Varaha Purana 180.36: Adhyaya 180, Shloka 36
The Glory of Dhruva-Tīrtha: Rules of Ancestor Libations and Śrāddha, and the Consequences of Lineage-Continuity
अस्माकं सन्ततेस्तन्तुस्तस्य श्राद्धकृते वयम् ॥ आशया बद्धहृदयाः श्राद्धतर्पणहेतवः
asmākaṁ santatestantustasya śrāddhakṛte vayam || āśayā baddhahṛdayāḥ śrāddhatarpaṇahetavaḥ
“เพื่อสืบสายวงศ์ของเรา เขาคือ ‘ตนฺตุ’ คือสายใยความต่อเนื่อง; เพื่อประกอบศราทธะให้เขา เราจึงกระทำ. ด้วยใจผูกไว้ด้วยความหวัง เรามุ่งทำศราทธะและตัรปณะบูชาบรรพชน”
Varāha (default speaker framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"observer","key_question":"How does hope for lineage-continuity motivate śrāddha and tarpaṇa, and what is the dharmic basis of acting for ancestors through a ‘thread’ of descent?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"shraddha","instruction_summary":"Śrāddha and tarpaṇa are undertaken with intent to sustain lineage-continuity and to benefit pitṛs; the living act as agents for ancestral satisfaction.","karmic_consequence":"Proper śrāddha supports pitṛ-gati and family continuity; neglect leads to pitṛ-asantoṣa and obstruction of auspicious lineage outcomes (as framed in Purāṇic dharma)."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"dharma (pitṛ-ṛṇa)","core_concept":"Humans bear a debt to ancestors; ritual action (śrāddha/tarpaṇa) expresses continuity (santati-tantu) and channels merit across generations.","practical_application":"Perform śrāddha with right intention (saṅkalpa) and sincerity, not merely as social formality; treat lineage as responsibility, not pride."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Practice","Ancestral Rites"]
Primary Rasa: karuṇa
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: domestic-ritual context
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 180.41-43 (question of eligibility and karmic fruition in śrāddha/offspring context)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A group of family members or dependents speaking with clasped hands, expressing hope and duty, with ritual vessels prepared for śrāddha/tarpaṇa.","item_prompts":["water-pot (kalaśa)","piṇḍa offerings on leaves","kuśa grass","small fire or offering space","faces showing anxious hope"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: ritual corner with kuśa and vessels; figures in profile with expressive eyes; subdued devotional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central ritual tray with gold accents; figures with ornate borders; emphasis on auspicious vessels and offerings.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: gentle, devotional scene; fine detailing of leaves/piṇḍas; calm background.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: outdoor courtyard śrāddha scene; minimal architecture; delicate gestures of offering water and piṇḍa."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional, slightly plaintive","suggested_raga":"Bhairavī","pace":"slow-medium","voice_tone":"soft but intent, conveying hope and obligation"}
FAQs
It expresses the ideology of lineage continuity and the social importance of śrāddha/tarpaṇa as duties linked to familial identity.
No geographic toponym appears; the verse is thematic (lineage and ritual motivation).
It foregrounds responsibility toward ancestors through śrāddha and tarpaṇa, presented as a sustaining act for lineage continuity.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Varaha Purana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.