Shloka 1
श्राद्ध-योग्य द्रव्य, निषेध, तथा गयाश्राद्ध-माहात्म्य (Śrāddha Materials, Prohibitions, and the Glory of Gayā)
हविष्यमत्स्यमांसैस् तु शशस्य शकुनस्य च सौकरच्छागलैणेयरौरवैर् गवयेन च
haviṣyamatsyamāṃsais tu śaśasya śakunasya ca saukaracchāgalaiṇeyarauravair gavayena ca
In the matter of consecrated sacrificial food (haviṣya), the meats held to be permitted are those of fish, the hare, and certain birds; likewise of the boar, the goat, the eṇeya antelope, the raurava deer, and the wild ox (gavaya).
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Ritual dietary permissions (haviṣya) and restraint in śrāddha/offerings
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: authoritative
Concept: Ritual life is regulated by niyama: even where meat is permitted for specific offerings, it is bounded by prescription to restrain appetite and align action with dharma under the Lord’s inner governance.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Adopt mindful limits—eat and consume with clear purpose, minimal harm, and fidelity to one’s ethical commitments rather than impulse.
Vishishtadvaita: Antaryāmin emphasis: the Lord as indwelling ruler grounds ethical order; regulated action becomes service within His immanent presence.
Vishnu Form: Hari
Bhakti Type: Dasya
Antaryamin: Yes
FAQs
Here haviṣya denotes ritually sanctioned food; the verse lists specific meats allowed in that sacrificial/regulated context, emphasizing dharma-governed consumption rather than indulgence.
By enumerating what is permitted for rites, Parāśara frames eating as a dharmic act under rule and restraint, integrated with ritual purity and social-religious order.
Even when discussing conduct and ritual, the Purāṇa treats dharma as ultimately oriented to Viṣṇu—the sustaining principle—so regulated action supports inner purification and devotion.