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Varaha Purana 116.13 — Adhyaya 116, Shloka 13

An Exposition on the Causes of Happiness and Suffering

परोपतापी मन्दात्मा ततो दुःखतरं नु किम् ।। अकृत्वा पुष्कलं कर्म गृहे संवसते नरः

paropatāpī mandātmā tato duḥkhataraṃ nu kim || akṛtvā puṣkalaṃ karma gṛhe saṃvasate naraḥ

Kẻ hành hạ người khác, tâm tính hèn kém—còn nỗi đau nào lớn hơn thế? Và người không làm những công hạnh dồi dào, xứng đáng, mà chỉ ở mãi trong nhà…

परोपतापीtormenting others
परोपतापी:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्) of मन्दात्मा/नरः
TypeAdjective
Rootपर + उपतापिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; समासः: परस्य उपतापः यस्य/परान् उपतापयति इति (here: ‘one who torments others’)
मन्दात्माa dull-minded person
मन्दात्मा:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootमन्द + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; समासः: मन्दः आत्मा (कर्मधारय)
ततःtherefore/from that
ततः:
Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootततः (अव्यय)
Formअव्ययम्; हेत्वर्थे/अपादानार्थे
दुःखतरम्more painful
दुःखतरम्:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
TypeAdjective
Rootदुःखतर (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; comparative
नुindeed/then
नु:
Prayojaka particle (निपात)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootनु (अव्यय)
Formनिपातः; प्रश्न/बलार्थक
किम्what?
किम्:
Predicate (विधेय)
TypeNoun
Rootकिम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्
अकृत्वाwithout doing
अकृत्वा:
Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√कृ (धातु)
Formनञ्-पूर्वक क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त; अकृत्वा = न कृत्वा (without doing)
पुष्कलम्abundant/great
पुष्कलम्:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्) of कर्म
TypeAdjective
Rootपुष्कल (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; कर्म विशेषणम्
कर्मwork/deed
कर्म:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootकर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (कर्म), एकवचनम्
गृहेin the house
गृहे:
Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरणम्)
TypeNoun
Rootगृह (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्गे सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (अधिकरण), एकवचनम्
संवसतेdwells/lives
संवसते:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootसम्√वस् (धातु)
Formलट् (present), प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; आत्मनेपदम्
नरःa man
नरः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootनर (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

Varāha

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"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":"None","instruction_summary":"Do not harm others; and do not waste human life in mere domestic dwelling without undertaking worthy, substantial dharmic works.","karmic_consequence":"Paropātāpa and inertia lead to intensified duḥkha, loss of human-purpose (puruṣārtha), and unfavorable post-mortem outcomes."}

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

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

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"puruṣārtha orientation","core_concept":"Human birth demands purposeful karma aligned with dharma; harming others and living aimlessly are forms of spiritual suicide.","practical_application":"Adopt ahiṃsā in speech/action; schedule regular seva/dāna; pursue svadharma projects (care of dependents, study, worship, community support)."}

Subject Matter: ["Ethics"]

Primary Rasa: śānta

Secondary Rasa: karuṇa

Type: domestic/social sphere

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 116.15 (death-time helplessness as consequence of wasted life)

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A man sits idle within his house while outside others suffer from his actions/neglect; the verse contrasts harmfulness and purposeless domesticity with the call to meaningful deeds.","item_prompts":["idle figure seated indoors","neighbors/creatures distressed outside","tools of service unused (water pot, broom, donation pouch)","doorway framing choice between inertia and action"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Two-panel moral composition: left—harmful act; right—idle lounging; strong color coding to show tamas vs dharma.","tanjore_prompt":"Central figure in lavish home yet spiritually ‘empty’; gold highlights on unused ritual items to stress neglected duty.","mysore_prompt":"Realistic interior with subdued palette; emphasis on stillness and missed opportunity; gentle moral gravity.","pahari_prompt":"Simple home scene with narrative clarity; outside figures in need; delicate landscape framing ethical responsibility."}

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"reflective admonition","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"calm, instructive, slightly reproachful"}

C
Classical Literature
P
Purāṇic Ethics
S
Social Conduct

FAQs

It aligns Purāṇic moral teaching with broader Indian ethical ideals: non-harm, constructive action, and responsible household life.

No geographic location is identified.

Avoid harming others and cultivate meaningful action rather than idle domestic existence.

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