Shloka 29

Matsya Purana — Pitṛ Worlds

Devanagari script

तेभ्यः सर्वे तु मनवः प्रजाः सर्गेषु निर्मिताः ज्ञात्वा श्राद्धानि कुर्वन्ति धर्माभावे ऽपि सर्वदा //

Transliteration

tebhyaḥ sarve tu manavaḥ prajāḥ sargeṣu nirmitāḥ jñātvā śrāddhāni kurvanti dharmābhāve 'pi sarvadā //

Translation

From them, all the Manus and the generations of beings are produced in the successive creations; and knowing this (ancestral lineage), they always perform the śrāddha rites—even when dharma is in decline.

Word by Word

• tebhyaḥ: from them

• sarve: all

• tu: indeed

• manavaḥ: the Manus / mankind

• prajāḥ: creatures, progeny, subjects

• sargeṣu: in (successive) creations

• nirmitāḥ: brought forth, created

• jñātvā: having known, understanding

• śrāddhāni: śrāddha rites (ancestral offerings)

• kurvanti: they perform

• dharma-abhāve: in the absence/decline of dharma

• api: even

• sarvadā: always.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya–Manu dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Manu
• Prajā (progeny/creatures)
• Śrāddha

Tags

• Manvantara
• Sarga
• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-yajña
• Dharma

FAQs

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

It emphasizes repeated creation cycles (sarga) in which Manus and beings arise; across such cosmic changes, the continuity of ancestral rites (śrāddha) is upheld as a stabilizing dharmic practice.

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

It highlights a core householder-and-kingly obligation: maintaining pitṛ-dharma through śrāddha. Even when public righteousness declines, the disciplined performance of ancestral rites is presented as an enduring duty that supports social and cosmic order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it underscores the indispensability of śrāddha (ancestral offerings) as a perpetual rite, performed consistently regardless of the broader decline of dharma.