Varaha Purana 13.61 — Adhyaya 13, Shloka 61
The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times
इत्येतत् पितृभिर्गीतं भावाभावप्रयोजनम् । कृतं तेन भवेत् श्राद्धं य एवं कुरुते द्विज ॥ १३.६१ ॥
ity etat pitṛbhir gītaṃ bhāvābhāva-prayojanam | kṛtaṃ tena bhavec chrāddhaṃ ya evaṃ kurute dvija || 13.61 ||
وهكذا فقد أنشد الآباءُ (Pitṛ) هذا المقصود المتعلّق بوجود (النية والشرائط) أو عدمها. فمن عمل على هذا النحو، يا ذا الميلادين (dvija)، عُدَّت الشِّرادها (śrāddha) قد أُدّيت على وجهها الصحيح.
Varāha
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","key_question":"What authorizes such minimal śrāddha—on what testimony is it accepted as complete?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"shraddha","instruction_summary":"Because the Pitṛs themselves declare the principle of bhāva/abhāva (intent and availability), śrāddha is deemed accomplished for the one who follows this method.","karmic_consequence":"Following the Pitṛ-sanctioned method yields valid śrāddha merit even without materials; ignoring it out of negligence forfeits the rite’s benefit."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"pramāṇa and intention in ritual","core_concept":"Ritual efficacy depends on sanctioned intention and truthful adaptation to circumstances, not mere material completeness.","practical_application":"When teaching or practicing rites, preserve the core (reverence, dedication, truth) and use authorized substitutions rather than abandoning duty."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Theory","Ancestral Rites (Śrāddha)"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Type: teaching context
Related Themes: 13.13.60 (the minimal śrāddha declaration)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha (as teacher, possibly in human-divine form) addresses a dvija, while subtle Pitṛ figures appear as witnesses, indicating their approval of the bhāva-based śrāddha.","item_prompts":["teacher figure (Varāha implied)","dvija listener with sacred thread","scroll-like speech ribbon or gesture of instruction","faint Pitṛ witnesses","calm instructional setting"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: authoritative teaching posture, dvija seated respectfully, faint ancestral witnesses in background, balanced composition conveying doctrinal certainty.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: teacher and dvija in central panel, gold-highlighted ‘witness’ aura for Pitṛs, temple-like framing to signal authority.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: refined guru-śiṣya scene, subtle background witnesses, emphasis on calm clarity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: intimate discourse under a tree or veranda, delicate translucent Pitṛ forms, gentle narrative elegance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"expository","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"firm, clear, concluding"}
FAQs
It reflects a Purāṇic articulation of śrāddha theory, emphasizing that ritual efficacy is evaluated through criteria such as intent and proper conditions (bhāva/abhāva), a theme shared with broader Dharmaśāstra discourse.
No geographic location is specified in this verse; the focus is doctrinal and procedural regarding śrāddha.
The verse underscores responsible performance: a śrāddha is regarded as truly accomplished when carried out in the prescribed manner, with attention to the presence (bhāva) or absence (abhāva) of proper intent and qualifying conditions.
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