Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — Ekoddiṣṭa Śrāddha

Devanagari script

शूद्रेषु मासमाशौचं सपिण्डेषु विधीयते नैशं वाकृतचूडस्य त्रिरात्रं परतः स्मृतम् //

Transliteration

śūdreṣu māsamāśaucaṃ sapiṇḍeṣu vidhīyate naiśaṃ vākṛtacūḍasya trirātraṃ parataḥ smṛtam //

Translation

For a Śūdra, āśauca is prescribed for a month, and the same is enjoined among sapinda (blood-related kin). But for one who has not yet undergone the cūḍā hair-rite (first tonsure), impurity is held to last only three nights thereafter.

Word by Word

• śūdreṣu: among Śūdras

• māsam: for a month

• āśaucam: ritual impurity (mourning impurity)

• sapiṇḍeṣu: among sapindas/blood-relatives sharing the funeral offering line

• vidhīyate: is prescribed/enjoined

• naiśam: lasting for nights/overnight (night-based count)

• vā-kṛta-cūḍasya: of one whose cūḍā (tonsure/first shaving rite) has not been performed

• tri-rātram: for three nights

• parataḥ: thereafter/after that (in that case)

• smṛtam: is remembered/declared in tradition.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Śūdra
• Sapinda

Tags

• Dharma
• Āśauca
• Ritual Purity
• Śrāddha
• Householder Duties

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to the Matsya Purana’s dharma section and lays down practical rules of ritual impurity (āśauca) connected with death/birth and kinship obligations.

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

It guides householders (and rulers overseeing social order) on how long mourning-impurity applies in different cases—especially for Śūdras and for sapinda relatives—so that daily rites, temple access, and śrāddha-related duties are timed correctly.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it specifies āśauca durations that determine when one may resume rites such as śrāddha, offerings, and other purity-dependent ceremonies.