Varaha Purana 13.60: Adhyaya 13, Shloka 60
The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times
Pūrva Bhāga · Pitṛ-tarpaṇa and Śrāddha-related Dharma (Ancestral Rites)
न मेऽस्ति वित्तं न धनं न चान्यच्छ्राद्धस्य योग्यं स्वपितॄन् नतोऽस्मि । तृप्यन्तु भक्त्या पितरो मयैतौ भुजौ तौ ततो वर्त्मनि मारुतस्य ॥ १३.६० ॥
na me 'sti vittaṁ na dhanaṁ na cānyac chrāddhasya yogyaṁ sva-pitṝn nato 'smi | tṛpyantu bhaktyā pitaro mayaitau bhujau tau tato vartmani mārutasya || 13.60 ||
na me.asti vittaM na dhanaM na chAnya- chChrAddhasya yogyaM svapitRRIn nato.asmi | tRRipyantu bhaktyA pitaro mayaitau bhujau tatau vartmani mArutasya || 13.60 ||
Mere paas paisa nahi, koi daan dene ko kuch nahi. Phir bhi main apne purkho ko namaste karta hoon. Meri bhakti se woh khush hon. Yeh dono haath mera daan hai, hawa ke raaste chalte raho.
Sandhi Notes
- मेऽस्ति = मे + अस्ति
- चान्यत् = च + अन्यत्
- अन्यच्छ्राद्धस्य = अन्यत् + श्राद्धस्य
- नतोऽस्मि = नतः + अस्मि
- मयैतौ = मया + एतौ
Varāha
How can śrāddha be valid when one has no wealth or proper materials—what is the minimal truthful form?
Truthful acknowledgment of limitation, coupled with devotion, can fulfill the spirit of obligation (ṛṇa) when form is impossible.
When unable to perform full rites, do namaskāra, verbal dedication, and a simple remembrance; avoid debt-driven or deceitful ritual display.
The verse internalizes yajña: the ‘offering’ becomes bhakti and bodily sincerity (namaskāra), showing that sacrifice is fundamentally a consecration of self-effort.
‘These two arms’ function as the only available ‘implements’—a bodily yajña-tool replacing ladle and vessels; the ‘path of Wind’ evokes subtle transit of offerings/prāṇa.
Emphasizes bhāva-pradhāna karma and the primacy of inner disposition; aligns with the idea that the subtle (saṅkalpa/bhakti) can carry efficacy when gross means fail.
If nothing fit for śrāddha is available, confess the lack, bow to the Pitṛs, and offer devotion as the essential oblation.
Devotional truthfulness satisfies the Pitṛs and preserves ancestral merit; hypocrisy or neglect disrupts pitṛ-ṛṇa discharge and leads to loss of auspicious support.
13.13.61 (validation: śrāddha deemed done for one who acts thus)
FAQs
It reflects a common Purāṇic ethical theme: ritual obligation and ancestral remembrance can be framed as accessible through devotion (bhakti) even when formal material offerings for śrāddha are unavailable, indicating a widening of religious-ethical participation beyond economic capacity.
No specific geographic site is named in this verse; it is primarily concerned with the ethics and practice of ancestral remembrance (pitṛ-veneration) rather than sacred geography.
The verse emphasizes humility and sincerity: even without resources for formal śrāddha offerings, one should honor ancestors with reverence, and devotion is presented as a sufficient basis for seeking their satisfaction.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Varaha Purana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
