Varaha Purana 186.21 — Adhyaya 186, Shloka 21
Ritual Procedure for Installing Silver and Gold Images, and the Special Status of Śālagrāma
नमो नारायणायेति इमं मन्त्रमुदाहरेत्॥ शाल्यन्नं पायसैर्युक्तं सितया च घृतेन च॥
namo nārāyaṇāyeti imaṃ mantram udāharet || śāly-annaṃ pāyasair yuktaṃ sitayā ca ghṛtena ca
नमो नारायणायेति इमं मन्त्रमुदाहरेत्। शाल्यन्नं पायसैर्युक्तं सितया च घृतेन च॥
Varāha (default, based on Varāha–Pṛthivī dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"Recite ‘Namo Nārāyaṇāya’ and offer naivedya: rice-food with pāyasa, along with sugar and ghee, as part of Vaiṣṇava worship.","karmic_consequence":"Offering naivedya with mantra and purity supports devotional merit and auspiciousness; neglecting mantra/śauca renders the offering ritually deficient."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of offering (īśvara-arpana)","core_concept":"Food becomes prasāda when first offered to Nārāyaṇa; enjoyment is transformed into service.","practical_application":"Before eating, mentally and verbally offer the meal to Nārāyaṇa; cultivate gratitude and restraint by treating food as sacred."}
Subject Matter: ["Ritual Practice","Food Culture"]
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: household/temple kitchen and altar
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 186.24 (post-naivedya ācamana and prāpaṇa acceptance)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pūjā scene where bowls of cooked rice and sweet pāyasa are placed before Nārāyaṇa while the worshipper recites ‘Namo Nārāyaṇāya’; sugar and ghee are shown as separate offerings.","item_prompts":["bowl of śāli-anna (rice)","pāyasa (milk-rice) in a silver bowl","small dish of sugar","small pot of ghee","tulasi leaves (optional Vaiṣṇava cue)","altar lamp and bell"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: warm lamp-lit altar; stylized vessels; devotee chanting ‘Namo Nārāyaṇāya’; emphasis on ritual purity and symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-backed Nārāyaṇa; richly ornamented offering bowls; ghee pot gleaming; inscriptions of the mantra near the base.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: detailed textures of food and metalware; gentle devotional expressions; balanced composition around the naivedya.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: cozy shrine interior; delicate depiction of sweets and rice; soft, lyrical mood with restrained palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"simple mantra-japa during offering","suggested_raga":"Madhyamāvati","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"tender, focused, repetitive (japa-like)"}
FAQs
It documents a standard offering set (rice, pāyasa, sugar, ghee) and pairs it with a widely attested Vaiṣṇava mantra, reflecting continuity between Purāṇic and later devotional practice.
No location is specified; the verse concerns ritual recitation and food offerings.
The instruction emphasizes disciplined recitation and careful preparation of offerings, implying attentiveness and sincerity in ritual conduct.
Ask anything about this verse
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