Varaha Purana 39.56 — Adhyaya 39, Shloka 56
Discrimination of the Three Bodies and the Dharaṇī Vow: A Manual for Dvādaśī Observance
एवं दत्त्वा विधानॆन द्वादश्यां विष्णुमर्च्य च । विप्राणां भोजनं कुर्याद् यथाशक्त्या सदक्षिणम् ॥ ३९.५६ ॥
evaṃ dattvā vidhānena dvādaśyāṃ viṣṇum arcya ca | viprāṇāṃ bhojanaṃ kuryād yathāśaktyā sadakṣiṇam || 39.56 ||
یوں مقررہ طریقے کے مطابق دان دے کر اور دْوادشی کے دن وِشنو کی پوجا کرکے، اپنی استطاعت کے مطابق دکشنہ سمیت عالم برہمنوں کو کھانا کھلائے۔
Varāha
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"On Dvādaśī, after giving the prescribed gift properly and worshipping Viṣṇu, feed learned brāhmaṇas and give dakṣiṇā according to capacity.","karmic_consequence":"Observance brings Viṣṇu’s pleasure and accruing puṇya through dāna and anna-dāna; neglect reduces the rite’s completion and merit."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":true,"vrata_name":"Dvādaśī Viṣṇu-pūjā with brāhmaṇa-bhojana (vrata-ancillary observance)","tithi_month":"Dvādaśī (month not specified)","promised_fruit":"Pleasing Viṣṇu and gaining enhanced religious merit through properly completed worship and charity."}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Feeding vipras after Viṣṇu-pūjā externalizes devotion into social dharma; the Lord is served through His embodiments—Veda-knowers and guests—linking bhakti with yajña.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Bhojana as anna-yajña; dakṣiṇā as yajña-completion; Viṣṇu as the inner recipient (antaryāmin) of offerings given in His name.","vedantic_connection":"Iśvara-arpana: offering action and its fruits to Viṣṇu purifies the doer; capacity-based giving reduces ego and fosters sattva."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"bhakti-dharma synthesis","core_concept":"True worship culminates in generosity and service; devotion is validated by dharmic action.","practical_application":"On Dvādaśī (especially in Vaiṣṇava practice), combine Viṣṇu-arcana with feeding and appropriate gifts, scaled to one’s means."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Practice","Dana (Charity)"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: dāsya
Type: ritual-social space
Related Themes: 39.39.52-55 (krama, guru-dakṣiṇā, mantra transmission, guru-ethics)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Dvādaśī observance: Viṣṇu worship at an altar, followed by a respectful meal served to learned brāhmaṇas with dakṣiṇā offered according to means.","item_prompts":["Viṣṇu murti or śālagrāma on altar","tulasi leaves","lamp and incense","plates of food (anna)","seated brāhmaṇas being served","dakṣiṇā (coins/cloth) offered with humility"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: bright altar with Viṣṇu icon and tulasi; orderly row of vipras receiving food; warm domestic-temple ambience, rhythmic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-leaf on Viṣṇu halo and lamps; rich feast vessels; donor offering dakṣiṇā in foreground; opulent yet devotional.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant temple interior; detailed food platters and textiles; serene faces, emphasis on cleanliness and ritual order.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: courtyard feast scene; soft colors, intimate hospitality; Viṣṇu shrine to the side with lamp glow."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional and concluding","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"warm, composed, auspicious"}
FAQs
It reflects a Purāṇic synthesis of ritual devotion (Viṣṇu-arcana) with social ethics (feeding and gifting to learned recipients), paralleling norms also discussed in Dharmaśāstra traditions.
No specific geographic site is named in this verse; it focuses on calendrical timing (Dvādaśī) and ritual-charitable procedure.
To integrate worship with generosity: after performing the prescribed observance, one should feed learned persons and offer an appropriate honorarium in proportion to one’s means.
Ask anything about this verse
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