Varaha Purana 170.8: Adhyaya 170, Shloka 8
The Birth of Gokarṇa and the Fruits of Śiva Worship
including the Śukodara Parrot Episode and Hospitality Ethics
जातहार्दः प्रियं चेष्टं शनैः स्त्रियमथाब्रवीत् ॥ का त्वं कस्यासि सुभगे किमर्थं रोदिषि स्वयम्
jātahārdaḥ priyaṁ ceṣṭaṁ śanaiḥ striyam athābravīt || kā tvaṁ kasyāsi subhage kimarthaṁ rodiṣi svayam
وقد رقّ قلبه ومال إلى اللطف، فخاطب المرأة برفق: «من أنتِ أيتها المباركة؟ ولمن أنتِ؟ ولأيّ سبب تبكين وحدك؟»
Muni (as reported by Varāha)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None (worship implied at the previously mentioned Gokarṇa Śiva-āyatana)"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"prayaschitta","instruction_summary":"Couple-based devotion: husband and wife together perform worship with snāna, dīpa, upahāra, stotra, and japa as a remedial/boon-seeking rite.","karmic_consequence":"Such coordinated śraddhā and ritual observance leads to iṣṭa-siddhi (desired attainment) and divine favor; negligence implies continued duḥkha (implied)."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"promised_fruit":"Attainment of desired boon through devatā-prasāda (contextually, progeny)."}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"karma-bhakti synthesis","core_concept":"Ritual action (upacāra) becomes spiritually potent when joined with devotion and shared household dharma.","practical_application":"Perform worship with regularity: bodily purity (snāna), light (dīpa), generosity (upahāra), praise (stotra), and inner repetition (japa), ideally with family concord."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics (Compassionate Speech)","Narrative Dialogue","Social Identity Inquiry"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: tīrtha/temple precinct
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 170.8 (Gokarṇa shrine and boon promise)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The woman and her husband worship the deity with ritual bathing, lamps, offerings, hymns, and repeated mantras in a temple setting.","item_prompts":["couple in añjali","Śiva-liṅga or deity altar","water pot for snāna","oil lamp (dīpa) flames","offering tray (upahāra)","scroll/gesture of stotra and japa beads"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: temple interior with glowing lamps; couple in devotional posture; stylized water-pouring over liṅga; rhythmic arrangement of offerings.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: richly ornamented shrine with gold-leaf on arch and lamps; couple in bright attire; emphasize dīpa and offering vessels with metallic sheen.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant temple scene with soft illumination; detailed lamp flames and calm devotional faces; subtle depiction of japa-mālā.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: small sanctum with intimate scale; warm lamp light; couple seated, one holding mālā, the other offering flowers/water."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional and ritualistic","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"steady, reverent, slightly resonant"}
FAQs
It exemplifies a classical narrative ethic: the wise figure initiates aid through gentle questioning, reflecting norms of courteous speech and social identification in Sanskrit storytelling.
No new location is specified in this verse; it continues within the established Mathurā-region narrative setting.
Approaching suffering with tenderness, respectful address, and non-coercive inquiry—an ethic of compassionate communication.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple 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.