Shloka 31

Matsya Purana — Pitṛ Worlds

Devanagari script

सर्वेषां राजतं पात्रम् अथवा रजतान्वितम् दत्तं स्वधा पुरोधाय पितॄन् प्रीणाति सर्वदा //

Transliteration

sarveṣāṃ rājataṃ pātram athavā rajatānvitam dattaṃ svadhā purodhāya pitṝn prīṇāti sarvadā //

Translation

For all classes of Pitṛs, the gift of a silver vessel—or a vessel adorned with silver—when offered with the Svadhā-formula as the rite’s preface, continually brings satisfaction to the ancestors.

Word by Word

• सर्वेषाम् (sarveṣām): of all

• राजतम् (rājatam): silver

• पात्रम् (pātram): vessel, ritual receptacle

• अथवा (athavā): or

• रजतान्वितम् (rajatānvitam): endowed/adorned with silver

• दत्तम् (dattam): given, donated

• स्वधा (svadhā): the Svadhā invocation offered to Pitṛs

• पुरोधाय (purodhāya): having placed first, having done as a preface/introductory act

• पितॄन् (pitṝn): the ancestors (Pitṛs)

• प्रीणाति (prīṇāti): satisfies, pleases

• सर्वदा (sarvadā): always, continually

Speaker

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

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs
• Svadhā

Tags

• Shraddha
• Pitru Tarpana
• Dana
• Ritual Items
• Householder Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on śrāddha-oriented charity and the correct ritual manner (Svadhā) for pleasing the Pitṛs.

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

It prescribes a practical dāna (charitable gift) for śrāddha: donating a silver (or silver-adorned) vessel with the Svadhā invocation is presented as a reliable means for a householder (and by extension a king as patron) to fulfill Pitṛ-obligations.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual, not architectural: the verse highlights the importance of proper śrāddha protocol—using an appropriate vessel (pātra) and beginning the offering with Svadhā—to ensure the offering reaches and satisfies the ancestors.