Varaha Purana 38.28: Adhyaya 38, Shloka 28
The Hunter’s Austerity and the Gaining of Durvāsas’ Favor
तं दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यं दुर्वासा विस्मयं ययौ । प्रक्षाल्य हस्तौ पादौ च तदन्तं श्रद्धयान्वितम् । बुभुजे परमप्रीतस्तथाचम्य विचक्षणः ॥ ३८.२८ ॥
taṁ dṛṣṭvā mahadāścaryaṁ durvāsā vismayaṁ yayau | prakṣālya hastau pādau ca tadantaṁ śraddhayānvitam | bubhuje paramaprītas tathācāmya vicakṣaṇaḥ || 38.28 ||
فلما رأى دورفاسا تلك الأعجوبة العظيمة امتلأ دهشةً. وبعد أن غسل يديه وقدميه، وبإيمانٍ وخشوع، أكل ذلك الطعام إلى آخره؛ ثم أجرى «آچامانا» (ارتشاف الماء للتطهير)، فغمر السرورُ الأسمى ذلك الحكيمَ البصير.
Narrator (implicit); default dialogue-frame attribution: Varāha → Pṛthivī (not explicit in this fragment)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"Durvāsā’s dining/āśrama setting (unspecified)"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"instruction_summary":"Before eating, one should wash hands and feet and perform ācāmana; taking food with श्रद्धा completes the rite of hospitality and purity.","karmic_consequence":"Observance supports śuddhi and dharma, yielding satisfaction and auspiciousness; neglect of śauca/ācāmana is ritually दोषजनक (impurity-causing)."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ritual-ethics","core_concept":"Outer purity supports inner receptivity: śraddhā + śauca transforms eating into a dharmic act.","practical_application":"Maintain cleanliness before meals, perform ācāmana, and cultivate gratitude/faith while receiving hospitality."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Practice","Hospitality"]
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: āśrama / tīrtha-adjacent dwelling
Related Themes: 38.38.27 (river washes feet); 38.38.29 (blessing to the hunter after the meal)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Durvāsā, astonished by the miracle, washes hands and feet, eats the offered meal with faith, and performs ācāmana, ending supremely pleased.","item_prompts":["sage washing hands/feet","simple meal on leaf/plate","water vessel for ācāmana","expression of astonishment turning to contentment","humble hermitage setting"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Durvāsā seated in āśrama space, attendants minimal, ritual washing and ācāmana shown with stylized vessels and calm facial expression.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: sage with halo, gold accents on vessels and meal setting, sequential feel (washing → eating → ācāmana) within one ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined domestic-ritual scene, emphasis on cleanliness gestures and serene satisfaction of the sage.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate forest-hut interior, sage near a small water pot, simple food, gentle narrative of astonishment and peace."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"calm narrative with a note of marvel","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"measured, clear articulation on ‘ācāmya’ and ‘śraddhayānvitaḥ’"}
FAQs
It reflects Purāṇic narrative conventions that link hospitality, ritual cleanliness (washing hands/feet), and post-meal ācāmana with ideals of disciplined ascetic conduct and social ethics.
No specific geographic site is named in this verse fragment; it focuses on conduct and reaction within a narrative encounter.
The verse foregrounds disciplined reception of hospitality—cleanliness, mindful completion of what is offered, and ritual composure—presented as markers of discernment and appropriate conduct.
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