Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Ekoddiṣṭa Śrāddha

Devanagari script

दशाहं शावमाशौचं ब्राह्मणेषु विधीयते क्षत्रियेषु दश द्वे च पक्षं वैश्येषु चैव हि //

Transliteration

daśāhaṃ śāvamāśaucaṃ brāhmaṇeṣu vidhīyate kṣatriyeṣu daśa dve ca pakṣaṃ vaiśyeṣu caiva hi //

Translation

The period of death-related āśauca is prescribed as ten days for Brāhmaṇas; twelve days for Kṣatriyas; and for Vaiśyas, indeed, a fortnight.

Word by Word

• daśāham: for ten days

• śāvam: arising from a corpse/death (death-related)

• āśaucam: impurity period/ritual ineligibility

• brāhmaṇeṣu: among Brāhmaṇas

• vidhīyate: is prescribed/ordained

• kṣatriyeṣu: among Kṣatriyas

• daśa: ten

• dve: two

• ca: and

• pakṣam: a fortnight (15 days)

• vaiśyeṣu: among Vaiśyas

• caiva: and indeed/also

• hi: for/indeed (emphatic particle)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Brāhmaṇa
• Kṣatriya
• Vaiśya

Tags

• Dharma
• Āśauca
• Śauca
• Ritual Law
• Varṇa Duties

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it gives dharma-śāstra style rules on śāvāśauca (impurity after a death) and its duration by varṇa.

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

It regulates when householders (and rulers) may resume rites, offerings, and public duties after a death in the family/community, by specifying the mourning-impurity period for different social classes.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it defines eligibility for worship, śrāddha-related observances, and other sacred acts during the āśauca window; it contains no Vāstu/temple-architecture instruction.