Varaha Purana 110.6 — Adhyaya 110, Shloka 6

The Glory and Procedure of the Grain-Cow (Dhānyadhenu) Donation

Devanagari script

चतुर्थांशेन वत्सं तु कल्पयित्वा विधानतः । चतुर्थांशेन धेनोर्वै वत्सं तु परिकल्पयेत् ॥

Transliteration

caturthāṃśena vatsaṃ tu kalpayitvā vidhānataḥ | caturthāṃśena dhenor vai vatsaṃ tu parikalpayet ||

Translation

വിധിപ്രകാരം വത്സത്തെ ഒരു ചതുര്ഥാംശ അളവിൽ രൂപപ്പെടുത്തി, ധേനുവിന്റെ അളവിന്റെ ചതുര്ഥാംശമായിട്ടുതന്നെ വത്സത്തെ നിർമ്മിക്കണം.

Word by Word

• caturthāṃśena: with a fourth part
• caturthāṃśena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caturtha (चतुर्थ प्रातिपदिक) + aṃśa (अंश प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); compound: caturthaḥ aṃśaḥ (कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषार्थे ‘one-fourth part’)

• vatsam: calf
• vatsam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vatsa (वत्स प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tu: indeed
• tu: Sambandha/Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• kalpayitvā: having arranged
• kalpayitvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kḷp (कॢप् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), ‘having arranged/formed’

• vidhānataḥ: according to the prescribed method
• vidhānataḥ: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vidhāna (विधान प्रातिपदिक) + -tas (तस् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Ablatival adverb (तस्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय): ‘according to rule/procedure’

• caturthāṃśena: with a fourth part
• caturthāṃśena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caturtha (चतुर्थ प्रातिपदिक) + aṃśa (अंश प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• dhenoḥ: of the cow
• dhenoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhenu (धेनु प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha/Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), emphasis/tradition marker

• vatsam: calf
• vatsam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vatsa (वत्स प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tu: indeed
• tu: Sambandha/Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• parikalpayet: should arrange/construct
• parikalpayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-√kḷp (कॢप् धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्/Optative), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

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":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":"Construct the calf in correct proportion—one quarter relative to the cow’s measure—following prescribed procedure.","karmic_consequence":"Accuracy in proportion preserves ritual integrity and intended merit; incorrect proportions count as flawed performance and lessen fruit."}

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":"discipline and precision in dharma","core_concept":"Dharma is enacted through faithful adherence to form; proportion symbolizes harmony between intention and execution.","practical_application":"When performing any rite or donation, follow agreed standards (measure, proportion, quality) rather than improvising for convenience."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Ritual Studies","Material Culture","Ethics"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: śānta

Secondary Rasa: śraddhā

Geographic Context

Type: craft-ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 110.5 (overall measure of the cow offering); Varāha Purāṇa 110.7-110.8 (detailed features/materials)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An artisan-priest measures and fashions a small calf figure beside a larger cow figure, using a cord/rod to mark one-quarter proportion.","item_prompts":["large cow effigy/model","smaller calf at one-quarter scale","measuring cord/rod","scribe-like checklist (vidhāna)","tools for shaping (knife, mold, bowl)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, clear proportional comparison, strong outlines, didactic composition with measuring cord emphasized.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold highlights on the finished cow/calf ornaments, symmetrical layout showing proportional harmony.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, delicate depiction of measuring process, soft interior lighting, calm craftsmanship.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature, workshop vignette with precise scale contrast and narrative clarity, minimal but expressive tools."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"precise, methodical","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"neutral, exacting, instructional"}

Tags

• Purāṇic Literature
• Ritual Craft
• Proportional Design
• Dāna Procedures

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It preserves technical proportional rules, indicating that donation objects could be crafted with standardized design conventions rather than improvised forms.

Which geographic location is identified?

No location is mentioned.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

Ethical giving is paired with precision and adherence to agreed standards, underscoring care and accountability in donation.