Varaha Purana 13.55 — Adhyaya 13, Shloka 55
The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times
असमर्थोऽन्नदानस्य वन्यशाकं स्वशक्तितः । प्रदास्यति द्विजाग्र्येभ्यः स्वल्पां यो वापि दक्षिणाम् ॥ १३.५५ ॥
asamartho 'nnadānasya vanyaśākaṃ svaśaktitaḥ | pradāsyati dvijāgryebhyaḥ svalpāṃ yo vāpi dakṣiṇām || 13.55 ||
إن عجز أحدٌ عن صدقة الطعام، فليعطِ من خضار البرّ بحسب طاقته؛ أو ليقدّم ولو قدرًا يسيرًا من الدكشِنا dakṣiṇā (عطاء التكريم) إلى الدويجا المكرّمين (ذوي الميلادين).
Varāha (default speaker framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"concerned for the poor; seeking inclusivity of dharma","key_question":"What dharmic act remains available when one cannot afford full anna-dāna?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"If unable to give food, one should give wild vegetables according to capacity, or at least a small dakṣiṇā to worthy twice-born persons.","karmic_consequence":"Even minimal giving sustains merit and humility; refusal to give anything when able to offer even a token implies hardening of heart and loss of dharmic credit."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"The verse teaches ‘graduated sacrifice’: the substance may be humble (forest greens), but the yajña-principle is preserved—offering what is truly available.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Vaṇya-śāka = simple havis from nature; dakṣiṇā = sacrificial fee completing the rite; capacity (śakti) = measure of adhikāra.","vedantic_connection":"Inner disposition outweighs material magnitude; the Lord accepts the bhāva (intent) expressed through whatever is attainable."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of intention and proportionality","core_concept":"Dharma is not blocked by poverty; one offers what one can—substance is secondary to sincerity.","practical_application":"When resources are tight, give modest staples, produce, or a token donation; maintain the habit of generosity without financial strain."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Dana (charity)","Social duty"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: karuṇā
Type: rural subsistence setting
Related Themes: 13.13.54 (anna-dāna ideal); 13.13.56-57 (sesame and water as further minimum)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A poor but devout person offers a small bundle of wild greens or a few coins as dakṣiṇā to an honored brāhmaṇa, with bowed head.","item_prompts":["bundle of leafy greens","small coin pouch (dakṣiṇā)","brāhmaṇa receiving with blessing","humble attire of donor","gesture of pranāma"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Earthy greens prominent; stylized foliage; devotional posture emphasized; serene faces.","tanjore_prompt":"Gold highlights on dakṣiṇā pouch and ornaments; rich framing despite humble gift to show spiritual value.","mysore_prompt":"Naturalistic greens; delicate hands; quiet reverence; refined expressions.","pahari_prompt":"Forest edge backdrop; bright greens; narrative tenderness; minimal props."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"reassuring, compassionate","suggested_raga":"Madhyamāvati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"warm, consoling, instructive"}
FAQs
It reflects a common Purāṇic and Dharmaśāstric ethic: charity is graded by capacity, allowing participation in giving even when resources are limited.
No specific geographic location is named in this verse; it addresses a general ethical practice rather than sacred geography.
Give according to one’s means: if full food-giving is not possible, offer simpler provisions (like wild greens) or a modest dakṣiṇā to learned recipients.
Ask anything about this verse
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 audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.