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Varaha Purana 137.39: Adhyaya 137, Shloka 39

The Tale of the Vulture and the She-Jackal: The Māhātmya of the Saukarava Sacred Field

तरुणो मध्यमं याति पश्चाद्याति जरां ततः ॥ बालो वै यानि कर्माणि करोत्यक्ष्ञानतः स्वयम् ॥

Sanskrit recitationVaraha Purana 137.39

taruṇo madhyamaṃ yāti paścād yāti jarāṃ tataḥ | bālo vai yāni karmāṇi karoty ajñānataḥ svayam ||

Юность переходит в зрелость, а затем приходит старость. Воистину, деяния, которые совершает ребёнок, совершаются самим собой по неведению.

taruṇaḥyouth
taruṇaḥ:
madhyamammiddle age
madhyamam:
yātigoes/attains
yāti:
paścātafterward
paścāt:
yātigoes
yāti:
jarāmold age
jarām:
tataḥthen/thereafter
tataḥ:
bālaḥchild
bālaḥ:
vaiindeed
vai:
yāniwhich
yāni:
karmāṇiactions
karmāṇi:
karotidoes
karoti:
ajñānataḥfrom ignorance
ajñānataḥ:
svayamoneself
svayam:

Varāha

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"earth_interaction":"Varāha sets a condition (three-night fast) before imparting further teaching; no explicit Bhū interaction."}

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious","key_question":"What is the proper preparation/adhikāra to receive the requested teaching, and why is fasting prescribed as a prerequisite?"}

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"prayaschitta","instruction_summary":"Undertake a tri-rātra upavāsa (three-night fast) as preparatory purification before receiving/performing the instructed dharma.","karmic_consequence":"Observance grants fitness (adhikāra) to hear and assimilate the teaching; neglect implies unpreparedness and diminished fruit."}

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":true,"vrata_name":"Trirātra-upavāsa (tri-rātra vrata)","tithi_month":"Not specified","promised_fruit":"Eligibility to receive the promised instruction and its ensuing merit; purification of mind and senses implied."}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"sādhana-discipline","core_concept":"Knowledge and dharma are best received after tapas/niyama; bodily restraint supports clarity and receptivity.","practical_application":"Before major vows, pilgrimages, or initiatory teachings, adopt short austerities (fasting, celibacy, truthfulness) to stabilize attention and intention."}

Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Cosmology"]

Primary Rasa: śānta

Secondary Rasa: vīra

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa: vrata/niyama passages (general)

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha instructs a noble listener: ‘fast for three nights, then you will hear’; the listener accepts with reverence, suggesting a vow being undertaken.","item_prompts":["Varāha teaching gesture","devotee with vow posture (añjali)","symbolic three nights (three lamps/moons)","austerity cues (simple mat, water pot)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Varāha in upadeśa; devotee seated on a simple mat; three oil lamps indicating tri-rātra; restrained background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Varāha with gold halo; devotee below; three small lamp motifs; rich ornamentation contrasted with devotee’s simplicity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: soft, devotional scene; subtle depiction of fasting implements (kamaṇḍalu); gentle facial expressions.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: night-sky gradient with three moons/lamps as symbols; Varāha and devotee in intimate teaching setting."}

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"disciplinary and solemn","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"firm, guiding, compassionate"}

C
Classical Literature

FAQs

It aligns Purāṇic storytelling with broader Sanskrit reflections on aging and responsibility, providing a window into premodern moral psychology.

No location is identified.

It highlights ignorance (ajñāna) as a driver of immature action, encouraging cultivation of awareness and accountability.

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