Varaha Purana 21.15: Adhyaya 21, Shloka 15
The Disruption of Dakṣa’s Sacrifice, the Hari-Hara Conflict, and the Establishment of Rudra’s Sacrificial Share
Pūrva Bhāga · Ritual Narratives (Kratu/Śrauta Context)
प्रतिहर्ता प्रचेतास्तु तस्मिन् क्रतुवरे बभौ । सुब्रह्मण्यो वसिष्ठस्तु सनकाद्याः सभासदः । तत्र याज्यः स्वयं ब्रह्मा स च इज्यस्तु पूज्यते ॥ २१.१६ ॥
pratihartā pracetāstu tasmin kratuvare babhau | subrahmaṇyo vasiṣṭhastu sanakādyāḥ sabhāsadaḥ | tatra yājyaḥ svayaṃ brahmā sa ca ijyastu pūjyate || 21.16 ||
pratihartA prachetAstu tasmin kratuvare babhau | subrahmaNyo vasiShThastu sanakAdyAH sabhAsadaH | tatra yAjyaH svayaM brahmA sa cha ijyastu pUjyate || 21.16 ||
उस बड़े यज्ञ में प्रचेतस पुजारी था जो सब का जवाब देता था। वसिष्ठ सुब्रह्मण्य पुजारी बना, और सनक जैसे लोग सभा में बैठे थे। वहाँ ब्रह्मा खुद था जिसके लिए यज्ञ हो रहा था, और सबने उनकी पूजा की।
Sandhi Notes
- pracetāstu = pracetāḥ + tu
- kratuvare = kratu-vare (tatpuruṣa)
- vasiṣṭhastu = vasiṣṭhaḥ + tu
- sanakādyāḥ = sanaka-ādyāḥ
- ijyastu = ijyaḥ + tu
Varāha
Ritual is not only technique but also reverence: the ‘pūjya’ must be recognized and honored, with wise assembly ensuring correctness.
In worship and community rites, combine devotion (pūjā-bhāva) with accountability (sabhā/elders), ensuring the intended object of reverence is not confused.
The yajña is shown as a constitutional order: responders, invokers, assembly, and the yājya—mirroring cosmic governance where the highest principle is the true ‘recipient’ of all acts.
Bridges ritual theism and metaphysics: offerings culminate in the supreme/creator principle (here Brahmā as yājya), hinting at the Vedāntic idea that all karma ultimately reaches the highest reality (though framed theistically).
Completes the ritual polity: Pracetas as Pratihartṛ (responsive officiant), Vasiṣṭha as Subrahmaṇya, Sanaka etc. as sabhāsads; Brahmā is designated as yājya/ijya (recipient deity) and is duly worshipped.
Honoring the proper yājya and maintaining sabhā oversight ensures ritual legitimacy and auspicious fruit; disrespect of the worship-worthy (pūjya) undermines merit.
Varāha Purāṇa: immediate yajña roster context (21.21.12-15)
FAQs
It preserves technical ritual vocabulary (e.g., Subrahmaṇya, yājya/ijya) and situates Purāṇic narrative within a Śrauta-style sacrificial framework, reflecting how later Sanskrit literature models cultural memory of Vedic ritual institutions.
No specific geographic toponym is stated in this verse; the setting is defined by the ritual context (a kratu) rather than a named place.
The verse foregrounds ordered participation and proper honoring within a communal rite—emphasizing disciplined roles, respectful assembly conduct, and the principle that worship/recognition should follow the designated ritual and social framework.
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