Varaha Purana 13.29: Adhyaya 13, Shloka 29
The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times
Pūrva Bhāga · Pitṛ-kalpa and ritual taxonomy (ancestral classifications and eligibility for offerings)
अग्निष्वात्तेति मारीच्या वैराजा बर्हिषंज्ञिताः । सुकालेयापि पितरो वसिष्ठस्य प्रजापतेः । तेऽपि याज्यास्त्रिभिर्वर्णैर्न शूद्रेण पृथक्कृतम् ॥ १३.२९ ॥
agniṣvātteti mārīcyā vairājā barhiṣaṃjñitāḥ | sukāleyāpi pitaro vasiṣṭhasya prajāpateḥ | te 'pi yājyās tribhir varṇair na śūdreṇa pṛthakkṛtam || 13.29 ||
agniShvAtteti mArIchyA vairAjA barhisaMj~nitAH | sukAleyApi pitaro vasiShThasya prajApateH | te.api yAjyAstribhirvarNairna shUdreNa pRRithakkRRitam || 13.29 ||
ମରୀଚିଠାରୁ ଜନ୍ମିତ ପିତୃମାନେ ‘ଅଗ୍ନିଷ୍ୱାତ୍ତ’ ବୋଲି, ଏବଂ ବୈରାଜମାନେ ‘ବର୍ହିଷଦ୍’ ନାମରେ ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ। ‘ସୁକାଲେୟ’ ପିତୃମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ପ୍ରଜାପତି ବସିଷ୍ଠଙ୍କ ପିତୃ। ସେମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ତ୍ରିବର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଦ୍ୱାରା ଯାଜ୍ୟ; କିନ୍ତୁ ଶୂଦ୍ର ଦ୍ୱାରା ପୃଥକ୍ ନୁହେଁ।
Sandhi Notes
- अग्निष्वात्तेति = अग्निष्वात्त + इति
- बर्हिषंज्ञिताः = बर्हि(ष्) + संज्ञिताः
- सुकालेयापि = सुकालेयाः + अपि
- तेऽपि = ते + अपि
- याज्यास्त्रिभिः = याज्याः + त्रिभिः
- वर्णैर्न = वर्णैः + न
- पृथक्कृतम् = पृथक् + कृतम्
Varāha
Dharma is not only the act (yajña/śrāddha) but the right performance by qualified agents; cosmological genealogy grounds ritual address (to whom offerings are due).
When performing śrāddha, follow family/śāstra guidance on pitṛ-invocation and performer eligibility; prioritize correctness (vidhi) and intention (śraddhā).
Agniṣvātta/Barhiṣad/Sukāleya pitṛs are to be worshipped with śrāddha offerings by the three varṇas; a Śūdra does not perform separate independent offerings to them.
Following varṇādhikāra preserves śrāddha efficacy and pitṛ-prīti; transgressing prescribed adhikāra is treated as ritual impropriety leading to diminished fruit (aphala) and potential doṣa in śrāddha.
Varāha Purāṇa 13.13.30 (Śūdra offerings with authorization)
FAQs
It preserves a Purāṇic taxonomy of Pitṛ groups (Agniṣvātta, Barhiṣad, Sukāleya) and links them to a revered Vedic figure (Vasiṣṭha as Prajāpati), reflecting how genealogical cosmology and ritual eligibility were systematized in classical Sanskrit literature.
No specific geographic site is named in this verse; the focus is on ancestral classes and ritual eligibility rather than sacred geography.
The verse primarily conveys a normative ritual guideline about who is authorized to perform offerings to certain Pitṛ groups, presenting a rule of ritual procedure rather than an environmental or geographic instruction.
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