Varaha Purana 13.9 — Adhyaya 13, Shloka 9
The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times
मार्कण्डेय उवाच । एतदेव महत्कृत्यं यत्सतां सङ्गमो भवेत् । यत्तु सान्देहिकं कार्यं तत्पृच्छस्व महामुने ॥ १३.९ ॥
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca | etad eva mahatkṛtyaṁ yat satāṁ saṅgamo bhavet | yat tu sāndehikaṁ kāryaṁ tat pṛcchasva mahāmune || 13.9 ||
ມາຣະກັນເດຍ ກ່າວວ່າ: «ນີ້ແຫຼະແມ່ນກິດອັນໃຫຍ່ ແລະມີບຸນຍິ່ງ—ຄືການໄດ້ຄົບຄ່າສົມາຄົມກັບຜູ້ດີ. ແລະສິ່ງໃດທີ່ຍັງມີຄວາມສົງໄສ, ໂອ ມະຫາມຸນີ, ຈົ່ງຖາມເຖິງສິ່ງນັ້ນ»
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":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"How should one proceed when a matter is doubtful? (Ask the competent sage; satsanga is itself a great merit)."}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"varnashrama","instruction_summary":"Satsaṅga (association with the virtuous) is a great merit; doubts should be resolved by questioning a qualified muni/ācārya.","karmic_consequence":"Following: clarity in dharma and right action; Breaking/neglecting: persistence of saṃdeha leading to adharma or misperformance of rites."}
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":"epistemology of dharma","core_concept":"Dharma is known through the company of the good and through disciplined questioning to remove saṃdeha.","practical_application":"Seek guidance from learned, virtuous teachers; do not act on unresolved doubt in ritual/ethics—ask and verify."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Pedagogy (methods of inquiry)","Philosophy of discourse"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: hāsya
Type: hermitage / teaching assembly
Related Themes: Immediate continuation into pitṛ/śrāddha inquiry (13.13.10ff)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Mārkaṇḍeya gestures reassuringly, praising the merit of satsaṅga while inviting Gauramukha to ask any doubts; the listener leans forward respectfully.","item_prompts":["teaching hand gesture","two sages facing each other","students or other ascetics in background","manuscript/palm leaves","sacred fire (optional, subdued)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Composed, symmetrical dialogue scene; warm ochres and greens; Mārkaṇḍeya’s hand raised in instruction; Gauramukha attentive with folded hands.","tanjore_prompt":"Gold halo around Mārkaṇḍeya; ornate borders; emphasis on ‘merit’ through luminous gold accents; minimal forest detail.","mysore_prompt":"Refined facial expressions showing encouragement and curiosity; soft interior-hermitage lighting; detailed textiles and props.","pahari_prompt":"Intimate conversation under a tree; delicate flora; bright garments; subtle humor/encouragement in facial lines."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic, reassuring","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"warm, instructive"}
FAQs
It reflects a common Purāṇic pedagogy: knowledge is framed through respectful dialogue, emphasizing learned association (sat-saṅga) and inquiry as a legitimate method of resolving uncertainty.
No geographic location is named in this verse; the content is ethical and instructional rather than topographical.
The verse highlights two principles: the value of associating with the virtuous and the importance of asking questions to clarify doubts rather than acting on uncertainty.
Ask anything about this verse
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