Varaha Purana 99.69 — Adhyaya 99, Shloka 69
The Greatness and Rite of the Sesame-Cow (Tiladhenu) Gift
रत्नहेमप्रदानेन भोगवान् जायते नरः ॥ अन्नपानप्रदानेन सर्वकामैस्तु तर्पितः
ratnahemapradānena bhogavān jāyate naraḥ || annapānapradānena sarvakāmais tu tarpitaḥ
ৰত্ন আৰু সোণ দান কৰিলে মানুহ ভোগ-সুখভোগী হয়; কিন্তু অন্ন আৰু পানীয় দান কৰিলে সি সকলো কামনাৰে তৃপ্ত হয়।
Vasiṣṭha
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":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None"}
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":"Dāna of food and drink is superior for complete satisfaction (sarvakāma-tṛpti), while gold/jewels yield worldly enjoyments (bhoga).","karmic_consequence":"Food-giving leads to broad fulfillment and merit; wealth-giving yields prosperity and pleasures but is framed as comparatively limited in scope."}
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":"ethics of giving","core_concept":"Hierarchy of gifts: sustaining life (anna-pāna) is the most universally fulfilling dāna.","practical_application":"Prioritize anna-dāna/pānīya-dāna (feeding, water, hospitality) alongside wealth-charity; measure dāna by need relieved, not by costliness."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Social Welfare"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: dāna-vīra
Type: None
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 99 (dāna and its fruits, continuation in 99.78ff)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage instructs a king on the comparative fruits of giving gold versus giving food and drink; attendants distribute meals to the needy while treasure is shown as secondary.","item_prompts":["Vasiṣṭha with kamaṇḍalu and staff","king seated respectfully","bowls of food, water pots","gold coins/jewels set aside","recipients: travelers, poor, brahmins"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Vasiṣṭha in saffron with serene face, king in royal attire; foreground anna-dāna with brass vessels; flat warm palette, ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central Vasiṣṭha and king with gold-leaf halo accents; embossed gold for jewels, but brighter emphasis on food bowls and water pot; temple-like arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework, soft shading; courtly setting with calm didactic mood; detailed textiles, subtle glow around sage.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: hillside āśrama court; expressive faces; simple bowls of food offered to wayfarers; minimal gold, emphasis on compassion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic, benevolent","suggested_raga":"Śrī (or Madhyamāvati for closing-style calm)","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear, instructive, warm"}
FAQs
It reflects a classical hierarchy of gifts where subsistence support (food/water) is treated as socially paramount.
No geographic location is identified in this verse.
Material gifts yield comfort, but provisioning essentials (food/drink) is framed as a more comprehensive form of beneficence.
Ask anything about this verse
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