Shloka 34

Matsya Purana — Pitṛ Worlds

Devanagari script

प्राचीनावीतमुदकं तिलाः सव्याङ्गमेव च दर्भा मांसं च पाठीनं गोक्षीरं मधुरा रसाः //

Transliteration

prācīnāvītamudakaṃ tilāḥ savyāṅgameva ca darbhā māṃsaṃ ca pāṭhīnaṃ gokṣīraṃ madhurā rasāḥ //

Translation

Water offered with the sacred thread worn in the ancestral manner (prācīnāvīta), sesame seeds, and the left-side disposition (savyāṅga) are prescribed; likewise kuśa grass, the meat of the pāṭhīna fish, cow’s milk, and sweet-tasting juices (sweet offerings) are recommended.

Word by Word

• prācīnāvītam: wearing the yajñopavīta in the ancestral mode (over the right shoulder)

• udakam: water (libation)

• tilāḥ: sesame seeds

• savyāṅgam: left-sided/with the left part of the body (ritual orientation)

• eva ca: and indeed/also

• darbhāḥ: kuśa grass

• māṃsam: meat

• ca: and

• pāṭhīnam: of the pāṭhīna fish

• gokṣīram: cow’s milk

• madhurāḥ: sweet

• rasāḥ: juices/liquids/tastes (sweet offerings).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu
• Pitrs (ancestors)

Tags

• Shraddha
• Pitru-karma
• Ritual items
• Dharma
• Offerings

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to ritual instruction, listing substances and orientations used in ancestral rites (pitṛ-kārya/śrāddha).

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

It supports the householder’s (and ruler’s) dharma of honoring ancestors through proper śrāddha procedure—using prescribed items like water (udaka), sesame (tila), darbha, milk, and sweet offerings, with correct prācīnāvīta orientation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritual significance: it specifies standard śrāddha/tarpaṇa materials and the ancestral mode of wearing the sacred thread (prācīnāvīta) and leftward ritual orientation (savyāṅga), emphasizing correctness in pitṛ offerings.