Varaha Purana 190.9: Adhyaya 190, Shloka 9
Determinative Exposition on Śrāddha and the Pitṛyajña
Ancestral Offering
ज्ञात्वा नक्षत्रसंयोगं पितृपक्षे ह्युपागते ॥ तिथिं पर्वं विजानीयाद्येषु दत्तं महत्फलम् ॥
jñātvā nakṣatra-saṃyogaṃ pitṛ-pakṣe hy upāgate || tithiṃ parvaṃ vijānīyād yeṣu dattaṃ mahat-phalam ||
Apabila Pitṛ-pakṣa telah tiba, setelah mengetahui pertemuan nakṣatra, hendaklah dikenal pasti tithi dan parvan yang tepat; persembahan atau sedekah yang diberikan pada waktu itu menghasilkan pahala yang besar.
Varāha
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"earth_interaction":"Varāha instructs Bhū-devī on calendrical discernment for Pitṛ-pakṣa rites (didactic guidance rather than physical interaction)."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"attentive, curious about correct timing and efficacy of rites","key_question":"How should one determine the correct nakṣatra–tithi–parvan timing in Pitṛ-pakṣa so that offerings yield maximum fruit?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"shraddha","instruction_summary":"During Pitṛ-pakṣa, ascertain nakṣatra-conjunction and identify the proper tithi and parvan; gifts/offerings made then give great fruit.","karmic_consequence":"Correctly timed śrāddha/dāna yields mahā-phala and strengthens pitṛ-satisfaction; mistimed performance is implied to be of reduced efficacy."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Time (kāla) as a limb of the Lord: correct ritual timing aligns human action with cosmic order (ṛta), making offerings ‘land’ in the intended divine/ancestral channel.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Nakṣatra–tithi–parvan function as the ‘coordinates’ of yajña; Varāha’s teaching frames calendrics as part of the sacrificial body governed by the Supreme.","vedantic_connection":"Karma becomes efficacious when performed in harmony with dharma/ṛta; the Lord as antaryāmin of time and ritual ensures phala according to alignment and intention."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ritual epistemology (pramāṇa of kāla)","core_concept":"Dharma requires discernment of time; right action includes right timing.","practical_application":"Consult pañcāṅga/astral markers to choose correct tithi/parvan in Pitṛ-pakṣa before performing śrāddha or giving dāna."}
Subject Matter: ["Ritual Studies","Cosmology","Timekeeping"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: ritual-time (kāla-kṣetra) rather than a physical tīrtha
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 190.11–190.14 (pañca-mahāyajña and pitṛ-yajña framing)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha as divine teacher indicates lunar mansions and tithis to Bhū-devī, with a celestial calendar motif and Pitṛ-pakṣa ambience.","item_prompts":["Varāha with teaching gesture","Bhū-devī seated listening","pañcāṅga/leaf manuscript or celestial wheel","moon with nakṣatra ring","subtle pitṛ-tarpaṇa vessels (kūśa, water pot)"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: majestic Varāha in calm teaching posture, Bhū-devī attentive; stylized moon and nakṣatra band behind; warm earthy palette with ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central seated Varāha with halo and gold-leaf arch; Bhū-devī with rich jewelry; embossed moon-disc and star motifs; ritual vessels in foreground.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework, soft shading; Varāha pointing to a circular nakṣatra chart; Bhū-devī holding a lotus; subdued pitṛ-pakṣa tones.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: hillside-like layered background replaced by layered sky bands; Varāha and Bhū-devī in intimate teacher-student scale; crisp moon and star wheel, minimal ritual props."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"measured, instructive, contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"clear, didactic, steady"}
FAQs
It evidences the integration of ritual life with Indian calendrical astronomy (nakṣatra and tithi), central to medieval liturgical scheduling.
No geographic site is mentioned; the verse concerns temporal (calendrical) coordinates rather than spatial ones.
It encourages conscientious precision in ritual timing, presenting careful discernment as part of responsible practice.
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