Varaha Purana 138.13 — Adhyaya 138, Shloka 13
The Episode of the Khañjarīṭa Bird
and the Saukarava Tīrtha’s Merit
सम्प्राप्तास्तत्र वै बालाः क्रीडन्तस्तं मृतं खगम् ॥ ग्रहीष्याम इति प्रोच्य धावन्तस्तत्र तत्र ह
samprāptās tatra vai bālāḥ krīḍantas taṁ mṛtaṁ khagam || grahīṣyāma iti procya dhāvantas tatra tatra ha
ທີ່ນັ້ນ ເດັກນ້ອຍບາງຄົນມາຮອດຂະນະທີ່ກຳລັງຫຼິ້ນ; ເຫັນນົກທີ່ຕາຍແລ້ວ ກໍກ່າວວ່າ “ພວກເຮົາຈະຈັບມັນ” ແລ້ວວິ່ງໄປມາ.
Varāha (default dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"observer; attentive to a moralizing narrative frame","key_question":"How do childish play and desire for possession quickly turn into grasping and conflict?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"Unchecked lobha/āmiṣa-buddhi (grasping at an object) breeds agitation and sets the seed of quarrel; cultivate restraint even in play.","karmic_consequence":"Restraint preserves harmony; possessiveness leads to kalaha and future demerit through harsh speech/violence."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"moral psychology (kleśa-dynamics)","core_concept":"Saṅkalpa around ‘mine’ begins as a small mental movement and quickly externalizes into action and social friction.","practical_application":"Notice early possessive impulses; pause before acting; train children (and oneself) in sharing and non-grasping."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Narrative Literature","Social History"]
Primary Rasa: hāsya
Secondary Rasa: bībhatsa
Type: riverbank/playground near sacred waters
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 138.14–17 (quarrel → casting into Gaṅgā → tīrtha-contact → rebirth)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A group of village boys, mid-game, spot a dead bird on the ground and rush toward it, arms outstretched, excitement turning to possessive intent.","item_prompts":["dead bird on ground","boys running in different directions","dusty riverbank path","gesturing hands reaching","expressions of excitement/greed"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: rhythmic linework, warm earthy palette; boys in dynamic poses converging on a small bird near a riverbank, foliage framing the scene.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central vignette of boys rushing toward the bird; ornate borders; subtle gold highlights on ornaments/clothing, river hinted in background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate shading and soft colors; emphasize facial expressions of childish eagerness; minimal background with suggestion of riverbank.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: lyrical landscape with rolling riverbank and trees; small figures of boys in animated motion around the bird, crisp outlines."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative, lightly admonitory","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear, story-telling with gentle caution"}
FAQs
It preserves a realistic social vignette—children at play—embedded within a moralized narrative, illustrating how Purāṇas blend quotidian scenes with ethical causality.
Only “there” (tatra) is stated here; the broader unit later connects the episode to the Gaṅgā region.
Indirectly, it introduces how impulsive desire and competition can arise even in play, setting up the next verse’s conflict.
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