Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types, Shloka 58

Devanagari script

कन्याकुम्भवृषस्थे ऽर्के कृष्णपक्षेषु सर्वदा यत्र यत्र प्रदातव्यं सपिण्डीकरणात् परम् तत्रानेन विधानेन देयम् अग्निमता सदा //

Transliteration

kanyākumbhavṛṣasthe 'rke kṛṣṇapakṣeṣu sarvadā yatra yatra pradātavyaṃ sapiṇḍīkaraṇāt param tatrānena vidhānena deyam agnimatā sadā //

Translation

متى كانَتِ الشمسُ في بُروجِ العذراء أو الدلو أو الثور، وفي النصفِ المظلمِ من الشهر (كريشنا-بكشا) على الدوام، فأيُّ قُربانٍ يُرادُ تقديمُه بعدَ شعيرةِ سَپِنْدِيكَرَنا (إلحاقُ المتوفّى بسلسلةِ الأسلاف) ينبغي أن يُقدَّمَ دائمًا وفقَ هذا المنهجِ المقرَّر، على يدِ مَن يحفظُ النارَ المقدّسة.

Word by Word

• kanyā: Virgo

• kumbha: Aquarius

• vṛṣa: Taurus

• -sthe: being situated in (i.e., when the Sun is in those signs)

• arke: when the Sun (Arka) is (so placed)

• kṛṣṇa-pakṣeṣu: in the dark fortnight(s) (waning half of the lunar month)

• sarvadā: always

• yatra yatra: wherever/whenever

• pradātavyam: is to be given/should be offered

• sapiṇḍīkaraṇāt param: after the sapiṇḍīkaraṇa rite

• tatra: then/there

• anena vidhānena: by this method/procedure

• deyam: should be given

• agnimatā: by the one possessing/maintaining the sacred fire (āhitāgni/gṛhastha with agni)

• sadā: always.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, on dharma/ritual conduct)

Entities Mentioned

• Arka (Sun)
• Kṛṣṇa-pakṣa
• Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa
• Agni (household sacred fire)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Piṇḍa-dāna
• Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa
• Ritual timing
• Gṛhastha-dharma

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

It does not address pralaya; it focuses on dharma—specifically the calendrical timing and correct procedure for ancestor offerings after sapiṇḍīkaraṇa.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

It primarily guides the householder (gṛhastha), especially one who maintains the sacred fires, to perform post-sapiṇḍīkaraṇa śrāddha/offerings in the proper season (Sun in specified signs) and in the kṛṣṇa-pakṣa, emphasizing disciplined ritual duty.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritual significance: it prescribes auspicious/required timing (solar sign + dark fortnight) and insists the offering be made by an agnimān (one maintaining sacred fire) according to an established vidhi (procedure).