī Kalki-vrata (Kalki-arcana with golden image installation and dāna)
  • BenefitRestoration of political fortune and social order (rājya, stability, prosperity) through dharmic redistribution, and eventual liberation through sustained, intention-aligned Viṣṇu devotion.

The narrative frame

  • VarāhaPṛthivī · Pedagogical and normative (ritual prescription supported by exemplum), with a didactic-theological register when presenting avatāra taxonomy and goal-specific worship.

The emotional journey

  • Dominant RasaŚānta (tranquil, dharma-centered composure) with supportive Vīra (royal resolve) and Karuṇa (loss and exile) elements
  • Emotional ProgressionRitual seriousness and promise of order → royal misfortune and withdrawal → encounter with austere divine teachers → clarity through avatāra-teaching and boon → renewed agency via yajña/dāna discipline → restoration and quiet soteriological assurance.

Planning a pilgrimage

  • Visit FeasibilityBadarī/Badarikā is a major living pilgrimage center with seasonal access; Gandhamādana is best treated as the broader Himalayan sacred geography referenced in Purāṇic narrative rather than a single easily verifiable spot. Kāśī is accessible year-round and complements the narrative’s royal origin point.
  • Best SeasonMay–June and September–October (typical Badrinath yātrā window; weather-dependent)
  • Modern Location NameBadrinath (Badarikā), Uttarakhand, India; Varanasi (Kāśī), Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Related FestivalBhādrapada-śukla Dvādaśī (Kalki Dvādaśī observance as described); broader Viṣṇu Dvādaśī traditions may be locally observed depending on region.

Frequently Asked Questions

The text frames disciplined ritual action (vrata, arcana, dāna, and yajña) as a mechanism for restoring social and political order while aligning human aims with a broader cosmic/terrestrial balance; the avatāra taxonomy is used to map specific intentions (knowledge, protection, prosperity, lineage, conflict resolution) to regulated forms of worship rather than impulsive action.

The observance is specified for Bhādrapada māsa during the śukla pakṣa on Dvādaśī tithi, with worship performed by rule (vidhinā) and the dāna (gift of the prepared item/image) given in the morning (prabhāte).

Although not a direct ecological manual, the chapter links dharma-centered rites and the avatāra principle to the re-establishment of the world in a stable condition (prakṛti-sthāpanā), implying that orderly governance, redistribution through dakṣiṇā/dāna, and restrained conduct contribute to Pṛthivī’s sustaining equilibrium—an Earth-centered ethic consistent with the Varāha–Pṛthivī framework.

The narrative references King Viśāla of Kāśī and the ascetic divine pair Nara and Nārāyaṇa at Badarī; it also enumerates culturally central avatāra figures of Viṣṇu (Matsya, Kūrma, Varāha, Narasiṃha, Vāmana, Jāmadagnya/Paraśurāma, Dāśarathi/Rāma, Vāsudeva/Kṛṣṇa, Buddha, and Kalki) as a doctrinal lineage of world-order interventions.

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