Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Lineage of the Pitṛs

Devanagari script

*मनुरुवाच भगवञ्श्रोतुमिच्छामि पितॄणां वंशमुत्तमम् रवेश्च श्राद्धदेवत्वं सोमस्य च विशेषतः //

Transliteration

*manuruvāca bhagavañśrotumicchāmi pitṝṇāṃ vaṃśamuttamam raveśca śrāddhadevatvaṃ somasya ca viśeṣataḥ //

Translation

Manu said: “O Blessed Lord, I desire to hear the excellent lineage of the Pitṛs (ancestral fathers), and in particular the divine status of Ravi (the Sun) as presiding deity of Śrāddha, and also that of Soma (the Moon), with its distinctive details.”

Word by Word

• manuḥ: Manu

• uvāca: said

• bhagavan: O Blessed Lord

• śrotum: to hear

• icchāmi: I desire

• pitṝṇām: of the Pitṛs (ancestors)

• vaṃśam: lineage/dynasty

• uttamam: excellent/supreme

• raveḥ ca: and of Ravi (Sun)

• śrāddha-devatvam: the state/role of being a Śrāddha-deity (presiding deity for ancestral rites)

• somasya ca: and of Soma (Moon)

• viśeṣataḥ: especially/in particular.

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Pitṛs
• Ravi (Surya)
• Soma (Chandra)

Tags

• Shraddha
• Pitrs
• Ritual
• Genealogy
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it opens a ritual-genealogical inquiry, focusing on Pitṛ lineage and the deities connected with Śrāddha (Sun and Moon).

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

It frames a dharmic duty central to householders (and endorsed for rulers as protectors of dharma): performing Śrāddha with correct understanding of the Pitṛs and their presiding deities, ensuring continuity of lineage and ritual order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it signals a technical discussion on Śrāddha—who the proper devatās are (notably Ravi and Soma) and how ancestral offerings are theologically grounded.