Varaha Purana 100.8 — Adhyaya 100, Shloka 8

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

Jaladhenu

Devanagari script

सुवर्णमुखचक्षूंषि शृङ्गं कृष्णाङ्गरेषु च ॥ प्रशस्तपत्रश्रवणां मुक्ताफलमयेक्षणाम् ॥

Transliteration

suvarṇamukhacakṣūṃṣi śṛṅgaṃ kṛṣṇāṅgareṣu ca || praśastapatraśravaṇāṃ muktāphalamayekṣaṇām

Translation

(Hãy tạo hình con bò) có miệng và đôi mắt bằng vàng, sừng đặt trên các chi thể màu sẫm; tai như lá cát tường, và đôi mắt như được làm bằng ngọc trai.

Word by Word

• suvarṇa-mukha-cakṣūṃṣi: (having) golden face and eyes
• suvarṇa-mukha-cakṣūṃṣi: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suvarṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + mukha (प्रातिपदिक) + cakṣus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Prathamā (प्रथमा) Bahuvacana; समासः—षष्ठी/कर्मधारय-प्रायः तत्पुरुषः (golden-face-and-eyes)

• śṛṅgam: horn
• śṛṅgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śṛṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (द्वितीया) Ekavacana

• kṛṣṇa-aṅgareṣu: on/among black embers
• kṛṣṇa-aṅgareṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṛṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅgāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Saptamī (सप्तमी) Bahuvacana; समासः—कर्मधारयः (black embers)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-nipāta (समुच्चय-निपात)

• praśasta-patra-śravaṇām: with fine leaf-like ears
• praśasta-patra-śravaṇām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praśasta (प्रातिपदिक) + patra (प्रातिपदिक) + śravaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (द्वितीया) Ekavacana; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (having ears like excellent leaves)

• muktā-phala-maya-īkṣaṇām: with eyes made of pearls
• muktā-phala-maya-īkṣaṇām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: muktā (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक) + īkṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (द्वितीया) Ekavacana; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (eyes made of pearl-fruit/pearls)

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":"curious/attentive","key_question":"How should the ritual cow (likely for godāna/related rite) be iconographically fashioned—what materials and auspicious features are prescribed?"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"Indirect only: cow iconography resonates with later Kṛṣṇa’s pastoral sphere, but not explicit here."}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"dana","instruction_summary":"Fashion the (ritual) cow with golden mouth and eyes, horns set on dark limbs, auspicious leaf-like ears, and pearl-made eyes (as specified).","karmic_consequence":"Accurate iconographic construction sanctifies godāna/rite and yields prosperity and merit; careless or inauspicious depiction is a ritual flaw diminishing fruit."}

Vrata Mahatmya

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

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Cow as dharma’s body and earth’s abundance: adorning it with gold/pearls externalizes the recognition that prosperity is sacred and should be offered back through dāna.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Gold mouth/eyes = luminous speech/vision of dharma; dark limbs = fertile earth/soil; leaf-like ears = receptivity to Vedic praise; pearls = purity and cooling sattva.","vedantic_connection":"Seeing the sacred in wealth-forms (gold, gems) without clinging: dāna converts possession into worship, aligning artha with mokṣa-oriented values."}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"dharma through symbol and craft","core_concept":"Form matters in sacred action: beauty and auspicious iconography are vehicles for intention, reverence, and ethical giving.","practical_application":"When commissioning sacred objects or performing dāna, ensure craftsmanship, symbolism, and purity align with scriptural intent; treat artisanship as devotion."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Cultural Heritage","Ritual Studies","Art History"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: śānta

Geographic Context

Type: workshop/altar space for constructing a ritual effigy or adorned cow

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa ch.100 (transition from vessel preparations to cow/godāna iconography)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A richly adorned ritual cow (or cow-effigy) being fashioned: golden mouth and eyes, dark body with prominent horns, leaf-shaped ears, pearl-like eye inlays; Varāha instructs as artisans work.","item_prompts":["cow or cow-effigy","gold mouth","gold eyes","dark limbs/body","horns","leaf-like ears","pearls/gem inlay","artisan tools","royal patron/king"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized cow with ornate gold detailing; dark body contrasted with bright gold; Varāha-teacher overseeing artisans; decorative floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: heavy gold-leaf on mouth/eyes/ornaments; cow centered with embossed jewelry; rich reds and greens; temple-like framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: fine brushwork on cow anatomy; subtle jewel highlights; balanced courtly scene with artisans and ritual paraphernalia.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: lyrical pastoral-court blend; cow rendered gracefully with delicate gold accents; soft hills/trees; intimate instructional moment."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"awe-tinged, ceremonial","suggested_raga":"Kalyani/Yaman (majestic brightness)","pace":"medium-slow (to savor iconographic details)","voice_tone":"resonant, reverent, descriptive"}

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Ritual
• Iconography
• Material Culture

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

The verse preserves details of ritual iconography and the use of precious materials, supporting research into ceremonial aesthetics and symbolic craftsmanship.

Which geographic location is identified?

No location is specified.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

It implies that ethical giving includes dignity and careful presentation, not merely the transfer of an object.