Shloka 70

Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas

with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

वराहमूर्तिदानं तु शालग्रामस्य दुर्लभम् / जंबूफलप्रमाणं तु एतद्वै कुक्कुटाण्डवत्

Transliteration

varāhamūrtidānaṃ tu śālagrāmasya durlabham / jaṃbūphalapramāṇaṃ tu etadvai kukkuṭāṇḍavat

Translation

Pero es rara la ofrenda de un Śālagrāma en la forma de la encarnación Varāha. Su tamaño se dice que es como un fruto de jambū, en verdad comparable a un huevo de gallina.

Word by Word

• वराहमूर्तिदानम्: gift/donation of the Varāha-form (image)
• वराहमूर्तिदानम्: Karta/Viṣaya (कर्ता/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वराह (प्रातिपदिक) + मूर्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (varāhasya mūrtiḥ → varāhamūrti; varāhamūrteḥ dānam → varāhamūrtidānam)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थे “but/indeed”

• शालग्रामस्य: of the Śālagrāma (stone)
• शालग्रामस्य: Sambandha/Ṣaṣṭhī (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शालग्राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन; Genitive “of Śālagrāma”

• दुर्लभम्: rare/difficult to obtain
• दुर्लभम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• जम्बूफलप्रमाणम्: (having) the measure/size of a jambu-fruit
• जम्बूफलप्रमाणम्: Viṣaya (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जम्बूफल (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रमाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः “jambūphalasya pramāṇam”

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karta/Viṣaya (कर्ता/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• वै: indeed/truly
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphatic particle)

• कुक्कुटाण्डवत्: like a hen’s egg
• कुक्कुटाण्डवत्: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुक्कुट (प्रातिपदिक) + अण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (तद्धित)
• Form: अव्ययवत्-प्रयोगः; ‘-वत्’ तद्धितान्त विशेषण; (नपुंसक/पुं/स्त्री) प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनानुरूपं; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः “kुक्कुटस्य अण्डम्” + वत् = “like a hen’s egg”

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dana of a Varāha-form Śālagrāma is rare and thus highly valued; correct identification includes attention to traditional size descriptors.

Vedantic Theme: Arcā-upāsanā and dharmic handling of sacred embodiments; sanctity of properly performed dana as a purifier of intention and action.

Application: If engaging in sacred gifting, ensure authenticity and proper handling of ritual objects; support legitimate temple traditions rather than commodifying sacred items.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26.67-68 (dana and its merit; rarity themes)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Varaha
• Shalagrama

FAQs

What is the importance of Varaha-form Śālagrāma dāna in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights it as a rare and valued form of sacred donation, emphasizing devotional merit through gifting a Viṣṇu-emblem (Śālagrāma) specifically associated with Varāha.

Does this verse describe any identifying feature of the Varāha Śālagrāma?

Yes. It gives a practical descriptor: the Śālagrāma (in this Varāha context) is said to be about the size of a jambū fruit, likened to a hen’s egg.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat sacred objects and acts of giving with discernment and reverence—prioritizing sincere devotion, proper handling, and informed ritual practice when offering or donating Viṣṇu-related sacred emblems.