Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite, Shloka 43

Devanagari script

येषां न माता न पिता न बन्धुर् न गोत्रशुद्धिर्न तथान्नम् अस्ति तत्तृप्तये ऽन्नं भुवि दत्तमेतत् प्रयान्तु लोकेषु सुखाय तद्वत् //

Transliteration

yeṣāṃ na mātā na pitā na bandhur na gotraśuddhirna tathānnam asti tattṛptaye 'nnaṃ bhuvi dattametat prayāntu lokeṣu sukhāya tadvat //

Translation

Für jene, die weder Mutter noch Vater noch Verwandten haben, für die es keine Gewissheit der Gotra-Reinheit (gotra) gibt und ebenso keine Nahrung: Diese Speise ist auf der Erde gegeben worden, um sie zu sättigen. Mögen sie, so gesättigt, in Glück in die Welten dahingehen.

Word by Word

• yeṣām: of those (for whom)

• na: not

• mātā: mother

• na pitā: nor father

• na bandhuḥ: nor relative/kinsman

• na gotra-śuddhiḥ: no purity/verification of gotra (lineage identity)

• na tathā annam asti: likewise there is no food

• tat-tṛptaye: for their satisfaction/appeasement

• annam: food

• bhuvi: on earth

• dattam: given/offered

• etat: this

• prayāntu: may they go/depart

• lokeṣu: to the worlds/realms

• sukhāya: for happiness/unto well-being

• tadvat: in that manner/accordingly (i.e., being satisfied).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on dharma and offerings

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Lord Matsya

Tags

• Dāna
• Anna-dāna
• Dharma
• Ritual offering
• Compassion

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it teaches compassionate dharma—offering food so unsupported beings may find satisfaction and a peaceful onward journey to higher realms.

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

It frames anna-dāna as a core duty: rulers and householders should provide food for those without family support or social identification, treating charity as a means of welfare and spiritual benefit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is the efficacy of food-offering (anna-dāna) even when the recipient’s gotra is unknown—charity is directed to the needy and to appeasement/satisfaction, rather than requiring formal lineage identification.