Varaha Purana 99.97 — Adhyaya 99, Shloka 97
The Greatness and Rite of the Sesame-Cow (Tiladhenu) Gift
अन्नं देहि सदा राजन् सर्वकालसुखावहम् ॥ अन्नेन चैव दत्तेन किं न दत्तं महीतले
annaṃ dehi sadā rājan sarvakālasukhāvaham || annena caiva dattena kiṃ na dattaṃ mahītale
ഹേ രാജാവേ, എപ്പോഴും അന്നദാനം ചെയ്യുക; അത് സർവകാലസുഖം നൽകുന്നു. അന്നം ദാനം ചെയ്താൽ ഭൂമിയിൽ ദാനം ചെയ്യാത്തത് എന്തുണ്ട്?
Varāha (default, not explicit in fragment)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"krishna_connection":"Anna-dāna as supreme charity later becomes prominent in Krishna/Vaishnava temple feeding traditions (annakṣetra), but no explicit Mathurā link is stated."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"O king: give food always; food-gift is the all-encompassing gift on earth.","karmic_consequence":"Regular anna-dāna yields ‘sarva-kāla-sukha’ (well-being at all times); withholding food implies social harm and loss of merit, inviting demerit through neglect of basic dharma."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"rājadharma and social ethics","core_concept":"Sustaining life is the highest practical dharma; food is the root-support of all other gifts and virtues.","practical_application":"Institutionalize feeding (daily kitchens, famine relief, guest care); prioritize nutrition and hospitality as spiritual practice."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Heritage Sites"]
Primary Rasa: karuṇā
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: rājya / dharmaśālā / anna-kṣetra
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa: nearby ethical injunctions to rulers and householders (contextual)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king overseeing distribution of food to subjects, guests, and ascetics; abundance portrayed as dharmic prosperity.","item_prompts":["king seated with attendants","large pots of rice/grains","lines of recipients (poor, pilgrims, brāhmaṇas)","ladles, banana leaves/plates","temple or dharmaśālā backdrop"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: rhythmic procession of recipients; rich reds/ochres; king with regal ornaments; food vessels prominent.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central royal donor with gold-leaf ornaments; gleaming vessels; recipients in smaller panels; auspicious arch motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined palace-courtyard charity scene; detailed textiles; calm benevolent expressions.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: hillside town feeding scene; narrative charm; emphasis on compassion and community."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"exhortative, benevolent","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"firm, encouraging"}
FAQs
It captures a widely attested South Asian ethical ideal: annadāna as foundational charity, reflecting social welfare priorities in Purāṇic moral discourse.
No specific place is named; the phrase 'mahītale' generalizes the setting to the human world.
Sustaining others through food-giving is presented as a comprehensive form of generosity with broad social benefit.
Ask anything about this verse
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