Varaha Purana 13.61: Adhyaya 13, Shloka 61
The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times
Pūrva Bhāga · Śrāddha and Pitṛ-dharma (Ancestral rites: intent and efficacy)
इत्येतत् पितृभिर्गीतं भावाभावप्रयोजनम् । कृतं तेन भवेत् श्राद्धं य एवं कुरुते द्विज ॥ १३.६१ ॥
ity etat pitṛbhir gītaṃ bhāvābhāva-prayojanam | kṛtaṃ tena bhavec chrāddhaṃ ya evaṃ kurute dvija || 13.61 ||
ityetat pitRRibhirgItaM bhAvAbhAvaprayojanam | kRRitaM tena bhavechChrAddhaM ya evaM kurute dvija || 13.61 ||
ಈ ರೀತಿಯಾಗಿ ಭಾವ-ಅಭಾವಗಳ ಪ್ರಯೋಜನವನ್ನು ಪಿತೃಗಳು ಪ್ರಕಟಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ। ಓ ದ್ವಿಜ, ಯಾರು ಹೀಗೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೋ ಅವರ ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧವು ನೆರವೇರಿದಂತೆ ಎಣಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ।
Sandhi Notes
- इत्येतत् = इति + एतत्
- पितृभिर्गीतम् = पितृभिः + गीतम्
- भवेत् श्राद्धम् = भवेत् + श्राद्धम्
- य एवं = यः + एवम्
Varāha
What authorizes such minimal śrāddha—on what testimony is it accepted as complete?
Ritual efficacy depends on sanctioned intention and truthful adaptation to circumstances, not mere material completeness.
When teaching or practicing rites, preserve the core (reverence, dedication, truth) and use authorized substitutions rather than abandoning duty.
Because the Pitṛs themselves declare the principle of bhāva/abhāva (intent and availability), śrāddha is deemed accomplished for the one who follows this method.
Following the Pitṛ-sanctioned method yields valid śrāddha merit even without materials; ignoring it out of negligence forfeits the rite’s benefit.
13.13.60 (the minimal śrāddha declaration)
FAQs
It reflects a Purāṇic articulation of śrāddha theory, emphasizing that ritual efficacy is evaluated through criteria such as intent and proper conditions (bhāva/abhāva), a theme shared with broader Dharmaśāstra discourse.
No geographic location is specified in this verse; the focus is doctrinal and procedural regarding śrāddha.
The verse underscores responsible performance: a śrāddha is regarded as truly accomplished when carried out in the prescribed manner, with attention to the presence (bhāva) or absence (abhāva) of proper intent and qualifying conditions.
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