Vāraka

Vāraka

Grammar: masculine noun; the name of a fruit.

Meaning: a fruit to be offered at śrāddha, the rite for the pitṛs.

In the scriptures: In the Brahma Purāṇa, Vyāsa teaches the munis the rules of śrāddha, the rite for the pitṛs. Among the substances praised for śrāddha, the fruits to be offered are mango, āmrātaka, bilva, pomegranate, bījapūra (citron), prācīnāmalaka, coconut, parūshaka, nāraṅga (orange), kharjūra (date), drākshā (grape), the black wood-apple, priyāla, badara (jujube), vitaṅkata (the wild jujube), vatsaka (the koḍise tree) and vāraka; vāraka closes the list. With them are offered cow’s milk, curd, ghee, sesame oil and salt, and the fragrances candana, aguru and kuṅkuma (Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 220).

Related terms: Śrāddha · Pitṛ · Badara · Bilva

Sources

• Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 220