Shloka 38

Matsya Purana — Pitṛ Worlds

Devanagari script

न देयाः पितृकार्येषु पयश्चाजाविकं तथा कोद्रवोदारचणकाः कपित्थं मधुकातसी //

Transliteration

na deyāḥ pitṛkāryeṣu payaścājāvikaṃ tathā kodravodāracaṇakāḥ kapitthaṃ madhukātasī //

Translation

In rites meant for the ancestors (pitṛ-kārya), one should not offer goat’s milk; likewise kodrava grain, wild chickpeas, the kapittha fruit, and the madhukā and ātasi (linseed/flax) are also not to be given.

Word by Word

• na deyāḥ: should not be given/offered

• pitṛ-kāryeṣu: in ancestral rites (śrāddha and related offerings)

• payaḥ: milk

• ca: and

• ajāvikaṃ: pertaining to goats (goat’s)

• tathā: likewise

• kodravaḥ: kodrava millet (a coarse grain)

• dāra-caṇakāḥ: wild/forest chickpeas (a rough variety of gram)

• kapittham: kapittha fruit (wood-apple)

• madhukā: madhūka (mahua) / sweet intoxicating produce

• ātasi: ātasi (linseed/flax)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-kārya

Tags

• Shraddha
• Pitri-karya
• Ritual purity
• Dharma
• Food prohibitions

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dharma—specifically which food items are prohibited in pitṛ-kārya (ancestral rites).

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

It gives a householder (and by extension a king as guardian of dharma) concrete śrāddha discipline: offerings to ancestors must follow prescribed purity rules, avoiding certain milks, grains, pulses, and fruits considered unsuitable for pitṛ offerings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual, not architectural: it lists specific items that should not be used as śrāddha offerings in pitṛ-kārya, functioning as a practical compliance rule for ancestral ceremonies.