Shloka 90

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

श्राद्धसाधनकाले तु पाणिनैकेन दीयते तर्पणं तूभयेनैव विधिरेष सदा स्मृतः //

Transliteration

śrāddhasādhanakāle tu pāṇinaikena dīyate tarpaṇaṃ tūbhayenaiva vidhireṣa sadā smṛtaḥ //

Translation

At the time of performing the rites that constitute Śrāddha, the offering is to be given with one hand; but for Tarpaṇa it is to be performed with both hands. This rule is always remembered as the proper procedure.

Word by Word

• श्राद्धसाधनकाले: at the time of performing śrāddha-rites

• तु: indeed/but

• पाणिना: with the hand

• एकेन: with one (only)

• दीयते: is given/offered

• तर्पणम्: tarpaṇa (water-libation offering for ancestors/deities)

• तु: however

• उभयेन: with both

• एव: only/indeed

• विधिः: rule/procedure

• एषः: this

• सदा: always

• स्मृतः: remembered/authoritatively taught (in Smṛti).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Śrāddha
• Tarpaṇa
• Smṛti (ritual tradition)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Tarpaṇa
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Ritual-procedure
• Pitṛ-yajña

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on ritual discipline in ancestor rites, specifying correct hand-usage in Śrāddha and Tarpaṇa.

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

It directly guides gṛhastha-dharma (and by extension royal dharma) by prescribing precise ritual etiquette for Pitṛ-karmas: offer Śrāddha with one hand, and perform Tarpaṇa with both hands.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual-technical: correct performance (vidhi) depends even on bodily procedure—one-handed offering in Śrāddha, two-handed libation in Tarpaṇa—highlighting standardized Matsya Purana ritual rules.