Varaha Purana 165.44: Adhyaya 165, Shloka 44
The Glory of Mathurā: The Account of Piṇḍa-Offering at the Catuḥsāmudrika Well
न तर्पितास्तु पितरः प्राप्तोऽहं प्रेततां ततः ॥ इत्येत्कथितं सर्वं यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि
na tarpitāstu pitaraḥ prāpto'haṃ pretatāṃ tataḥ || ityet kathitaṃ sarvaṃ yan māṃ tvaṃ paripṛcchasi
และข้าพเจ้าไม่ได้ทำตัรปณะให้บรรพชนอิ่มเอิบเลย; เพราะเหตุนั้นข้าพเจ้าจึงถึงภาวะเป็นเปรต ดังนี้ ข้าพเจ้าได้กล่าวทั้งหมดตามที่ท่านถามข้าพเจ้าแล้ว
Preta (narrative voice continuing the confession-like account)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"observer","key_question":"How does failure to satisfy the ancestors (pitṛ-tarpaṇa/śrāddha) specifically result in preta-hood, and what completes the inquiry?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"shraddha","instruction_summary":"One must gratify the pitṛs through tarpaṇa/śrāddha; neglect is directly linked to attaining preta-condition.","karmic_consequence":"Performance supports ancestral satisfaction and the performer’s smooth post-death passage; neglect yields preta-state and suffering until remedied."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"Relational dharma (ṛṇa doctrine)","core_concept":"Humans bear obligations (ṛṇa) to ancestors; honoring lineage is part of sustaining cosmic-social order.","practical_application":"Observe śrāddha/tarpaṇa as per family tradition and capacity; if lapsed, undertake remedial rites with guidance and sincerity."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ancestral Rites","Narrative Dialogue"]
Primary Rasa: karuṇa
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 165.47 (omissions leading to preta-state); Varāha Purāṇa 165.49 (turn toward Mathurā as remedy/next instruction)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The preta concludes his account, indicating that neglect of pitṛ offerings caused his state; the listener stands attentive as the confession ends.","item_prompts":["water vessel for tarpaṇa (kamaṇḍalu/lotā) shown unused or absent","pitṛ symbols (three subtle ancestral silhouettes or śrāddha piṇḍa plate)","preta with folded hands","listener in composed stance","sense of narrative closure"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: restrained ritual symbolism—piṇḍa plate and water vessel; preta speaking with humility; listener calm, compassionate.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: ritual plate and vessel highlighted with gold; figures frontal and iconic; emphasis on dharma instruction.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: intimate dialogue scene; fine detailing of ritual items; subdued palette conveying seriousness.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: small conversational tableau; minimal props; lyrical linework emphasizing the act of ‘telling all’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"Concluding, instructive","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"measured, confessional then settling into calm"}
FAQs
It reflects the prominence of pitṛ-related rites in Indic cultural history, where remembrance and offering to ancestors were integrated into ethical life.
No location is specified in this verse.
The text presents ancestral care (tarpaṇa) as part of social-ritual responsibility, and omission as narratively consequential.
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