Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — Pitṛ Worlds

Devanagari script

ज्योतिर्भासिषु लोकेषु ये वसन्ति दिवः परम् विराजमानाः क्रीडन्ति यत्र ते श्राद्धदायिनः //

Transliteration

jyotirbhāsiṣu lokeṣu ye vasanti divaḥ param virājamānāḥ krīḍanti yatra te śrāddhadāyinaḥ //

Translation

Those who dwell in the radiant, light-filled worlds beyond heaven—shining resplendently and sporting there—are the recipients of the śrāddha offerings.

Word by Word

• jyotiḥ-bhāsiṣu: in light-radiant (luminous) worlds

• lokeṣu: in the worlds

• ye: who

• vasanti: dwell

• divaḥ param: beyond heaven / higher than Svarga

• virājamānāḥ: shining forth, resplendent

• krīḍanti: play, sport (enjoy)

• yatra: where

• te: they

• śrāddha-dāyinaḥ: receivers/bestowers of śrāddha (i.e., those to whom śrāddha is given—Pitṛs/ancestors)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, in the Śrāddha discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs (Ancestors)
• Śrāddha

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛloka
• Afterlife
• Ritual Dharma
• Punya (Merit)

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it describes the post-death state of the Pitṛs—ancestors enjoying luminous realms—highlighting the cosmology connected to śrāddha rites rather than dissolution.

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

It supports the householder’s (and king’s) dharma of performing śrāddha: the rite sustains and honors ancestors who are said to dwell in higher, radiant worlds, reinforcing familial continuity and religious merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: śrāddha offerings are affirmed as reaching the Pitṛs, who are portrayed as residing in luminous realms—underscoring śrāddha as an efficacious, merit-bearing procedure within Matsya Purana’s ritual dharma.