Varaha Purana 102.9 — Adhyaya 102, Shloka 9

The Merit and Ritual Procedure of Donating a Jaggery Cow

Guḍadhenu

Devanagari script

शतेन वा शतार्धेन यथाशक्त्या निवेदयेत् । गन्धपुष्पादिभिः पूज्य मुद्रिकाकर्णपत्रकैः ॥

Transliteration

śatena vā śatārdhena yathāśaktyā nivedayet | gandhapuṣpādibhiḥ pūjya mudrikākarṇapatrakaiḥ ||

Translation

അല്ലെങ്കിൽ നൂറുകൊണ്ടോ, അല്ലെങ്കിൽ അമ്പതുകൊണ്ടോ—സ്വശേഷിയനുസരിച്ച്—നിവേദിക്കണം. ഗന്ധപുഷ്പാദികളാലും, മോതിരങ്ങളും കർണ്ണാഭരണങ്ങളും (കർണ്ണപത്രകം) കൊണ്ടും പൂജിച്ച് (അർപ്പിക്കണം).

Word by Word

• śatena: with a hundred
• śatena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय (or)

• śata-ardhena: with half a hundred (fifty)
• śata-ardhena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śata (प्रातिपदिक) + ardha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—शतस्य अर्धम् (half of a hundred)

• yathā-śaktyā: according to ability
• yathā-śaktyā: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā-śakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमासः; अव्ययवत् (adverb: according to ability)

• nivedayet: should offer
• nivedayet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-vid (नि√विद्/√विद्) (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• gandha-puṣpa-ādibhiḥ: with perfumes, flowers, etc.
• gandha-puṣpa-ādibhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandha (प्रातिपदिक) + puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• pūjya: having worshipped
• pūjya: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pūj (पूज् धातु) + ya (कृत्प्रत्यय)
• Form: व्यवहारतः क्त-कृदन्त/क्रियाविशेषणवत् प्रयोगः—‘having worshipped’ (elliptic)

• mudrikā-karṇa-patrakaiḥ: with rings and ear-ornaments
• mudrikā-karṇa-patrakaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mudrikā (प्रातिपदिक) + karṇa-patraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वः—मुद्रिकाः च कर्णपत्रकाः च (rings and ear-ornaments)

Speaker

Varāha (default, instructor voice)

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"Even smaller amounts (a hundred or fifty, etc.) are acceptable when offered yathāśakti, with prior honor using gandha-puṣpa and suitable ornaments (rings, ear-ornaments).","karmic_consequence":"Yathāśakti dāna preserves dharma without causing household harm; sincere giving accrues merit, while pretended generosity beyond means risks adharma (debt, neglect of dependents)."}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"dharma (right measure)","core_concept":"The moral quality of dāna depends on intention and capacity, not merely magnitude; honoring the recipient is part of the gift.","practical_application":"Give within means; add respectful pūjā and culturally appropriate items (mudrikā, karṇapatraka) when feasible, without ostentation."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Material Culture","Ritual Economy","Dāna (Gift-giving)"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: śānta

Secondary Rasa: hāsya

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 102.9 (graded gold amounts); Varāha Purāṇa 102.11–12 (ancillary gifts and mantra; east-facing donor)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual gifting scene emphasizing modest but sincere offerings: flowers, fragrance, and personal ornaments (ring and ear-ornaments) presented to a brāhmaṇa according to capacity.","item_prompts":["flower tray","incense holder","ring (mudrikā)","ear-ornament (karṇapatraka)","brāhmaṇa receiving with añjali","donor with offering plate"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized ornaments prominently displayed; warm reds/ochres; donor offering a tray with flowers, incense, ring, and ear-ornament; calm instructional ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-leaf highlights on jewelry (ring, ear-ornament) and offering plate; symmetrical composition with ornate arches.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined jewelry detailing, soft pastel background; focus on the exchange of ornaments with ritual decorum.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: delicate miniature with close-up of ornaments on a cloth; donor and brāhmaṇa in a courtyard; gentle narrative intimacy."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"measured, practical","suggested_raga":"Bilāval (or Kalyāṇ)","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear, instructive"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Studies
• Material Philology
• Vaiṣṇavism

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It preserves vocabulary of ornamentation and donation practice, useful for reconstructing material culture and patronage norms in Purāṇic settings.

Which geographic location is identified?

None; the verse concerns ritual procedure and gift-items.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

Donations should be made within one’s means, with respectful honoring of the recipient.