Varaha Purana 138.15 — Adhyaya 138, Shloka 15
The Episode of the Khañjarīṭa Bird
and the Saukarava Tīrtha’s Merit
तत एको गृहीत्वैनं गङ्गाम्भसि समाक्षिपत् ॥ युष्माकमेव भवतु नानेनास्मत्प्रयोजनम्
tata eko gṛhītvainaṁ gaṅgāmbhasi samākṣipat || yuṣmākam eva bhavatu nānenāsmat-prayोजनam
मग त्यांपैकी एकाने ते उचलून गंगेच्या पाण्यात फेकले आणि म्हणाला—“हे तुमचेच होवो; आम्हाला याचा काही उपयोग नाही।”
Varāha (default dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"observer; poised for karmic turning-point","key_question":"How does tyāga (letting go) end conflict, and how can sacred waters become a pivot in karmic narrative?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"Gaṅgā (river)","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"When contention arises, choose tyāga/upekṣā rather than escalation; do not cling to a useless object at the cost of harmony.","karmic_consequence":"Letting go prevents further pāpa from quarrel; throwing into Gaṅgā incidentally links the object/being to tīrtha-saṃsparśa, enabling auspicious karmic redirection."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"practical ethics","core_concept":"Tyāga is a higher ‘win’ than possession; peace is preserved by relinquishing what is non-essential.","practical_application":"In disputes, devalue the contested object, prioritize relationship and dharma; practice small acts of letting go daily."}
Subject Matter: ["Geography","Heritage Sites","Ethics"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: karuṇa
Type: sacred river (tīrtha)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 138.16 (Āditya-tīrtha contact)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"One boy, decisive, flings the dead bird into the flowing Gaṅgā; the others pause mid-quarrel, surprised, as the object arcs toward the water.","item_prompts":["flowing river","boy throwing object","arc of motion","other boys halted","riverbank stones and ripples"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: sweeping curve of the throw, stylized ripples of Gaṅgā; boys’ expressions shifting from anger to surprise; lush riverbank framing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: river rendered as patterned bands; central figure in throwing pose; gold highlights on borders and garments; the bird small but emphasized by trajectory.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant depiction of water with fine ripples; subtle emotion on faces; balanced composition with the river as calming element.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: scenic river landscape; clear narrative moment of the throw; delicate trees and hills; figures small but expressive."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"resolving, reflective","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"calming, with a slight lift on the renunciatory statement"}
FAQs
It reflects the cultural centrality of the Gaṅgā in Sanskrit literature, where immersion in the river frequently functions as a narrative turning-point with ritual and ethical overtones.
The Gaṅgā (Ganges), a major North Indian river with extensive textual sacralization across Purāṇic and epic sources.
It contrasts possessiveness with renunciation or disinterest—rejecting dispute by relinquishing the contested object.
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