Varaha Purana 13.43: Adhyaya 13, Shloka 43
The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times
Pūrva Bhāga · Vrata–Kāla-Nirṇaya (Calendrical Observances)
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 ||
nabhasyamAsasya tamistrapakShe trayodashI pa~nchadashI cha mAghe | upaplave chandramaso raveshcha tathAShTakAsvapyayanadvaye cha || 13.43 ||
Dans la quinzaine sombre du mois de Nabhasya, au treizième tithi, et aussi au quinzième tithi de Māgha ; au moment des éclipses de la Lune et du Soleil ; ainsi que lors des jours d’Aṣṭakā et aux deux solstices — tels sont les temps expressément indiqués.
Sandhi Notes
- nabhasyāmāsasya → nabhasyā-māsasya
- tamistrapakṣe → tamistra-pakṣe
- raveś ca → raveḥ ca
- tathāṣṭakāsv apy → tathā aṣṭakāsu api
- ayanadvaye → ayana-dvaye
Varāha
Curious
Which calendrically marked times (tithi, pakṣa, eclipses, aṣṭakā, ayana) are specially fit for ritual observance and ethical restraint?
Dharma is not only ‘what’ is done but ‘when’ it is done; time-junctions intensify the reach of ritual intention.
Plan śrāddha/tarpaṇa and ethical restraints around pakṣa-tithi, eclipses, aṣṭakā, and solstices; treat these as high-priority windows.
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.
Grahaṇa (eclipse) and ayana (solstice) as cosmic ‘saṃdhi’ moments where offerings ‘reach’ more directly—analogous to yajña performed at proper muhūrta.
Kāla as a manifestation of Īśvara’s niyati; aligning action with cosmic order (ṛta/dharma) purifies saṅkalpa and magnifies karma-phala.
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.
Observance at these ‘kāla-viśeṣas’ amplifies ritual efficacy and merit; neglect forfeits the heightened fruit available at such times.
Varāha Purāṇa 13.13.44-47 (Pitṛ offerings and fruits)
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.
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