Varaha Purana 112.26 — Adhyaya 112, Shloka 26
Praise and Procedure of Donating the Two-Faced Kapilā Cow and the Golden Pot
Hema-kumbha
प्राजापत्यं चरेत्कृच्छ्रं तेन शुष्यति स द्विजः ॥ एकस्य गोप्रदानस्य सहस्रांशेन पूर्यते ॥
prājāpatyaṃ caret kṛcchraṃ tena śuṣyati sa dvijaḥ || ekasya gopradānasya sahasrāṃśena pūryate ||
Dia hendaklah menjalankan penebusan Prājāpatya kṛcchra; dengan itu, dvija tersebut ‘menjadi kering’, yakni kesalahannya dilemahkan dan disucikan. Namun ia dikatakan memadai hanya dengan seperibu daripada satu pemberian seekor lembu.
Varāha (default speaker within Varāha–Pṛthivī dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"prayaschitta","instruction_summary":"For the fault, perform the Prājāpatya-kṛcchra penance; alternatively/also, go-dāna is presented as an exceptionally potent purifier.","karmic_consequence":"Penance ‘dries up’ (attenuates) the sin; even a fraction of go-dāna’s merit is portrayed as completing the expiation, implying strong purification and restoration of standing."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Go-dāna is treated as a yajña-supporting act (dakṣiṇā) that restores ritual order; ‘drying up’ suggests tapas as inner heat that burns impurity.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"Tapas and tyāga as means to reduce pāpa-vāsanā; purification is framed as attenuation of karmic residue rather than mere social repair."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"soteriological pragmatics (tapas + dāna)","core_concept":"Faults are countered by disciplined austerity and selfless giving; dāna can function as concentrated expiation when properly directed.","practical_application":"Undertake regulated prāyaścitta (Prājāpatya-kṛcchra) under guidance; prioritize meaningful, dharmic gifts such as go-dāna to restore purity and eligibility."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Expiation (Prāyaścitta)","Dāna (Gift-giving)"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Type: None
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 112.28 (proper recipient qualities for dāna)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A twice-born performs austerity (kṛcchra) while a cow-gift is prepared, showing two complementary paths of purification—tapas and dāna.","item_prompts":["ascetic posture (controlled diet/fasting implied)","cow with garland","water pot and kuśa grass","Varāha indicating the rule","small fire altar (agni) as purity symbol"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: brāhmaṇa in restrained ascetic pose near a simple agni; cow adorned for donation; Varāha instructing with calm authority; earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: richly decorated cow with gold accents; Varāha with gold halo; donor offering with ritual vessels; emphasis on auspiciousness of go-dāna.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: balanced composition—left tapas scene, right go-dāna scene; delicate ornamentation; serene expressions.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: pastoral setting with cow; brāhmaṇa seated in penance near a stream; Varāha as teacher in a small pavilion; soft natural colors."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"prescriptive, purifying","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"steady, reassuring yet authoritative"}
FAQs
It references a well-known expiatory regimen (Prājāpatya kṛcchra) and highlights the Purāṇic emphasis on dāna as a powerful means of moral repair.
No location is mentioned.
The verse recommends formal expiation and underscores the high ethical value assigned to cow-gifting within the text’s normative economy.
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