Varaha Purana 103.2 — Adhyaya 103, Shloka 2
Ritual Procedure for the Donation of the ‘Sugar-Cow’ (Śarkarā-Dhenu)
तदर्धं मध्यमा प्रोक्ता कनिष्ठा भारकेण तु । तद्वद्वत्सं प्रकुर्वीत चतुर्थांशेन तत्त्वतः ॥
tadardhaṃ madhyamā proktā kaniṣṭhā bhārakeṇa tu | tadvad vatsaṃ prakurvīta caturthāṃśena tattvataḥ ||
तदर्धं मध्यमा प्रोक्ता, कनिष्ठा भारकेण तु। तद्वद्वत्सं प्रकुर्वीत चतुर्थांशेन तत्त्वतः।
Hotṛ (continued instructional discourse; not re-marked, inferred from immediate context)
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":"dana","instruction_summary":"Define śarkarā-dhenu grades by weight: madhyamā is half of the uttamā; kanīṣṭhā is one bhāra; the calf should consistently be one-fourth in proportion.","karmic_consequence":"Maintaining prescribed gradations and proportions preserves ritual validity and corresponding merit; deviation risks reduced or nullified puṇya."}
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":"niyama (rule) and yathā-śāstra (according to principle)","core_concept":"Dharma operates through intelligible standards; ‘tattvataḥ’ frames proportion as a principle, not arbitrary preference.","practical_application":"If resources are limited, choose a lower grade honestly while keeping proportions correct; avoid performative excess that breaks śāstric measure."}
Subject Matter: ["Ritual Practice","Material Culture","Ethics"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: None
Type: ritual setting
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa ch.103 continuation of śarkarā-dhenu grading rules
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic-like continuation: the hotṛ indicates three graded models of the sugar cow—large, medium, small—each with a calf at one-fourth size, with weights marked.","item_prompts":["three cow effigies of different sizes","calves at one-fourth scale","weight markers (bhāra)","hotṛ pointing to a proportion diagram","king observing"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized triptych of three dhenu forms with consistent calf ratio; hotṛ’s hand-gesture indicating ‘half’ and ‘one bhāra’.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-framed panels for uttamā/madhyamā/kanīṣṭhā; embossed weight inscriptions; luminous sugar texture.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean composition with emphasis on measurement tools and proportionality; subdued palette, high clarity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: miniature-style instructional chart within a narrative scene; delicate labeling of grades and calf ratio."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"technical, clarifying","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"didactic, slightly emphatic on numerical terms"}
FAQs
It shows standardized gradations of ritual gifts by weight and proportion, suggesting a formalized system adaptable to patron capacity.
No geographic location is identified.
It promotes proportional giving and truth-to-rule construction, aligning generosity with careful adherence to shared standards.
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