Varaha Purana 13.18 — Adhyaya 13, Shloka 18
The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times
मार्कण्डेय उवाच । प्रवर्तन्ते वराः केचिद् देवानां सोमवर्द्धनाः । ते मरीच्यादयः सप्त स्वर्गे ते पितरः स्मृताः ॥ १३.१८ ॥
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca | pravartante varāḥ kecid devānāṃ somavarddhanāḥ | te marīcyādayaḥ sapta svarge te pitaraḥ smṛtāḥ || 13.18 ||
ມາກັນເດຍ ກ່າວວ່າ: «ມີຜູ້ປະເສີດບາງພວກ ຖືກໃຫ້ເຄື່ອນໄຫວເພື່ອຮັບໃຊ້ເທວະ ເປັນຜູ້ເພີ່ມພູນໂສມະ. ທັງເຈັດ—ເລີ່ມດ້ວຍ ມະຣີຈິ—ໃນສະຫວັນ ຖືກຈື່ຈຳວ່າເປັນ Pitṛ»
Mārkaṇḍeya
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"observer","bhu_devi_state":"curious","key_question":"Who are the heavenly Pitṛs connected with Soma-increase, and what is their identity/genealogy?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"None","karmic_consequence":"None"}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"cosmological taxonomy","core_concept":"Pitṛs are not merely human ancestors; there exist divine Pitṛ-hosts (Marīci etc.) sustaining deva-ritual vitality via Soma.","practical_application":"Treat śrāddha/pitṛ-tarpaṇa as participation in a wider cosmic lineage-and-ritual network, not only family remembrance."}
Subject Matter: ["Cosmology","Genealogy","Ritual Culture (Soma)"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial realm
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 13.13.19-22 (continuation on embodied/formless groups and their lokas)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage (Mārkaṇḍeya) recites cosmological genealogy: the seven beginning with Marīci are shown as luminous Pitṛs in a celestial setting, associated with Soma.","item_prompts":["Mārkaṇḍeya seated with palm-leaf manuscript","seven radiant ṛṣi-figures (Marīci etc.) in the sky","Soma vessel/kalasha or moon-symbol","subtle yajña-fire motif in the background"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Mārkaṇḍeya in warm ochres, seven haloed sages in layered celestial bands, stylized Soma pot and yajña-fire iconography.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central seated Mārkaṇḍeya with embossed gold halos; seven Pitṛ-sages above with gold-leaf radiance; Soma/moon medallion.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework, soft shading; sage teaching posture; luminous Pitṛs with restrained halos; ritual vessels finely detailed.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: cool sky gradients; clustered seven sages on a cloud terrace; Mārkaṇḍeya below near a small fire altar; lyrical minimalism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"solemn-cosmological","suggested_raga":"Mālkauns","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"measured, declarative, slightly reverent"}
FAQs
It preserves a Purāṇic classification linking the Pitṛs with a celestial group of seven figures (beginning with Marīci) and associates them with Soma-related ritual/cosmic function, reflecting continuity with older Vedic-Purāṇic ancestor concepts.
No specific terrestrial location is named; the setting is “svarga” (heaven), a cosmological realm rather than a mappable geographic site.
The verse does not state a direct ethical injunction; its primary function is doctrinal classification—identifying revered ancestral figures (Pitṛs) and their cosmic role, which indirectly supports the cultural principle of honoring lineage and ancestral remembrance.
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