Varaha Purana 112.26 — Adhyaya 112, Shloka 26
Praise and Procedure of Donating the Two-Faced Kapilā Cow and the Golden Pot
Hema-kumbha
प्राजापत्यं चरेत्कृच्छ्रं तेन शुष्यति स द्विजः ॥ एकस्य गोप्रदानस्य सहस्रांशेन पूर्यते ॥
prājāpatyaṃ caret kṛcchraṃ tena śuṣyati sa dvijaḥ || ekasya gopradānasya sahasrāṃśena pūryate ||
అతడు ప్రాజాపత్య కృచ్ఛ్ర ప్రాయశ్చిత్తాన్ని ఆచరించాలి; దానివల్ల ఆ ద్విజుడు ‘శుష్యతి’—అంటే దోషం క్షీణించి శుద్ధి పొందుతాడు; అయినా ఒక గోవు దానంలోని వెయ్యవ భాగంతోనే అది పూర్తవుతుంది।
Varāha (default speaker within Varāha–Pṛthivī dialogue framework)
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":"prayaschitta","instruction_summary":"For the fault, perform the Prājāpatya-kṛcchra penance; alternatively/also, go-dāna is presented as an exceptionally potent purifier.","karmic_consequence":"Penance ‘dries up’ (attenuates) the sin; even a fraction of go-dāna’s merit is portrayed as completing the expiation, implying strong purification and restoration of standing."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Go-dāna is treated as a yajña-supporting act (dakṣiṇā) that restores ritual order; ‘drying up’ suggests tapas as inner heat that burns impurity.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"Tapas and tyāga as means to reduce pāpa-vāsanā; purification is framed as attenuation of karmic residue rather than mere social repair."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"soteriological pragmatics (tapas + dāna)","core_concept":"Faults are countered by disciplined austerity and selfless giving; dāna can function as concentrated expiation when properly directed.","practical_application":"Undertake regulated prāyaścitta (Prājāpatya-kṛcchra) under guidance; prioritize meaningful, dharmic gifts such as go-dāna to restore purity and eligibility."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Expiation (Prāyaścitta)","Dāna (Gift-giving)"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Type: None
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 112.28 (proper recipient qualities for dāna)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A twice-born performs austerity (kṛcchra) while a cow-gift is prepared, showing two complementary paths of purification—tapas and dāna.","item_prompts":["ascetic posture (controlled diet/fasting implied)","cow with garland","water pot and kuśa grass","Varāha indicating the rule","small fire altar (agni) as purity symbol"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: brāhmaṇa in restrained ascetic pose near a simple agni; cow adorned for donation; Varāha instructing with calm authority; earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: richly decorated cow with gold accents; Varāha with gold halo; donor offering with ritual vessels; emphasis on auspiciousness of go-dāna.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: balanced composition—left tapas scene, right go-dāna scene; delicate ornamentation; serene expressions.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: pastoral setting with cow; brāhmaṇa seated in penance near a stream; Varāha as teacher in a small pavilion; soft natural colors."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"prescriptive, purifying","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"steady, reassuring yet authoritative"}
FAQs
It references a well-known expiatory regimen (Prājāpatya kṛcchra) and highlights the Purāṇic emphasis on dāna as a powerful means of moral repair.
No location is mentioned.
The verse recommends formal expiation and underscores the high ethical value assigned to cow-gifting within the text’s normative economy.
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