King Vinitashva had been advised by his priest to donate seasame seeds, water cane juice and jaggery moulded into the shape of a decorative cow. Alternatively, these objects could be placed in a pot and donated, the pot being conceived to be a cow. These gifts should also be accompanied by offerings of other good items, gold, jewellery, footwear and umbrellas. Vinitashva had however ignored all this advice and had to suffer pangs of hunger in heaven, just as Shveta did.

The boar explained to prithivi the great merit that comes from donating a cow. A healthy cow, especially one about to give birth, should be washed, decorated, adorned with jewels and then donated to a worthy recipient. Such a worthy recipient would be a poor but righteous brahmana.

Through the observance of these rituals, Shveta’s sins were forgiven and he attained deliverance.


The boar also said that all that has so far been related constituted the Varaha samhita parts of the Varaha Purana. It was first expounded by the brahman and then spread gradually through Brahma.