Varaha Purana 38.21 — Adhyaya 38, Shloka 21
The Hunter’s Austerity and the Gaining of Durvāsas’ Favor
कथं प्रक्षालयाम्याशु व्याध पादौ महामते । इत्येतन्मुनिना व्याधः श्रुत्वा चिन्तापरोऽभवत् । किं करोमि कथं चास्य भोजनं वै भविष्यति ॥ ३८.२१ ॥
kathaṃ prakṣālayāmy āśu vyādha pādau mahāmate | ity etan muninā vyādhaḥ śrutvā cintāparo 'bhavat | kiṃ karomi kathaṃ cāsya bhojanaṃ vai bhaviṣyati || 38.21 ||
“ఓ వ్యాధా, ఓ మహామతీ! నేను నీ పాదాలను త్వరగా ఎలా కడుగుదును?”—ముని మాటలు విని వ్యాధుడు ఆందోళనలో మునిగిపోయాడు—“నేను ఏమి చేయాలి? ఇతని భోజనం ఎలా జరుగుతుంది?”
Narrator (speaker not explicit in the fragment; default dialogue framework: Varāha–Pṛthivī context)
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":"observer","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"How can the guest’s feet be washed promptly, and how can his meal be properly arranged under constraints?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"Atithi-satkāra: promptly wash a guest’s feet and arrange food; anxiety arises from the duty to honor the guest despite limited resources.","karmic_consequence":"Proper hospitality yields puṇya and social-religious harmony; failure or delay through negligence incurs atithi-doṣa and loss of merit."}
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":"ethics of service","core_concept":"True dharma is tested in immediate obligations—service to the worthy guest and concern for their comfort.","practical_application":"Treat guests/seekers with prompt respect; when resources are scarce, intensify effort and seek lawful means rather than abandon service."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Etiquette","Hospitality","Dharma in Daily Life"]
Primary Rasa: karuṇa
Secondary Rasa: dharmavīra
Type: hermitage/settlement edge (implied)
Related Themes: 38.38.20 (lack of vessel); 38.38.22 (turning to Devikā for refuge/solution)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage asks about washing feet; the hunter, hearing it, becomes visibly worried, thinking how to procure water and food.","item_prompts":["muni seated or standing with calm face","vyādha with bow/quiver but softened expression","thoughtful/anxious posture (hand to chin)","suggestion of a simple meal setup","implied need for water (empty bowl)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: expressive vyādha with softened eyes, stylized bow, narrative gesture of worry; muni composed; warm earth tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: two-figure composition, gold accents on borders and halos, emphasis on facial expressions—muni’s request and hunter’s anxious resolve.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined detailing of garments and weapons, subtle emotion, balanced composition with domestic ritual items hinted.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate vignette, delicate landscape, hunter’s inner turmoil shown through posture; minimal props indicating hospitality."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"concerned yet devotional","suggested_raga":"Ābhōgi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"narrative with slight urgency"}
FAQs
It preserves a common Purāṇic narrative motif in which hospitality (including foot-washing) functions as a marker of social ethics and ritual courtesy, reflecting broader Dharma-oriented concerns in classical Sanskrit literature.
No geographic location is named in this verse fragment; it focuses on interpersonal ritual etiquette and the practical concern of providing food.
The verse foregrounds attentive hospitality and responsibility toward a guest—balancing ritual respect (washing feet) with practical care (arranging a meal).
Ask anything about this verse
Curious about the meaning, context, or a word? Ask, and continue the conversation in the Vedapath app.
A free Google sign-in 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 audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.