Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — Ekoddiṣṭa Śrāddha

Devanagari script

तस्मात्प्रेतपुरं प्रेतो द्वादशाहं न नीयते गृहं पुत्रं कलत्रं च द्वादशाहं प्रपश्यति //

Transliteration

tasmātpretapuraṃ preto dvādaśāhaṃ na nīyate gṛhaṃ putraṃ kalatraṃ ca dvādaśāhaṃ prapaśyati //

Translation

Therefore, the departed one, as a preta, is not led to the city of the pretas for twelve days; for those twelve days he continues to behold his home, his son, and his wife.

Word by Word

• tasmāt: therefore

• pretapuram: to the preta-city (realm of departed spirits)

• pretaḥ: the departed spirit in the preta-state

• dvādaśāham: for twelve days

• na nīyate: is not led/taken

• gṛham: home/house

• putram: son

• kalatram ca: and wife/spouse

• dvādaśāham: for twelve days

• prapaśyati: he sees/beholds clearly

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching on preta-dharma; doctrinal voice within the Purana’s discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Preta
• Pretapura

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Antyeṣṭi
• Preta-state
• Ritual Dharma
• Matsya Purana death rites

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it describes the post-death preta interval, stating that for twelve days the departed lingers near and perceives family and home before being led onward.

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

It supports the householder’s duty to perform timely post-funeral observances—especially the twelve-day (dvādaśāha) rites—because the preta is understood to remain connected to the household during this period.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it provides a doctrinal basis for dvādaśāha śrāddha/after-death procedures, emphasizing the twelve-day transitional state before the preta is taken to pretapura.