Varaha Purana 106.4 — Adhyaya 106, Shloka 4
The Significance and Rite of Donating the ‘Curd-Cow’
Dadhidhenudāna
आच्छाद्य वस्त्रयुग्मेन पुष्पगन्धैस्तु पूजिताम् ॥ ब्राह्मणाय कुलीनाय साधुवृत्ताय धीमते
ācchādya vastrayugmena puṣpagandhaistu pūjitām || brāhmaṇāya kulīnāya sādhuvṛttāya dhīmate
เมื่อคลุมทานนั้นด้วยผ้าคู่หนึ่ง และบูชาด้วยดอกไม้กับเครื่องหอมแล้ว พึงถวายแก่พราหมณ์ผู้มีชาติตระกูลดี ประพฤติธรรม และมีปัญญาเฉียบแหลม
Varāha (default, not explicitly marked in this fragment)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"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":"dana","instruction_summary":"Cover the dāna with a pair of garments, worship with flowers and fragrance, and give it to a worthy brāhmaṇa (kulīna, sādhuvṛtta, dhīmān).","karmic_consequence":"Satpātra-dāna with pūjā yields heightened puṇya and lasting auspicious results; giving to unworthy recipients or without honor diminishes fruit and can become adharma through misallocation."}
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 giving","core_concept":"The moral quality of dāna depends on satpātra (worthy recipient) and satkāra (honoring), aligning external act with inner discernment (viveka).","practical_application":"Choose recipients by character and learning; accompany giving with respect, cleanliness, and non-humiliating presentation."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Practice","Gift-Giving (Dāna)"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: ritual gifting setting
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa dāna-vidhi passages around the dadhidhenu section
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The completed dadhidhenu gift is draped with two garments and worshiped with flowers and perfume; a dignified brāhmaṇa receives it.","item_prompts":["pair of garments covering the gift","flower offerings","fragrance vessel","brāhmaṇa with calm, learned demeanor","donor offering with respect","curd pot/grain mound/calf implied as covered gift"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: layered textiles over the gift, abundant flowers, brāhmaṇa with serene authority, donor in devotional posture, rich reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: gold-leaf highlights on garments’ borders and ornaments, stylized floral shower, iconic recipient brāhmaṇa centered.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: refined courtly dāna scene, delicate floral detailing, soft light, emphasis on dignified faces and textiles.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: intimate exchange scene, bright cloth drape, simple floral motifs, expressive but restrained gestures of giving/receiving."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"reverent and concluding (vidhi-completion)","suggested_raga":"Madhyamāvati (mangala)","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"gentle, conclusive, devotional"}
FAQs
It reflects Purāṇic-era norms for ritual gifting, emphasizing both the material preparation of the gift and the ethical qualifications of the recipient.
No specific geographic site is named in this verse; the focus is on ritual protocol and recipient qualifications.
Gifts should be offered respectfully and directed toward recipients characterized by learning, integrity, and disciplined conduct.
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