Varaha Purana 129.19 — Adhyaya 129, Shloka 19
Initiation for the Four Social Orders, Sandhyā Mantra Procedure, and the Merit of Offering Water in a Copper Vessel
सर्वाणि तानि त्यक्त्वेह ताम्रं च मम रोचते ॥ एतन्नारायणाच्छ्रुत्वा धर्मकामा वसुन्धरा ॥
sarvāṇi tāni tyaktveha tāmraṃ ca mama rocate || etan nārāyaṇāc chrutvā dharmakāmā vasundharā ||
“เมื่อวางภาชนะอื่นทั้งหมดไว้เสีย ณ ที่นี้ ทองแดงเท่านั้นเป็นที่ทรงโปรดแก่เรา” ครั้นวสุธราผู้ใฝ่ธรรมได้สดับจากพระนารายณ์แล้ว (จึงกล่าว/ดำเนินต่อ)
Varāha (as Nārāyaṇa) / narrative pivot to Pṛthivī
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"earth_interaction":"Issues a specific injunction: among vessels, copper alone is preferred; Bhū-devī receives it as dharma-teaching."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"dharma-seeking, intrigued by specificity","key_question":"Why is copper singled out as uniquely acceptable compared to other materials?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"In the context of ritual giving/usage of pātras, copper (tāmra) is declared the preferred/acceptable vessel-material.","karmic_consequence":"Observance preserves the intended fruit of dāna/karma; neglect may reduce efficacy or invite doṣa in the rite."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Copper’s preference hints at a sattvika, purificatory medium suited to Viṣṇu’s ritual economy—conductive of ‘tejas’ while remaining accessible (not ostentatious).","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Tāmra as ‘tejas-bearing’ implement in yajña/dāna; a practical emblem of purity and durability rather than luxury.","vedantic_connection":"Aligns with the Purāṇic ethic that dharma is upheld by inner intent supported by fitting, non-excessive means (yukta-sādhana)."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of material culture","core_concept":"Right material choice can embody humility and purity; dharma is not merely opulence but appropriateness.","practical_application":"Prefer durable, clean, non-excessive materials (here, copper) for ritual vessels used in offerings and dāna."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Material culture","Heritage of metallurgy"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: instructional setting
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 129.22 (Bhū-devī asks the reason); Varāha Purāṇa 129.24 (promise of explanation)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The Lord decisively indicates copper as the chosen vessel-material while other vessels are set aside; Bhū-devī listens, intent on dharma.","item_prompts":["copper vessel prominently highlighted","other vessels pushed aside","Varāha/Nārāyaṇa pointing gesture","Bhū-devī with inquisitive gaze"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: copper pot glowing in warm tones, teacher-deity gesturing, Bhū-devī attentive; ornamental borders with ritual motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: copper vessel rendered with metallic sheen and gold accents; deity with halo; minimal but rich props.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant copper highlights, restrained palette, emphasis on calm authority.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: narrative clarity—copper vessel foreground, soft architectural setting, expressive dialogue posture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"decisive, instructive","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"firm, explanatory"}
FAQs
It preserves a Purāṇic valuation of copper, relevant to the history of ritual objects and South Asian metallurgical material culture.
No explicit location is named; the verse focuses on preferred material (tāmra) rather than a tīrtha or region.
That discernment in the means of giving/ritual (choice of vessel) is treated as part of dharma, not merely a technical detail.
Ask anything about this verse
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.