Shloka 87

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

ऊर्ध्वं मुहूर्तात्कुतपाद् यन्मुहूर्तचतुष्टयम् मुहूर्तपञ्चकं चैतत् स्वधाभवनमिष्यते //

Transliteration

ūrdhvaṃ muhūrtātkutapād yanmuhūrtacatuṣṭayam muhūrtapañcakaṃ caitat svadhābhavanamiṣyate //

Translation

The four muhūrtas following the Kutapa-muhūrta—making five muhūrtas in all—are regarded as the ‘abode of Svadhā’, the proper time for offerings to the Ancestors.

Word by Word

• ūrdhvam: after/above

• muhūrtāt: from the muhūrta (time-unit)

• kutapāt: from/after Kutapa (a specific muhūrta associated with Pitṛ rites)

• yat: which

• muhūrta-catuṣṭayam: a group of four muhūrtas

• muhūrta-pañcakam: a set of five muhūrtas

• ca: and

• etat: this

• svadhā: the Pitṛ-offering formula ‘svadhā’/that which is offered to the Ancestors

• bhavanam: abode/dwelling/place

• iṣyate: is considered/is held to be.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Svadhā
• Pitṛs
• Kutapa-muhūrta

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-yajña
• Muhūrta
• Ritual timing
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a dharma-ritual instruction defining a sacred time-window (muhūrta set) specifically suited to Pitṛ offerings marked by the formula ‘svadhā’.

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

It guides the gṛhastha (and also a king as chief householder) to perform śrāddha and Pitṛ-yajña at the ritually proper time—after Kutapa—so that ancestor offerings are considered correctly placed and efficacious.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): it identifies the ‘Svadhā-bhavana’ period—five muhūrtas including Kutapa and the four following—as the appropriate timing for ancestor rites and related offerings.