Varaha Purana 138.97 — Adhyaya 138, Shloka 97
The Episode of the Khañjarīṭa Bird
and the Saukarava Tīrtha’s Merit
प्रणम्य शिरसा भूमौ बद्धाञ्जलिरयाचत ॥ मत्प्रियं यदि कर्त्तव्यमेको मे दीयतां वरः
praṇamya śirasā bhūmau baddhāñjalir ayācata || mat-priyaṃ yadi karttavyam eko me dīyatāṃ varaḥ
فانحنى برأسه إلى الأرض وضمّ كفّيه، وتضرّع قائلاً: «إن كان ما أحبّه ينبغي أن يُنجَز، فلتُمنَح لي نعمةٌ واحدة».
Unspecified (narrative voice; speaker not explicit in fragment)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"devotee","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"A supplicant requests a single boon, framed as ‘if you would do what is dear to me’—the specific boon is not stated in this fragment."}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"None","karmic_consequence":"None"}
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":"devotional praxis (śaraṇāgati posture)","core_concept":"Humility and focused desire (asking ‘one boon’) are presented as proper modes of approaching the divine/powerful.","practical_application":"When seeking guidance or grace, approach with reverence, clarity, and restraint rather than scattered demands."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Narrative Literature"]
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: mythic narrative space
Related Themes: Boons motif in adjacent narrative units (vara-pradāna sequences)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee/protagonist bows fully, head touching the earth, hands joined, looking up to request a boon from a seated divine/royal figure (not shown explicitly in the fragment).","item_prompts":["full prostration (śirasā bhūmau)","añjali-mudrā","dust/earth contact","seated recipient on throne or lotus seat (optional, generic)","aura of solemnity"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: strong gesture emphasis—prostrating figure in foreground, dignified recipient in background, rich earth tones and clear mudrās.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: dramatic foreground prostration, gold-leaf throne/arch for the boon-giver, ornate textiles.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: balanced composition, refined anatomy, subtle devotional emotion, clean palace/temple interior.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: narrative vignette with delicate lines, hillside-palace or temple pavilion, emphasis on humility and intimacy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"solemn, pleading, reverent","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"low, earnest, controlled"}
FAQs
It records conventional courtly/ritualized petition language and bodily gestures (praṇāma, añjali) used across Purāṇic and epic narrative traditions.
No place-name is given.
It foregrounds humility and formal etiquette in requesting favors or moral actions within the narrative framework.
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