Varaha Purana 207.29 — Adhyaya 207, Shloka 29
Section on the ‘Person’ who Entices Beings within the Cycle of Rebirth
नारद उवाच ॥ किं दानं श्रेय आहोस्वित्पात्रेण फलमुच्यते ॥ किं वा कर्म महत्कृत्वा स्वर्गलोके महीयते
nārada uvāca || kiṃ dānaṃ śreya āhosvit pātreṇa phalam ucyate || kiṃ vā karma mahat kṛtvā svargaloke mahīyate
นารทกล่าวว่า: ทานใดเล่าถือว่าเป็นทานอันประเสริฐยิ่ง? ผลแห่งการให้กล่าวกันว่าขึ้นอยู่กับปาตระ คือผู้รับหรือไม่? หรือกระทำกรรมอันยิ่งใหญ่ใดแล้วจึงได้รับความยกย่องในสวรรค์โลก?
Nārada
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"questioner","key_question":"Which dāna is most beneficial, how does the recipient’s worth affect fruit, and what great act grants eminence in heaven?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"Raises the dharma-śāstric problem of dāna: comparative excellence of gifts, dependence of fruit on pātra (recipient), and the highest karma for svarga-prestige.","karmic_consequence":"Implied: right dāna to worthy recipients yields amplified puṇya and heavenly eminence; misguided giving or wrong intention yields diminished/unstable fruit."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of intention and relational merit","core_concept":"Merit is conditioned by act, intention, and the moral/spiritual ‘field’ (pātra) receiving the gift.","practical_application":"Before giving, assess need and worthiness; give with śraddhā and non-egoic intent; prioritize gifts that relieve suffering and support dharma."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Gift-giving (dāna)","Karma theory"]
Primary Rasa: jijñāsā (inquiry)
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: discursive/teaching space
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa: dāna discussions in the same section (207) continuing with Yama’s response
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Nārada, veena-bearing sage, respectfully questions a stern dharma-authority figure about the hierarchy of gifts and the role of the recipient.","item_prompts":["Nārada with vīṇā","gesture of inquiry (añjali or raised hand)","scrolls or sacrificial implements symbolizing dāna","seated authority figure (Yama or dharma-teacher)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Nārada in bright garments with vīṇā; the teacher figure seated on a stylized throne; clear mudrās indicating question/answer.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate throne and haloed figures; gold-leaf highlights on vīṇā and ornaments; rich reds/greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: delicate ornamentation, calm faces; emphasis on courtly dialogue composition; detailed textiles.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate satsanga scene under a tree or pavilion; lyrical lines; soft palette; vīṇā prominent."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"inquisitive and reflective","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"clear, curious, respectful"}
FAQs
It frames a classical South Asian ethical debate: whether merit arises primarily from the act of giving or from the worthiness of the recipient—an issue discussed across Purāṇic and Dharma texts.
No location is identified; the focus is doctrinal and ethical.
The verse prompts discernment about ethical giving and meaningful action rather than prescribing a single rule in this line alone.
Ask anything about this verse
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