Varaha Purana 155.58 — Adhyaya 155, Shloka 58
The Efficacy and Sacred Merit of Akrūra Tīrtha
एकविश्रामपुण्यं मे देहि त्वं वणिगुत्तम ॥ कृपया तु समायुक्तो वणिग्वचनमब्रवीत् ॥
ekaviśrāmapuṇyaṁ me dehi tvaṁ vaṇiguttama || kṛpayā tu samāyukto vaṇigvacanam abravīt ||
“ஓ சிறந்த வணிகரே, எனக்கு ஒருமுறை ஓய்வின் புண்ணியத்தை அளியுங்கள்.” கருணையுடன் வணிகர் இவ்வாறு கூறினார்.
Unnamed rākṣasa (first half); Narrator (second half, reporting the merchant’s response)
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":"questioner","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"A rākṣasa petitions the merchant for the transferable merit of “one respite” (a single act of relief/allowance), seeking spiritual benefit through a minimal boon."}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"Implicit Vaiṣṇava ethical frame (merit, compassion), but no Mathurā/Kṛṣṇa locus stated."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"Even a small, compassion-motivated grant (a minimal boon/act) can function as a meritorious gift when given to one who seeks upliftment.","karmic_consequence":"Compassionate giving accrues puṇya and can become a cause for the recipient’s purification; refusal/harshness sustains fear and hostility in narrative-ethical terms."}
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":"Ethical soteriology (puṇya as transformative when joined with compassion)","core_concept":"Alpa-dāna/alpa-anugraha (a small concession) can catalyze great inner change when rooted in dayā.","practical_application":"Practice compassionate responsiveness in encounters with the feared/othered; offer a bounded, non-harmful boon that encourages virtue."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Heritage Sites"]
Primary Rasa: karuṇa
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: None
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 155.66–69 (boon’s effect; divine epiphany; ascent to Vaikuṇṭha-like realm)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A rākṣasa, humbled, petitions a composed merchant for a single unit of merit/relief; the merchant listens with compassion.","item_prompts":["rākṣasa with softened posture (folded hands)","merchant with calm, compassionate gaze","gesture of asking/boon-granting","minimalist setting suggesting a travel route or sacred precinct"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: earthy reds/greens, stylized rākṣasa features softened by bhakti; merchant in simple attire, expressive eyes; narrative panel composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central merchant figure with halo-like emphasis on compassion; rākṣasa kneeling; ornamental borders, subdued gold accents.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework, gentle facial expressions; emphasis on the moment of petition and the merchant’s merciful attention.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: lyrical landscape hint, intimate scale; rākṣasa in supplication, merchant seated/standing with restrained blessing gesture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"Supplicatory and compassionate","suggested_raga":"Madhyamāvati","pace":"Medium-slow","voice_tone":"Soft, empathetic, narrative-clear"}
FAQs
The verse illustrates an economy of merit (puṇya) typical of Purāṇic ritual culture, where specific acts are described as transferable or shareable within narrative frames.
No geographic marker occurs in this verse; the surrounding unit belongs to the Akrūra-tīrtha account in this chapter.
Compassionate responsiveness to suffering is presented as a catalyst for alleviation and transformation.
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