Varaha Purana 108.8 — Adhyaya 108, Shloka 8

The Eulogy and Procedure of Donating the ‘Salt-Cow’

Lavaṇadhenu

Devanagari script

द्विजाय साधुवृत्ताय वेदवेदाङ्गवेदिने ॥ द्विजाय साधुवृत्ताय कुलीनाय च धीमते ॥

Transliteration

dvijāya sādhuvṛttāya vedavedāṅgavedine || dvijāya sādhuvṛttāya kulīnāya ca dhīmate ||

Translation

ಸದ್ವೃತ್ತನಾಗಿ ವೇದ-ವೇದಾಂಗಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಂಡಿತ್ಯ ಹೊಂದಿದ ದ್ವಿಜನಿಗೆ; ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಸದ್ವೃತ್ತ, ಕುಲೀನ ಮತ್ತು ಧೀಮಂತ ದ್ವಿಜನಿಗೆ (ಇದು) ನೀಡಬೇಕು।

Word by Word

• द्विजाय: to a twice-born (Brahmin)
• द्विजाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), एकवचन

• साधु-वृत्ताय: to one of good conduct
• साधु-वृत्ताय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: साधु (प्रातिपदिक) + वृत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (dat. sg.)

• वेद-वेदाङ्ग-वेदिने: to a knower of the Veda and Vedāṅgas
• वेद-वेदाङ्ग-वेदिने: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + वेदाङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + वेदिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; वेदिन्-प्रातिपदिक (knower) विशेषण

• द्विजाय: to a twice-born
• द्विजाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• साधु-वृत्ताय: to one of good conduct
• साधु-वृत्ताय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: साधु (प्रातिपदिक) + वृत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• कुलीनाय: to one of noble lineage
• कुलीनाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुलीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• धीमते: to the intelligent (one)
• धीमते: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण (possessing intellect)

Speaker

Hotṛ

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"Give the donation to a dvija of upright conduct—learned in Veda and Vedāṅgas—of good lineage and discerning intellect.","karmic_consequence":"Choosing a worthy recipient (pātra) preserves and multiplies the merit of dāna; giving to an unworthy recipient reduces fruit and can become ‘apātra-dāna’ with inferior results."}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of giving (pātra-parīkṣā)","core_concept":"Merit depends not only on the object and intention but also on the recipient’s integrity and learning.","practical_application":"When donating, prioritize recipients known for good conduct, scriptural learning, and steadiness of intellect; verify reputation and practice."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Education","Ritual Practice"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: śānta

Secondary Rasa: dharmavīra

Geographic Context

Type: None

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 108.9 (adds śrotriya, āhitāgni, amatsarin as recipient-qualifiers)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dignified learned brāhmaṇa—calm, well-groomed, with sacred thread—receives a donation; visual emphasis on books/palm-leaves and signs of disciplined life.","item_prompts":["brāhmaṇa with yajñopavīta","palm-leaf manuscripts (Veda/Vedāṅga)","simple ascetic attire indicating sādhuvṛtti","donor offering respectfully","gesture of acceptance/blessing","quiet āśrama or courtyard"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal brāhmaṇa with manuscript bundle, strong outlines, serene eyes, donor in profile with offering.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: gold highlights on manuscripts and sacred thread, ornate seat for the learned recipient, symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: fine detailing of palm-leaf script, soft facial expressions, restrained elegance.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: intimate guru-like figure with manuscripts, gentle landscape/āśrama backdrop, delicate textiles."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic, calm, discriminating","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"precise, evaluative, steady"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Studies
• Dāna (Gift Traditions)
• Social History (Textual Categories)

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It records normative criteria for recipients in gift literature, offering data for the study of education, social ideals, and textual ethics in Purāṇic India.

Which geographic location is identified?

No geographic location is mentioned.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

Gifts are directed toward recipients characterized by learning and ethical conduct, presenting giving as aligned with social responsibility.