Varaha Purana 138.56 — Adhyaya 138, Shloka 56
The Episode of the Khañjarīṭa Bird
and the Saukarava Tīrtha’s Merit
स्नाताः सन्तर्प्य च पितॄन्मम वस्त्रविभूषिताः ॥ गावो विंशतिसाहस्रा याः पूर्वमुपकल्पिताः
snātāḥ santarpya ca pitṝn mama vastravibhūṣitāḥ || gāvo viṁśatisāhasrā yāḥ pūrvam upakalpitāḥ
स्नाताः पितॄन् सन्तर्प्य च, वस्त्रविभूषिताः; पूर्वमुपकल्पिताः विंशतिसाहस्राः गावः समानीताः।
Varāha (default framework; not explicit in excerpt)
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":"Cow-gift resonates with Vaiṣṇava ethos but no explicit Kṛṣṇa/Mathurā linkage stated"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"shraddha","instruction_summary":"After bathing, one should perform pitṛ-tarpaṇa/śrāddha and then undertake dāna—here, large-scale go-dāna—while maintaining auspicious decorum.","karmic_consequence":"Pitṛ satisfaction supports lineage welfare and grants blessings; go-dāna yields great puṇya and is praised as a powerful means for upliftment of donor and ancestors; neglect of pitṛ rites is said to cause pitṛ-asantoṣa and obstacles."}
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":"dharma (ṛṇa-traya)","core_concept":"Repayment of debts: pitṛ-ṛṇa through tarpaṇa/śrāddha and loka-saṅgraha through generous dāna (especially go-dāna).","practical_application":"Integrate gratitude to ancestors with tangible charity; perform ancestral remembrance and follow it with meaningful giving rather than mere ritual formality."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Heritage Sites"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: karuṇā
Type: ritual venue (unspecified)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 138.62 (proper recipient and vidhi for receiving)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"After purification and pitṛ offerings, an immense herd—twenty thousand cows—stands ready for donation; donors are dressed in auspicious garments.","item_prompts":["pitṛ-tarpaṇa with water/tila","offerings on darbha","large herd of cows in rows","donors in clean garments","priests/assistants organizing the dāna"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: rhythmic rows of cows, stylized horns and patterns; foreground tarpaṇa act with calm solemnity, warm earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: grand go-dāna tableau with gold accents on ornaments and vessels; cows richly detailed, donors with regal yet devotional posture.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: balanced composition, detailed cows and textiles, gentle realism; emphasis on ritual propriety and scale.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: expansive pastoral scene with many cows across a gentle landscape; small ritual group in foreground performing tarpaṇa."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"solemn, auspicious","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"deep, steady, ceremonial"}
FAQs
It links ancestor-rites with charitable distribution, showing how remembrance of predecessors and social giving are integrated within Purāṇic ritual narratives.
No location is specified in this verse.
The ethical emphasis is on reciprocity and continuity: honoring ancestors while supporting the living through prepared gifts.
Ask anything about this verse
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