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
نارد نے کہا: کون سا دان سب سے زیادہ شریہ (بہترین) سمجھا جاتا ہے؟ کیا دان کا پھل پاتر (یعنی لینے والے) پر موقوف کہا گیا ہے؟ یا کون سا عظیم کرم کر کے انسان سوَرگ لوک میں بزرگی پاتا ہے؟
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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