Varaha Purana 157.8: Adhyaya 157, Shloka 8
Praise of the Malayārjuna Sacred Ford and the Mathurā–Yamunā Pilgrimage Cycle
धन्योऽसौ पिण्डनिर्वापं यमुनायां करिष्यति ॥ तत्रैव तु महातीर्थे वने बहुलसंज्ञके ॥
dhanyo 'sau piṇḍanirvāpaṃ yamunāyāṃ kariṣyati || tatraiva tu mahātīrthe vane bahulasaṃjñake ||
ผู้ใดจะกระทำปิณฑนิรวาปะ (ถวายก้อนข้าวแก่บรรพชน) ในแม่น้ำยมุนา ผู้นั้นเป็นผู้มีบุญ—ณ ที่นั้นเอง ณ มหาตีรถะ ในป่าที่มีนามว่า พหุลา
Varāha (default dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":true,"specific_site":"Bahulā-vana (forest) at a Mahā-tīrtha on the Yamunā","parikrama_context":"Identifies a named vana within the Mathurā sacred landscape; such vanas are typical nodes in Vraja/Mathurā parikramā routes.","krishna_connection":"Indirect: Bahulā-vana as part of the Vraja/Mathurā sacral topography commonly associated with Kṛṣṇa-līlā mapping in later tradition."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"shraddha","instruction_summary":"Perform piṇḍa-nirvāpa (ancestral rice-ball offerings) in the Yamunā at the Mahā-tīrtha located in Bahulā forest.","karmic_consequence":"Doer is declared ‘blessed’ (dhanya); implied pitṛ-tṛpti and accumulation of puṇya; neglect implies loss of a high-grade śrāddha-tīrtha fruit."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"dharma of gratitude (ṛṇa)","core_concept":"Pitṛ-ṛṇa is honored through tangible rites; sacred geography amplifies the intention and efficacy of ancestral offerings.","practical_application":"When performing śrāddha/piṇḍa rites, choose a recognized tīrtha, maintain śraddhā and cleanliness, and treat the act as repayment of ancestral debt."}
Subject Matter: ["Heritage Sites","Ancestral Offerings","Sacred Rivers","Sacred Groves/Forests"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: sacred river-site within a named forest (vana)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa Mathurā-māhātmya listings of vanas and tīrthas; nearby verses on Yamunā rites
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A quiet Yamunā bend within a dense forest labeled Bahulā-vana, where a devotee offers piṇḍas at the water’s edge; the place feels ancient and auspicious.","item_prompts":["forest canopy (vana)","Yamunā riverbank","piṇḍa offerings on leaf/plate","kusha grass","simple śrāddha implements (water pot)","tīrtha-marker stone"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: lush stylized forest around Yamunā, devotee performing piṇḍa-nirvāpa, muted sacred palette, emphasis on ritual gesture.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: riverbank ritual scene with ornate framing; subtle gold accents on tīrtha-marker and ritual vessels; deep greens for Bahulā-vana.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: naturalistic forest-river harmony, fine detailing of ritual items, calm devotional mood.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: poetic forested riverscape, small human figure offering piṇḍas, delicate trees and flowing water, contemplative atmosphere."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"grave, reverential (pitṛ-oriented)","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"low, steady, ritualistic"}
FAQs
It connects ancestral rites (piṇḍa offerings) with riverine and forest tīrthas, indicating how memorial practices were mapped onto specific ecological and geographic settings.
Yamunā River and a forest/tīrtha named Bahulā-vana; the latter is a toponym within the Mathurā-region sacred geography preserved by Purāṇic tradition.
The verse highlights remembrance and responsibility toward ancestors, embedded within respectful engagement with a designated sacred landscape.
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