Varaha Purana 138.54 — Adhyaya 138, Shloka 54
The Episode of the Khañjarīṭa Bird
and the Saukarava Tīrtha’s Merit
ततः पूर्वार्द्धयामेन माघमासे त्रयोदशी ॥ सर्वं स्वजनमामन्त्र्य सम्बद्धं च यथाविधि
tataḥ pūrvārddhayāmena māghamāse trayodaśī || sarvaṁ svajanam āmantrya sambaddhaṁ ca yathāvidhi
Then, in the month of Māgha, on the thirteenth lunar day, in the earlier part of the watch, he summoned all his own people and arranged everything according to rule.
Varāha (default framework; not explicit in excerpt)
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":"No explicit Mathurā/Kṛṣṇa marker; only Vaiṣṇava ritual calendrics"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"Rites should be performed at the proper tithi (Māgha trayodaśī) and proper time (pūrvārdha-yāma), after formally inviting one’s people and arranging procedures according to vidhi.","karmic_consequence":"Correct timing and vidhi strengthen the rite’s efficacy and merit; neglect of tithi/kāla/vidhi is treated as ritual defect (hīna-kriyā) yielding reduced fruit."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":true,"vrata_name":"Māgha-trayodaśī (trayodaśī-kāla-niyama within Māgha observance)","tithi_month":"Māgha śukla/kṛṣṇa trayodaśī (as applicable in the narrative), pūrvārdha-yāma","promised_fruit":"Successful completion of intended rite (dāna/śrāddha/pūjā) with enhanced puṇya, auspiciousness for family line, and removal of obstacles through kāla-śuddhi."}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"dharma (kāla-vidhi)","core_concept":"Kāla is a limb of dharma: right time and right order convert intention into dharmic action.","practical_application":"When undertaking vows/charity/ancestral rites, fix tithi and muhūrta, invite participants properly, and prepare materials in advance to avoid ritual lapses."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Heritage Sites"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: niyama (discipline)
Type: None
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 138.59 (muhūrta departure and śauca); Varāha Purāṇa 138.61 (pitṛ-tarpaṇa and cow-dāna preparation)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual planner’s moment: on Māgha trayodaśī at the early watch, the householder summons relatives/assistants and arranges the rite according to rule.","item_prompts":["calendar/tithi marker (moon phase)","assembled family/retainers","ritual items laid out in order","a priest or elder indicating procedure","lamps suggesting early watch"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: structured indoor scene, attendants lined, ritual items in neat rows, warm lamp glow indicating pūrvārdha-yāma.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-accented lamps and vessels; central figure giving instructions, ornate borders, emphasis on auspicious Māgha setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant domestic-ritual interior, fine detailing of vessels and textiles, calm disciplined expressions.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate courtyard meeting under a pale moon, gentle colors, figures grouped as preparations begin."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"measured, procedural","suggested_raga":"Śrī","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"authoritative, calm"}
FAQs
It documents the ritual importance of lunar calendrics (tithi) and time-units (yāma) in Purāṇic prescriptions, useful for reconstructing premodern observance schedules.
No location is specified; the verse is calendrical and procedural.
Careful preparation and procedural correctness (yathāvidhi) are presented as key virtues in ritual and communal action.
Ask anything about this verse
Curious about the meaning, context, or a word? Ask, and continue the conversation in the Vedapath app.
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.