Varaha Purana 13.44 — Adhyaya 13, Shloka 44
The Genealogy of the Pitṛs and the Determination of Śrāddha Times
पानीयमप्यत्र तिलैर्विमिश्रं दद्यात्पितॄभ्यः प्रयतो मनुष्यः । श्राद्धं कृतं तेन समाः सहस्रं रहस्यमेतत् पितरो वदन्ति ॥ १३.४४ ॥
pānīyam apy atra tilair vimiśraṁ dadyāt pitṛbhyaḥ prayato manuṣyaḥ | śrāddhaṁ kṛtaṁ tena samāḥ sahasraṁ rahasyam etat pitaro vadanti || 13.44 ||
Dito rin, ang taong may pagpipigil-sa-sarili ay dapat maghandog sa mga Pitṛ ng tubig na hinaluan ng linga (tila). Sinasabi ng mga Pitṛ na sa gawaing ito, ang śrāddha ay wari’y naisagawa sa loob ng isang libong taon—ito ang lihim na aral ng tradisyon.
Varāha (default dialogue framework)
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":"What simple offering most effectively pleases the Pitṛs, and what is its extraordinary fruit?"}
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":"Offer water (tarpaṇa) mixed with sesame (tila) to the ancestors with discipline (prayata); this is taught as a highly efficacious substitute/extension of śrāddha.","karmic_consequence":"Proper tila-tarpaṇa yields Pitṛ satisfaction equivalent to ‘a thousand years’ of śrāddha-benefit; omission loses this amplified ancestral merit and support."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"Tila functions as a ritual ‘carrier’ (dravya) that stabilizes offering across time; the ‘thousand-year’ claim signals the trans-temporal reach of properly consecrated yajña-dravya.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Water as āhuti-like flow; sesame as seed of continuity (vaṃśa-smṛti) linking descendants to Pitṛ-loka—yajña as a bridge across realms.","vedantic_connection":"Śraddhā and saṅkalpa refine karma; a small act, when aligned with dharma and offered selflessly, yields disproportionate fruit (niyama + bhāva > quantity)."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"ethics of gratitude","core_concept":"Remembrance and repayment (ṛṇa) to ancestors is dharma; sincerity and purity of conduct empower simple offerings.","practical_application":"Perform tila-mixed water offerings with cleanliness, restraint, and focused intention, especially on prescribed Pitṛ times."}
Subject Matter: ["Ethics","Ritual Practice","Ancestral Rites","Cultural Heritage"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: household_rite
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 13.13.45-47 (supreme times and fruits for Pitṛ rites)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciplined householder offers a libation of water mixed with black sesame to the Pitṛs, while Varāha’s teaching presence sanctifies the act; subtle ancestral silhouettes receive the offering.","item_prompts":["kamaṇḍalu or lota with water","black sesame (tila)","kuśa grass","hands in tarpaṇa gesture","pitṛ figures in faint aura","Varāha as teacher in background"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: ritualist in white dhoti performing tarpaṇa near a small altar, Varāha with halo instructing, stylized sesame grains and water stream, warm earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted Varāha blessing the rite, embossed vessel and flowing water, sesame rendered as dark beads, rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined domestic ritual scene, delicate water stream, minimal but precise ritual implements, soft lighting.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate riverside or courtyard tarpaṇa scene, translucent Pitṛ forms in sky band, cool palette and fine narrative detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"reverent, confidential (guhya)","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"soft but authoritative"}
FAQs
It preserves a concise Purāṇic formulation of pitṛ-tarpaṇa (offering water to ancestors), reflecting the wider Dharmaśāstra-era ritual vocabulary and the cultural continuity of śrāddha-related practices.
No specific toponym is stated in this verse; the term atra (“here”) refers to the immediately discussed ritual or setting in the surrounding passage rather than naming a distinct site.
The verse emphasizes disciplined, intentional giving (prayataḥ) and remembrance of ancestors through a simple, non-extravagant offering (water mixed with sesame), framed as a culturally valued act of continuity and obligation.
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.