Shloka 25

Matsya Purana — Ekoddiṣṭa Śrāddha

Devanagari script

संपृक्तेष्वाकुलीभावः प्रेतेषु तु गतो भवेत् प्रतिसंवत्सरं तस्माद् एकोद्दिष्टं समाचरेत् //

Transliteration

saṃpṛkteṣvākulībhāvaḥ preteṣu tu gato bhavet pratisaṃvatsaraṃ tasmād ekoddiṣṭaṃ samācaret //

Translation

When rites are performed in a mixed (combined) manner, confusion arises regarding the departed who are in the preta-state. Therefore one should duly perform the ekoddiṣṭa-śrāddha—separate and single-intention—every year.

Word by Word

• saṃpṛkteṣu: when mixed/combined

• ākulī-bhāvaḥ: confusion, disorder

• preteṣu: with regard to the pretas/the departed awaiting ancestral status

• tu: indeed/but

• gataḥ: produced, arisen

• bhavet: would be/occurs

• pratisaṃvatsaram: every year, annually

• tasmāt: therefore

• ekoddiṣṭam: ekoddiṣṭa-śrāddha (a separate offering intended for one departed)

• samācaret: should perform/observe properly

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Preta
• Ekoddiṣṭa-Śrāddha

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Preta
• Pitṛs
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Annual rites

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on ritual order in śrāddha, warning that mixed rites cause confusion for the departed in the preta-state.

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

It frames ancestor-offerings as a standing dharma: a householder (and by extension a ruler as exemplar) should perform the annual ekoddiṣṭa śrāddha properly, keeping rites distinct to ensure correct benefit to the departed.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes ekoddiṣṭa—performing a single-intention, non-mixed śrāddha annually for a specific departed person, rather than combining procedures that blur the rite’s target and efficacy.