Varaha Purana 100.9 — Adhyaya 100, Shloka 9

Ritual Procedure for the Donation of the ‘Water-Cow’

Jaladhenu

Devanagari script

ताम्रपृष्ठां कांस्यदोहां दर्भरोमसमन्विताम् ॥ पुच्छं सूत्रमयं कृत्वा कृष्णाभरणघण्टिकाम् ॥

Transliteration

tāmrapṛṣṭhāṃ kāṃsyadohāṃ darbharomasamanvitām || pucchaṃ sūtramayaṃ kṛtvā kṛṣṇābharaṇaghaṇṭikām

Translation

(ധേനുവിനെ) താമ്രപൃഷ്ഠയുള്ളതായും, കാംസ്യ ദോഹനപാത്രം (അഥവാ കാംസ്യ ദോഹനോപകരണങ്ങൾ) ഉള്ളതായും, ദർഭ-രോമങ്ങളാൽ സമന്വിതമായും നിർമ്മിക്കണം; വാൽ നൂലാൽ ഉണ്ടാക്കി, കൃഷ്ണാഭരണവും ചെറിയ ഘണ്ടികയും ഘടിപ്പിക്കണം।

Word by Word

• tāmra-pṛṣṭhām: with a copper back
• tāmra-pṛṣṭhām: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tāmra (प्रातिपदिक) + pṛṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā Ekavacana; कर्मधारयः (copper-backed)

• kāṃsya-dohām: with bell-metal milking (vessel/udder)
• kāṃsya-dohām: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāṃsya (प्रातिपदिक) + doha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā Ekavacana; तत्पुरुषः (milking-vessel/udder of bell-metal)

• darbha-roma-samanvitām: endowed with darbha-grass hair
• darbha-roma-samanvitām: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: darbha (प्रातिपदिक) + roma (प्रातिपदिक) + samanvita (समन्वित, कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā Ekavacana; समन्वित (PPP-like adjective) = 'endowed with'; समासः—तत्पुरुषः

• puccham: tail
• puccham: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: puccha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā Ekavacana

• sūtra-mayam: made of thread
• sūtra-mayam: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūtra (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā Ekavacana; तत्पुरुषः (made of thread)

• kṛtvā: having made
• kṛtvā: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (कृ, धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय), avyaya-kriyāviśeṣaṇa; 'having made'

• kṛṣṇa-ābharaṇa-ghaṇṭikām: (with) a black ornament-bell
• kṛṣṇa-ābharaṇa-ghaṇṭikām: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ābharaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ghaṇṭikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā Ekavacana; तत्पुरुषः (a black ornament-bell)

Speaker

Varāha (default dialogue framework)

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":true,"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":"Construct a ritual cow (dhenu) with specified materials and features as part of a prescribed gifting rite.","karmic_consequence":"Properly fashioned dāna becomes ritually valid and yields merit; incorrect/neglected procedure diminishes fruit (implied)."}

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":"karma-kāṇḍa / ritual-ethics","core_concept":"Dāna is strengthened by saṃskāra—careful, rule-governed making and offering.","practical_application":"When performing symbolic gifts (e.g., dhenu-dāna), follow prescribed materials and iconography to align intention, purity, and efficacy."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Cultural Heritage","Ritual Studies","Art History"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: śānta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: None

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 100.11–14 (continuation of dhenu-dāna procedure and its fruit)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual artisan fashions a symbolic cow: copper-backed body, bronze milking fittings, darbha-grass ‘hair,’ a thread-made tail, and a dark ornament with a small bell.","item_prompts":["ritual cow effigy","copper back plate","bronze vessel/fittings","darbha grass tufts as hair","thread tail","small bell","dark ornament","workshop/altar setting","kuśa bundles","offerings tray"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal ritual scene with warm ochres/greens; stylized dhenu effigy with copper sheen, darbha hair rendered as rhythmic strokes; priests and ritual implements in flat decorative space.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central dhenu effigy with embossed gold accents on copper/bronze parts; gem-like bell; ornate arch framing a ritual platform with lamps and flower heaps.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework and soft shading; emphasize metallic textures (copper/bronze) and fine thread tail; calm priestly figures arranging darbha.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: intimate courtyard ritual; bright textiles and floral details; dhenu effigy with simplified metallic highlights; gentle narrative of preparation."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"procedural, consecratory","suggested_raga":"Madhyamāvati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear, instructional, steady"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Ritual
• Metallurgy Terms
• Material Culture

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It provides evidence for the vocabulary of metals, fittings, and ritualized craft elements, relevant to studies of premodern artisanal representation in Sanskrit literature.

Which geographic location is identified?

No geographic location is named.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

It reinforces meticulous preparation and completeness in gifting, aligning ethical merit with careful craftsmanship.