Varaha Purana 206.23 — Adhyaya 206, Shloka 23
Section on the Manifestation of the Fruits of Auspicious Deeds
पवित्रं च पवित्राणां पुष्टीनां पुष्टिरेव च ॥ तस्मात्पुरस्तु दातव्यं गवां वै मेध्यकारणात् ॥
pavitraṃ ca pavitrāṇāṃ puṣṭīnāṃ puṣṭir eva ca || tasmāt puras tu dātavyaṃ gavāṃ vai medhyakāraṇāt ||
It is the purifier among purifiers, and indeed the nourishment among nourishing things. Therefore, as a cause of ritual purity, a gift of cows should be made—especially in the proper, forward (ritual) manner.
Varāha (default)
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":"Pastoral valuation of cows is broadly Vaishnava, but no explicit Mathura/Krishna marker."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"Cow-gift (go-dāna) should be offered properly (purastāt—ritually in the prescribed forward/auspicious manner) as a means to ritual purity (medhya-kāraṇa).","karmic_consequence":"Observance yields heightened purity and nourishment/auspiciousness; neglect or disrespect of such purifying gifts implies loss of merit and diminished ritual fitness."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"Purification and ‘puṣṭi’ (nourishing prosperity) through go-dāna is implied."}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Cow as ‘purifier of purifiers’ functions as a microcosm of yajña-economy: sustaining dharma through nourishment (puṣṭi) and ritual fitness (medhya).","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Implied yajña linkage: cow-products (pañcagavya) as purifiers; go-dāna as sustaining sacrificial order; no explicit Varāha-body mapping.","vedantic_connection":"Ethical-ritual action (dāna) purifies antaḥkaraṇa, preparing for higher knowledge; prosperity is framed as subordinate to purity."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"dharma-ethics","core_concept":"Purity and prosperity are sustained through generous, properly performed giving—especially go-dāna—linking personal merit to communal sustenance.","practical_application":"Practice dāna with correct intention, timing, and respect; support caretaking of cattle and ethical pastoral livelihoods."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual practice","Cultural heritage (pastoral economy)"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Type: ritual/social practice sphere
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 206 (dāna/purity discussion around this verse)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual gifting scene: a donor respectfully offers a cow to a worthy recipient/priest, with water-pot and kusa grass; the cow is adorned and calm, symbolizing purity and nourishment.","item_prompts":["decorated cow with garland","donor with water vessel (kalaśa)","recipient/priest with kusa","ritual space (altar or courtyard)","gesture of offering ‘purastāt’ (forward)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: frontal ritual tableau, adorned cow central; bold outlines; warm earth tones; minimal background but clear ritual implements.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted ornaments on cow and donor; embossed arch framing the dāna scene; rich textiles.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: detailed jewelry and textiles; serene cow expression; subtle shading on ritual vessels.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: village-courtyard setting; delicate line; pastoral hills; emphasis on tenderness and auspiciousness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"injunctive, auspicious","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"firm on ‘dātavyam’, warm on ‘pavitraṃ’ and ‘puṣṭiḥ’"}
FAQs
It documents the social-ritual valuation of cattle within Purāṇic dāna discourse, relevant to understanding historical pastoral economies and ritual purity frameworks.
No location is named; the verse concerns normative ritual ethics (dāna and medhya).
To perform giving (dāna), specifically cow-gifting, presented as a high-value act associated with purification and well-being.
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.