Varaha Purana 13.44 — Adhyaya 13, Shloka 44
The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times
पानीयमप्यत्र तिलैर्विमिश्रं दद्यात्पितॄभ्यः प्रयतो मनुष्यः । श्राद्धं कृतं तेन समाः सहस्रं रहस्यमेतत् पितरो वदन्ति ॥ १३.४४ ॥
pānīyam apy atra tilair vimiśraṁ dadyāt pitṛbhyaḥ prayato manuṣyaḥ | śrāddhaṁ kṛtaṁ tena samāḥ sahasraṁ rahasyam etat pitaro vadanti || 13.44 ||
ଏଠାରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ନିୟମଶୀଳ ମନୁଷ୍ୟ ତିଳମିଶ୍ରିତ ଜଳ ପିତୃମାନଙ୍କୁ ଦେବା ଉଚିତ। ପିତୃମାନେ କହନ୍ତି—ଏହି କର୍ମରେ ଯେନେ ସହସ୍ର ବର୍ଷ ଶ୍ରାଦ୍ଧ କରାଗଲା ପରି ଫଳ ମିଳେ; ଏହା ଗୁପ୍ତ ଉପଦେଶ।
Varāha (default dialogue framework)
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":"curious","key_question":"What simple offering most effectively pleases the Pitṛs, and what is its extraordinary fruit?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"shraddha","instruction_summary":"Offer water (tarpaṇa) mixed with sesame (tila) to the ancestors with discipline (prayata); this is taught as a highly efficacious substitute/extension of śrāddha.","karmic_consequence":"Proper tila-tarpaṇa yields Pitṛ satisfaction equivalent to ‘a thousand years’ of śrāddha-benefit; omission loses this amplified ancestral merit and support."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Tila functions as a ritual ‘carrier’ (dravya) that stabilizes offering across time; the ‘thousand-year’ claim signals the trans-temporal reach of properly consecrated yajña-dravya.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Water as āhuti-like flow; sesame as seed of continuity (vaṃśa-smṛti) linking descendants to Pitṛ-loka—yajña as a bridge across realms.","vedantic_connection":"Śraddhā and saṅkalpa refine karma; a small act, when aligned with dharma and offered selflessly, yields disproportionate fruit (niyama + bhāva > quantity)."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of gratitude","core_concept":"Remembrance and repayment (ṛṇa) to ancestors is dharma; sincerity and purity of conduct empower simple offerings.","practical_application":"Perform tila-mixed water offerings with cleanliness, restraint, and focused intention, especially on prescribed Pitṛ times."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Practice","Ancestral Rites","Cultural Heritage"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: household_rite
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 13.13.45-47 (supreme times and fruits for Pitṛ rites)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciplined householder offers a libation of water mixed with black sesame to the Pitṛs, while Varāha’s teaching presence sanctifies the act; subtle ancestral silhouettes receive the offering.","item_prompts":["kamaṇḍalu or lota with water","black sesame (tila)","kuśa grass","hands in tarpaṇa gesture","pitṛ figures in faint aura","Varāha as teacher in background"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: ritualist in white dhoti performing tarpaṇa near a small altar, Varāha with halo instructing, stylized sesame grains and water stream, warm earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted Varāha blessing the rite, embossed vessel and flowing water, sesame rendered as dark beads, rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined domestic ritual scene, delicate water stream, minimal but precise ritual implements, soft lighting.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate riverside or courtyard tarpaṇa scene, translucent Pitṛ forms in sky band, cool palette and fine narrative detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"reverent, confidential (guhya)","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"soft but authoritative"}
FAQs
It preserves a concise Purāṇic formulation of pitṛ-tarpaṇa (offering water to ancestors), reflecting the wider Dharmaśāstra-era ritual vocabulary and the cultural continuity of śrāddha-related practices.
No specific toponym is stated in this verse; the term atra (“here”) refers to the immediately discussed ritual or setting in the surrounding passage rather than naming a distinct site.
The verse emphasizes disciplined, intentional giving (prayataḥ) and remembrance of ancestors through a simple, non-extravagant offering (water mixed with sesame), framed as a culturally valued act of continuity and obligation.
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