Varaha Purana 103.3: Adhyaya 103, Shloka 3
Ritual Procedure for the Donation of the ‘Sugar-Cow’ (Śarkarā-Dhenu)
Pūrva Bhāga · Dāna-vidhi — Capacity-based Performance (Śakti) and Making the Dhenu
अथ कुर्यादष्टशतैरूर्ध्वं नृपतिसत्तम । स्वशक्त्या कारयेद् धेनुं तथात्मानं पीडयेत् ॥
atha kuryād aṣṭaśatair ūrdhvaṃ nṛpati-sattama | svaśaktyā kārayed dhenuṃ tathātmānaṃ pīḍayet ||
atha kuryAdaShTashatairUrdhvaM nRRipatisattama | svashaktyA kArayeddhenuM tathAtmAnaM pIDayet
अब आठ सौ से ज़्यादा भी कर सकते हो, राजा। अपनी शक्ति के हिसाब से गाय बनवाओ। अपने आप को परेशान मत करो।
Sandhi Notes
- अष्टशतैरूर्ध्वम् = अष्टशतैः + ऊर्ध्वम्
- कारयेद् = कारयेत् (द्-आदेशः पदान्ते)
- तथात्मानम् = तथा + आत्मानम्
Hotṛ (inferred from contiguous instruction)
Dharma is not mere maximal expenditure; it is right action aligned with śakti, avoiding pīḍā (self-oppression) while still honoring generosity.
Budget dāna: set a proportion of income/harvest for gifts; scale ritual expenditures to avoid debt, coercion, or neglect of dependents.
One may perform the dāna in large scale (eight hundred and above), but should commission the dhenu according to one’s capacity and not cause self-harm/strain.
Capacity-aligned giving preserves dharma and household stability, yielding steady puṇya; overstraining oneself undermines dharma (leading to distress and potential adharma to recover losses).
Varāha Purāṇa ch.103 concluding cautions within dāna-vidhi on śakti (capacity)
FAQs
It articulates a capacity-based ethic within ritual prescription, indicating a pragmatic accommodation for patrons of varying means.
No location is named.
Perform giving in proportion to one’s means (svaśaktyā) and avoid self-harm through excessive obligation.
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