Varaha Purana 13.37: Adhyaya 13, Shloka 37

The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times

Pūrva Bhāga · Dharma-ācāra (Ritual observances and auspicious practices)

Devanagari script

नक्षत्रग्रहपीडासु दुष्टस्वप्नावलोकने । इच्छाश्राद्धानि कुर्वीत नवसस्यागमे तथा ॥ १३.३७ ॥

Recitation with translationVaraha Purana 13.37

Transliteration

nakṣatragrahapīḍāsu duṣṭasvapnāvalokane | icchāśrāddhāni kurvīta navasasyāgame tathā || 13.37 ||

ITRANS transliteration

Translation

Во время бедствий, вызванных созвездиями и планетами, при видении дурных снов, а также с приходом нового урожая, можно совершать обряды шраддхи (śrāddha) по собственному намерению, как добровольное благочестие.

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Word by Word

• nakṣatra-graha-pīḍāsu: in (times of) afflictions from stars and planets
• Type: Noun
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural (बहुवचन); समासः—नक्षत्रग्रहयोः पीडा इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः, ततः सप्तमी बहुवचन
• Role: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Root: nakṣatra (प्रातिपदिक) + graha (प्रातिपदिक) + pīḍā (प्रातिपदिक)

• duṣṭa-svapna-avalokane: upon seeing bad dreams
• Type: Noun
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); समासः—दुष्टस्य स्वप्नस्य अवलोकनम् इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः, ततः सप्तमी एकवचन
• Role: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Root: duṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + svapna (प्रातिपदिक) + avalokana (प्रातिपदिक)

• icchā-śrāddhāni: optional/desired śrāddhas (rites)
• Type: Noun
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); समासः—इच्छया (काम्यत्वेन) यत् श्राद्धम् इति कर्मधारयः
• Role: Karma (कर्म)
• Root: icchā (प्रातिपदिक) + śrāddha (प्रातिपदिक)

• kurvīta: should perform
• Type: Verb
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Root: kṛ (कृ धातु)

• nava-sasya-āgame: at the arrival of new crops
• Type: Noun
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); समासः—नवस्य सस्यस्य आगमः इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः, ततः सप्तमी एकवचन
• Role: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Root: nava (प्रातिपदिक) + sasya (प्रातिपदिक) + āgama (प्रातिपदिक)

• tathā: likewise/also
• Type: Indeclinable
• Form: Indeclinable (अव्यय); adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Role: Sambandha/Prakāra (सम्बन्ध/प्रकार)
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)

Sandhi Notes

• nakṣatragrahapīḍāsu = nakṣatra-graha-pīḍāsu
• duṣṭasvapnāvalokane = duṣṭa-svapna-avalokane
• icchāśrāddhāni = icchā-śrāddhāni
• navasasyāgame = nava-sasya-āgame

Speaker and setting

Shanta and Bhayanaka rasaSetting: Seasonal-cultural setting

Speaker

Varāha

Bhu Devi and Varaha

In this verse

Varaha teaches her

Her state of mind

Concerned, seeking remedies

What she asks

In times of omens, planetary afflictions, or life-transitions like new harvest, what dharmic act can be done voluntarily to restore auspiciousness and honor the ancestors?

The teaching

Kind of teaching

Practical dharma (upāya)

Subjects

Ritual PracticeEthicsCultural Heritage

Core idea

Dharma provides constructive responses to uncertainty—ritual remembrance and giving convert liminal/ominous moments into merit.

In practice

When disturbed by omens or during seasonal transitions, choose a sattvic corrective: śrāddha/tarpaṇa, feeding brāhmaṇas/poor, and disciplined conduct.

The Varaha avatara

With the Earth

Guidance offered within the Varāha teaching frame.

Symbolism of the boar

Dharma

Cross references

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Purāṇic Studies
• Dharmaśāstra Interface
• Indic Ritual Culture

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

It reflects a Purāṇic formulation of optional domestic rites (śrāddha) linked to perceived astral adversity, dream-omens, and agrarian seasonal markers, illustrating how ritual life was integrated with cosmological and agricultural calendars.

Which geographic location is identified?

No specific geographic location is named in this verse; the reference is to general life-situations (astral affliction, omens, and harvest time) rather than a pilgrimage site.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

The verse recommends a voluntary, intention-based observance—performing ancestral rites as a culturally sanctioned response to distress, ominous experiences, and seasonal transitions, emphasizing continuity of familial remembrance and social-ritual responsibility.