Varaha Purana 137.98: Adhyaya 137, Shloka 98

The Tale of the Vulture and the She-Jackal: The Māhātmya of the Saukarava Sacred Field

Devanagari script

किं मया तु कृतं कर्म पूर्वमेव सुदुष्करम् ॥ येनाहमीदृशीं प्राप्ता दशां पुण्यपरिक्षयात् ॥

Sanskrit recitationVaraha Purana 137.98

Transliteration

kiṁ mayā tu kṛtaṁ karma pūrvam eva suduṣkaram || yenāham īdṛśīṁ prāptā daśāṁ puṇyaparikṣayāt ||

Translation

ഞാൻ മുമ്പ് ഏതു അത്യന്തം ദുഷ്കരമായ കര്‍മ്മം ചെയ്തു, അതിന്റെ ഫലമായി പുണ്യക്ഷയത്താൽ ഞാൻ ഇത്തരമൊരു അവസ്ഥയിൽ എത്തി?

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Word by Word

• kim: what?

• mayā: by me

• tu: indeed

• kṛtam: done

• karma: action/deed

• pūrvam: formerly

• eva: indeed

• suduṣkaram: very difficult

• yena: by which

• aham: I

• īdṛśīm: such

• prāptā: attained

• daśām: state/condition

• puṇya: merit

• parikṣayāt: from depletion/exhaustion

Speaker

Pṛthivī/Vasundharā (default inquirer 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,"specific_site":"Nandana (Indra’s garden in Svarga, not Mathurā)"}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false,"karmic_consequence":"Enjoyment in Nandana indicates prior puṇya; upon its exhaustion one falls from svarga and is reborn in an eminent family—showing graded karmic return."}

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":"cosmology + karma theory","core_concept":"Svarga is a temporary fruition of merit; after puṇya is spent, rebirth occurs—often in a high lineage corresponding to residual merit.","practical_application":"Do not mistake heavenly reward for liberation; pursue mokṣa-oriented practice (bhakti/jñāna) alongside dharma to transcend puṇya-kṣaya cycles."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Philosophy","Cosmology"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: śānta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: celestial garden

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 137 (discussion of karmic destinations and returns)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A celestial garden scene: beings delighting in Nandana under flowering trees; a subtle transition motif indicating fall from heaven and rebirth into a noble household.","item_prompts":["celestial trees (kalpavṛkṣa-like)","apsaras/gandharva ambience","Indraloka architecture in distance","visual contrast: heaven above, earthly noble home below"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, lush stylized flora, celestial figures with ornate crowns; include a narrative split-panel showing descent to an earthly palace-like home.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf heavy for svarga radiance; central Nandana tree with jeweled ornaments; small lower register showing birth in a great family.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, refined pastel sky, detailed garden; gentle narrative sequencing from svarga enjoyment to earthly rebirth.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari, lyrical garden with birds and blossoms; a cloud-path descent motif leading to a hill-town noble house scene."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic, reflective","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear, explanatory"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Indian Philosophy (Karma)
• Purāṇas
• Sanskrit Philology

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It documents a common Purāṇic philosophical concern: how karmic results and the depletion of merit explain changes in fortune and embodiment.

Which geographic location is identified?

No geographic location is named.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

Self-inquiry regarding causality and responsibility, encouraging reflective evaluation of actions and their consequences.