Varaha Purana 39.56 — Adhyaya 39, Shloka 56
Discrimination of the Three Bodies and the Dharaṇī Vow: A Manual for Dvādaśī Observance
एवं दत्त्वा विधानॆन द्वादश्यां विष्णुमर्च्य च । विप्राणां भोजनं कुर्याद् यथाशक्त्या सदक्षिणम् ॥ ३९.५६ ॥
evaṃ dattvā vidhānena dvādaśyāṃ viṣṇum arcya ca | viprāṇāṃ bhojanaṃ kuryād yathāśaktyā sadakṣiṇam || 39.56 ||
ଏହିପରି ବିଧାନ ଅନୁସାରେ ଦାନ ଦେଇ, ଦ୍ୱାଦଶୀ ଦିନ ବିଷ୍ଣୁଙ୍କୁ ଅର୍ଚ୍ଚନ କରି, ଯଥାଶକ୍ତି ଦକ୍ଷିଣା ସହିତ ବିପ୍ରମାନଙ୍କୁ ଭୋଜନ କରାଇବ।
Varāha
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":"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":"dana","instruction_summary":"On Dvādaśī, after giving the prescribed gift properly and worshipping Viṣṇu, feed learned brāhmaṇas and give dakṣiṇā according to capacity.","karmic_consequence":"Observance brings Viṣṇu’s pleasure and accruing puṇya through dāna and anna-dāna; neglect reduces the rite’s completion and merit."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":true,"vrata_name":"Dvādaśī Viṣṇu-pūjā with brāhmaṇa-bhojana (vrata-ancillary observance)","tithi_month":"Dvādaśī (month not specified)","promised_fruit":"Pleasing Viṣṇu and gaining enhanced religious merit through properly completed worship and charity."}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Feeding vipras after Viṣṇu-pūjā externalizes devotion into social dharma; the Lord is served through His embodiments—Veda-knowers and guests—linking bhakti with yajña.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Bhojana as anna-yajña; dakṣiṇā as yajña-completion; Viṣṇu as the inner recipient (antaryāmin) of offerings given in His name.","vedantic_connection":"Iśvara-arpana: offering action and its fruits to Viṣṇu purifies the doer; capacity-based giving reduces ego and fosters sattva."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"bhakti-dharma synthesis","core_concept":"True worship culminates in generosity and service; devotion is validated by dharmic action.","practical_application":"On Dvādaśī (especially in Vaiṣṇava practice), combine Viṣṇu-arcana with feeding and appropriate gifts, scaled to one’s means."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Practice","Dana (Charity)"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: dāsya
Type: ritual-social space
Related Themes: 39.39.52-55 (krama, guru-dakṣiṇā, mantra transmission, guru-ethics)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Dvādaśī observance: Viṣṇu worship at an altar, followed by a respectful meal served to learned brāhmaṇas with dakṣiṇā offered according to means.","item_prompts":["Viṣṇu murti or śālagrāma on altar","tulasi leaves","lamp and incense","plates of food (anna)","seated brāhmaṇas being served","dakṣiṇā (coins/cloth) offered with humility"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: bright altar with Viṣṇu icon and tulasi; orderly row of vipras receiving food; warm domestic-temple ambience, rhythmic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-leaf on Viṣṇu halo and lamps; rich feast vessels; donor offering dakṣiṇā in foreground; opulent yet devotional.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant temple interior; detailed food platters and textiles; serene faces, emphasis on cleanliness and ritual order.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: courtyard feast scene; soft colors, intimate hospitality; Viṣṇu shrine to the side with lamp glow."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional and concluding","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"warm, composed, auspicious"}
FAQs
It reflects a Purāṇic synthesis of ritual devotion (Viṣṇu-arcana) with social ethics (feeding and gifting to learned recipients), paralleling norms also discussed in Dharmaśāstra traditions.
No specific geographic site is named in this verse; it focuses on calendrical timing (Dvādaśī) and ritual-charitable procedure.
To integrate worship with generosity: after performing the prescribed observance, one should feed learned persons and offer an appropriate honorarium in proportion to one’s means.
Ask anything about this verse
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