Varaha Purana 137.175 — Adhyaya 137, Shloka 175
The Tale of the Vulture and the She-Jackal: The Māhātmya of the Saukarava Sacred Field
उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं भार्यापीडाभिपीडितः ॥ शृणु तत्त्वेन मे भद्रे शुभं वा यदि वाशुभम्
uvāca madhuraṁ vākyaṁ bhāryāpīḍābhipīḍitaḥ || śṛṇu tattvena me bhadre śubhaṁ vā yadi vāśubham
เขาถูกความทุกข์ที่เกิดจากภรรยากดทับ จึงกล่าวถ้อยคำอ่อนหวานว่า: “โอ้สตรีผู้เจริญ จงฟังตามความจริงจากเรา—ไม่ว่าจะเป็นมงคลหรืออวมงคลก็ตาม”
Narrator (speaker not explicit; narrative voice within the dialogue)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"Varāha issues a prescriptive restriction on transmission (‘it should not be given…’), implying guarded teaching addressed within the broader Varāha–Bhūmi instructional frame."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"attentive, receiving guarded instruction","key_question":"To whom should sacred knowledge/teaching be transmitted, and to whom should it be withheld?"}
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":"Do not transmit the teaching to slanderers or fools; the verse further restricts transmission by varṇa categories as stated in the text.","karmic_consequence":"Giving to the unfit is implied to degrade the teaching and incur fault through misuse/defamation; withholding preserves sanctity and right understanding (as framed by the text)."}
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":"adhikāra (eligibility) and protection of śāstra","core_concept":"Knowledge of the Supreme requires moral and intellectual fitness; slander and folly obstruct realization and corrupt transmission.","practical_application":"Transmit teachings to those who are sincere, non-malicious, and capable of understanding; avoid empowering those who weaponize doctrine. (Note: the verse’s varṇa-based exclusion reflects a historical textual stance; many later Vaiṣṇava traditions emphasize bhakti-based eligibility.)"}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Social Conduct","Narrative Literature"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: raudra (protective severity)
Type: instructional setting / manuscript-culture horizon
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa passages on secrecy/merit of teaching and listener-qualification (adhikāra) in surrounding sections (contextual)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha as stern guardian of doctrine, indicating ‘do not give’ to the unfit; shadowy figures representing slander and folly are turned away, while a worthy listener stands respectfully.","item_prompts":["Varāha with protective gesture (raised hand)","two rejected figures: slanderer (whispering) and fool (vacant gaze)","a sincere student with folded hands","manuscript bundle (grantha) symbolizing transmission"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Varāha with commanding stance, strong outlines, symbolic rejected figures at margins, manuscript bundle highlighted.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold halo and ornaments, Varāha central, manuscript in hand, rejected figures in darker tones, worthy devotee in bright attire.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: classical restraint, emphasis on moral contrast through expression and posture, detailed manuscript props.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: narrative clarity with hillside-ashram setting, Varāha as divine teacher, small vignettes of ‘pīśuna’ whispering at edge."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective, admonitory","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"grave, clipped, authoritative"}
FAQs
It illustrates a common Purāṇic narrative technique: ethical teaching embedded within household situations and interpersonal speech norms.
No location is specified in this verse.
To communicate with restraint and clarity even under emotional pressure, preparing the listener for difficult truths.
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