Shloka 70

Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas

with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

वराहमूर्तिदानं तु शालग्रामस्य दुर्लभम् / जंबूफलप्रमाणं तु एतद्वै कुक्कुटाण्डवत्

Transliteration

varāhamūrtidānaṃ tu śālagrāmasya durlabham / jaṃbūphalapramāṇaṃ tu etadvai kukkuṭāṇḍavat

Translation

Namun, pemberian Śālagrāma dalam rupa penjelmaan Varāha (Babi Hutan Ilahi) adalah jarang. Saiznya dikatakan seperti buah jambū, bahkan seumpama telur ayam.

Word by Word

• वराहमूर्तिदानम्: gift/donation of the Varāha-form (image)
• वराहमूर्तिदानम्: Karta/Viṣaya (कर्ता/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वराह (प्रातिपदिक) + मूर्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (varāhasya mūrtiḥ → varāhamūrti; varāhamūrteḥ dānam → varāhamūrtidānam)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थे “but/indeed”

• शालग्रामस्य: of the Śālagrāma (stone)
• शालग्रामस्य: Sambandha/Ṣaṣṭhī (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शालग्राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन; Genitive “of Śālagrāma”

• दुर्लभम्: rare/difficult to obtain
• दुर्लभम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• जम्बूफलप्रमाणम्: (having) the measure/size of a jambu-fruit
• जम्बूफलप्रमाणम्: Viṣaya (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जम्बूफल (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रमाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः “jambūphalasya pramāṇam”

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karta/Viṣaya (कर्ता/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• वै: indeed/truly
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphatic particle)

• कुक्कुटाण्डवत्: like a hen’s egg
• कुक्कुटाण्डवत्: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुक्कुट (प्रातिपदिक) + अण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (तद्धित)
• Form: अव्ययवत्-प्रयोगः; ‘-वत्’ तद्धितान्त विशेषण; (नपुंसक/पुं/स्त्री) प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनानुरूपं; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः “kुक्कुटस्य अण्डम्” + वत् = “like a hen’s egg”

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dana of a Varāha-form Śālagrāma is rare and thus highly valued; correct identification includes attention to traditional size descriptors.

Vedantic Theme: Arcā-upāsanā and dharmic handling of sacred embodiments; sanctity of properly performed dana as a purifier of intention and action.

Application: If engaging in sacred gifting, ensure authenticity and proper handling of ritual objects; support legitimate temple traditions rather than commodifying sacred items.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26.67-68 (dana and its merit; rarity themes)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Varaha
• Shalagrama

FAQs

What is the importance of Varaha-form Śālagrāma dāna in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights it as a rare and valued form of sacred donation, emphasizing devotional merit through gifting a Viṣṇu-emblem (Śālagrāma) specifically associated with Varāha.

Does this verse describe any identifying feature of the Varāha Śālagrāma?

Yes. It gives a practical descriptor: the Śālagrāma (in this Varāha context) is said to be about the size of a jambū fruit, likened to a hen’s egg.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat sacred objects and acts of giving with discernment and reverence—prioritizing sincere devotion, proper handling, and informed ritual practice when offering or donating Viṣṇu-related sacred emblems.