Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite, Shloka 64

Devanagari script

भार्याविरहितो ऽप्येतत् प्रवासस्थो ऽपि भक्तिमान् शूद्रो ऽप्यमन्त्रवत्कुर्याद् अनेन विधिना बुधः //

Transliteration

bhāryāvirahito 'pyetat pravāsastho 'pi bhaktimān śūdro 'pyamantravatkuryād anena vidhinā budhaḥ //

Translation

Auch wenn ein Mann ohne Gattin ist oder fern der Heimat weilt, soll ein Frommer — selbst ein Śūdra — diese Observanz ohne vedische Mantras nach eben dieser Vorschrift vollziehen, o Weiser.

Word by Word

• bhāryā-virahitaḥ: without (his) wife

• api: even

• etat: this (rite/observance)

• pravāsa-sthaḥ: staying away (in travel/exile)

• api: even

• bhaktimān: possessing devotion

• śūdraḥ: a Śūdra

• api: even

• a-mantra-vat: without mantras (i.e., without Vedic recitation)

• kuryāt: should do/perform

• anena: by this

• vidhinā: method/procedure

• budhaḥ: the wise person / O wise one

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Śūdra
• bhāryā (wife)

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual procedure
• Bhakti
• Eligibility
• Amantraka worship

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on who is eligible to perform a prescribed observance and how it may be done when Vedic mantras or household conditions are unavailable.

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

It expands practical dharma: even when a householder is traveling or separated from his wife, the observance should still be maintained; devotion and correct procedure are emphasized over ideal circumstances.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it authorizes an “amantravat” (non-Vedic-mantra) mode of performance—especially relevant for Śūdras—indicating an accessible, procedure-based form of worship/vrata rather than temple-architecture guidance.