Shloka 1
श्राद्ध-योग्य द्रव्य, निषेध, तथा गयाश्राद्ध-माहात्म्य (Śrāddha Materials, Prohibitions, and the Glory of Gayā)
हविष्यमत्स्यमांसैस् तु शशस्य शकुनस्य च सौकरच्छागलैणेयरौरवैर् गवयेन च
haviṣyamatsyamāṃsais tu śaśasya śakunasya ca saukaracchāgalaiṇeyarauravair gavayena ca
हविष्ये मत्स्यमांसं शशमांसं शकुनस्य च, तथा सौकरच्छागलैणेयरौरवगवयस्य च मांसं विधीयते।
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Ritual dietary permissions (haviṣya) and restraint in śrāddha/offerings
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: authoritative
Concept: Ritual life is regulated by niyama: even where meat is permitted for specific offerings, it is bounded by prescription to restrain appetite and align action with dharma under the Lord’s inner governance.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Adopt mindful limits—eat and consume with clear purpose, minimal harm, and fidelity to one’s ethical commitments rather than impulse.
Vishishtadvaita: Antaryāmin emphasis: the Lord as indwelling ruler grounds ethical order; regulated action becomes service within His immanent presence.
Vishnu Form: Hari
Bhakti Type: Dasya
Antaryamin: Yes
FAQs
Here haviṣya denotes ritually sanctioned food; the verse lists specific meats allowed in that sacrificial/regulated context, emphasizing dharma-governed consumption rather than indulgence.
By enumerating what is permitted for rites, Parāśara frames eating as a dharmic act under rule and restraint, integrated with ritual purity and social-religious order.
Even when discussing conduct and ritual, the Purāṇa treats dharma as ultimately oriented to Viṣṇu—the sustaining principle—so regulated action supports inner purification and devotion.