Varaha Purana 13.37: Adhyaya 13, Shloka 37

The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times

Devanagari script

नक्षत्रग्रहपीडासु दुष्टस्वप्नावलोकने । इच्छाश्राद्धानि कुर्वीत नवसस्यागमे तथा ॥ १३.३७ ॥

Sanskrit recitationVaraha Purana 13.37

Transliteration

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

Translation

நட்சத்திர-கிரகப் பீடைகள் நேர்ந்தபோது, தீய கனவுகள் கண்டபோது, மேலும் புதிய விளைச்சல் (நவஸஸ்யம்) வந்தபோது—விருப்பத்தின்படி (காம்ய) ஸ்ராத்தங்களைச் செய்யலாம்.

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Word by Word

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

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

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

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

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

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

Speaker

Varāha (default speaker per dialogue framework; not explicit in excerpt)

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.