Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Ekoddiṣṭa Śrāddha

Devanagari script

प्रेताय पिण्डदानं तु द्वादशाहं समाचरेत् पाथेयं तस्य तत्प्रोक्तं यतः प्रीतिकरं महत् //

Transliteration

pretāya piṇḍadānaṃ tu dvādaśāhaṃ samācaret pātheyaṃ tasya tatproktaṃ yataḥ prītikaraṃ mahat //

Translation

One should perform the offering of rice-balls (piṇḍa-dāna) for the departed spirit (preta) for twelve days. This is declared to be his “provision for the journey” (pātheya), because it brings him great satisfaction and benefit.

Word by Word

• प्रेताय (pretāya): for the preta, the departed spirit

• पिण्डदानम् (piṇḍadānam): offering of rice-balls to the dead

• तु (tu): indeed

• द्वादशाहम् (dvādaśāham): for twelve days

• समाचरेत् (samācaret): should duly perform/observe

• पाथेयम् (pātheyam): travel-provision, sustenance for the journey

• तस्य (tasya): for him/for that departed one

• तत्प्रोक्तम् (tatproktam): is thus stated/declared

• यतः (yataḥ): because

• प्रीतिकरम् (prītikaram): causing satisfaction/pleasure

• महत् (mahat): great, significant.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Preta
• Pinda (piṇḍa)
• Shraddha (śrāddha)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Preta-rites
• Piṇḍadāna
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Funerary ritual

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on post-death ritual duty—piṇḍadāna for twelve days—describing it as the departed spirit’s “journey-provision” (pātheya).

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

It frames a key gṛhastha (householder) obligation: conducting the twelve-day piṇḍadāna for the deceased to aid their post-death transition; rulers too are expected to uphold such dharmic rites within society.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: the prescribed twelve-day sequence of piṇḍa offerings, understood as sustenance for the preta’s onward journey and a major source of “prīti” (relief/satisfaction) for the departed.