Varaha Purana 187.73 — Adhyaya 187, Shloka 73
Determination of the Origin and Procedure of the Ancestral Offering
Pitṛyajña/Śrāddha
पुत्रमाश्वासयामास वाग्भिरिष्टाभिरव्ययैः ॥ निमे संकल्पितस्तेऽयं पितृयज्ञस्तपोधन ॥
putram āśvāsayāmāsa vāgbhir iṣṭābhir avyayaiḥ || nime saṁkalpitas te ’yaṁ pitṛyajñas tapodhana ||
ഇഷ്ടവും ക്ഷയമില്ലാത്തതുമായ വാക്കുകളാൽ അവൻ പുത്രനെ ആശ്വസിപ്പിച്ചു—“ഓ നിമി, ഓ തപോധന, ഈ പിതൃയജ്ഞം നിനക്കായി സംकल्पിതമായിരിക്കുന്നു।”
Varāha (default narrative voice, speaker not explicit in fragment)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"shraddha","instruction_summary":"A father/elder should reassure and authorize the son to perform pitṛyajña (ancestral offering) with firm resolve and correct intention.","karmic_consequence":"Properly resolved pitṛyajña brings pitṛ-satisfaction and removes anxiety/obstacles; neglect or indecision leaves pitṛ-ṛṇa (debt to ancestors) unresolved."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ritual-ethics","core_concept":"Dharma is strengthened when elders transmit sankalpa (clear resolve) and confidence to the next generation for ancestral obligations.","practical_application":"Before śrāddha/pitṛyajña, form a clear sankalpa, seek guidance from elders/ācārya, and proceed without wavering."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Practice","Ancestral Rites"]
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vatsalya
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 187.82–84 (Brahmā’s authority; śrāddha/preta-vidhi)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An elder speaks soothingly to Nimi, placing a reassuring hand or blessing gesture, declaring the pitṛyajña resolved for him.","item_prompts":["elder with blessing mudrā","Nimi listening with relief","ritual items nearby (kuśa grass, water pot)","calm domestic/āśrama backdrop"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dignified elder with expressive hand gesture, Nimi attentive, ritual implements stylized, serene palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: elder and Nimi framed frontally, gold accents on ornaments/halos, pitṛyajña items rendered richly.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined faces, gentle blessing gesture, subtle ritual props, balanced composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate counseling scene under a tree/āśrama veranda, delicate emotions, minimal props."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"reassuring","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"warm, instructive"}
FAQs
It documents the terminology and social framing of ancestral rites (pitṛyajña) in Purāṇic literature, where ritual duty is presented through interpersonal counsel.
No geographic location is specified in this verse.
To uphold obligations toward ancestors through formally resolved rites, framed as a stabilizing duty within family and social continuity.
Ask anything about this verse
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