Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — Marks of Karma-yoga and the Five Great Daily Sacrifices

Devanagari script

देवतानां पितॄणां च मनुष्याणां च सर्वदा कुर्यादहरहर्यज्ञैर् भूतर्षिगणतर्पणम् //

Transliteration

devatānāṃ pitṝṇāṃ ca manuṣyāṇāṃ ca sarvadā kuryādaharaharyajñair bhūtarṣigaṇatarpaṇam //

Translation

One should always, day after day, perform—through daily sacrificial offerings—the acts of satiation (tarpaṇa) for the gods, the forefathers, human beings, and also for the hosts of beings and sages.

Word by Word

• devatānām: of the gods

• pitṝṇām: of the ancestors/manes

• ca: and

• manuṣyāṇām: of human beings

• ca: and

• sarvadā: always

• kuryāt: one should do/perform

• ahar-ahar: day by day

• yajñaiḥ: by sacrifices/offerings (ritual acts)

• bhūta: beings/creatures (elemental beings or living beings)

• ṛṣi-gaṇa: the group/hosts of sages

• tarpaṇam: satiation/libation/ritual appeasement offering

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Pitṛs
• Manuṣyas
• Bhūtas
• Ṛṣis

Tags

• Dharma
• Nitya-karma
• Tarpaṇa
• Yajña
• Householder-duties

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it teaches nitya-karma—daily ritual duties that sustain cosmic and social order through offerings to devas, pitṛs, and other recipients.

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

It frames an everyday obligation: a king or householder should maintain regular yajña-like offerings and tarpaṇa, honoring gods, ancestors, sages, and supporting humans—thus upholding dharma through continual reciprocity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): it emphasizes tarpaṇa and daily offerings (yajña) as prescribed acts of appeasement/satiation for multiple classes of beings.