Varaha Purana 100.11 — Adhyaya 100, Shloka 11

Ritual Procedure for the Donation of the ‘Water-Cow’

Jaladhenu

Devanagari script

गन्धपुष्पैः समभ्यर्च्य विप्राय विनिवेदयेत् ॥ एवं धेनुं तदा दत्त्वा ब्राह्मणे वेदपारगे ॥

Transliteration

gandhapuṣpaiḥ samabhyarcya viprāya vinivedayet || evaṃ dhenuṃ tadā dattvā brāhmaṇe vedapārage

Translation

خوشبوؤں اور پھولوں سے باقاعدہ پوجا کر کے اسے کسی عالم شخص کے حضور پیش کرنا چاہیے؛ یوں اس دھینو (گائے) کو دے کر، ویدوں کے پارنگت برہمن کو...

Word by Word

• gandha-puṣpaiḥ: with fragrant flowers
• gandha-puṣpaiḥ: Karaṇa
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandha (प्रातिपदिक) + puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Tṛtīyā Bahuvacana; तत्पुरुषः (fragrant flowers)

• samabhyarcya: having worshipped
• samabhyarcya: Kriyā
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-abhi-√arc (अर्च्, धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्/य-प्रत्यय), avyaya-kriyāviśeṣaṇa; 'having worshipped'

• viprāya: to a priest
• viprāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Caturthī (चतुर्थी) Ekavacana

• vinivedayet: should offer/present
• vinivedayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-ni-√vid (विद्/वेद्, धातु) causative sense 'to present/offer'
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्, optative), Prathama-puruṣa (प्रथमपुरुष) Ekavacana, Parasmaipada

• evam: thus
• evam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (adverb)

• dhenum: cow (as gift)
• dhenum: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhenu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā Ekavacana

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (temporal adverb)

• dattvā: having given
• dattvā: Kriyā
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (दा, धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय), avyaya-kriyāviśeṣaṇa; 'having given'

• brāhmaṇe: for a brāhmaṇa
• brāhmaṇe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī (सप्तमी) Ekavacana (locative: 'in/for a brāhmaṇa' as recipient-context)

• veda-pārage: well-versed in the Vedas
• veda-pārage: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: veda (प्रातिपदिक) + pāraga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī Ekavacana; तत्पुरुषः (one who has gone to the far shore of the Vedas = well-versed)

Speaker

Varāha (default dialogue framework)

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"After worship with perfumes and flowers, present the dhenu as a gift to a learned recipient, especially a Veda-master.","karmic_consequence":"Giving to a qualified recipient yields strong puṇya and purification; giving without due honor/fitness reduces fruit (implied)."}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of dāna","core_concept":"Dāna becomes spiritually potent when joined with pūjā (honoring) and pātra-viśeṣa (right recipient).","practical_application":"Before donating, honor the offering and choose recipients who preserve knowledge and discipline (e.g., śrotriya/vedapāraga)."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Cultural Heritage","Education"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: śānta

Secondary Rasa: vīra

Geographic Context

Type: None

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 100.13 (recipient qualifications elaborated); Varāha Purāṇa 100.14 (purificatory fruit for participants)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A completed ritual cow is worshipped with flowers and fragrance, then formally offered to a learned brāhmaṇa versed in the Vedas.","item_prompts":["pūjā tray with flowers","incense/perfume vessel","dhenu effigy","brāhmaṇa recipient with sacred thread","gesture of offering (dāna)","water pot for saṅkalpa","witnesses seated"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: formal dāna moment—giver extending hands; brāhmaṇa receiving; stylized flowers and lamps; symmetrical, temple-like framing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central exchange with gold-leaf highlights on ornaments, lamps, and cloth; brāhmaṇa halo-like aura; rich floral borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant courtly ritual; fine facial expressions of solemnity; detailed pūjā items and textiles.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate gifting scene with gentle landscape/courtyard; soft colors; emphasis on human interaction and reverence."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"solemn offering","suggested_raga":"Kalyāṇi","pace":"slow-medium","voice_tone":"warm, formal, declarative"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Ritual
• Ethics of Giving
• Sanskrit Education

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It reflects social ideals about qualified recipients of gifts—especially learned specialists—providing data for the history of education, patronage, and ritual economy.

Which geographic location is identified?

No geographic location is identified.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

The verse emphasizes respectful offering and discerning recipient-selection as ethical components of dāna.