Varaha Purana 21.15: Adhyaya 21, Shloka 15
The Disruption of Dakṣa’s Sacrifice, the Hari-Hara Conflict, and the Establishment of Rudra’s Sacrificial Share
Pūrva Bhāga · Ritual Narratives (Kratu/Śrauta Context)
प्रतिहर्ता प्रचेतास्तु तस्मिन् क्रतुवरे बभौ । सुब्रह्मण्यो वसिष्ठस्तु सनकाद्याः सभासदः । तत्र याज्यः स्वयं ब्रह्मा स च इज्यस्तु पूज्यते ॥ २१.१६ ॥
pratihartā pracetāstu tasmin kratuvare babhau | subrahmaṇyo vasiṣṭhastu sanakādyāḥ sabhāsadaḥ | tatra yājyaḥ svayaṃ brahmā sa ca ijyastu pūjyate || 21.16 ||
pratihartA prachetAstu tasmin kratuvare babhau | subrahmaNyo vasiShThastu sanakAdyAH sabhAsadaH | tatra yAjyaH svayaM brahmA sa cha ijyastu pUjyate || 21.16 ||
В том превосходном жертвенном обряде Прачетаc явился как жрец, отвечающий на ритуальный призыв. Васиштха служил жрецом Субрахманья, а Санака и прочие присутствовали как члены собрания. Там сам Брахма был божеством, которому приносили возлияния; и он, как достойный поклонения, был почтён надлежащим образом.
Sandhi Notes
- pracetāstu = pracetāḥ + tu
- kratuvare = kratu-vare (tatpuruṣa)
- vasiṣṭhastu = vasiṣṭhaḥ + tu
- sanakādyāḥ = sanaka-ādyāḥ
- ijyastu = ijyaḥ + tu
Varāha
Ritual is not only technique but also reverence: the ‘pūjya’ must be recognized and honored, with wise assembly ensuring correctness.
In worship and community rites, combine devotion (pūjā-bhāva) with accountability (sabhā/elders), ensuring the intended object of reverence is not confused.
The yajña is shown as a constitutional order: responders, invokers, assembly, and the yājya—mirroring cosmic governance where the highest principle is the true ‘recipient’ of all acts.
Bridges ritual theism and metaphysics: offerings culminate in the supreme/creator principle (here Brahmā as yājya), hinting at the Vedāntic idea that all karma ultimately reaches the highest reality (though framed theistically).
Completes the ritual polity: Pracetas as Pratihartṛ (responsive officiant), Vasiṣṭha as Subrahmaṇya, Sanaka etc. as sabhāsads; Brahmā is designated as yājya/ijya (recipient deity) and is duly worshipped.
Honoring the proper yājya and maintaining sabhā oversight ensures ritual legitimacy and auspicious fruit; disrespect of the worship-worthy (pūjya) undermines merit.
Varāha Purāṇa: immediate yajña roster context (21.21.12-15)
FAQs
It preserves technical ritual vocabulary (e.g., Subrahmaṇya, yājya/ijya) and situates Purāṇic narrative within a Śrauta-style sacrificial framework, reflecting how later Sanskrit literature models cultural memory of Vedic ritual institutions.
No specific geographic toponym is stated in this verse; the setting is defined by the ritual context (a kratu) rather than a named place.
The verse foregrounds ordered participation and proper honoring within a communal rite—emphasizing disciplined roles, respectful assembly conduct, and the principle that worship/recognition should follow the designated ritual and social framework.
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