Varaha Purana 13.43 — Adhyaya 13, Shloka 43
The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times
नभस्यामासस्य तमिस्त्रपक्षे त्रयोदशी पञ्चदशी च माघे । उपप्लवे चन्द्रमसो रवेश्च तथाष्टकास्वप्ययनद्वये च ॥ १३.४३ ॥
nabhasyāmāsasya tamistrapakṣe trayodaśī pañcadaśī ca māghe | upaplave candramaso raveś ca tathāṣṭakāsv apy ayanadvaye ca || 13.43 ||
وفي النصف المظلم من شهر نبهسيا (Nabhasya) في اليوم القمري الثالث عشر، وكذلك في اليوم القمري الخامس عشر من شهر ماغها (Māgha)؛ وعند كسوف القمر وكسوف الشمس؛ وكذلك في أيام الأشتكا (Aṣṭakā) وعند الانقلابين الشمسيين كليهما—فهذه أوقات مذكورة على وجه الخصوص.
Varāha
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious","key_question":"Which calendrically marked times (tithi, pakṣa, eclipses, aṣṭakā, ayana) are specially fit for ritual observance and ethical restraint?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"shraddha","instruction_summary":"Mark specific lunar/solar times—Nabhasya kṛṣṇa trayodaśī, Māgha kṛṣṇa pañcadaśī, grahaṇa-kāla, aṣṭakā, and both ayanas—as specially prescribed windows for rites (esp. Pitṛ-kriyā) and disciplined conduct.","karmic_consequence":"Observance at these ‘kāla-viśeṣas’ amplifies ritual efficacy and merit; neglect forfeits the heightened fruit available at such times."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Time (kāla) is treated as a sacred limb of yajña; the Lord’s governance of cosmic cycles makes calendrical junctions (saṃdhi) especially potent for Pitṛ-yajña and dharma.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Grahaṇa (eclipse) and ayana (solstice) as cosmic ‘saṃdhi’ moments where offerings ‘reach’ more directly—analogous to yajña performed at proper muhūrta.","vedantic_connection":"Kāla as a manifestation of Īśvara’s niyati; aligning action with cosmic order (ṛta/dharma) purifies saṅkalpa and magnifies karma-phala."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"dharma-kāla (right timing)","core_concept":"Dharma is not only ‘what’ is done but ‘when’ it is done; time-junctions intensify the reach of ritual intention.","practical_application":"Plan śrāddha/tarpaṇa and ethical restraints around pakṣa-tithi, eclipses, aṣṭakā, and solstices; treat these as high-priority windows."}
Subject Matter: ["Ritual Calendar","Astronomical Timekeeping","Ethics"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: cosmic_time
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 13.13.44-47 (Pitṛ offerings and fruits)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha as a calm teacher enumerates sacred times—dark fortnight dates, eclipses, aṣṭakā, and solstices—shown as celestial markers around him.","item_prompts":["Varāha in regal seated posture","moon phases (kṛṣṇa pakṣa)","sun and moon with eclipse shadow","zodiac/nakṣatra wheel","solstice axis (uttarāyaṇa/dakṣiṇāyana)","aṣṭakā indicated by three ritual fires"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Varāha as divine instructor with ornate crown and halo, celestial disc motifs showing eclipse and lunar phases, deep reds/ochres, stylized nakṣatra wheel behind.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: gold-leaf haloed Varāha on throne, embossed sun-moon discs with eclipse arc, gem-like nakṣatra ring, rich maroons and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework Varāha teaching, subtle gradations, astronomical icons (ayana axis, lunar tithis) arranged symmetrically, restrained palette.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: hillside court-like teaching scene with Varāha, floating sun-moon and nakṣatra band in sky, cool blues, fine narrative detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"measured, calendrical, authoritative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"clear, didactic, steady"}
FAQs
It documents a Purāṇic scheme for identifying ritually significant times using luni-solar calendrics (tithi, month) alongside observable astronomical events (eclipses), reflecting the integration of timekeeping and social-religious practice in premodern South Asia.
No specific geographic site is named in this verse; it focuses on time markers (months, tithis, eclipses, and solstices) rather than place-based sacred geography.
The verse primarily functions as a normative listing of auspicious or prescribed temporal occasions; its ethical dimension lies in disciplined observance and attentiveness to calendrical and astronomical order rather than a direct moral injunction.
Ask anything about this verse
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