Vamana Purana — Harihara Revelation, Shloka 23

Harihara Revelation and the Kurukshetra Tirtha Cycle: Sthanu in Vishnu and the Sanctification of Saptasarasvata

Devanagari script

घृतादिविक्रयं घोरं चण्डालादिपरिग्रहः स्वदोषाच्छादनं पापं परदोषप्रकाशनम्

Transliteration

ghṛtādivikrayaṃ ghoraṃ caṇḍālādiparigrahaḥ svadoṣācchādanaṃ pāpaṃ paradoṣaprakāśanam

Translation

Le commerce redoutable du ghee et des choses semblables; accepter (dons ou fréquentation) d’un Caṇḍāla et de ceux de son espèce; dissimuler ses propres fautes est péché; et exposer les fautes d’autrui est aussi péché.

Speakers

• Not specified in input (normative dharma instruction).

Key Themes

• Ethics of livelihood and purity norms
• Gift-acceptance rules (parigraha)
• Personal integrity vs hypocrisy
• Speech ethics (fault-finding)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "bhayanaka", "secondaryRasa": "bibhatsa", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

Why is “selling ghee and the like” condemned?

Certain dharma codes restrict specific trades for dvijas or for those under vows, viewing commerce in ritual staples (like ghee used in yajña) as compromising purity or exploiting sacred goods. The verse reflects that normative ideal rather than a universal economic rule.

What does “caṇḍālādi-parigraha” mean precisely—accepting gifts or social contact?

Parigraha primarily means ‘acceptance/taking,’ especially of gifts or support; in many dharma contexts it also implies entangling association. Here it most plausibly warns against receiving gifts/support from those deemed ritually impure by the text’s social code.

How can both hiding one’s own faults and exposing others’ faults be sinful?

The pair targets hypocrisy and malice: concealing one’s wrongdoing blocks repentance and correction, while broadcasting others’ faults fosters slander and social harm. The implied dharma ideal is truthful self-accountability combined with restrained, compassionate speech.