Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types, Shloka 9

Devanagari script

पुराणवेत्ता धर्मज्ञः स्वाध्यायजपतत्परः शिवभक्तः पितृपरः सूर्यभक्तो ऽथ वैष्णवः //

Transliteration

purāṇavettā dharmajñaḥ svādhyāyajapatatparaḥ śivabhaktaḥ pitṛparaḥ sūryabhakto 'tha vaiṣṇavaḥ //

Translation

هو عارف بالبورانا وبالدهرما؛ مواظب على السڤادهيايا (الدراسة الذاتية للفيدا) وعلى الجَپا (تكرار المانترا المقدسة)؛ مُحبٌّ لشيڤا، مُخلصٌ للـPitṛ (طقوس الأسلاف)، عابدٌ للشمس—وهو أيضًا ڤايشناڤا (مُحبٌّ لڤيشنو).

Word by Word

• purāṇa-vettā: knower of the Purāṇas

• dharma-jñaḥ: knower of dharma/righteous duty

• svādhyāya: self-recitation/study of the Veda

• japa: mantra-repetition

• tat-paraḥ: intent upon/devoted to

• śiva-bhaktaḥ: devotee of Śiva

• pitṛ-paraḥ: devoted to the Pitṛs/ancestral offerings

• sūrya-bhaktaḥ: devotee of Sūrya (the Sun)

• atha: and/also

• vaiṣṇavaḥ: devotee of Viṣṇu

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Purana
• Dharma
• Svadhyaya
• Japa
• Shiva
• Pitrs
• Surya
• Vishnu (Vaishnava)

Tags

• Dharma
• Bhakti
• Svadhyaya
• Japa
• Pitru-tarpaṇa

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it outlines the ethical-devotional qualifications of a Purāṇa-knower, emphasizing disciplined practice (svādhyāya, japa) and balanced devotion.

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

It reflects household and royal dharma by recommending daily Vedic study, mantra-japa, proper ancestor-rites (Pitṛ devotion), and inclusive devotion—virtues expected of rulers and गृहस्थs to maintain social-religious order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is primary: svādhyāya, japa, and Pitṛ-oriented rites are highlighted as core practices; no specific Vāstu or temple-construction rule is stated in this verse.