Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Ekoddiṣṭa Śrāddha

Devanagari script

जनने ऽप्येवमेव स्यात् सर्ववर्णेषु सर्वदा तथास्थिसंचयाद् ऊर्ध्वम् अङ्गस्पर्शो विधीयते //

Transliteration

janane 'pyevameva syāt sarvavarṇeṣu sarvadā tathāsthisaṃcayād ūrdhvam aṅgasparśo vidhīyate //

Translation

The same rule applies at birth as well, for all varṇas at all times; and likewise, after the gathering of the bones (following cremation), bodily contact is again permitted.

Word by Word

• janane: at birth

• api: also

• evam eva: in the very same manner

• syāt: should be/should apply

• sarva-varṇeṣu: among all varṇas (social classes)

• sarvadā: always

• tathā: likewise

• asthi: bones

• saṃcayāt: after the collecting/gathering

• ūrdhvam: thereafter/afterwards

• aṅga-sparśaḥ: bodily touch/physical contact

• vidhīyate: is prescribed/is enjoined.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu on dharma and ritual procedure)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Varna (social classes)

Tags

• Dharma
• Samskara
• Antyeshti
• Ashaucha
• Ritual purity

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on ritual purity rules (aśauca) connected with birth and post-cremation observances.

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

It gives a practical dharma rule for managing purity restrictions: after the prescribed stage—specifically, after asthi-saṃcaya—normal social interaction like bodily contact becomes permissible again, helping householders (and rulers overseeing social order) regulate conduct consistently across all varṇas.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is asthi-saṃcaya (collection of bones after cremation) as a key threshold after which aṅga-sparśa (physical contact) is allowed—an actionable detail in Matsya Purana samskāra/antyeṣṭi procedure rather than Vāstu or temple architecture.