Varaha Purana 71.22: Adhyaya 71, Shloka 22
Vision of the Trimūrti in Rudra, the Gautama Curse, the Manifestation of the Godāvarī, and the Niḥśvāsa-saṃhitā Account
Pūrva Bhāga · Narrative Dialogue (Munis’ exchange; ethical reflection on bodily commodification)
एवमुक्तेऽथ जहसुः सर्वे ते मुनयस्तदा । किमस्माभिः स्वको देहो विक्रीतोऽस्य अन्नभक्षणात् ॥ ७१.२२ ॥
evam ukte ’tha jahasuḥ sarve te munayas tadā | kim asmābhiḥ svako deho vikrīto ’syānnabhakṣaṇāt || 71.22 ||
evamukte.atha jahasuH sarve te munayastadA | kimasmAbhiH svako deho vikrIto.asyAnnabhakShaNAt || 71.22 ||
यह सुन के सारे ऋषि हँसने लगे। बोले, क्या हमारा अपना बदन बिक गया क्या? बस इसलिए क्योंकि हमने उसका खाना खा लिया?
Sandhi Notes
- एवमुक्तेऽथ = एवम् + उक्ते + अथ (e + a → 'e’)
- विक्रीतोऽस्य = विक्रीतः + अस्य (visarga sandhi: ḥ + a → 'o)
- ’syānnabhakṣaṇāt = अस्य + अन्नभक्षणात् (a+a sandhi)
Munis (group of sages; collective reply within the dialogue frame)
Observer
Food is not merely physical; it carries relational and karmic implications (ṛṇa/saṅga).
Practice mindful acceptance: know the source, intention, and consequences of what you receive; maintain integrity in patronage.
Accepting another’s food (anna) can create a bond of obligation; the sages debate (and mock) the idea that the body becomes ‘sold’ merely by eating someone’s food.
If one treats gifts/food casually, one risks subtle indebtedness and compromised independence; if one accepts with discernment and purity, the exchange remains dharmic.
Sets up the ‘pretext approach’ and māyā-cow episode (71.71.23–24)
FAQs
It reflects a common Sanskrit narrative motif where ethical concerns—such as obligation created through accepting hospitality or provisions—are debated through dialogue, illustrating social norms and moral reasoning within Purāṇic literature.
No geographic location is explicitly named in this verse; it focuses on interpersonal ethics rather than sacred geography.
The verse foregrounds a discussion about whether accepting another’s food creates moral indebtedness or loss of autonomy, using the metaphor of the body being “sold” (vikrīta) through consumption.
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