Varaha Purana 170.80: Adhyaya 170, Shloka 80
The Birth of Gokarṇa and the Fruits of Śiva Worship
including the Śukodara Parrot Episode and Hospitality Ethics
इत्युक्तः शबरेणाथ गोकर्णो वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥ अन्यत्किंचिदथो देयं यदि किंचिद्ददासि च॥
ityuktaḥ śabareṇātha gokarṇo vākyam abravīt॥ anyat kiṃcid atho deyaṃ yadi kiṃcid dadāsi ca॥
इत्युक्तः शबरेणाथ गोकर्णो वाक्यमब्रवीत्— यदि किंचिद्ददासि, तर्हि अन्यदपि किंचित् देयम्॥
Gokarṇa
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"In a gift-exchange setting, the giver should add an additional appropriate gift (anugraha/atirikta-dāna) rather than giving in a grudging or minimal way.","karmic_consequence":"Generous, fitting dāna increases puṇya and social harmony; stingy or manipulative giving diminishes merit and invites blame."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics_of_giving","core_concept":"Dāna is not mere transfer of property but a cultivation of largeness of heart and right intention in reciprocity.","practical_application":"When offering help or gifts, add what is truly useful (not performative), and avoid transactional pettiness."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Cultural Practice"]
Primary Rasa: hasya
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 170.89-170.93 (continuation of the gift/boon dialogue)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A forest-side dialogue: Gokarṇa, composed and authoritative, responds to a Śabara who has approached with a request; the moment captures the etiquette of giving and asking.","item_prompts":["Gokarṇa as a sage with matted hair and staff","Śabara (forest-dweller) with simple attire","gesture of asking and measured reply","suggestion of a hermitage/forest clearing"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: warm earthy palette; Gokarṇa in serene frontal poise with stylized ornaments; Śabara in simplified rustic costume; dense foliage framing the dialogue.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: Gokarṇa with gold-leaf halo and rich textiles; Śabara smaller in scale; minimal background with ornate arch; emphasize hand-gestures of instruction and request.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework, soft shading; calm hermitage setting; expressive faces showing mild humor and restraint.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: lyrical forest landscape, slender figures; intimate conversational spacing; emphasis on narrative clarity and gentle satire."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"conversational-didactic","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear, slightly playful, instructive"}
FAQs
It shows the narrative use of dāna (giving) and request as a social mechanism in Purāṇic literature, often serving as a pivot to introduce a sacred object or a tīrtha-related teaching.
No location is named here; the broader passage connects to Mathurā and a Sarasvatī-saṅgama in subsequent verses.
The emphasis is on intentional giving: when one chooses to give, one should give appropriately and responsively to the recipient’s expressed need.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Varaha Purana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.