Shloka 36

Matsya Purana — Pitṛ Worlds

Devanagari script

वल्लभानि प्रशस्तानि पितॄणामिह सर्वदा द्वेष्याणि सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि श्राद्धे वर्ज्यानि यानि तु //

Transliteration

vallabhāni praśastāni pitṝṇāmiha sarvadā dveṣyāṇi sampravakṣyāmi śrāddhe varjyāni yāni tu //

Translation

I have spoken here of the offerings and observances that are ever dear and praiseworthy to the Pitṛs (ancestors); now I shall plainly declare those things that displease them and therefore must be avoided in the śrāddha rite.

Word by Word

• vallabhāni: dear, pleasing (things)

• praśastāni: commendable, approved

• pitṝṇām: of the Pitṛs/ancestors

• iha: here (in this context/rite)

• sarvadā: always

• dveṣyāṇi: hateful, displeasing

• sampravakṣyāmi: I will fully/clearly explain

• śrāddhe: in the śrāddha ceremony

• varjyāni: to be avoided, forbidden

• yāni tu: which indeed/namely those

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs
• Śrāddha

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-dharma
• Ritual rules
• Prohibitions
• Householder duties

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it introduces a ritual-ethical classification within śrāddha—what pleases the ancestors versus what must be avoided.

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

It frames śrāddha as a regulated duty: a householder (and by extension a ruler upholding dharma) should follow approved practices and avoid actions deemed displeasing to the Pitṛs, preserving ritual purity and social-religious order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: it signals a forthcoming list of śrāddha prohibitions (varjya)—a key procedural layer in ancestor rites, ensuring the offering is acceptable to the Pitṛs.