Varaha Purana 13.29: Adhyaya 13, Shloka 29
The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times
Pūrva Bhāga · Pitṛ-kalpa and ritual taxonomy (ancestral classifications and eligibility for offerings)
अग्निष्वात्तेति मारीच्या वैराजा बर्हिषंज्ञिताः । सुकालेयापि पितरो वसिष्ठस्य प्रजापतेः । तेऽपि याज्यास्त्रिभिर्वर्णैर्न शूद्रेण पृथक्कृतम् ॥ १३.२९ ॥
agniṣvātteti mārīcyā vairājā barhiṣaṃjñitāḥ | sukāleyāpi pitaro vasiṣṭhasya prajāpateḥ | te 'pi yājyās tribhir varṇair na śūdreṇa pṛthakkṛtam || 13.29 ||
agniShvAtteti mArIchyA vairAjA barhisaMj~nitAH | sukAleyApi pitaro vasiShThasya prajApateH | te.api yAjyAstribhirvarNairna shUdreNa pRRithakkRRitam || 13.29 ||
मरीचि से अग्निष्वात्त और बर्हिषद बने। फिर वशिष्ठ के पुरखे सुकालेय भी थे। इन तीनों के लिए ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय और वैश्य पूजा करते हैं। शूद्र अलग से नहीं करता।
Sandhi Notes
- अग्निष्वात्तेति = अग्निष्वात्त + इति
- बर्हिषंज्ञिताः = बर्हि(ष्) + संज्ञिताः
- सुकालेयापि = सुकालेयाः + अपि
- तेऽपि = ते + अपि
- याज्यास्त्रिभिः = याज्याः + त्रिभिः
- वर्णैर्न = वर्णैः + न
- पृथक्कृतम् = पृथक् + कृतम्
Varāha
Dharma is not only the act (yajña/śrāddha) but the right performance by qualified agents; cosmological genealogy grounds ritual address (to whom offerings are due).
When performing śrāddha, follow family/śāstra guidance on pitṛ-invocation and performer eligibility; prioritize correctness (vidhi) and intention (śraddhā).
Agniṣvātta/Barhiṣad/Sukāleya pitṛs are to be worshipped with śrāddha offerings by the three varṇas; a Śūdra does not perform separate independent offerings to them.
Following varṇādhikāra preserves śrāddha efficacy and pitṛ-prīti; transgressing prescribed adhikāra is treated as ritual impropriety leading to diminished fruit (aphala) and potential doṣa in śrāddha.
Varāha Purāṇa 13.13.30 (Śūdra offerings with authorization)
FAQs
It preserves a Purāṇic taxonomy of Pitṛ groups (Agniṣvātta, Barhiṣad, Sukāleya) and links them to a revered Vedic figure (Vasiṣṭha as Prajāpati), reflecting how genealogical cosmology and ritual eligibility were systematized in classical Sanskrit literature.
No specific geographic site is named in this verse; the focus is on ancestral classes and ritual eligibility rather than sacred geography.
The verse primarily conveys a normative ritual guideline about who is authorized to perform offerings to certain Pitṛ groups, presenting a rule of ritual procedure rather than an environmental or geographic instruction.
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