Varaha Purana 208.78 — Adhyaya 208, Shloka 78
Narration of the Exemplum of the Pativratā
Devoted Wife
करवाण्यस्य कां प्रीतिं ज्ञायतामस्य वाच्छितम्॥ ततो राजा महातेजाः प्रणिपत्य कृताञ्जलिः॥
karavāṇy asya kāṃ prītiṃ jñāyatām asya vāñchitam || tato rājā mahātejāḥ praṇipatya kṛtāñjaliḥ ||
«¿Qué acto grato puedo hacer por él? Que se conozca su deseo». Entonces el rey, de gran esplendor, se postró con las manos juntas.
Devī (first sentence, inferred), then Narrator
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"devotee","bhu_devi_state":"eager to reciprocate; dutiful","key_question":"What act will please the visiting deity, and what does he desire (vāñchita)?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"rajaniti","instruction_summary":"A king should honor benefactors and guests by discerning their desired good and responding with respectful service.","karmic_consequence":"Proper honoring increases fame and dharmic merit; neglect of a worthy guest/benevolent deity leads to loss of honor and adverse repute."}
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 reciprocity (kṛtajñatā)","core_concept":"Gratitude is expressed not merely by praise but by actionable service aligned with the benefactor’s intention.","practical_application":"When receiving help, ask what is truly needed and fulfill it with humility rather than performative offerings."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Royal Dharma","Narrative Literature"]
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: royal court/approach to a deity-guest
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 208.88 (formal question to the deity)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The devī asks what would please the deity; the radiant king bows down with folded hands in formal reverence.","item_prompts":["king kneeling/bowing (praṇipāta)","folded hands (añjali)","devī indicating inquiry","court attendants at a distance","aura/light suggesting divine presence off-frame"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dynamic posture of praṇipāta, stylized jewelry and textiles; devī’s hand raised in inquiry; warm ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: king in añjali with gold detailing; devī beside; background with embossed motifs; implied deity marked by a gold halo medallion.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined facial expressions; soft illumination; balanced composition emphasizing humility and resolve.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: compact court vignette; king’s bow rendered with graceful line; minimal but evocative divine glow."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional, resolute","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"firm yet humble"}
FAQs
It documents courtly-reverential protocols (praṇipāta, añjali) embedded in Purāṇic narrative, reflecting broader Sanskritic etiquette.
No geographic location is mentioned.
It highlights gratitude and the ethical impulse to reciprocate benefaction by discerning and fulfilling a benefactor’s legitimate wish.
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