Varaha Purana 136.71 — Adhyaya 136, Shloka 71

A Sūtra-like Manual of Expiations for Ritual Transgressions

Devanagari script

ततो भूमिर्वचः श्रुत्वा प्रत्युवाच पुनर्हरिम् ॥ कुसुम्भशाकनैवेद्यप्रापणेन च किल्बिषात् ॥

Transliteration

tato bhūmir vacaḥ śrutvā pratyuvāca punar harim | kusumbhaśākanaivedyaprāpaṇena ca kilbiṣāt ||

Translation

Тогда Земля, услышав эти слова, вновь ответила Хари: «Из-за проступка, возникшего при поднесении (или предоставлении) пищевого подношения из зелени кусумбхи…».

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• bhūmi: Earth

• vacaḥ: words

• śrutvā: having heard

• pratyuvāca: replied

• punaḥ: again

• harim: to Hari

• kusumbha-śāka: kusumbha greens/vegetable preparation

• naivedya: food-offering

• prāpaṇa: giving/providing/offering

• kilbiṣa: sin/fault

Speaker

Pṛthivī (Bhūmi/Vasundharā)

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"Earth turns back to Hari/Varāha with a follow-up about a specific ritual fault involving kusumbha-greens."}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"questioner","bhu_devi_state":"concerned, seeking clarification about fault and remedy","key_question":"What is the nature and consequence of the fault incurred by offering/providing a naivedya of kusumbha-greens, and how is it to be addressed?"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"prayaschitta","instruction_summary":"A specific naivedya/provision involving kusumbha-greens is treated as a kīlbiṣa (ritual fault) requiring expiation.","karmic_consequence":"Unexpiated ritual fault leads to pāpa-taint; expiation (stated in subsequent verses) removes it."}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ritual discernment (doṣa-viveka)","core_concept":"Even seemingly small ritual acts (food offerings) can carry ethical/ritual valence; dharma requires attentiveness and correction.","practical_application":"When uncertain about an offering’s propriety or a lapse, seek authoritative guidance and perform prescribed prāyaścitta rather than ignoring the fault."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Practice","Prāyaścitta"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: śānta

Secondary Rasa: karuṇā

Geographic Context

Type: None

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 136.79.0 (Earth asks for expiation); Varāha Purāṇa 136.81.0–136.82.0 (specific prāyaścitta and result)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Bhūdevī, having heard Varāha’s prior instruction, speaks again with concern, introducing the issue of kusumbha-greens naivedya and the resulting fault.","item_prompts":["Bhūdevī speaking gesture (open palm)","Varāha listening attentively","a plate of greens/naivedya as symbolic prop","subtle tension in Bhūdevī’s expression"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Bhūdevī in front-facing pose with expressive hand mudrā, Varāha calm, a stylized naivedya platter with green leaves, warm temple backdrop.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Bhūdevī richly adorned, holding/indicating a naivedya plate; Varāha with gold halo; embossed platter details.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant courtly dialogue, fine detailing on the offering plate, restrained palette emphasizing seriousness.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: conversational scene with delicate expressions; a small offering tray with greens; natural setting suggesting Earth’s presence."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"inquiring, slightly anxious","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"respectful, questioning"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Dialogue
• Ritual Studies
• Vaiṣṇavism

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It exemplifies the Purāṇic catechism style: an inquirer (Earth) prompts a doctrinal-ritual clarification from the instructor (Varāha).

Which geographic location is identified?

No geographic location is specified; the verse is situated in a didactic dialogue context.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

Ritual actions involving offerings are treated as ethically consequential, prompting the need for clarification and expiation where faults are perceived.