Varaha Purana 112.3 — Adhyaya 112, Shloka 3
Praise and Procedure of Donating the Two-Faced Kapilā Cow and the Golden Pot
Hema-kumbha
होमधेनुः सदा पुण्या सा ज्ञेया कपिलक्षणा ॥ कियत्यः कपिलाः प्रोक्ताः स्वयमेव स्वयम्भुवा
homadhenuḥ sadā puṇyā sā jñeyā kapilakṣaṇā || kiyatyaḥ kapilāḥ proktāḥ svayam eva svayambhuvā
‘Homadhenu’ (lembu untuk persembahan homa) sentiasa membawa pahala; ia hendaklah difahami memiliki tanda Kapilā. Berapakah jumlah Kapilā yang telah dinyatakan oleh Svayambhū (Brahmā) sendiri?
Pṛthivī (Dharaṇī) (implied continuation of inquiry)
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":"questioner","bhu_devi_state":"curious; seeking ritual-ethical clarity about homadhenu/kapilā classification","key_question":"How many types/instances of Kapilā cows were declared by Svayambhū (Brahmā), and what is their taxonomy in ritual context?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"Homadhenu/Kapilā is affirmed as intrinsically puṇya and is to be recognized by the Kapilā-mark; the verse frames a normative inquiry into the authorized categories of such dāna-eligible cows.","karmic_consequence":"Correct recognition and adherence to the Brahmā-declared taxonomy supports puṇya accrual; misclassification/ignorant handling risks diminished ritual fruit (implied)."}
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":"pramāṇa/authority in dharma","core_concept":"Dharma-knowledge is grounded in recognized authorities (here Svayambhū/Brahmā) and in precise definitions (lakṣaṇa) for ritual objects.","practical_application":"When performing or sponsoring cow-related dāna/rituals, seek authoritative criteria (lakṣaṇa) and correct classification before action."}
Subject Matter: ["Ritual Culture","Ethics","Textual Taxonomy"]
Primary Rasa: jijñāsā (inquisitive/śāstra-rasa)
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: None
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 112.4-7 (continuation: puṇya of Kapilā-dāna; origin by Brahmā; superlative praise)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Bhūdevī, personified as Earth, poses a formal question about the homadhenu/Kapilā and Brahmā’s declared categories, in a calm didactic setting.","item_prompts":["Bhūdevī with earth-toned garments and lotus","gesture of inquiry (añjali or raised hand)","palm-leaf manuscript or śāstra scroll motif","a Kapilā cow indicated in the background","subtle presence of sacrificial implements (agnihotra pot, ladle)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Bhūdevī in profile with ornate jewelry, warm ochres/greens, stylized Kapilā cow behind, minimal yajña implements, serene scholastic mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: Bhūdevī richly adorned with gold-leaf highlights, manuscript/scroll in hand, Kapilā cow as icon-like motif, temple-like backdrop.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework, soft shading; Bhūdevī seated in discourse posture, Kapilā cow and small agnihotra vessel subtly placed.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: lyrical landscape with Bhūdevī on a terrace, Kapilā cow near a small fire-altar, gentle scholarly exchange atmosphere."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"inquisitive and measured","suggested_raga":"Śrī (or Vācaspati for a reflective didactic tone)","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"clear, questioning, respectful"}
FAQs
It preserves a technical vocabulary linking Purāṇic teaching with older sacrificial idioms (homa, agnihotra), indicating how later texts reframed ritual categories into ethical-merit discourse.
No location is named; the verse is classificatory, asking about the number/types of Kapilā as described by Svayambhū.
It promotes informed practice: merit is associated with understanding correct definitions (lakṣaṇa) and authoritative classification rather than mere performance.
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