Varaha Purana 21.37 — Adhyaya 21, Shloka 37
The Disruption of Dakṣa’s Sacrifice, the Hari–Hara Conflict, and the Establishment of Rudra’s Sacrificial Share
कश्चिदायाति बलवानसुरो ब्रह्मनिर्मितः । यज्ञभागार्थमेतस्मिन् क्रतौ परमदुर्लभम् ॥ २१.३८ ॥
kaścid āyāti balavān asuro brahma-nirmitaḥ | yajña-bhāgārtham etasmin kratau parama-durlabham || 21.38 ||
ایک نہایت طاقتور اسُر—جسے برہما کا بنایا ہوا کہا جاتا ہے—آ رہا ہے؛ وہ اس کرتو میں یَجْنَ کا حصہ مانگنے آیا ہے، جو نہایت دشوار الحصول ہے۔
Varāha (default attribution; speaker not explicit in fragment)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"instruction_summary":"Sacrificial portions (yajña-bhāga) are not to be seized by the unentitled; contesting havis is an adharma that destabilizes the rite.","karmic_consequence":"Upholding rightful distribution sustains cosmic order; usurpation invites conflict, downfall, and loss of merit."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"The verse frames yajña as a guarded cosmic economy: ‘bhāga’ signifies rightful participation in ṛta; the asura’s demand represents tamasic appropriation of sacred energy, which the divine (Varāha/Vişṇu principle) must regulate.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Yajña-bhāga as ‘havis’ guarded by the presiding deity; the approaching asura as the ‘obstruction’ (vighna) to the sacrificial flow.","vedantic_connection":"Adhikāra (fitness/entitlement) governs access to sacred fruits; grasping without adhikāra is avidyā-driven appropriation, producing saṃsāric bondage and conflict."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of entitlement (adhikāra) and restraint","core_concept":"Power (bala) and even exalted origin (brahma-nirmita) do not justify taking what is not rightfully one’s share in sacred order.","practical_application":"In religious, social, or institutional systems, distinguish rightful duty/portion from opportunistic seizure; protect shared sacred resources from coercive claims."}
Subject Matter: ["Ritual Studies","Mythic Narrative","Ethics"]
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: ritual_site
Related Themes: 21.21.37 (alarm); 21.21.39-41 (consultation and battle)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A formidable asura, described as Brahmā-fashioned, strides toward the sacrificial arena with intent to claim the yajña portion, while the rite’s sanctity hangs in balance.","item_prompts":["looming asura approaching altar","glowing havis/offerings on vedi","priests and devas reacting","ritual fire flaring","sense of ‘rare rite’ with elaborate implements"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dramatic entrance of the asura with bold colors, stylized musculature, yajña-fire rendered as bright layered flames, devas in poised readiness.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: asura with ornate but menacing adornment, gold-highlighted altar and flames, strong central composition emphasizing the coveted yajña-bhāga.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined depiction of ritual implements, subtle menace in the asura’s posture, luminous fire, detailed jewelry and textiles.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: narrative scene with the asura entering from one side, compact group of priests near the fire, expressive faces, mountainous or abstracted backdrop to heighten tension."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"ominous, cautionary","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"grave, descriptive, tightening toward the word ‘yajñabhāga’"}
FAQs
It reflects a common Purāṇic narrative pattern in which ritual order (yajña/kratu) is tested by disruptive figures, preserving a literary record of how sacrifice and entitlement to offerings were conceptualized in Sanskrit tradition.
No specific geographic location is named in this verse fragment; it focuses on the ritual setting (kratu) rather than a site.
The verse foregrounds the theme of rightful participation in communal rites—implying that access to ritual shares (yajña-bhāga) is regulated and not easily obtained without appropriate standing or authorization.
Ask anything about this verse
A free Google sign-in keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Varaha Purana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.