Varaha Purana 190.67: Adhyaya 190, Shloka 67
Determinative Exposition on Śrāddha and the Pitṛyajña
Ancestral Offering
आगताः शरणं चात्र सोमेन सहिताः मम ।। आचक्ष्व निर्मिता येन यथा श्रेयो भवेत् तव
āgatāḥ śaraṇaṁ cātra somena sahitā mama || ācakṣva nirmitā yena yathā śreyo bhavet tava
“เขาทั้งหลายมาขอที่พึ่ง ณ ที่นี้กับเรา พร้อมด้วยโสมะ จงบอกเถิดว่าโดยวิธีใดจึงได้ถูกกำหนด/สถาปนาไว้ เพื่อให้ความเกื้อกูลและผลอันถูกต้องบังเกิดแก่พระองค์”
Brahmā
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"questioner","key_question":"By what means were the pitṛs constituted/ordained, and what procedure leads to their (and the petitioner’s) śreyas?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"shraddha","instruction_summary":"Seek the etiology and correct method (vidhi) for pitṛ-related rites—how they are ‘established’ and how their welfare is secured through proper offerings with Soma.","karmic_consequence":"Knowing and following the right vidhi yields śreyas (auspicious welfare) for both pitṛs and descendants; wrong/absent vidhi leads to continued affliction and loss of merit."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"The question ‘nirmita yena’ points to cosmic ordinance: pitṛs and ritual channels are not arbitrary but grounded in divine creation—yajña as the metaphysical infrastructure linking worlds.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Soma accompanying pitṛs underscores soma-oblations as the ‘vehicle’ of nourishment across realms; the Lord as the hidden regulator of yajña pathways.","vedantic_connection":"Ritual efficacy is ultimately rooted in Īśvara as antaryāmin; vidhi becomes meaningful when seen as participation in cosmic order (ṛta/dharma)."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"dharma-hermeneutics","core_concept":"Right action depends on knowing origins and purposes (kāraṇa/artha) of institutions like pitṛ-yajña; śreyas arises from alignment with that purpose.","practical_application":"Before performing rites, learn the intended recipients, mantras, timings, and offerings; prioritize śreyas (long-term good) over mere custom."}
Subject Matter: ["Ritual Etiology","Ancestral Theology","Ethics"]
Primary Rasa: jijñāsā (inquisitive śānta)
Secondary Rasa: karuṇa
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 190.75 (Īśvara enters dhyāna to answer)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Brahmā shelters the arriving Pitṛs and, with Soma beside them, asks the Lord for the origin and proper means to secure their welfare.","item_prompts":["Soma with moon-disc or soma-vessel","pitṛs clustered near Brahmā","Brahmā gesturing as if asking a formal question","Lord listening, radiant and composed"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Soma rendered with cool aura; Brahmā and pitṛs in earthier tones; the Lord in central luminous panel; formal, temple-icon composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold accents on Soma’s halo and ritual vessels; ornate framing; emphasis on ‘refuge’ posture of pitṛs at Brahmā’s side.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: nuanced expressions—Brahmā’s concern, pitṛs’ fatigue, Soma’s calm; intricate textiles and crowns.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: gentle narrative flow, Soma as moon motif in sky, pitṛs as ascetic figures, soft pastel palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"inquiring, earnest","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"measured, articulate, question-inflected"}
FAQs
It exemplifies Purāṇic etiological inquiry—asking how a category (here, pitṛs and their condition) was established to guide correct ritual response.
None explicitly in this verse.
Seek the causal account behind a problem (nirmitā yena) before prescribing action; welfare (śreyas) is tied to informed practice.
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