Varaha Purana 155.53: Adhyaya 155, Shloka 53
The Efficacy and Sacred Merit of Akrūra Tīrtha
Uttara Bhāga · Dharma-kathā (Negotiation over Merit Share)
अर्द्धं वाथ समस्तं वा प्रहरं चार्द्धमेव वा ॥ सुधनस्य वचः श्रुत्वा अब्रवीद्ब्रह्मराक्षसः
arddhaṃ vātha samastaṃ vā praharaṃ cārddham eva vā || sudhanasya vacaḥ śrutvā abravīd brahmarākṣasaḥ
arddhaM vAtha samastaM vA praharaM chArddhameva vA || sudhanasya vachaH shrutvA abravIdbrahmarAkShasaH
आधा दो या पूरा। रात का एक पहर या आधा पहर। सुधन की बात सुन के ब्रह्म-राक्षस बोला।
Sandhi Notes
- वाथ = वा + अथ
- चार्द्धम् = च + अर्द्धम्
- अब्रवीद्ब्रह्मराक्षसः = अब्रवीत् + ब्रह्मराक्षसः (त् + ब् → द्ब्)
Brahma-rākṣasa (proposal); Narrator (transition)
Even within frightening encounters, dharma operates through precise commitments (kāla-parimāṇa) and truthful speech.
When undertaking vrata/prāyaścitta or any dharmic commitment, define the measure clearly and fulfill it without evasion.
A time-measure (half/whole, a prahara, or half-prahara) is being negotiated as the operative unit for a ritual/merit-bearing observance or expiatory act within the narrative exchange.
Properly completing the agreed measure yields puṇya/relief from affliction; failing or cheating the measure prolongs the rākṣasa-state and the doer’s demerit.
Varāha Purāṇa 155.61-64 (the ensuing karmic confession and request)
FAQs
The verse reflects older time-reckoning (prahara) and shows how narrative texts quantify ritual acts to discuss proportional merit and ethical exchange.
No geographic location is identified here.
It frames moral negotiation in measurable terms, inviting reflection on whether ethical/spiritual value can be partitioned and traded.
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