Varaha Purana 188.66 — Adhyaya 188, Shloka 66
Section on the Origin and Procedure of Piṇḍa-Rites and Śrāddha: Rules of Mourning Impurity
Aśauca
जानुभ्यामवनीं गत्वा नमस्कृत्य द्विजोत्तमान् ॥ पाणिं संगृह्य हस्तेन मन्त्रेणोत्थापयेद्द्विजान् ॥
jānubhyām avanīṃ gatvā namaskṛtya dvijottamān || pāṇiṃ saṃgṛhya hastena mantreṇotthāpayeddvijān ||
เมื่อคุกเข่าลงแตะพื้นดินแล้ว นอบน้อมแด่ทวิชผู้ประเสริฐ ครั้นจับมือของท่านเหล่านั้นด้วยมือของตน พึงกล่าวมนตร์แล้วพยุงพราหมณ์ทั้งหลายให้ลุกขึ้น
Varāha (default dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"Instruction within Varāha–Bhū dialogue; emphasizes humility ‘going to the ground with knees’—symbolic reverence toward dvijas in Bhū’s presence."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"Attentive; the teaching implicitly aligns social reverence with Earth’s dhāraṇā (support) of dharma.","key_question":"Implicit: what is the proper etiquette toward brāhmaṇas during śrāddha/ritual proceedings?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"shraddha","instruction_summary":"Bow down (kneeling), salute the foremost dvijas, take their hand respectfully, and raise them with a mantra—formal honor to officiants/recipients.","karmic_consequence":"Respectful honoring of brāhmaṇas strengthens śrāddha merit and social dharma; disrespect or negligence is treated as a fault that reduces ritual fruit and accrues demerit."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics-of-ritual","core_concept":"Dharma is enacted through embodied humility; honoring worthy recipients is part of yajña as social-sacred reciprocity.","practical_application":"In rites and daily life, show respect through posture, speech, and service; treat learned/virtuous persons as carriers of sacred responsibility, without arrogance."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Practice","Social Etiquette"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: ritual-space
Related Themes: Continuity with nivāpa/tilodaka and subsequent dāna steps (bed, ornaments, cow-tail)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual performer kneels to the ground before seated brāhmaṇas, offers namaskāra, then gently takes a brāhmaṇa’s hand and helps him rise while reciting a mantra.","item_prompts":["kneeling devotee","seated brāhmaṇas on kuśa mats","añjali/namaskāra","hand-clasp gesture","mantra recitation posture","simple ritual setting"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized figures with clear mudrās; brāhmaṇas in white with sacred thread; devotee kneeling; decorative floor patterns; warm tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold detailing on ritual platform and halos (if divine witnesses included); strong frontal composition; ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: elegant, restrained palette; detailed textiles; gentle realism in the hand-raising gesture.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: narrative vignette with soft architecture/courtyard; expressive faces showing humility and blessing; light, airy colors."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"measured, respectful instruction","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"firm yet gentle"}
FAQs
It preserves embodied ritual etiquette—prostration-like gestures and assisting elders/ritual specialists—highlighting social codes embedded in śrāddha performance.
No location is identified; the verse concerns interpersonal ritual conduct.
Show respect and care toward ritual recipients/participants through formal salutation and supportive action.
Ask anything about this verse
A free Google sign-in 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 audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.