Varaha Purana 13.43 — Adhyaya 13, Shloka 43
The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times
नभस्यामासस्य तमिस्त्रपक्षे त्रयोदशी पञ्चदशी च माघे । उपप्लवे चन्द्रमसो रवेश्च तथाष्टकास्वप्ययनद्वये च ॥ १३.४३ ॥
nabhasyāmāsasya tamistrapakṣe trayodaśī pañcadaśī ca māghe | upaplave candramaso raveś ca tathāṣṭakāsv apy ayanadvaye ca || 13.43 ||
Sa madilim na kalahati ng buwang Nabhasya, sa ikalabintatlong tithi; at gayundin sa ikalabinlimang tithi ng buwang Māgha; at sa panahon ng pagtakip (eclipse) ng Buwan at ng Araw; at maging sa mga araw na Aṣṭakā at sa dalawang solstis—ito ang mga panahong tiyak na itinatangi.
Varāha
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious","key_question":"Which calendrically marked times (tithi, pakṣa, eclipses, aṣṭakā, ayana) are specially fit for ritual observance and ethical restraint?"}
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":"Mark specific lunar/solar times—Nabhasya kṛṣṇa trayodaśī, Māgha kṛṣṇa pañcadaśī, grahaṇa-kāla, aṣṭakā, and both ayanas—as specially prescribed windows for rites (esp. Pitṛ-kriyā) and disciplined conduct.","karmic_consequence":"Observance at these ‘kāla-viśeṣas’ amplifies ritual efficacy and merit; neglect forfeits the heightened fruit available at such times."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Time (kāla) is treated as a sacred limb of yajña; the Lord’s governance of cosmic cycles makes calendrical junctions (saṃdhi) especially potent for Pitṛ-yajña and dharma.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Grahaṇa (eclipse) and ayana (solstice) as cosmic ‘saṃdhi’ moments where offerings ‘reach’ more directly—analogous to yajña performed at proper muhūrta.","vedantic_connection":"Kāla as a manifestation of Īśvara’s niyati; aligning action with cosmic order (ṛta/dharma) purifies saṅkalpa and magnifies karma-phala."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"dharma-kāla (right timing)","core_concept":"Dharma is not only ‘what’ is done but ‘when’ it is done; time-junctions intensify the reach of ritual intention.","practical_application":"Plan śrāddha/tarpaṇa and ethical restraints around pakṣa-tithi, eclipses, aṣṭakā, and solstices; treat these as high-priority windows."}
Subject Matter: ["Ritual Calendar","Astronomical Timekeeping","Ethics"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: cosmic_time
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 13.13.44-47 (Pitṛ offerings and fruits)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varāha as a calm teacher enumerates sacred times—dark fortnight dates, eclipses, aṣṭakā, and solstices—shown as celestial markers around him.","item_prompts":["Varāha in regal seated posture","moon phases (kṛṣṇa pakṣa)","sun and moon with eclipse shadow","zodiac/nakṣatra wheel","solstice axis (uttarāyaṇa/dakṣiṇāyana)","aṣṭakā indicated by three ritual fires"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Varāha as divine instructor with ornate crown and halo, celestial disc motifs showing eclipse and lunar phases, deep reds/ochres, stylized nakṣatra wheel behind.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: gold-leaf haloed Varāha on throne, embossed sun-moon discs with eclipse arc, gem-like nakṣatra ring, rich maroons and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: delicate linework Varāha teaching, subtle gradations, astronomical icons (ayana axis, lunar tithis) arranged symmetrically, restrained palette.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: hillside court-like teaching scene with Varāha, floating sun-moon and nakṣatra band in sky, cool blues, fine narrative detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"measured, calendrical, authoritative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"clear, didactic, steady"}
FAQs
It documents a Purāṇic scheme for identifying ritually significant times using luni-solar calendrics (tithi, month) alongside observable astronomical events (eclipses), reflecting the integration of timekeeping and social-religious practice in premodern South Asia.
No specific geographic site is named in this verse; it focuses on time markers (months, tithis, eclipses, and solstices) rather than place-based sacred geography.
The verse primarily functions as a normative listing of auspicious or prescribed temporal occasions; its ethical dimension lies in disciplined observance and attentiveness to calendrical and astronomical order rather than a direct moral injunction.
Ask anything about this verse
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