Shloka 27

Matsya Purana — Ekoddiṣṭa Śrāddha

Devanagari script

आमश्राद्धं यदा कुर्याद् विधिज्ञः श्राद्धदस्तदा तेनाग्नौकरणं कुर्यात् पिण्डांस्तेनैव निर्वपेत् //

Transliteration

āmaśrāddhaṃ yadā kuryād vidhijñaḥ śrāddhadastadā tenāgnaukaraṇaṃ kuryāt piṇḍāṃstenaiva nirvapet //

Translation

Whenever a ritual expert performs an āma-śrāddha (an unelaborated śrāddha), then, being duly engaged in the śrāddha, he should also perform the agnaukaraṇa rite by that same procedure, and by that very method he should duly offer the piṇḍas (rice-balls) as well.

Word by Word

• आमश्राद्धम् (āma-śrāddham): a simpler/unenhanced śrāddha rite

• यदा (yadā): whenever

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should perform

• विधिज्ञः (vidhi-jñaḥ): one who knows the prescribed rules/ritual expert

• श्राद्धदः/श्राद्धदस्तदा (śrāddha-daḥ/śrāddha-das tadā): the performer engaged in giving/doing the śrāddha then

• तेन (tena): by that (same method)

• अग्नौकरणम् (agnau-karaṇam): the rite of making/establishing the fire-offering connection (ancillary fire-rite in śrāddha)

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should do

• पिण्डान् (piṇḍān): piṇḍa rice-balls offered to the ancestors

• तेनैव (tenaiva): by that very same (procedure)

• निर्वपेत् (nirvapet): should offer/place (as an oblation/ritual offering).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Agni (ritual fire)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-yajña
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Ritual procedure
• Agnaukaraṇa

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dharma in the form of śrāddha procedure—how a simplified āma-śrāddha still includes agnaukaraṇa and proper piṇḍa-offering.

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

It directly supports gṛhastha-dharma (householder duty): even when performing a simpler śrāddha, one should follow the required ancillary rite (agnaukaraṇa) and correctly offer the piṇḍas, maintaining continuity of ancestral obligations (pitṛ-yajña).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: it standardizes śrāddha performance by stating that agnaukaraṇa and piṇḍa offerings should be carried out in the same consistent manner during āma-śrāddha.