Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Ekoddiṣṭa Śrāddha

Devanagari script

सपिण्डीकरणादूर्ध्वं प्रेतः पार्वणभाग्भवेत् वृद्धिपूर्वेषु योग्यश्च गृहस्थश्च भवेत्ततः //

Transliteration

sapiṇḍīkaraṇādūrdhvaṃ pretaḥ pārvaṇabhāgbhavet vṛddhipūrveṣu yogyaśca gṛhasthaśca bhavettataḥ //

Translation

After the sapiṇḍīkaraṇa has been performed, the departed (preta) becomes entitled to a share in the ancestral offerings of the monthly śrāddha (pārvaṇa). From that time onward, he is fit to be included among the ancestors in vṛddhi-type śrāddhas performed for auspicious increase, and is thereafter regarded as a gṛhastha, a settled member of the ancestral household-line.

Word by Word

• सपिण्डीकरणात् (sapiṇḍīkaraṇāt): from the sapiṇḍīkaraṇa rite (joining with the piṇḍa/ancestral line)

• ऊर्ध्वम् (ūrdhvam): thereafter, after that

• प्रेतः (pretaḥ): the departed spirit in the preta-state

• पार्वण-भाग् (pārvaṇa-bhāg): entitled to a share in the pārvaṇa śrāddha offering

• भवेत् (bhavet): becomes

• वृद्धि-पूर्वेषु (vṛddhi-pūrveṣu): in the vṛddhi-type rites/śrāddhas done for increase/prosperity

• योग्यः (yogyaḥ): fit, eligible

• च (ca): and

• गृहस्थः (gṛhasthaḥ): a householder (here, assimilated into the settled ancestral order)

• च (ca): and

• भवेत् (bhavet): becomes

• ततः (tataḥ): then, from that time onward

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Preta
• Pitṛs (Ancestors)
• Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa
• Pārvaṇa Śrāddha
• Vṛddhi Śrāddha

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa
• Preta
• Pitṛs
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Ritual procedure

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on post-death ritual law, explaining how the preta’s status changes after sapiṇḍīkaraṇa so he may receive ancestral offerings.

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

It supports gṛhastha-dharma: householders must perform sapiṇḍīkaraṇa and subsequent śrāddhas so the departed is properly integrated among the Pitṛs and included in regular (pārvaṇa) and auspicious (vṛddhi) ancestral rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual, not architectural: sapiṇḍīkaraṇa is the key rite that ends the preta-phase and grants eligibility to partake in pārvaṇa offerings and be included in vṛddhi śrāddhas.