Varaha Purana 136.71: Adhyaya 136, Shloka 71
A Sūtra-like Manual of Expiations for Ritual Transgressions
Uttara Bhāga · Dialogue Framework: Pṛthivī Questions Varāha on Expiation
ततो भूमिर्वचः श्रुत्वा प्रत्युवाच पुनर्हरिम् ॥ कुसुम्भशाकनैवेद्यप्रापणेन च किल्बिषात् ॥
tato bhūmir vacaḥ śrutvā pratyuvāca punar harim | kusumbhaśākanaivedyaprāpaṇena ca kilbiṣāt ||
tato bhUmirvachaH shrutvA pratyuvAcha punarharim || kusumbhashAkanaivedyaprApaNena cha kilbiShAt
そのとき大地はその言葉を聞いて、再びハリに答えた。「クスンバ（kusumbha）の青菜からなる食供を供え（あるいは用意し）たことによって生じた過失ゆえに……」。
Pṛthivī (Bhūmi/Vasundharā)
Concerned, seeking clarification about fault and remedy
What is the nature and consequence of the fault incurred by offering/providing a naivedya of kusumbha-greens, and how is it to be addressed?
Even seemingly small ritual acts (food offerings) can carry ethical/ritual valence; dharma requires attentiveness and correction.
When uncertain about an offering’s propriety or a lapse, seek authoritative guidance and perform prescribed prāyaścitta rather than ignoring the fault.
Earth turns back to Hari/Varāha with a follow-up about a specific ritual fault involving kusumbha-greens.
A specific naivedya/provision involving kusumbha-greens is treated as a kīlbiṣa (ritual fault) requiring expiation.
Unexpiated ritual fault leads to pāpa-taint; expiation (stated in subsequent verses) removes it.
Varāha Purāṇa 136.79.0 (Earth asks for expiation); Varāha Purāṇa 136.81.0–136.82.0 (specific prāyaścitta and result)
FAQs
It exemplifies the Purāṇic catechism style: an inquirer (Earth) prompts a doctrinal-ritual clarification from the instructor (Varāha).
No geographic location is specified; the verse is situated in a didactic dialogue context.
Ritual actions involving offerings are treated as ethically consequential, prompting the need for clarification and expiation where faults are perceived.
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